Su-Gate | Country told of termination of talks with new DHB top bidder days after Vice News interview

The installed PPPC regime continues to drown in corruption allegations and a recent interview with Vice News’ Isobel Yeung has not helped. In Yeung’s interview Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo denied such accusations, but then admitted to doing business with an alleged corrupt Chinese businessman. The Vice President also stated the regime’s intention to terminate contract discussions with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCECL) raises serious issues of due process, contract evaluation and probity by the administration.

The New-York based correspondent interviewed  the Vice-President on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Days after, it was confirmed by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edgehill that the contract to build the New Demerara Harbour had been terminated due to high costs. On the second day of Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure, Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson asked Minister Edghill to provide a status on the award of the contract. The Minister’s response was similar to that of the Vice President.

Edghill said, “As of today, the negotiating team which comprises of a lawyer, engineers, finance specialist and management consultants have been engaging with the number one ranked bidder and the negotiators have since informed the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board that they wish to terminate the negotiation process because the terms sheets and the cost of financing would not serve the best interest of the people of Guyana.” The Alliance for Change (AFC) in a recent statement said that the termination of discussions raises “serious concerns”.

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