– officials expect ‘value for money’

By: Indrawattie Natram
CONTRACTORS who were recently awarded millions of dollars in contracts for capital works by Region Two’s Regional Tender Board (RTB) were, on Wednesday, told that quality and value for money were expected.

RTB Chairman and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt, the Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva and other regional officials met with the contractors in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina. The contractors and the regional officials also signed contract documents.
Ramdatt, in his remarks, noted that the projects which will be executed under the region’s budget were awarded to the lowest bidders/contractors and assured that the awards were done during a transparent elevation process. He emphasised the need for transparency, accountability, and value for money during his discussions with contractors.
He called on the contractors who will be executing projects under the Education Department to begin mobilising their materials as the region’s Education Department expects to re-open school on November 2, using a phased system.

Ramdatt also informed contractors that constant visits to project sites will be conducted by the region’s engineer and RTB members.
Meanwhile, De Silva told the contractors that she too expects value for money. She emphasised that the projects will help to transform the region and uplift the livelihoods of residents.
De Silva used the opportunity to commend the efforts of RTB members in ensuring that the contracts were widely distributed. She said she was happy that no contractor was awarded multiple projects.

The region’s engineer, Kawan Suchit, urged contractors to do quality work and to follow the scope of works. He said that the bill of quantities will be presented at the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) so that residents could get a look at the projects and the expectations.
Work on the projects could commence as early as Thursday.

Contractors who were present requested prompt payments, more engagements between the RTB and regional officials and constant supervision of projects, especially roads.
Members of the tender board committee include People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) councillors Arnold Adams and Shalene Sookdeo, Paradise/Evergreen NDC Chairman Lionel Boodram and Elroy Stepheny, who is the Secretary.

One of the contracts awarded was for the construction of box culverts at Lima Sands. This was awarded to Balgobin Construction at a cost of $3.4M.
Several of the contracts were for revetment works and upgrades to several streets. These include the construction of revetment at Bamboo Dam Charity; construction of revetment at Riverstown Creek; construction of timber revetment at the Dartmouth High-Level Sea Sluice; construction of a reinforced concrete bridge at David James Street, Charity; upgrading of Second Cross Street located at Affiance; upgrading of Oil Mill Street at Charity; upgrading of Brummell Street at Dartmouth; upgrading of Helen Street, Charity and the upgrading of Aftab Dam at Adventure.

Other contracts awarded were for the construction of RC Bridge at Charity Secondary Dormitory; construction of water troughs at nursery, primary and secondary schools; construction of sanitary blocks at Charity Secondary; rehabilitation of the timber landing at Dredge Creek Health Post, inclusive of a walkway to the building; rehabilitation of building for isolation/quarantine at Suddie Public Hospital and the installation of an Oxygen Bank System at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital.
The projects collectively amount to millions of dollars.