NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC):

ONE OF the main contractors working at the Vivian Richards Stadium has been forced to significantly scale down his workforce because of delayed payments and increasing expenses.

George Purcell, owner of Hartico Landscaping, the company contracted to assist with preparing the pitches and outfield and construction of the Party Stand, is fed up with the treatment meted out him, sources told CMC Sports.

"He just can't continue. He doesn't have the money," said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Purcell met Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer recently to have the matter addressed but the situation had not improved even after the official handover of the Vivian Richards Stadium last Saturday.

Minister with responsibility for Cricket World Cup 2007, John Maginley, said he was aware of the situation and urged Spencer and the Minister of Finance to address the matter urgently.

"I understand that they are vouchers in the Ministry of Finance waiting to be approved for Mr. Purcell to be paid," Maginley said.

"As of this (Wednesday) morning I had no confirmation that those vouchers have been approved and hence he (Purcell) decided not to work.

"Every day we miss is a day that makes it more difficult to complete a part, so we have been working closely with the Ministry of Finance to try and have this things sorted out. I am hoping they (the vouchers) have been approved and Mr. Purcell will mobilise as soon as he gets paid."

The Vivian Richards Stadium is slated to host Super Eight, second round matches from March 27 to April 8.