House Approves New Contractor General

Prime Minster John Briceño

The Office of the Contractor General has been vacant since February. Former Contractor General Omar Mitchell has reached the age of retirement and is no longer able to serve in that capacity. The House of Representatives passed a motion on Friday to appoint Maria Arthurs as the new contractor general. While the contractor general is appointed by the Governor General, it is done with the recommendation of the House and the Senate.

Prime Minster John Briceño

“Just let me quickly point out here to be able to take the opportunity to thank the former contractor General. He was appointed by former government and we decided to work with him. And he was a stickler by the rules and I know sometimes he got under the skin of our Cabinet members and it is the right things to do. He worked with us and cooperated with us to ensure that the contracts being approved are followed as prescribed by the law and Contractor General Act. So, I want to record my appreciation for the work he has done, but he has reached the retirement age. He is over the age of seventy and the contractor general cannot go over seventy years. I have not spoken with the one recommended I hope to do so shortly. I had a team to talk to different people and they recommended Ms. Maria Arthurs. She is a member of the public service. She has been working in the ministry of finance and we believe she is an upright standing public officer and have the qualities to be able to do the work of a contractor general and cooperate with the government to ensure whatever contracts we provide are in conformity with the laws of this country.”