THE FORCE Account Unit, which is responsible for executing maintenance works for roads, bridges and other infrastructure, maintained approximately 359km of roads in 2015.
This is according to Works Services Group Coordinator Geoffrey Vaughn.The Force Account Unit uses its own labour force and equipment to perform work, such as road construction or road maintenance, and has proven most useful in emergency situations.

Vaughn said the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has reportedly had a productive 2015, as work on all the bridges scheduled for maintenance has been completed.

As it relates to the expansion of the East Bank road, Vaughn pointed out that the project was divided into three lots. Lot one, which runs from Providence to Covent Garden, EBD, was awarded to Dipcon Engineering Services in the amount of US$8,003,265.38. However, that contract was terminated and a section of the lot was awarded to BK International Inc.

Lot two, which spans from Vreed-en-Rust to Prospect, EBD, was awarded to GEM Ltd. & Gaico Construction in the amount of US$5,802,640.80, and was completed in May 2015.

Lot three, running from Prospect to Great Diamond, was awarded to BK International Inc. in the amount of US$3,444,060.07, was completed a month later.

Vaughn further noted that the feasibility studies for East Bank Berbice/Region 6, for Phase 2 — Stanleytown to Everton — and the East Bank Demerara road from Grove to Timehri, are completed and are awaiting approval. The feasibility study for Canals Nos.1 and 2 and other West Bank Demerara roads has been terminated due to non-performance.

In relation to the Miscellaneous and Urban Roads Programme for rehabilitation and construction in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, totals of $509M and $570M respectively were budgeted for these works.

The year-end report shows that the Sea and River Defence Sector is currently benefiting from two major donors. These are Government of Guyana/Caribbean Development Bank Sea and River Defence Resilience Project and the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Budget Support Programme.