Managing Director of B.K. International Brian Tiwarie, left, accepts the key for one of the excavators from Chairman of AINLIM, Mr. Deo Persaud, in the presence of officials and staff of AINLIM and B.K Inc. (Photo by Carl Croker )

Six excavators, representing the first shipment of 12 for B.K. International Inc. and which were purchased in Italy through Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM), were handed over to the company on Friday last at AINLIM’s Public Road, Ruimveldt, office.

The ‘KOBELCO’ heavy-duty equipment is primarily to be used on EU-funded projects, which the contracting company is executing simultaneously at 15 sites on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); West Coast of Demerara and Wakenaam in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands); Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica); and at Springlands, Corentyne in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The acquisition of the 12 excavators will be a tremendous boost to B.K’s capability in sea defence construction, an area that the company has already carved a niche for itself with the successful and timely execution of several internationally-funded projects countrywide.

The current project works entail clearing of the work site, demolition of old sea walls, excavation, sandfill, concrete repair and maintenance, constructing new concrete walls, placing of boulders (rip rap design) and construction of earthen dam.

Chairman of AINLIM, Mr. Deo Persaud, in brief remarks before handing over the keys to B.K’s Managing Director, Mr. Brian Tiwarie, commended the company’s head and his staff for the excellent job the company is doing as it helps to secure one of the country’s critical infrastructures.

Noting that included in the criteria for winning projects is reputation, quality and timely delivery, Persaud said such attributes must be an asset for the company in that it has been successful in winning bids for such highly competitive projects.

Persaud added that AINLIM is happy to be associated with such a trustworthy company and that the company has made AINLIM its choice as the supplier for the equipment, and expressed the hope that the relationship between the two would continue for a long time.

Administrative Manager /Director at B.K, Mr. Egan Bazilio, expressed gratitude on behalf of Tiwarie and the company.

Also present at Friday’s ceremony were other AINLIM officials; Project Manager, Mr. George Howard; and Resident Engineer, Mr. Robert Grass, along with senior and junior staffers of B.K. International.

In 2008, B.K. International was the recipient of a plaque from MACORP Caterpillar (Guyana), Providence, East Bank Demerara. The company was honoured for having purchased the largest number of units and making the most purchases in terms of dollars within a 15-year span.

The company had purchased a large amount of equipment for B.K. Quarries, Mazaruni operations, a subsidiary of the parent company from MACORP.