A MINISTERIAL team today, visited the Kato Secondary School in Region Eight, to get a firsthand look at the state of the building and what needs to be done.
The team comprised Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, and Minister

of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, along with their technical staff. The Ministerial team was accompanied by Regional Executive Officer for the Region, Raphael Downes, and a Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) representative.

Upon taking a tour of the school that was constructed at close to $1B, it was very evident that substandard works was done. This was visible by the cracking walls, floors which were either being eaten by termites or with large holes, poor toilet facilities and faulty electrical wiring among others.

According to Minister Patterson, the building is in a much worse state since the second audit report, conducted in October 2016. However, the Minster noted that an independent

consultant from GAPE will detail the works needed to be done, in addition to what is identified in the two audit reports.

“We will be seeking from them (GAPE), their recommendations. If the consultancy has to be done by a structural engineer, then it is a must…I do think we need a mechanical engineer, and an electrical engineer. As you look around there is no electricity, and if you look around the pipe works are all exposed,” the Minister explained.

Patterson added that, “We are trying to find a solution, because it is unfair to the community if we do not try to find a solution.”
Minister Roopnaraine said that after looking at the building, there is not much that is “redemptive.” The Minister noted that, “There is a lot of work to do. There is a lot of shabby work that has been done, and I think we have to go into major repairs and reconstruction.”

GAPE’s representative, Jean Ramkellawan also voiced similar concern saying that after touring the school, it was clear that a lot of substandard work was done. Based on Ramkellawan’s assessment thus far. “Very poor supervision” is one of the main causes for the condition in which the building is currently in.”

The Kato Secondary School was built under the previous administration to facilitate students in the region who travel long distances to access

secondary level education. However, due to the substandard work done by the contractor it has not been occupied.

The Ministerial team is hoping to have the works on the building started and completed as quickly as possible.