BK International says it is surprised and disappointed by the wholly uninformed, irresponsible and unacceptable comments emanating from the leader of the AFC, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, as reported in the Kaieteur News of Thursday, 8th November, in regard to the company’s tender for construction of a potable water well at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

BK International issued the following statement in response to this development:
“Mr. Ramjattan needs to open his eyes and ensure that he is properly informed before making accusative and defamatory public comments on matters of which he appears to have little or no knowledge.
“BK International is also disappointed that Kaieteur News would publish this nonsense and then foolishly comment in “Dem boys seh…” without, at the very least, consulting with our company to inform themselves of the facts.
“The facts are that the contractor is required to design, build, deliver and maintain an operating well for two years after the completion of works, at a minimum efficiency of 85%, inclusive in the cost of the tender.
“To the best of the contractor’s knowledge, this is the first occasion that Government has required the contractor to design, build, and then further maintain the well for an operational period of two years after its delivery.
“It has been the practice in the past — at least within the last 25 years — for the contractor to be responsible only for construction of the well, with the resultant failure of a large number of wells in the country.
“In this case, the contractor is also required, within the cost of the contract, to drill pilot holes to a depth of at least 365m, supply all logging information and analysis of water bearing formations, and test pump the well prior to construction.
“BK International will be constructing a well with a cast concrete-and-steel foundation, building to a much higher standard than otherwise employed in the construction of wells in Guyana, and (the company) prides itself on being the only Guyanese contractor employing the (specialized) expertise necessary to construct this type of well.
“BK International, far from overpricing on Government contracts, frequently and significantly delivers contracts at costs well below competitive bids.
“In the case, for example, of the most recent 9th EDF Sea Defences project, successfully completed by BK International in 2010, the company bid some Gy$8 billion less than a competitive international European contractor. BK International then further agreed to a reduction of some 300,000 euros on the contract at the request of the European Union and Government, resulting in a savings to Guyana of approximately 10 million euros on the contract.”