THE National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has awarded millions of dollars in contracts, including US$364,246.80 for the construction of a pedestrian overhead crossing at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency. It was disclosed that the contract was awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.
Already, contracts have been awarded for the construction of similar overhead crossings at Diamond, Houston, Peter’s Hall and Eccles. The pedestrian overhead crossing at Diamond will also be constructed by S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services, but at a cost of US$364,727.
The other three overhead crossings are being constructed at a cost of US$1M.
Last year, Government had signaled its intention to construct overhead pedestrian walkways.
With more than 10,000 vehicles entering the country every year, traffic congestion on key arteries leading to Georgetown continues to be a major bugbear.
This congestion has been contributing heavily to delays for workers at peak travel times – in the morning, between 07:00hrs and 09:00hrs, and evening – from 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs.
The East Bank Demerara road is among the busiest in the country, providing linkages to not only the villages along the way, but to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which leads to the West Demerara, Essequibo, Linden and by extension to the hinterland.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the country’s main port, is located at Timehri, further compounding the situation.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Minister Harmon also disclosed that a students’ dormitory will also be constructed at Liliendaal, Region Four. The dormitory, which will fall under the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, will be built at a cost of $186.3M by BK International Inc.
In the agriculture sector, the pump basin and steel revetment at Manarabisi Pump Station, Region Six, will be rehabilitated to the tune of $19M.4M. The contract was awarded to D. Sawh Mechanical Workshop.
Similarly, the timber wharf and scour protection at Mibicuri Pump Station at Black Bush Polders, Region Six will be rehabilitated at the cost of $31.9M.
That contract was also awarded to D Sawh Mechanical Workshop.
Over in Region Three, a drainage structure will be constructed from Bushlot to Triange at Wakenaam Island. The earthen embankment will also be rehabilitated. The contract for this project was awarded to S. Maraj Contracting Services at a sum of $24.4M.
A $15.7M contract was also awarded to Hope Estate Farmers Community Council for the initial cleaning and manual monthly maintenance cleaning of 23,104 rods of drainage and irrigation channels within the area. The contract is for a period of seven months from May to December 2017.
A similar contract was awarded to Crabwood Creek Water Users’ Association for the initial cleaning and manual monthly maintenance cleaning of 29,330 rods of drainage and irrigation channels within the Crabwook Creek area. The $15.7M contract is for a period of 11 months from February to December 2017.