“Delays will no longer be tolerated” – Min. Ramraj orders assessment on way forward for stalled Hague Back Road Project

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, has ordered an immediate review of the Hague Back Road Project following serious complaints from residents of the West Coast Demerara (WCD) community about continued delays by the project contractor.

The scope of works includes 660 metres of revetment and 1,000 metres of asphalted roadway, with the revetment component currently approximately 71 per cent complete.

Minister Ramraj expressed deep disappointment with the contractor’s performance and instructed the Ministry’s engineers to submit full documentation on the works completed, all outstanding works, and the contractor’s proposed plan for completing the project.

“We have given this contractor enough time to get these works completed, and at some point, a decision has to be made on what happens next. We cannot continue to inconvenience residents because of delays on a project that directly affects them every single day,” Minister Ramraj said.

The project was awarded to NK Engineering in July 2025 under a six-month contract. Completion was initially due in January 2026, with an extension subsequently granted to February. More than six months after that extended deadline, the project remains only 52 per cent complete.

Minister Ramraj has made it clear that the prolonged delay cannot continue without consequence. The contractor’s performance, outstanding obligations and proposed completion schedule are now being assessed as the Ministry determines its next course of action on the contract.