Six Government ministries and nine State agencies are owing tens of millions of dollars to contractors, the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association said yesterday.

In a statement, the TTCA called on Government to settle outstanding debts to its members with immediate effect.

"These outstanding debts valued at tens of millions of dollars, some going as far back as 2007, represent payments for legitimate and certified works completed for several Government ministries and agencies by TTCA members operating either as main contractors or subcontractors," the TTCA said.

The group said its officials, members and the public had been led to believe by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Finance Minister Winston Dookeran that settlement was imminent.

But the delay in honouring these debts had created a grave situation in which many businesses have become insolvent, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs.

Ministries owing the contractors are Community Development, Works, Social Development, National Security, Transport and Trade while agencies owing money include the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), the contractors said.