CHICO denounces debts in works in San Pedro Sula

While the Mayor Roberto Contreras ensures that the works built in the city are carried out with its own funds, the Honduran Chamber of the Construction Industry (CHICO) recalls that there are still projects pending payment, several of them inaugurated during its first administration.

During his first administration, the mayor inaugurated works started during the administration of Armando Calidonio. Among them is the Cofradía health macrodistrict, inaugurated on May 3, 2023, with a cost of L43,569,657.06 plus supervision at a cost of L1,952,830.00.

Also included are two paving projects on 27th Street and along the Santa Ana River, which total about 30 million lempiras. In these cases, administrative claims have been filed that have not yet been resolved.

In addition, a remainder remains pending for the Linda Coello bridge and other projects that Mayor Roberto Contreras has highlighted on his social networks, where he has also held inauguration events.

In the accountability town halls, the councilor presents to the Sampedranos the achievements in infrastructure and health, among them the Cofradía macro-district, which provides care in different specialties.

This is a relevant health project that benefits thousands of people from Brotherhood, El Merendón and surrounding areas. However, according to the construction sector, the work has not been canceled to the company that built it.

The complaint was made by Arnaldo Martínez, president of CHICO, who stated that several construction companies that have executed municipal projects have filed administrative claims for non-payment.

In the case of the Cofradía macro-district, the construction company presented an administrative claim for pending payment in arrears for works executed and not paid for an amount of L8,023,819.60 as recorded in receipt minutes.

“As president of CHICO and as a citizen, I believe that we are at a key moment for the city to grow and develop in an orderly and planned manner, because it has the potential to consolidate itself as the industrial capital of Central America. But to achieve this we need firm decisions, technical planning and efficient execution of works,” said Martínez.

The leader of the organization added that the construction sector is ready to contribute, but requires clear rules, agility in processes and a city vision.

“A sensitive issue so that development does not stop is compliance with payments to construction companies. When there are delays, the execution of projects, employment and confidence in investment are affected,” he said.

Martínez indicated that this aspect must be handled with responsibility and transparency. He cited as an example the Cofradía macrodistrict, put out to tender during the Calidonio administration and inaugurated in the Contreras’ first administration, without it having been paid in full to date.

“There are several companies that are pending payment at the mayor’s office and have arrived to the CHICO offices looking for support. Some are resorting to administrative claims, since they face difficulties even though the projects were delivered and inaugurated,” he said.

He added that there was an expectation that with January’s income the municipality would catch up, due to an apparent good collection and the approval of new million-dollar projects. However, the payments were not made.

He also mentioned that, according to public information, in August 2025 the mayor’s office reported more than one billion lempiras in cash.

Martínez indicated that CHICO and the macro-district construction company are waiting for the Municipal Corporation to hear the ruling on the administrative claim, in order to avoid a lawsuit.

For its part, César García, regional president of CHICO, He called on municipal authorities to honor pending payments, remembering that every tendered project must have budgetary support.

“We have seen how the municipality has received and inaugurated projects that have not yet been paid. There are affiliated construction companies that face problems due to this situation and in the coming days a report will be released on the total amount owed by the municipality of San Pedro Sula,” García stated.

The leader reiterated the importance of reviewing contracts and complying with obligations, since these projects boost the economy.

However, He regretted that several companies are currently in default, which, in his opinion, shows the lack of a comprehensive vision of urban development and planning in the city.