-as major projects ramp up

-by Kristin Josiah

The Government is moving to strengthen oversight of its major development projects, with tighter enforcement of contract terms and measures to address delays and overpayments.

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh says stronger project and contract management are critical as Guyana continues its aggressive investment programme.

Guyana’s economy grew by more than 30 percent during the first half of 2026, despite global economic uncertainty and extreme weather conditions.

Non-oil growth also surpassed 10 percent, while more than 156,000 new jobs were created between December 2020 and December 2025, according to the government’s latest mid-year economic report.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says the government is placing greater emphasis on the effective implementation and oversight of its development projects.

He says stronger contract and project management are being prioritized to ensure government projects are completed on time and according to contractual specifications.

 “The President and the Cabinet have taken a firm position as it relates to ensuring contractual compliance, that the contracts that we have with those who are providing goods and services are executed on time, in keeping with the specifications that are outlined in them and in keeping with the costs reflected in the contract. And so stronger contract and project management are very much a priority for us on enforcement,” the minister said.

Minister Singh says the government will enforce provisions for liquidated damages when contractors exceed agreed timelines, unless there are strong and compelling circumstances.

He says measures are also being taken to address overpayments under government contracts.

“But there are instances where there are time overruns, and the Cabinet has taken a position that we must enforce and we will enforce the provisions as they relate to liquidated damages to ensure that we have timely completion, unless obviously there are strong and compelling extenuating or justifying circumstances, the position of the Cabinet is that we will enforce the provisions that relate to liquidated damages. The President has taken that position and instructions have been given to all of the Ministers in the Cabinet and in turn through them to the permanent secretaries across the whole of government to ensure that contracts are enforced, particularly in relation to timely completion,” he explained.

The Finance Minister says timely completion is critical because delays can postpone the delivery of services and infrastructure to citizens.

He says the government has also seen an increase in the number of small contractors participating in public procurement opportunities.