Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall recently announced that the government has taken steps to address the issue of contractors failing to fulfil their obligations.
Ministers of Government have been directed to set up units to evaluate and monitor all contracts being undertaken by their respective ministries. The units will be responsible for ensuring that contractors honor their contractual duties and obligations.
A memorandum sent to all Ministers underscored the primary objectives of the contract monitoring and evaluation units.
“Once unjustifiable delays, substandard works and other such fundamental breaches of contracts are observed, then clauses of the contracts dealing with notification of the contractor of the alleged breaches, and remedial provisions dealing with sanctions such as liquidated damages, forfeiture of securities and termination etc., should be immediately invoked and activated.”
Moreover, to ensure that the units are functioning as they should, a Contract Compliance Unit has been set up at the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs. This unit will be responsible for providing legal advice and guidance to the other units and for the filing of legal proceedings when necessary.