The phrase "authorities delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where officials or governing bodies have postponed or slowed down a process or action.
Example: "The authorities delayed the implementation of the new regulations due to public outcry."
Alternatives: "officials postponed" or "government delayed".
A lack of coördination and coöperation among different local authorities delayed his apprehension.
To the frustration of bankers, the Greek authorities delayed releasing a portion of the money to local banks.
He was admitted shortly before midnight on Wednesday, the statement said, but the authorities delayed the announcement for several hours.
It is unclear why the authorities delayed the announcement of the arrests by more than a day.
The authorities delayed an initial announcement for several hours, and the episode has rekindled worries about his frailty.
After Mr. Hussein was removed, the American-led authorities delayed official returns, concerned that a flood of returning refugees could include people dedicated to fighting the occupation forces.
The authorities' delay in issuing a visa for the Dalai Lama, which forced him to cancel the birthday visit, was broadly interpreted as a genuflection to the power of China, South Africa's biggest trading partner, with whom it struck a $2.5 billion investment deal even as the Dalai Lama's visa application was — in theory at least — under consideration.
Presently the Munich research reactor FRM-II is ready for operation, but authorities delay the final permission to turn the reactor critical probably till the end of 2002.
This hesitancy only perpetuates the problem: The longer authorities delay the process, the more engrained behemoth financial institutions become; the more engrained they become, the less extricable they are.
The action is slowing down, with suspensory moments: the troika returns to Athens and monitors the situation, while the Greek authorities delay and tinker about again.
Sa'ad Bello, head of operations at the National Emergency Management Agency in Yola, denied that the authorities had delayed organising assistance.
