– works expected to begin before year-end

FIVE contractors have been shortlisted and have uplifted bidding documents for work on the new West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo roadway, from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie.This was according to Chief Roads and Bridges Officer of the Public Works Ministry, Ron Rahaman, who added that the bidding, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA), is expected to be opened on October 28.
Just over two weeks ago, the Ministry of Public Works secured the approval of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the project’s bidding documents.
Under the project, a total of 31 kilometers of roadway are expected to be rehabilitated, while 28.5 kilometers of footpaths for pedestrians and 20 kilometers for cyclists will be developed under an agreement between the Government and the CDB.
Additionally, the CDB is engaged in doing a review of the massive project.
The partnership with the CDB is the fourth road improvement project, with a financing cost of US$46.7M and a project life of five years. The actual road improvement works are expected to be completed within two years.
At the launch of the project in March, subject Minister Robeson Benn explained that the primary objective of the project is to increase efficiency and safety of road transportation along West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo corridor.

Multiplying Effect
He pointed out that infrastructural development has a multiplying effect on socio-economic advances in the country, particularly in rural communities. “There has been significant growth,” he said, adding that constrained infrastructural development poses real challenges to growth.
Benn’s Ministry, as per the CDB agreement, will be tasked with maintenance, which was identified by the CDB as a risk to the sustainability of the completed works. The Government will also be expected to report annually on their maintenance works, particularly since the project monitoring and evaluation component of the agreement is key to ensuring standard and quality in such undertakings.
Additionally, a project management team will be supported by a steering committee and the Ministry – all of whom report to the CDB. The Project Coordinator is Kester Hinds, while the CDB focal point is Glen MaCarvell.
The project has several components including the actual road works, road safety awareness at the level of the schools and community, capacity building, engineering services and project monitoring and evaluation.
Works on the road are expected to begin before the end of the year. (Vanessa Narine)