Contractors Barred from New Projects Until Corentyne Bridges Are Completed — President Ali
November 21 2025
Works on several bridges along the Corentyne Public Road remain stalled, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali has made it clear that the government will no longer tolerate delays or under-performance from contractors and engineers assigned to public infrastructure projects.
During a visit to Region Six on Thursday, the President addressed residents gathered on the lawns of State House, where he delivered a firm message of accountability in the execution of government contracts.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
“We are taking an approach to government in which we want people to be held accountable,” the President said. “We want performance indicators not only to be there on paper but to be there to measure the performance of those who are paid to provide public service, and if they cannot perform the service they are paid to do, then they will have to be removed from such service.”
He disclosed that he has instructed the Permanent Secretary and the head of procurement to take all necessary measures to ensure non-performing contractors are penalised — starting with a freeze on their ability to secure future government contracts.
“I have instructed the Permanent Secretary and the procurement head to take all the necessary actions that will ensure these contractors are not awarded new projects until these bridges are completed,” he affirmed.
President Ali also directed officials to investigate whether project engineers were negligent in their administrative responsibilities, potentially hindering the government’s ability to enforce contractual penalties.
“I have asked them to examine if it is that the project engineers are delinquent in the management of this project from an administrative perspective — that is, ensuring that all the administrative requirements are in place allowing the government to take action. And if they are not in place, the Finance Secretary is aware of the powers invested in the system for action to be taken, and action will be taken,” he said.
The president and his cabinet is on a two-day outreach in the region.
