DESPITE the fact that the contracts were awarded a year ago and the construction of three market tarmacs were supposed to have been completed three months after, market vendors are still lining the streets as the tarmacs have not yet been made available for use.
The reason for this is unknown, but the Guyana Chronicle was told by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, that the tarmacs should be in use within two months’ time.
The Ministry is “in the process of getting them ready,”  he commented via telephone yesterday, noting that vendors to occupy these locations are yet to be placed.
Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall signed the contracts on October 12, 2009, for construction of tarmacs at Enmore, East Coast Demerara and at Best/Pouderoyen and De Willem, West Coast Demerara.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development at Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown, in the presence of then Permanent Secretary, Mr.  Seewchan and the contractors.
In an invited comment last Friday, Regional Vice Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Mr. Manpersaud (only name), told this newspaper that the tarmac at Pouderoyen, has yet to be handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and that he was unsure of the reason for this.
Manpersaud said the Local Government Ministry will first have to ensure that all works were completed according to specifications, and as soon as this is done, it will be handed over.
According to him, the NDC was informed to occupy the tarmac at De Willem but refused as it complained that works were carried out in an unsatisfactory manner. The NDC then proceeded to inform the Ministry of this, he said.
Manpersaud expressed concern that the situation, as it relates to traffic congestion, is dangerous hence there is an urgent need for stallholders to occupy these tarmacs. Many road accidents may be avoided, he remarked.
The regional officials at Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) could not be reached for a comment with regards to the tarmac at Enmore.
The construction of this tarmac was awarded to K.B and B Contractors based at De Hoop Mahaica, East Coast Demerara at a cost of $29,130,688.
Its size is 77 metres x 62 metres and the scope of work entailed the placing of white sand, cement stabilised sand clay and asphaltic concrete with perimeter drains.
Construction of the tarmac at De Willem was awarded to Eagle Transportation and General Construction Limited and was granted at a cost of $7,984,735.
The contract for the construction of the tarmac at Best/Pouderoyen was given to Annirud Ramcharitar at a cost of $29,983,250. The scope of work entailed the placing of white sand, asphaltic concrete and installation of a culvert and perimeter drains.
At the signing ceremony, Minister Lall had underscored the need for the tarmacs by noting that various markets were “overflowing.” Hence, he said there was need to establish comfortable venues for buying and selling.
He pointed out that stallholders were not only being removed from the streets but were being directed to facilities in which they could conduct their business.
The minister said, too, that the tarmacs were intended to be used for community activities and were organised under the market rules. Residents would also be able to obtain quality foods, he mentioned.
Contractors were urged by him to make use of the then favourable weather so that they could have completed the works in the allotted time.