Latest update August 19th, 2026 10:39 AM
No corruption involved in the awarding of the contracts to company linked to President Ali brother – GWI
(Kaieteur News) Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has defended the integrity of its procurement framework, dismissing public allegations from the Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed alleging corruption and favouritism in the award of several major national water infrastructure contracts to Sigma Engineers Ltd., a firm linked to the brother of President Irfaan Ali.
In a statement addressing the claims, GWI rejected any suggestion that it facilitated or condoned corrupt practices. The water utility emphasised that all referenced contracts were subjected to transparent, open, and competitive bidding processes managed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in full compliance with the Procurement Act of Guyana and international standards. GWI noted that recorded tender minutes and bid evaluation data remain publicly available through the NPTAB, demonstrating that the awards were based strictly on competitive pricing and technical merit.
To counter allegations of impropriety, the utility highlighted the specific bidding outcomes across several high-profile infrastructure developments.
The construction of three large water treatment plants, commonly referred to as Lot 3, was awarded through an international competitive tender involving nine bidders. Sigma Engineers Ltd. secured the contract with a winning bid of approximately $3.6 billion, competing against proposals ranging from $3.9 billion to $7.0 billion. GWI noted that related packages, specifically Lots 1 and 2, were awarded to other international firms, including Hi-Pro Ecologicos SA of Mexico and Toshiba Water Solutions of Japan.
Similarly, the Hope Surface Water Treatment Plant was procured via international competitive bidding among six bidders. Sigma Engineers submitted the lowest price among five responsive bids, while the remaining bidder was deemed non-responsive due to a lack of required experience in constructing large surface water treatment facilities.
For the drilling of four wells at Friendship, Westminster, Shelterbelt, and Melanie Damishana, the tender process attracted ten bidders. Sigma Engineers posted the lowest responsive bid of $411.6 million, compared to rival bids that spanned from $454.5 million up to $782 million.
Regarding the rehabilitation of the Shelterbelt Water Treatment Plant, the contract was also evaluated under international competitive bidding standards. Although another bidder submitted a marginally lower financial proposal, the evaluation determined that the firm lacked the demonstrated experience necessary for a complex surface water facility. Sigma Engineers was therefore assessed as the best-evaluated responsive bidder based on the criteria established before the tender was issued.
Under the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Water Supply Improvement Programme, international competitive bidding guidelines resulted in Sigma Engineers receiving Lot 2 to construct treatment plants at Leguan and Wakenaam. Lots 1 and 3 were awarded to Action Constructions and Equipment of India.
GWI reaffirmed its satisfaction with the quality and execution of the ongoing projects, noting that Sigma Engineers has met all engineering specifications, contractual obligations, and delivery timelines.
The utility cited the recent drilling of high-yielding production wells completed within two months, a timeline GWI described as an exceptional achievement, as clear proof of the contractor’s technical capacity.
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
hits
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
