Small contractors on D’Urban Park project yet to be paid

Jul 09, 2016 News 1

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and the Minister within the Public
Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Furguson during a media tour back in May this year.

Minster of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said yesterday that he does not deny that persons were not paid for their services rendered to the construction of the Durban Park Arena, Georgetown, and has assured that he will look into the matter.
The Durban Park Project was assigned to Patterson at a time when the completion date was drawing near. His Ministry was able to complete the project within the given time frame and the venue was christened during the Golden Jubilee launch back in May.
Contractors, who carried out works at the Park, are complaining that they are yet to be paid. These contractors, mostly truckers and importers, have complained that they were recruited not as volunteers but as service providers and to date they have not received any word on when they would be paid.
One businesswoman who supplied materials to the tune of $20M is still to be paid. Others are owed sums ranging from $5 M to $15M.
The Minister yesterday explained that that most contractors would have remained on the job when he took over the project and the monies that were appropriated through central government for him to pay, was paid to these contractors; the contractors that were under his watch.
However, he added it still needs to be determined whether, prior to that, if previous contractors were paid.
Asked if the matter would be looked into, the Minister responded with an “Of course.”
Meanwhile, Larry London, the Coordinator of the project back in February, had indicated that the project is a Government and private sector partnership with meetings being held with a number of businesses for possible support.
Several businesses have reportedly donated services, with some pledging cash. Others have extended credit.
London had emphasised that they “have not collected a cent yet from any businesses”, as it was the intention to put transparent systems in place to ensure no questions are asked as to how monies are spent.
Efforts to contact London yesterday were futile.