By Richard Bhainie

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Sunday expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of works on roads and sea defence, along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Minister Indar expressed his discontent to Region Two roads engineer Philip Amos and Region Two, district one engineer, Saeed Mohamed, who accompanied him to inspect several sites of ongoing projects in the region.

Indar enquired about the status of each of the sites he visited and blasted the engineers for failing to hold contractors accountable to their contractual obligations. He also expressed disappointment with contractors for failing to execute and complete projects within the contractually agreed time.

“I am not happy with what I am seeing,” Indar pronounced, stating that delayed projects are to the detriment of residents who are left to suffer, and taxpayers who should benefit from the projects.

The minister inspected ongoing works at Market Road, Supenaam, the contract for which was awarded to contractor S. Jagmohan Construction. He was informed by Amos that the works are 30 to 40 per cent complete; at Mandir Street, Hibernia, he was informed that residents will be able to benefit from an improved street within the next two weeks.

In the community of Affiance, Indar visited works in progress at School Street; the contract for these works was awarded to Vish Turbo Contracting Services and the works are approximately 40 per cent complete.

Contractor Mohammed Ramzan Ali Khan is currently undertaking works at Bad Street, Affiance, which are approximately 75 per cent complete. He is also responsible for works at East Street and Back Street, Paradise.

DEPLORABLE STATE

Minister Indar also visited the Onderneeming Main Access Road, Onderneeming Housing Scheme Phase 3 and Red Village, where he witnessed the deplorable state of the roads and committed to immediately intervene.

At the Charity River Dam, Minister Indar met with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who is also the Region Two representative in Parliament, and discussed issues raised by residents.

Residents in the area complained bitterly about a particular businessman who has erected a concrete fence which prevents water from receding from the road. The ministers spoke to the businessman about the issue and agreed on an amicable resolution in proceeding with the matter.

While at Plantation Andrews, the minister denounced the lackadaisical attitude of contractor BK International towards execution of the crucial and urgently needed rip-rap sea defence works.

The project, which was slated to officially commence on January 21, 2020 and be completed on August 21, 2020, had been further extended to December 31, 2020.

However, even though there was a breach of the initial and extended deadline, a mere 15 per cent of the project has been completed, while the contractor has already received 70 per cent of the payment.

At his last stop, Indar inspected more rip-rap sea defence works at Suddie, the contract for which was awarded to Samaroo Investment on November 30, 2020, at the cost of $92 million. The minister also expressed concern about the slow pace at which the contractor is executing the project.

Minister Indar noted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government intends to take stern action against contractors who fail to fulfil their obligations and execute works as promised.