Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says contractors employed by the state, forced taxpayers to pay close to $40 m more, because of protracted delays to construct five bio sewage treatment plants across the country.

The health Ministry, in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council, under the then Peoples National Party administration set out to replace and rehabilitate five bio sewage water treatment systems at health facilities across the country, but that project has missed several completion deadlines.

Speaking at the handover ceremony for the water treatment system at the Noel Holmes hospital in Lucea, Hanover yesterday, Dr. Tufton expressed his disappointment over the scope of work, the pace and the additional funds that the government had to find in order to get the projects completed.

He said the five treatment plants to date have gone beyond the stipulated contract periods, over and above the agreed cost of the projects.

Dr. Tufton added that the new sewage water treatment facility along with the rehabilitation of the ward and an operating theatre at the Noel Holmes hospital in Hanover went over budget, costing 15 percent more than the original cost.

In expressing his disappointment, Dr. Tufton said the situation is unacceptable, arguing that even with the delays and added cost, contractors are producing substandard work so much so that he was forced to stop the project in St. Thomas.

The Health Minister says these contract breaches have short changed hundreds of clients and patients. For the future, he wants contracts to allow for penalties for cost overruns.

He was speaking at a handing over ceremony of a waste water treatment system and official opening of the health department building, which also include a refurbished ward, accident and emergency department and the commissioning of a minor operating theatre at the Noel Holmes hospital in Lucea, Hanover.