By Annette Ferguson- It was reported in Stabroek News on February 9, 2026 that the Government’s $15.8 billion multi-ministry office complex at Haags Bosch, Eccles is “nearly halfway completed” and that the completion date has been extended from August 2026 to January 2027, according to the Hon. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.
What is particularly troubling is the timing of this public pronouncement. Coming days before the scrutiny of the Ministry of Public Works’ budget estimates in the National Assembly, it appears that the Minister deliberately chose the public domain to pre-empt or soften parliamentary interrogation. This approach raises legitimate concerns about transparency and accountability, especially for a project of this scale and controversy.
The Minister’s claim that the project is approximately 48–50 per cent complete does not align with what is visibly evident on the ground. Steel assembly remains ongoing, while critical stages such as blockwork, electrical and plumbing installations, roofing decking, and internal finishes are yet to commence. To describe the project as “nearly halfway completed” under these circumstances risks misleading the Guyanese public.
It bears recalling that between 2021 and 2025, approximately $8.7 billion in public funds was approved for this project, with an originally stated completion date of August 2026. The announcement of an extension to January 2027, at this juncture, appears premature and underscores the absence of consistent public reporting and rigorous oversight throughout the life of the project.
Unlike other infrastructure works where the Minister is frequently visible, inspecting roads, bridges, and even minor obstructions to public spaces; this flagship office complex has not benefitted from the same level of public engagement or accountability. The contractor, Caribbean Green Building Inc., has delivered or is nearing completion on several other major projects, both public and private, including the Brickdam Police Station and large commercial developments, further deepening concerns about performance, monitoring, and enforcement in this instance.
As a Guyanese citizen, I am deeply concerned about value for money, project governance, and the absence of timely, detailed reporting on a development funded entirely by taxpayers. In the absence of transparent milestone reporting, certified progress assessments, and clear explanations for repeated delays, public confidence will continue to erode.
It is my trust that Opposition Members of Parliament will interrogate this project in detail during the estimates process, demanding clear answers on expenditure to date, contractual obligations, certified works completed, and the basis upon which completion timelines continue to shift. Parliament must not allow public statements outside the House to substitute for proper scrutiny within it.
Public infrastructure must withstand public and parliamentary examination. Anything less undermines accountability and weakens democratic oversight.
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Annette Ferguson is a former minister in the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration, with responsibility for housing and public infrastructure. She also served as Shadow Minister for Public Works in Guyana’s 12th Parliament.
