Govt signals zero tolerance for undue delays on Leguan, Bartica Stellings

Works on the Leguan and Bartica Stellings are well advanced and according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, the Government is keeping a close eye on both projects to ensure there are no further undue delays.

In a recent interview with the media, Edghill was asked about the Leguan Stelling in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and the Bartica Stelling in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Both are projects that should have been completed under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. Both are projects that are still ongoing.
“We are well advanced. We’re not going to allow further delays. We have engaged the contractors on both projects, Leguan and Bartica. And we are working through the issues to ensure we get the projects delivered,” the Minister explained.
“These are projects that we inherited, that were at the stage of failure. Poor performance, delays, creating suffering and hardships for the people. We are working to remedy that,” Minister Edghill said.
In February of this year, the Public Works Minister had ordered that the $413 million contract to reconstruct the deplorable Leguan Stelling be terminated since the contractor, S Maraj Contracting Services, failed to meet his obligation.
This came one day after the Minister and his team met with residents who echoed their concerns about the slow pace at which the project was being executed. On this note, Minister Edghill stated that the contractor applied for an extension to complete the project, but he posited that it was unacceptable.
A special report was done by the Auditor General, which determined that the contractor, S Maraj Contracting Services, was incapable, unable, and not in possession of the wherewithal to successfully execute the project.
The contract was signed on September 20, 2018, under the leadership of the then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson. The contractor received $199,435,000 in payments. This is outside of the normal procurement practices and a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act.
The Government of Guyana subsequently initiated legal proceedings against S Maraj Contracting Services in March of this year for breach of contract. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the State, had sought $100 million in general damages, $100 million in aggravated damages, and $81 million under the mobilisation bond.
The State was also seeking $41.3 million as liquidated damages and $41.3 million for the performance bond. However, it has since been revealed that a settlement was reached between the contractor and State.
When it comes to the Bartica Stelling, works were also supposed to have been completed under the former Government. However, works are now ongoing with contractor Courtney Benn Contracting Services carrying out the project.
Back in 2016, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) of the Public Infrastructure Ministry had undertaken rehabilitative works on various stellings and wharves across the country. These works were estimated to cost in excess of $311 million.
During that time, there was a complete reconstruction of the northern high ramp, and replacement of defective beams and planks of the Bartica docking area. Repairs were also done to the timber roof valley and the supervisor’s office, as well as the northern fender system. Forty-six piles were driven during these rehab works. (G3)