-contractor details, project costs, timelines, scope of works to be publicly displayed
THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has begun implementing its transparency policy for public infrastructural projects, with details on contractors, project costs, timelines and the scope of works to be displayed at construction sites.
This will allow residents to monitor progress and hold those responsible for delayed or substandard works accountable.
This step was announced on Saturday during the sod-turning ceremony for the $528.3 million reconstruction of the East Ruimveldt Market, where Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, said communities should have a greater role in monitoring projects taking place in their neighbourhoods.
The initiative, officially developed just a few weeks ago, forms part of the ministry’s wider effort to improve accountability while ensuring contractors deliver projects on time and within the provided budget.
Addressing the contractors awarded the East Ruimveldt Market project, Minister Manickchand said they had secured the contracts after committing to complete the works at an agreed cost and within an agreed timeframe.
She stressed that the government expects those commitments to be honoured, noting that failure to do so would not only breach contractual obligations but also disappoint the community that stands to benefit from the investment.
“You bid for these projects, and you said you could do this at this cost in this time. And if you fail, you would be disappointing an entire community and breaching your contract,” she said.
The minister argued that Guyana must move away from what she described as a culture of accepting repeated delays and cost overruns on public projects. She said contractors are fully aware of factors that could impact the pace of their work before submitting bids and should therefore plan accordingly.
According to Manickchand, the ministry intends to set a new standard by expecting contractors to meet their obligations without relying on routine requests for extensions. “We have developed almost a culture in the country where contractors believe they can ask for more time. They can tell you the weather was bad. When you bid, you knew it is rain and the sun is shining. You knew daytime is from six o’clock to five o’clock and that nighttime comes. You know all of this before you bid. So, the culture of asking for extensions or going over your cost has to stop,” she said.
To support this shift, the ministry will publicly display project information at construction sites so residents, vendors, members of the media and other stakeholders can follow the progress of works.
The notices will identify the contractors responsible for each section of a project, outline the scope of work and indicate the expected completion dates, allowing communities to hold those involved accountable. “These details will be posted in this marketplace for everybody to know who has which lot, who’s doing what, what time it should be done,” she said adding, “There is responsibility here in this, our first market in this ministry under my leadership, I think you can help us demonstrate what we’re capable of as a country.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith, who grew up in the East Ruimveldt area, described the market as more than a commercial space, saying it has served generations of vendors, families and small businesses throughout the community.
He said the rebuilding of the market, together with the reconstruction of the East Ruimveldt Community Centre, represents a significant investment in improving the lives of residents. Griffith also echoed the call for contractors to deliver the project to the highest standard. “It is important that we invite the contractors here,” he said noting, “We, myself, my colleagues, we will be ensuring that nothing, but the best is given to this market and to the residents and citizens of East Ruimveldt because they deserve nothing less.”
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Stephen Jacobs, said the decision to publicly display project information highlights the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability while ensuring residents understand exactly how public funds are being spent.
He noted that vendors and residents had repeatedly raised concerns over the condition of the market and said the rebuilding of the market responds directly to those longstanding complaints.
Minister Jacobs added that ministers will continue engaging the community throughout construction while closely monitoring the contractors’ performance. “It’s very important in making sure that every citizen here understands the project, understands the amount of money that is being expended on the project, and also have an opportunity to see the contractors. Because we’re very, very open to accountability as government, and we want you to see everything,” he said.
He added, “Contractors, we are holding you to the fire. Strict timelines, make sure that you are efficient [and] you continue to keep the quality, so that the persons here can benefit, and we can continue to stimulate economic activities in this community.”
