Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed in Parliament on Tuesday that private contractors will be engaged for the upcoming $100 million road rehabilitation project and that a form of competitive bidding will be used, though not necessarily through open tender. Responding to a series of questions from Opposition MP Richard Lewis, Browne explained that contractors will bid on various road packages, with the Ministry of Public Works selecting the best offers based on prior cost assessments conducted by quantity surveyors.

He added that both the underwriting bank and the government will retain independent experts to evaluate the construction work and ensure value for money. Browne also confirmed the existence of an oversight committee to monitor the implementation of the programme, stating that it had been established over six weeks ago and that details were already in the public domain.

Addressing past concerns raised by Lewis about previous road failures, Browne clarified that the government had no control over the controversial Friars Hill Road project, which was executed under an international bidding process.