Govt awards $1.1B in contracts for road work in Kwakwani

As the Government moves to upgrade infrastructure across the country, particularly in the hinterland and riverine communities, the Public Works Ministry on Friday awarded some $1.16 billion in contracts to upgrade several thoroughfares within the village of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demera- Upper Berbice).
The signing was done in the presence of Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a public meeting with residents of the community.

There, Edghill highlighted that several contracts will be signed for the construction of 16 concrete roads within the community. He also revealed that the Ministry will begin the bidding process for an additional 21 asphaltic roads. According to the Minister, the work represents a $1.1 billion investment.
“Our procurement team will be signing here in Kwakwani 16 contracts, outside of these 16 contracts, we are also launching the bids for a number of asphaltic and concrete roads.”
Moreover, Edghill revealed that industrial sites will be established within and near the village, to make access to building materials more convenient for the contractors.

“We’ve been able to have an agreement with someone who has a mobile asphalt plant… he could set up the plant, mix the asphalt and then the contractors will be able to collect it.” He added that a mobile concrete plant will also be established at a nearby village to source contractors with ready mixed concrete.
“When we leave here, we’ll be going to Ituni and we will establish the mobile concrete plant and the persons who will be doing the concrete roads here will bring concrete from Ituni to Kwakwani… as I understand it, there are people in Kwakwani who have the concrete trucks and who could actually bring the concrete. In an hour it’s here as against bringing it from further down.”
Additionally, Minister Edghill told residents that the Ministry will find an alternative contractor to begin works on the Kwakwani waterfront road which was awarded to Jemcorp Engineering and Imports to the tune of $225 million back in June.

“I want to apologise because we awarded a contract for the Kwakwani waterfront road To Jemcorp. The councillor reached out to me and indicated that nothing is happening… well I want to tell you today if nothing is happening, we’re not going to give people contracts and money for them to sit and play and cannot deliver to the people.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips revealed that the construction of these thoroughfares will not only improve the living environment for residents but will also help bolster tourism within the village.
“The road system here, you know if you get improvement in the road system that has a multiplier effect Just like how years ago, we invested in ensuring you have stable electricity. stable electricity in any community has a multiplier effect If you got good roads, it means people will feel more encouraged to visit your community.”
Just recently a total of $7.3 billion was allocated to build more than 160 roads in communities across Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara- Berbice), and more than 100 more will be built in Mackenzie and Wismar.