CDB greenlights Brazilian firm for Linden-Mabura Road project

…critical link important for hinterland residents – Deputy Speaker

Negotiations are to commence with a Brazilian company for the award of the monumental Linden-to-Mabura Hill Road project, following the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) giving its no-objection to Government.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has announced that discussions would commence with the most responsive bidder, Construtora Queiroz Galvao SA from Brazil.
This project is the first link in the highway between Linden and Lethem. It would provide major support to ease of travel, trade, and general connectivity between Guyana and Brazil, and open vast opportunities by linking Guyana’s hinterland communities to Georgetown.
Speaking on the project, Minister Singh outlined, “With the no-objection having being issued by the Caribbean Development Bank, the next step would be for the Government of Guyana to engage in negotiations, and to ultimately conclude a contract with this Brazilian company.
“This development is significant for a number of reasons. The project is itself a major project. It is one of the largest infrastructure projects that we will be undertaking in Guyana in the next three to four years.”
He added, “The Linden-to-Mabura Road represents perhaps the single most important transport infrastructure project that we’re going to be implementing in the near term. It’s one of the largest projects in Budget 2022.”
The process leading to the award of this contract followed a stringent and transparent procurement process by which the call for proposals for the prequalification of contractors was made in February 2021. Ten contractors were prequalified, and this list was approved by the CDB in October 2021.
Following the prequalification phase, the bidding process began in October 2021 and ended in December 2021. Of the 10 prequalified contractors, the following five made submissions: China Gezhouba Group Company Limited; China Railway International Group & China Railway No.10 Engineering Group Co. Ltd; Shandong Luqiao Group Co; OECI SA (OECI) in JV with Castilho Engenharia E Empreendimentos S.A. (CEE); and Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A.
The bids were carefully scrutinised and evaluated by a team of local engineers. After a thorough evaluation process involving engagements and consultations with the Caribbean Development Bank, Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A was determined as the most responsive bid, indicating full compliance with all environmental, social, health and safety requirements.
The CDB indicated its concurrence with the recommendation of the Guyanese evaluation committee, and issued it no-objection to commence negotiations with the winning bidder.
This project would be the largest project ever funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, and is one of the most historic projects undertaken in Guyana.
The road works include upgrading the existing alignment to asphaltic concrete surface; 2 lanes spanning 7.2metre width; and 122 kilometres with the inclusion of five drainage structures.
Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A is a large Brazilian contractor established in 1966. The company specialises in the construction of refineries, roads, bridges, commercial offices, residential buildings, highways and sewage systems worldwide.
The Linden-to-Lethem Road, a key link between Guyana and Brazil, with the potential to boost trade, is at present little more than an unsurfaced trail that deteriorates in rainfall. As such, the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) programme, administered through the CDB, would be providing funding for the first phase of the road: from Linden to Mabura Hill, as well as a crossing at Kurupukari.
In his presentation to the National Assembly on Friday, Deputy Speaker Lennox Shuman lauded efforts to realise this crucial link, which would enable access to persons from and to hinterland communities.
“In order to drive economic development in any country, you need a strong and vibrant infrastructural plan…I’m happy to know that that critical link in this country is being looked at. It is a very critical and important start to giving those communities close to that roadway access to the marketplace,” he told the House. (G12)