President Irfaan Ali has issued a warning to those contractors who have been given multi-million dollar pump station contracts and continue to face delays int he completion of their work. The President wants them to know that they will face penalties.

The Opposition has been flagging a number of Government pump station projects that are facing lengthy delays because of the contractors.

Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul recently disclosed that since 2020, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has awarded contracts to build 10 pump stations across the country, but many of those works are still to be completed.

While addressing party supporters at Babu Jaaan in Corentyne on Sunday, President Irfaan Ali said critics of his government have been nagging constantly on the pump station delays. He said the government will not be sharing the fault, but has made it clear that there will be no free passes.

“They would not say that the Ministry will take action against them, they would want to make it suit their objective, that this is a corrupt government. No one who break the law or who do not fulfill their contractual obligation to this country will be allowed to do so, “the President stated.

There have been delays in the commencement of works for two major pump station contracts awarded last year to Satar Mohamed & Sons Construction and Tepui Group Inc.

Satar Mohamed & Sons Construction secured an $868 million contract for the Meten Meer Zorg Pump Station, while Tepui Group Inc., landed an $865 million contract for the Belle Vue Pump Station. However, works on both contracts are yet to begin.

“We have made it very clear to all the Permanent Secretaries and all the Ministers that the law must take precedent and wherever liquated damages must be charged, it will be charged,” the President assured.

The President has however, defended the delays of some contracts by saying there continues to be a supply-chain crisis which has affected many countries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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