Gov't aiming for timely payment of contractors

By Racquel Porter   

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has tasked new Finance Minister Fayval Williams to ensure the timely payment of local contractors.

 

There has been several complaints of delayed payments from government agencies which contractors say hampers their cash flow and operational capacity.

 

Acknowledging that there are many issues that can cause payment delays, Mr. Holness said the process can be improved. 

 

"There is a valid concern for contractors, and not just construction and infrastructure contractors, but contractors to the government generally about the long time it takes for them to get paid. So one of the first tasks that I have given Minister Williams is to examine this process to ensure that government is actually speeding up economic activity by paying its bills quickly and on time," he announced. 

 

He was speaking a Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing.