IDB funding available but BK, GT&T wrangling
PREPARATORY works are underway on a project to improve the existing roadway and construction of a new access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on East Bank Demerara (EBD). The two projects which have eight months and one year deadlines, respectively, were sealed on August 8 and 15, the first costing US$1.7M is to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and involves recapping the existing route four inches higher and widening the shoulders to include a walkway.
The second, with $618M funding also from the IDB but with Government of Guyana contribution, entails the building of a different path to the airport. Both projects, to be supervised by E & A Engineering, will involve the relocation of fixtures by utility companies, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T); Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and Guyana Power & Light (GPL).
But, with the executing contractor, BK International and GT&T locked in a financial wrangle over relocation costs, senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Works Services Group of the Ministry Transport and Hydraulics, have stepped into the fray with a view to brokering a workable solution between the two parties.
Yesterday, an initial onsite meeting was convened near the GT&T junction box sited in proximity to Guyana Defence Force Officers’ Mess, Timehri, by Mr. Tarachand Balgobin, Deputy Head of the Project Cycle Management Division in the Ministry of Finance and included, among others, Mr. Rickford Lowe, Coordinator of the Works Services Group, Managing Director of BK, Mr. Brian Tiwarie and officials of GT&T.
The meeting was continued, subsequently, at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) building, also at Timehri.
The contentious issue surrounds a cost in excess of $71M submitted by GT&T for the removal of its posts, junction boxes and underground cables which are targeted.
The contractor views the sum submitted as being “astronomical” and, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, Lowe said “the biggest constraint right now is the cost of relocation of the utilities, in particular the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) facilities.”
According to him: “The initial cost given by GT&T is very substantial, in excess of $70M, so what we are doing here today, is meeting with the telephone company and Ministry of Finance officials to find a resolution, firstly, to look for an technical alternative which is less expensive and, alternatively, discuss with the Ministry of Finance the financing of the additional cost for the relocation of fixtures.
Lowe acknowledged that provision was made within the contract to take care of utilities but the money asked for by GT&T has, by far, exceeded the estimate.
But, if there is no alternative technical solution, they may have to take the issue to a higher level or seek some means of financing to reduce the cost.
He emphasised that the discussions, which have now started, is to seek clarification on the technical solution being proposed and a less costly alternative.
Lowe reminded that the projects are all part of ongoing efforts by the Government to improve all the national roadways which have the highest volumes of traffic.