Georgetown, GINA, May 22, 2011
The two-day Caribbean Community (CARICOM) retreat culminated with a dazzling rock blast at the Teperu quarries that amazed leaders who witnessed from a distance the main operations of BK Quarries Inc. The blast is a necessary prerequisite of the operations to facilitate the recovery of rocks in the right size and quantities before proceeding to the crushing process.
Proprietor Brian Tiwari accompanied President Jagdeo and the other CARICOM Heads on a guided tour of the site and kept in communication with a dispatcher who performed the countdown to the explosion.
Managing Director, Dialgie Persaud, who gave the Government Information Agency (GINA) an insight into the operation, said that it is mainly through this operation that boulders are obtained for sea defence and other purposes.

Prior to the operation, a number of procedures are undertaken, including clearing of the overburden materials, drilling of rocks and finally, installation of the blasting material.

Safety procedures are also followed, including signalling boat operators not to venture into the area, final checks by workers and the nod of approval from the different stations on site.
The blast witnessed by the CARICOM leaders came with a force that sent shockwaves throughout the worksite, hurling rocks thousands of feet into the air. At the end there was loud applause from onlookers.
B.K. Quarries Inc, located some two miles from the Bartica airstrip, is a sizeable quarry operation, subsidiary of the BK International, five years in operation under the management of Brian Tiwari.
During his last visit to Bartica in April, President Jagdeo visited the quarry and commended Tiwari for maintaining a high standard at the company which had faced bankruptcy several years ago.
People’s Progessive Party Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate Donald Ramotar, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn were also part of the visiting group.

At the last Heads of Government meeting, President Jagdeo had offered to host the leaders at the Teperu/Itabu quarries’ site to evaluate and brainstorm the way forward for the community.
The retreat also culminated with the customary group photo under the CARICOM flags. On this occasion, some quarry workers joined the leaders for the snapshot.

The retreat was held under the theme “Re-energising CARICOM”, the objective of which was to focus exclusively on giving impetus to the decisions that are needed for the region’s advancement.