– $13M Fire Station at Mahaica included
MODERNISATION of the security sector remains a top priority of the Administration, as it will facilitate the delivery of improved services to Guyanese, and ensure that staff of the various security agencies work in a conducive environment.
Testimony to this objective, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) yesterday awarded over 50 multi-million-dollar contracts for the execution of rehabilitative works under its 2010 current and capital projects for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

Addressing the contractors at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister Clement Rohee recalled the meeting convened by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC) in 2009 that focused on pre-qualifications, and emphasised how important are quality and expediency with regards to effecting the projects.

“This year we have stricter procedures that will be followed outside of the contractual arrangements to monitor the pace at which these projects are being executed,” he said.

He noted that in the execution of these works, penalties will be instituted if deadlines are not met by contractors. He added too, that quality should not be compromised at anytime.
“Quality is very important because taxpayers’ money is being used to carry out these projects, and people would expect value for money,” Minister Rohee maintained.
He pointed out that the possibility of being contracted in the future by the Ministry will also depend on the contractors’ performance as it relates to their complying with contractual agreements.
Contractors, who fail to perform as required, could run the risk of being blacklisted.
Minister Rohee said the Ministry has put systems in place to address issues of non-performance and stated that contractors on the other hand, should adopt systems to deal with issues such as changing weather patterns and the volatility in the prices of raw materials.
According to the Government Information Agency, the contracts that were signed will see the rehabilitation of several police stations, prisons, living quarters for ranks, fences, construction of the Mahaica Fire Station at the cost of $13M, which is considered as one of the Ministry’s ‘pet project’ and upgrading of the New Amsterdam Fire Station compound.
Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Angela Johnson disclosed that several other projects will be undertaken. However, these are in the process of being re-tendered.