Never mind the perpetual naysayers
MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, noting that the Government regards the Amalia Falls hydro power project as a truly transformative project, has said the administration will not be distracted from realizing it. He was speaking yesterday at a press conference at the Ministry of Finance on Main Street, Georgetown , where he noted, in particular, recent public pronouncements in some sections of the media on the Amalia Falls project, including the access road.
“I want to say that I find it to be most regrettable, extremely disappointing; and those are words that put mildly the way that I perceive the kind of pronouncements that I have been observing,” he stressed
He said it is extremely disappointing to witness what is very blatant speculation and the use of very distasteful innuendos that can only be designed with the intent of derailing the project.
Against this backdrop, he cited the example and made reference to an article carried yesterday in the Kaieteur News, noting the use of this kind of speculative language that casts aspersions and doubts on the project.
“These comments are highly reminiscent of the kind of comments that have been coming from some sections in relation to every single major investment in recent years in Guyana,” he insisted, and recalled that there is a very consistent pattern, with the Berbice Bridge and the National Stadium, as examples.
“There are what I would describe as some perpetual naysayers – nothing is positive. Every time one of these projects comes up, you hear nothing positive. All you see is a range of negatives trying to cast aspersions on the project, trying to cast aspersions on the process, trying to cast aspersions on the people involved in the project; and I believe this is most regrettable,” he went on.
However, he cited the case of the Berbice River Bridge, which saw criticisms as well and which today is there for all to see.
“And I don’t believe that there is anybody in Guyana who questions the value and utility of the Berbice River Bridge,” and the transformative effect and impact this project has had.
He said they persevered and “today, we have a project that has, literally, transformed the landscape of our country.”
Similarly, he noted, “I don’t believe that there is anybody in Guyana who can question the merit of the Amalia Falls hydro power project,” and referred to the benefits it can have on electricity and reliability, and the implications for affordability of electricity, among others.
Minister Singh alluded to the issue of the award of the contract to construct the road, and stressed that this was awarded by a public transparent process.
“Just as we were convinced that the Berbice River Bridge was a good project for our country, was a good opportunity for the private sector to invest in infrastructure, it was a historic project; because for the first time the private sector was investing in infrastructure. In much the same manner, we regard the Amalia Falls hydro power project as a truly transformative project,” he said.
“This government will not be distracted or diverted or swerved from the realization of this project,” he maintained, and will continue to work in earnest, and in collaboration with its partners which include large reputable international financial institutions, private sector partners, and contractors, so that the project will be realized in the national interest and the interest of the people of Guyana.
Also, he said that he has sufficient confidence in the judgment of the people of Guyana, that they will these attempts for what they are, and he believes that the people will continue to be supportive of the project.
In a press release from the ministry, following an extended advertising period, the request for proposals issues for the design and construction of the roadways leading to the Amalia Falls hydro power site and T-line clearing (the project) by National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), on the Government’s behalf, was closed on January 22, 2010, and of 17 firms who registered an interest, only four submitted proposals, with Synergy Holdings Inc. and its bid of US$15.4M.
It stated that Synergy Holdings proposals was assessed as being the most compliant, viable and lowest priced, with the components of the proposal showing a clear understanding of the project scope and a comprehensive work plan of the activities in order to achieve the eight months deadline.
It said the road contract, which was executed with Synergy on March 18, 2010, contains stringent provisions for timeliness, submittals, and liquidated damages, and a reputable engineering firm to be selected from four tenders will provide general oversight of the works carried out by Synergy.
The project sponsor for the construction of Amalia Falls hydro electric power facility is Sithe Global Power, LLC, an international development company engaged in the development, construction, acquisition and operation of electric generation facilities around the world,
The release noted that this information has been made public many times, but sections of the media continue to ignore these facts, and Synergy Holdings is no longer is the project sponsor.
It said Sithe Global is a subsidiary of the Blackstone Group, which manages funds and investment in excess of US$100B.
Also present at the press briefing were Head of the Privatization Unit, Mr. Winston Brassington, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Company Secretary of NICIL/Privatization Unit, Ms. Marcia Nadir-Sharma.