By Breaking Belize News Staff: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat has confirmed that no construction contractor has been selected for the proposed BZ$74.4 million upgrading of the George Price Highway between Hattieville and La Democracia, explaining that the project has not yet reached the tendering stage.
Espat made the disclosure during today’s sitting of the House of Representatives while responding to questions raised by Opposition Leader Tracy Panton and Mesopotamia Area Representative Lee Mark Chang concerning the cost, financing and transparency of the project.
“Who gets the contract? Well, we don’t know,” Espat told the House, explaining that the government was first seeking parliamentary authorization for the US$30 million loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development.
He said the procurement process for the construction contract would commence after the loan motion receives the necessary parliamentary approval.
According to Espat, procurement will be conducted in accordance with the OPEC Fund’s requirements for the acquisition of goods, works and services, with oversight involving the Ministry of Finance and other relevant authorities.
The minister also revealed that an independent supervision company has already been contracted to oversee the highway works. He identified the company as NABCO, which he said is supervising the three sections of the George Price Highway upgrading programme.
Espat explained that the Hattieville–La Democracia project will involve two principal procurement arrangements: a civil works contract financed by the OPEC Fund and the Government of Belize, and a separate external audit contract financed by the government.
He said the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing’s Project Execution Unit will oversee implementation, reporting, withdrawals and project accounts.
The minister defended the government’s procurement procedures, saying the international lending institutions involved impose strict standards that must be followed.
Espat also responded to questions about the financing of the government’s contribution, saying payments required from the Treasury would have to be provided for in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
He maintained that the government is willing to share further technical and financial information with opposition parliamentarians, including arranging meetings with engineers and officials involved in the project.
The proposed upgrade covers approximately 23.6 kilometres of highway, including pavement reconstruction, improved drainage, flood mitigation works and replacement of the Colonel English Bridge.
The OPEC Fund’s published project information places the overall cost at US$37.2 million, equivalent to BZ$74.4 million.
The financing comprises two US$15 million loans, leaving approximately US$7.2 million of the total project cost to be financed from other sources.
Espat maintained that the project is necessary to improve one of Belize’s principal transportation corridors and strengthen connectivity between Belize City, Belmopan and the western border.
The post Julius Espat says no contractor selected for $74.4 million George Price Highway project, tendering to begin after parliamentary approval appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat has confirmed that no construction contractor has been selected for the proposed BZ$74.4 million upgrading of the George Price Highway between Hattieville and La Democracia, explaining that the project has not yet reached the tendering stage. Espat made the disclosure during today’s
The post Julius Espat says no contractor selected for $74.4 million George Price Highway project, tendering to begin after parliamentary approval appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
