Ramsammy explains situation with pumps from Surendra Engineering

AGRICULTURE Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said, Saturday, there is no question of whether or not the contract to Surendra Engineering was awarded in the appropriate manner.

He was giving an update on the status of the operationalisation of the pumps, following the US$4M award through competitive bidding and approval by the National Tender Board.
Ramsammy said the company in India was not contracted to build the machines but rather to supply them, fabricated or procured from another firm, a total of 14 for drainage purposes, specifically six mobile and eight fixed-site.
According to him, all six of the mobile type are in operation in Guyana and are being used at various sites, as the need arises.
“As of last year, all the mobile pumps were in Guyana,” he reported.
The Minister said that, as it relates to the eight fixed-site pumps, installations have been completed at the Canje and Rose Hall locations, in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).
He explained that, due to a lack of resources, there was a delay in the construction of pump stations to house the remaining fixed-site ones.
Being built
Ramsammy said:“Right now, pump stations are being built at Enterprise and Number 66 Village and the pumps will be installed there before the end of June.
“Another pump station is being built at Parfait and is scheduled to be completed before March 28.
“We have another pump station to go up at Canal Number One and have advertised for work to be done on pump stations at Lima and Windsor Forest,” he stated.
The Minister said, towards this objective, the Ministry of Agriculture has requested the supplier to have the remaining components for the pumps delivered when the stations have been constructed.
“What we have done is said to them that, rather than have them sitting some place, the other parts would be best delivered when we are ready for them.
“I explained, time and time again, that we were not ready to accept the equipment when it was ready. It was supposed to be last year but the Ministry was not in a position to accept all of the fixed site pumps,” he stated.
Ramsammy said the contract, undeniably, represents value for money, in that the equipment are expensive and the quality standard.

(By Vanessa Narine)