With labour and occasional material shortages already posing challenges to the Guyana Government’s ambitious infrastructure agenda, the regime now faces the herculean task of monitoring those government construction officials responsible for safeguarding taxpayers’ interests.
The country’s Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, is warning contractors to not collude with these officials, particularly engineers and clerks of works, in defrauding the state. The VP’s comment comes on the heels of a recent incident involving a government engineers attempting to “shake down” a contractor.
The VP is calling on contractors to come forward and report these officials to the relevant authorities. He noted that with the magnitude of contracts ongoing across the country, the task of monitor corruption and collusion, especially in far-flung areas, is a real challenge for the administration. In fact, it is nearly impossible, the VP admitted.
“You are talking about maybe six, seven thousand contracts under implementation now. We can’t know if a clerk of work on a project in Black Bush Polder or somewhere else is asking the contractor for money. But the contractors have to understand that if they comply with this, they are not only breaching the system they are doing something illegal. They should contact us,” Dr Jagdeo stated.
These officials, contracted by the state, liaise with contractors executing government works across the country to ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with agreed upon specifications. These responsibilities give engineers and clerks of works immense latitude to manipulate processes for personal gain by twisting the arms of contractors seeking their seal of approval.
He noted that contractors should immediately contact the Office of the President or Vice President, the Minister of Public Works or the National Tender Board if anyone is trying to ‘shake’ them down.
The former Finance Minister said that a report of corruption will not be seen as a criticism of the government, but represents a matter of urgency. He said the authorities would take firm action.
