$48M contract signed to provide solar power to Guyana Learning Channel’s Reg 9 facilities

A contract was on Tuesday inked between the Education Ministry and Gafsons Industries Limited for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of solar photovoltaic systems at the Guyana Learning Channel facilities located at Aishalton and Karasabai in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Based on a release by the Education Ministry, there was a public tendering process and Gafsons Industries Limited emerged as the recommended bidder and was awarded the contract.
The project is estimated at $48,699,989.
Subject Minister, Priya Manickchand said that the project aims to provide to the students in the two communities the same opportunities that learners along the coast have, which is access to learning resources not only in schools but through distance education platforms – the Guyana Learning Channel and EdYou FM.
“We’re able to give them lessons on the learning channel and the radio channel all day. We’re able to communicate with them the way we are able to do with children in Georgetown but only if we have reliable electricity and continuous electricity,” Manickchand noted.
She explained the importance of the project and the need for it to be completed within the agreed timeline.
Sales and Marketing Manager of Gafsons Industries Limited, Adrian Singh expressed that the company is happy to be awarded the contract and to be a part of such an important project in the education of young people.
Also present at Tuesday’s signing was Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) Quenita Walrond-Lewis, Head of Procurement Quiency Hinds and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr Mahender Sharma.