Belle Vue Pump Station 29 per cent complete, 30 contractors blacklisted

Work at the pump station site

The $865 million Belle Vue Pump Station is now 29 per cent complete, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said on Tuesday.
Speaking during the 2026 Budget estimates, Mustapha provided an update on the infrastructure project, which has faced significant delays since the contract was awarded to Tepui Group Inc. in September 2023. The project has been subcontracted to Gaico Engineering, with completion expected by June.
The minister said the Belle Vue station is among nine pump stations slated for completion this year.
“A number of these pump stations we experienced difficulties with. There are alot of issues relating to the construction of these pump stations. That is why we have taken a deliberate decision to avoid building future fixed pump stations and go to these mobile and hydro pumps across the country,” Mustapha said.
He added that the allocated sums initially established during contract awards remained the same after issues were encountered. Of the 29 per cent work completed on the Belle Vue station, he said excavation work was done by Tepui Group Inc.
“The original contract allows for subcontracting… and its and it’s an arrangement between Tepui Group and Gaico,” Mustapha said.
He noted, however, that Tepui Group is still being held accountable by the Ministry of Agriculture even though it assisted with subcontracting.
The minister said at least 30 contractors have been blacklisted and will not be selected to conduct further drainage works.
“What we have done in the last quarter of 2025 is we have written to the National Procurement and Tender Administration and we listed approximately 30 contractors that we said we don’t want to do business with them anymore. Those are delinquent contractors from the Ministry of Agriculture. We will not want to do any business with them. Anytime those persons tender for a job with the Ministry of Agriculture we will object to it,'” he noted.