GOVERNMENT has cleared over $1B in contracts for execution of a number of projects primarily in the areas of infrastructure, education, aviation and Transport and Harbour. For the past three weeks, government has been ramping up its award of contracts, which experts say might be part of its overall plan to revive a sluggish economy following the bruising elections campaign which saw the ouster of the PPP/C. Earlier in its term in office, financial experts had suggested that one sure way of jump-starting the economy was for government to increase its spending, which could serve as a stimulus.
During his post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman announced that the Soesdyke/Linden/ Highway is among several roads in Guyana that will be rehabilitated, utilising some $229M. Minister Trotman disclosed that Cabinet has granted its approval for the execution of 10 road projects in Regions 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10. The Soesdyke/Linden Highway, which was constructed between 1966 and 1968 by B.B Mc. Cormick and Sons at the cost of US$17M, will undergo rehabilitation to the tune of $47.9M by SYMS General Construction. The particulars of the highway rehabilitation project were not immediately available.
However, in addition to the highway, the main access road on the West Bank of Demerara will be repaired at the cost of $18.1M by Design Perspectives, while the Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, Region 4 will be rehabilitated at the cost of $11.9M. At the community level, an additional $12.8M has been approved for the repair of roads in Kaneville, Golden Grove and Diamond along the East Bank of Demerara. The original contract sum was approximately $68.6M. It has since jumped to $81.5M.
Meanwhile in Linden, Region 10, Damon Avenue, Mackenzie and Well Road which is situated in South Amelia’s Ward will undergo repairs at the cost of $15.5M. This project was contracted out to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction.
Additionally, several sections of the stretch of road from Linden, Region 10 to Lethem, Region Nine will undergo significant rehabilitation. According to the Minister of Governance, RIM Construction Inc. will be rehabilitating the section that stretches from Rockstone to Mabura Hill at the cost of $31.3M while JR Ranch Inc. will be repairing from South Kurupukuri to Lethem. This contract was awarded to the tune of $34.3M.
Then the road stretching from Lethem to Katunarib and Aishalton to Craudar will be rehabilitated at the cost of $28.4M. BK International has been awarded that project. Finally, from Katunarib to Aishalton, SYMS General Contractors would repair the road at the cost of $28.3M.
Complementing the road projects will be the rehabilitation of a bridge at Mon Repos #2 Railway Embankment in Region 4 and the installation of water-transmission mains (pipelines) and service connection upgrades along Duncan Street, Campbell Avenue and Durey Lane, Georgetown. The bridge project which was awarded to H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors will be executed as the cost of $16.4M while the latter project will be done by NABI Construction Inc., using some $81.6M.
Additionally, drains will be constructed between One to Five Miles Bartica/Potaro Road, Region 7 using some $40.2M. That contract was awarded to H. Nauth and Sons.
Transport and Harbour
In the area of Transport and Harbour, Minister Trotman disclosed that Cabinet signalled its no-objection for the rehabilitation of the Bartica stelling. This contract, which was awarded to JR Edmonson Building Works, will be executed at a cost of $30.6M. Meanwhile, over at Region 3, the Leguan stelling will be repaired using some $24.3M by S. Maraj Contracting Service. M.V. Kimbia, M.V. Sandaka and M.V. Barima will be rehabilitated using $107.4M, $33.4M, and $150.6M, respectively. The contracts for these projects were awarded to the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Courtney Benn Construction Services Ltd.
Airstrips
The contract for execution of upgrades to the Eteringbang Airstrip in Region 7 was awarded to Kares Engineering Inc to the tune of $60.8M while the Mahdia Airstrip in Region 8 will be rehabilitated at a cost of $50.7M by Technocon Investment, Procurement and General Contracting Solutions.
Sluices
Meanwhile, in Region 3, approval has been given for the construction of a sluice at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara. According to the Governance Minister, an increase in the amount allocated of $7.5M was approved for the sluice to be upgraded from a wooden structure to a concrete and steel structure. Similar works will be executed at the sluice at La Grange using an additional $7.5M.
In the area of waste disposal and sanitation, Cabinet granted its no-objection for the upgrade of the Lusignan Landfill site, Region 4. The contract was awarded to Puran Brothers Disposal Inc to the tune of $80.7M. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance Students Loan Agency building at the University of Guyana will be constructed by Simcon Engineering Company at the cost of $15.8M.
Approval was also granted for the supply of water-treatment chemicals to Guyana Water Inc. The contracts were awarded to Castalloy Co. Ltd (Hydrated Lime – $70.9M), Castalloy Co Ltd. (Calcium Hypochlorite – $88.9M) and S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies (Salt – $5.5M.)
Education
Understanding the importance of developing the abilities of students in the area of science, Cabinet, Minister Trotman said, approved the procurement of laboratory equipment for the University of Guyana.
Basic and advanced biology, chemistry and physics equipment will be supplied by Sotex International at the cost of £299,174.73 while materials science equipment will be procured by CEDI Europe at the cost of US$161,772. CEDI also won the contract for the procurement of control engineering equipment at the cost of US$119,387. Anologic Solutions has been awarded the contract for the supply of gas-analysis equipment. This contract was awarded at the cost of US$116,826.
Analytical chemical, measurement, heat, and general equipment will be procured at a collective cost of US$361,537.
Additionally, Cabinet granted its no-objection for the supply of dietary supplies to the Essequibo Technical Institute, totalling more than $17M.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also signalled its no-objection for the procurement of nine tractors for the Ministry of Communities at the cost of $50.7M. Additionally, nine hydraulic skip lift trailers will also be procured for the same ministry at the cost of $42.5M. Both projects were awarded to General Equipment Guyana Ltd.
UMANA YANA
In keeping with a promise made to the people of Guyana, primarily the indigenous community, Cabinet granted its no-objection for the supply of materials for the reconstruction of the Umana Yana which was destroyed by fire. The contract was awarded to Collin Andrews and Paul Chekema at the cost of $48.093M.