CONTRACTS for the construction of a new fire station at Onverwagt on the West Coast of Berbice, and the continuation of the East Bank Demerara Road Project are among 57 multimillion-dollar contracts awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and other procurement entities.

On Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said Cabinet at its Sub-Committee level noted the award of the multimillion-dollar contracts. Cabinet met on Tuesday, April 16.
It was noted that in the area of public security, more than $26.3M was awarded to Doodnauth Construction and Supplies for construction of a new fire station at Onverwagt in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Under the Education Ministry, an additional sum of $352.7M was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited for construction of the St Rose’ s High School. In February, approximately $16.9M was awarded to PD Contracting for the demolition of the high school. Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Rose’s High School, Kenrick Thomas, had said that all options were explored before the decision was taken to demolish the school’s wooden building which faces Church Street. The demolition will pave the way for a modern building to be erected.

“This decision was taken only after extensive consultations over many years to determine the viability of retaining this edifice because of its historical importance and architectural integrity. After much deliberation and with the primary goal being to provide a safe, up-to-date and innovative building for the development of our students, and only after exploring every option to preserve the building, was the decision unhappily taken to demolish the structure,” Thomas had said.

Also under the Education Ministry, a $17.4M contract was given to M.S Trading for the rehabilitation of the Dora Secondary School science laboratory.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs will oversee the expansion of its head office. That contract was awarded to Ivor Allen Contracting Services to the tune of $27.2M.

In Region Four, more than $30.4M will be expended under the Ministry of Communities for construction of revetment and tarmac at Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara. That contract was awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.

Also under the Ministry of Communities, Ivor Allen Contracting Services will be upgrading and extending the Yank Dam, West D’Edward, West Bank Demerara at the cost of $19.4M. That company was also awarded a $15.7M contract for the upgrade and extension of King Street in Number 22 Village, West Bank Berbice.

Infrastructural works at Peter’s Hall on the East Bank of Demerara will continue in four lots for Phase II. Lot #1 was awarded to Chung’s Global Enterprise at a cost of $77.7M, Lot #2 was awarded to Erron Lall Civil Engineering Works to the tune of $128.8M, Lot #3 will be carried by Guy-American Construction, using some $79.5M, and Lot #4 will be executed by Colin Talbot Contracting Services at the cost of $71.1M.

Meanwhile, infrastructural works at Providence, Phase IV, East Bank Demerara, will be executed in three Lots. The contract for the first lot was awarded to K.B. and B Contractors to the tune of $48.5M, while Lot #2 will be executed by H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors at a cost of $64.7M. The final lot went to Romell Jagroop’s General Construction Service at a cost of $75.2M.

Under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, a number of roads will also be rehabilitated. In Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the Lima Sands Access Roads will be rehabilitated by K. P. Thomas and Sons at the cost of $51M, while over in Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara), R and B Investment Incorporated will renovate the Belle West Main Access Road at the cost of $15.9M.

Also in Region Three, La Grange Old Road will be rehabilitated at a cost of $25.5M by S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.

In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the main access road in Goedverwagting will also be repaired. The contract for that road project was given to Colin Talbot Contracting Services at a sum of $32.2M. The final lot will be rehabilitated by Handel Garnett Construction Firm at a cost of $12.7M for rehabilitation of the Clay Brick Road at Goedverwagting.
Under the Public Infrastructure Ministry, five contracts were awarded for the supply of road-building materials. A number of other contracts were awarded in the areas of Agriculture and Energy.