More than 11,000 small contractors across Guyana have applied for government contracts valued below $15 million, President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed on Monday while addressing residents in Region Three.
The president said the large number of applicants reflects growing confidence in the country’s procurement system, and that the strong response was not accidental but the result of deliberate efforts to make the system more open and accessible.
The initiative targets small-scale contractors seeking opportunities in projects ranging from under $5 million to $15 million. In Region Three alone, approximately 1,500 contracts are expected to be awarded under the programme.
Ali said that in the coming days, authorities will begin identifying priority works in communities, including upgrades to playfields, drainage systems, burial grounds, health centres, schools, administrative buildings, and recreational spaces. These projects are expected to form part of a broader, long-term maintenance plan to ensure public infrastructure is properly managed and preserved.
The president also indicated that the government intends to make greater use of public reserves and open spaces for community development, emphasising the need for these areas to be protected and utilised in a structured manner. He also urged citizens to adopt better civic practices, including proper waste disposal, as government continues to invest in infrastructure.
The announcement comes weeks after the Ministry of Public Works urged contractors to register with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to qualify for projects below $15 million — an initiative designed to create more opportunities for small contractors while promoting transparency and fairness in the awarding of government contracts.
Ali maintained that the focus going forward will be on execution and delivery across communities nationwide.
