Dear Editor,
On Tuesday November 11, the government announced the establishment of an entity in collaboration with the private sector to crack down on corruption and wastage. How does government reconcile the establishment of an anti-corruption body with sole source of engines from a questionable company?
Examining the (attached) “Cabinet Note” labeled Secret (CP 2025), Copy No. 2025-11, captioned “Cabinet No-Objection”, raises doubt whether government is serious about reducing waste and eliminating corruption. The cabinet note is for sole sourcing of eleven pump engines of various horsepower for NDIA (NPTAB No: 491/2025/21). The cost of the eleven pump engines is an exorbitant G$133,400,000.00. The company listed for the sole sourcing is D. Sawh Mechanical Engineering of Bush Lot, Corentyne. This company was given billions of dollars in contracts from NDIA since 2021. It has been involved in controversies in incomplete work relating to pumps in Upper Corentyne as well as on other projects in Berbice. Both SN and KN exposed incomplete work of projects. Checks have shown that D Sawh Mechanical Workshop is basically a bottom house operation in Bush Lot, Corentyne. The company has been given many contracts; transparency and accountability from NDIA were missing in awarding these contracts.
The selection of D. Sawh Mechanical Engineering as a sole sourcing of engines raises several critical questions that require urgent attention and cancellation of this contract. The public needs to pay attention in this purchase. It is wastage of money. The cost of the pump engines is almost double the price from the suppliers. The Vice President, if the President is unwilling, must take action!
In examining the attached cabinet note, it comes across as that D Sawh is a manufacturer of high-quality diesel pump engines of various horse powers when it is known that D Sawh does not manufacture pump engines and has not been involved in quality workmanship in government projects. Given that D Sawh is not a manufacturer of pump engines, why is the company selected as a sole source? Why have other suppliers not been invited to supply the pump engines? Why is the request or demand for pump engines not tendered? And if there is an emergency for the pump engines, why is D Sawh selected? D. Sawh will have to procure the engines from a supplier. There are more reputable companies that can procure the pump engines and install them as well. Why not invite the (real) supplier of pump engines such as MaCorp, Caterpillar, Farm Supplies, Doosan, Hyundai, Swiss Machinery procured by Cummings Engines, among others who are agents of pump engines? They will provide warranty and maintenance service for these engines.
Can the VP justify why this company is given the contract to sole source these engines at such astronomical costs?
Only on Tuesday November 11, the government announced the establishment of an entity to crack down on corruption and wastage. How does government reconcile the establishment of an anti-corruption body with sole source of engines from that company?