Builder group says late Government payments, not lack of capacity, slowing reconstruction

Government should share some blame for a shortage of top-tier building contractors because it pays them late, the island’s main builders’ group said. Richard Mullings, president of The Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica, said many contractors are avoiding government work in favour of private projects, where they are paid on time. The association represents most of the island’s major builders and construction contractors. The Government, however, blamed an apparent lack of large contractors for slowing hurricane rebuilding.