Orealla School project collapses

Jan 23, 2026 News

…Education Ministry axes $198M contract, re-tenders work

(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Education has terminated the $198.8 million contract for the construction of the Orealla Secondary School in Region Six, forcing the project back to the tender stage and delaying long-promised educational relief for the riverine community.

The collapse of the contract comes less than a year after a high-profile sod-turning ceremony and follows the contractor’s failure to meet construction deadlines. According to a recent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, a total of four contractors have bid for the ministry’s project. The project is slated to be done in four lots.

Former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (center) and the contractor among other officials turning the sod for the construction of the new Orealla Secondary School in September 2024.

The contractors who applied for the contract are Chavi Construction; Taylor’s Construction and Transport who bid Lot1 $19,491,100 Lot2 $50,794,100, Lot3 $34,855,350, Lot4 $29,855,200; Ali’s Construction and Maintenance Services who bid Lot1 $30,043,900, Lot2 $76,748,000, Lot3 $59,804,000, Lot4 $38,619,300; and M&M and Daughters Grocery who bid Lot1 $25,333,600, Lot2 $61,053,100, Lot3 $45,611,350, Lot4 $32,328,500.

Kaieteur News reported that the Education Ministry in September 2024 held a sod turning ceremony for the construction of the school. The project was awarded to 4S Security & Building Enterprise for $198,866,010. The supervision of the project was said to be conducted by CEMCO Incorporated. It was reported by the ministry at the time that already the contractor was given an initial mobilisation amount of $59,659,803 and that the project is anticipated to be completed within six months.

When contacted by this publication on Thursday, Toshao of Orealla Village, Laurence Vandenburgh revealed that the reason for the new tender is that the initial contract was terminated in August 2025.

“Last year in August before the new school year started, they had a deadline for the 15^th of August to complete everything, however, the contractor didn’t reach the deadline and they decide to terminate it,” he disclosed.

Detailing the amount of works done under the initial contract, Toshao Vandenburgh said that the structures have been erected and this include three buildings. He added that one of the buildings already has its roof on.

Not in possession of the direct figures, he related that “I think over $100 million left back on that contract.”

During the sod turning ceremony, it was revealed that the secondary school will feature six modern classrooms, four specialised laboratories, and a well-equipped library, aimed at providing high-quality learning environment for approximately 180 students. The facility is expected to serve the educational needs of students from both Orealla and the nearby Siparuta area thereby addressing a critical gap in educational resources.

The new Orealla Secondary School is poised to make a substantial impact on the local community, ensuring that students in this riverain village and the surrounding areas benefit from improved educational facilities.

Further, the school will not only benefit students by eliminating the need for them to travel to the coast for secondary schooling but will also ease the financial burden on parents who previously had to pay for accommodation and other expenses.

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Chavi Construction, Orealla School, school contract, tenders

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