Makers of ‘concrete blocks’ to abide with GNBS requirements

– consultation held with block makers in Region 2

Scores of concrete block makers/contractors from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) voiced their views on the move by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to standardise block making.
Many of them said if they should do so, then the price for a concrete block would eventually increase. They raised their concerns at a consultation session held on Thursday in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The hollow block makers would now be required to follow the standards required by the GNBS and, as such, the contractors are calling on the Bureau to have a standardised ratio of all raw materials that will be required to make one block. This consultation came after several consumers complained of purchasing “weak blocks”.
According to GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David, the purpose of the consultation is to develop a draft bearing standard for block makers.
Once the standards are approved, then the requirements will become a law and all block makers will be responsible for following same. David said that the GNBS would be responsible for the enforcement of the requirements.
The consultation was part of a series in an effort to set a standard for block makers as well as to represent consumers’ rights. (Indrawattie Natram)