Government eyeing “Blacklist” legislation to deal with defaulters of Government contracts

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Public Works, Minister Edghill pointed out that the Government has been putting up with contractors who have been failing to complete works on schedule, but the time for that will soon come to an end.

Government eyeing “Blacklist” legislation to deal with defaulters of Government contracts

Frustrated with incomplete works being done on government projects by contractors, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill today announced that the government will be introducing legislation that will see the blacklisting of companies that fail their obligations under government construction contracts.

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Public Works, Minister Edghill pointed out that the Government has been putting up with contractors who have been failing to complete works on schedule, but the time for that will soon come to an end.

“We need to get a register of contractors and that would be very efficient in terms of management because and we also have to look at what you might want to call blacklisting legislation or debarment legislation that is something that needs to be examined”, Edghill said.

The Government has taken some contractors to Court over incomplete works, but the Minister of Public Works believes that with all of the infrastructural works being done across the country, the administration will need strong legislation that could effectively block companies from future government contracts over their failures.

“The legislative framework for blacklisting contractors lies with the Ministry of Finance and Procurement and Tender Administration Board that was in my previous life. In this life, I have to depend on them but we have made the necessary recommendation and suggestions, but I can tell you at the Ministry when it comes to awarding of contracts, we have the responsibility to ensure that when they are engaging a contractor, it is someone who has the reputation and who could get the job done.” Minister Edghill pointed out.

The Minister said the legislation is needed so that his Ministry which provides the technical support for government building contracts can make use of it to address defaulters.

“While there is no legislation, we are keeping a very clear eye out on non-performing contractors, contractors who lack the capability or who do shady work”.

The Minister did not indicate a timeframe for the proposed legislation but he said it is clearly needed to address the problems that have been dogging government contracts over the years.

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