Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has noted with concern the recent public statements and allegations seeking to cast doubt on the integrity of the procurement processes through which several critical national water infrastructure projects were awarded. GWI categorically rejects any suggestion that the corporation has engaged in, facilitated or condoned corrupt practices in the execution of its mandate. Such assertions are not only false but undermine the professionalism of the engineers, technical personnel, procurement authorities and development partners who have and continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every project undertaken delivers value for money and benefits to the people of Guyana.
The contract for the construction of three large water treatment plants, commonly referred to as Lot 3, was awarded through an international competitive bidding process which attracted nine bidders. Sigma Engineers Ltd. emerged as the successful bidder with a bid of approximately $3.6 billion, competing against bids of approximately $3.9 billion, $4.28 billion, $4.4 billion, $4.6 billion, $5.1 billion, $5.5 billion, $5.7 billion and $7.0 billion. These figures demonstrate the competitiveness of the process and clearly dispel any notion that the contract was awarded outside of an open and transparent procurement framework. As a matter of fact Lots 2 & 3 comprising 2 treatment plants each, were awarded to other international companies namely Hi-Pro Ecologicos SA (Mexico) and Toshiba Water Solutions (Japan).
Similarly, the Hope Surface Water Treatment Plant was procured through an international competitive bidding process involving six bidders. Sigma Engineers Ltd. was the lowest priced bidder among 5 responsive bidders. The other company was deemed non-responsive since it never built large water treatment plants including surface water treatment plants.
The contract for the drilling of four wells at Friendship, Westminster, Shelterbelt and Melanie Damishana was likewise subjected to a competitive tender process that attracted ten bidders. Sigma Engineers submitted the lowest responsive bid at $411.6 million, while the remaining bids ranged from $454.5 million to $782 million. Since the commencement of these works, the company has demonstrated exceptional technical competence, including completing a high-yielding production wells in two months which is an exceptional achievement that has significantly accelerated GWI’s efforts to improve water production and service delivery to communities.
The rehabilitation of the Shelterbelt Water Treatment Plant was also awarded through an international competitive bidding process. Although another bidder submitted a marginally lower financial proposal, the evaluation process determined that the bidder lacked the demonstrated experience necessary to undertake a project of this complexity involving a major surface water treatment facility. Sigma Engineers was therefore assessed as offering the best evaluated responsive bid based on the procurement criteria established before the tender was issued.
Under the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Water Supply Improvement Programme, through international competitive bidding, Sigma Engineers Ltd. were awarded Lots 2 to build treatment plants at Leguan and Wakenaam while Lots 1 and 3 were awarded to Action Constructions and Equipment from India.
The suggestion that these contracts were awarded for reasons other than merit disregards the very principles upon which public procurement in Guyana is conducted.
Beyond the procurement process itself, GWI has been satisfied with the quality of work delivered on the projects undertaken by Sigma Engineers Ltd. The company has consistently demonstrated technical competence, adherence to contractual obligations, timely execution of works and a commitment to delivering infrastructure that meets the required engineering specifications. These projects are already contributing to the expansion and improvement of potable water services for thousands of Guyanese and represent important investments in strengthening the country’s water infrastructure. GWI wishes to make it abundantly clear that the contracts currently being referenced were awarded through transparent and competitive procurement processes administered by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), in keeping with the Procurement Act of Guyana and internationally accepted procurement standards. All of the data presented is also published by the NPTAB through recorded minutes for public view.