THE Ministry of Public Works yesterday refuted bribery claims by Falcon Transportation and Construction Services in relation to the four-lane extension on the East Coast Demerara. The ministry issued a response as a result of a Kaieteur News of Sunday August12, 2012 headlined: “East Coast Demerara Four-Lane Extension: Contractor rejects bribery demand – leads to non-payment, contract termination”.
A statement from the ministry said: “In view of the non-performance by the contractor on this project, the advice of the Attorney General’s Chambers was sought and the ministry was advised to terminate the contract for fraudulent practices. Consequently the contract was terminated in a letter dated 31/7/2012 to the contractor. The ministry was further advised to report the matter to the police for appropriate action because of fraudulent practices committed by the contractor.
“It should be pointed out that at no time, prior to the termination of the contract, did the contractor approach the Permanent Secretary or the Hon. Minister of Public Works in relation to any acts of corruption by Technical Officers of the Ministry. It would appear that he is making these allegations to cover up his own inefficiencies and corrupt practices in relation to his non-performance on this project. However, if the contractor has any evidence to support his claims he is free to approach the Ministry of Public Works, the Office of the President, the Audit Office of Guyana or the Police (CID) to seek redress.
The ministry is also requesting statements to verify claims of alleged bribery demands to have same investigated.”
The statement also said: “The Ministry of Public Works wishes to clarify the situation in relation to the rationale for the contract termination of this project.
Falcon Transportation and Construction Services was awarded a contract on September 6, 2011 in the sum of $468.2M for the widening of the public road and construction of concrete drains on both sides of the road from Better Hope to Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The start date was November 14, 2011 with a completion date of July 14, 2012.
The main issues raised in the article referred to above are set out below:-

Revision of Design:
The contractor was granted an extension of 104 days as a consequence of revised design drawings, which were necessary and verified delays due to inclement weather. The new completion date of his contract would have been October 26, 2012.

Concrete tests:
The contractor falsified compressive strength test results to prove that the concrete used for drains construction met the required strength. The Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana, whose advice was sought, has confirmed that the results of the tests were indeed falsified.
The contractor was written to on January 26, 2012 and February 10, 2012 and meetings were held with him and his representative on January 30 and May 18, 2012 to which he did not respond to the claims of falsification.

Fraudulent Practice:
Five out of eleven invoices submitted by the contractor from suppliers had blocked out invoice numbers and claims for the same items (steel) twice.

Meetings to settle issues were brushed aside:
There were regular project meetings which were held either on site or at the Works Services Group during the period the contractor was on this project. There were repeated entreaties with the Contractor and his engineer to do works of the required standard and to correct substandard works. These entreaties were all to no avail.”