Almost $12B in contracts signed for Schoonord-to-Crane 4-lane highway

…contractors reminded of obligation to deliver quality, timely work

The infrastructural landscape of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will be further transformed with the new four-lane highway from Schoonord, West Bank Demerara (WBD) to Crane on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) which will be constructed to the tune of $11.8 billion.
The project, which is expected to last 15 months, will see the construction of 4.1 kilometres of a dual-carriageway, reinforced concrete road with an emergency lane. Additionally, 2.4 kilometres of road rehabilitation and upgrades will be undertaken.

The project, which will also feature two roundabouts, 11 reinforced concrete box culverts, 36 pre-stressed bridges, and road signage and markings, will be undertaken by eight contractors.
These are VR Construction Inc, Avinash Contracting & Scrap Metal Inc, L-Heureuse Construction and Services Inc, GuyAmerica Construction Inc, AJM Enterprise, Vals Construction, Puran Bros Disposal Inc, and JS Guyana Inc.
Contracts for this ground-breaking initiative were signed on Wednesday during a simple ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
During the ceremony, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal noted that this project marked another significant investment by the Government in Region Three.
“[It] will complement other ongoing projects we have within the region. We have, for example, activities that entail preparation works, clearance of lands for the opening of new housing areas; we have ongoing works for persons who will be able to and have started to access their lands…so you have construction of access roads, bridges, culverts, drainage…,” he explained.
Croal also made reference to the development of shore base and port facilities in the region as well as the pioneering Wales Development Plan which encompasses the gas-to-shore project.
“The construction, therefore, of this Schoonord-to-Crane Highway…will also energise the economic activities within the region. These activities will no doubt result in significant improvement in job opportunities and when you have new road networking, opening of new lands will mean also, not just housing, but opportunities for expansion for agriculture and agro-processing industries, processing facilities in manufacturing and the construction of industrial complexes…,” he outlined.

Moreover, the Housing Minister emphasised that this new highway was critical to the development of “people and communities” and in this regard, he reminded contractors of their obligation to deliver quality and timely work.
“Signing the contract today is just the start of this massive project. You must be ready to begin actual work on the ground and you must focus your energies on delivering a high standard of construction. Too often we see photographs on social media or even in the newspapers of substandard work that is being done,” Minister Croal posited.
With this in mind, he also charged the project engineers and consultants to ensure value for money is delivered.
“You have a duty to the people of Guyana…because you are also the gatekeepers for our country’s investments,” the Housing Minister stressed.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves noted that a team from the Projects Department would be closely monitoring the works.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CH&PA, Dr Emanuel Cummings; CH&PA Director of Projects, Omar Narine and Deputy Director, Intakab Indarjeet. (G11)