No bids submitted to rehabilitate Georgetown zoo

The long-awaited and much-anticipated rehabilitation of the Zoological Park may take longer than expected as no contractors expressed interest in the project when it came up on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
This was confirmed to Guyana Times on Wednesday by an official from NPTAB. The specifics of the project entail “execution of the rehabilitation of enclosures and exhibits for birds” within the park.
Several notices were published in the newspapers but there was no interest from contractors. Nevertheless, this would mean that the sections of the zoo, which are long overdue for a facelift, would have to wait longer if the National Parks Commission, under the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency, decides to retender for the works to be conducted.
The zoo has been in quite a state for some time now. Many were excited by the news of the rehabilitation, which would have hopefully helped to restore it to its former glory.
Former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who had the responsibility for Guyana’s tourism, had announced plans to construct a safari-type facility for the remaining animals back in March of this year.
According to him, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) was considering this type of structure for the animals.

Contractors at risk
Meanwhile, only recently the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said that the uncertain footing of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government has put private sector contracts with the State at risk.
The PSC had slammed the behaviour of President David Granger and his Government, who despite being toppled by a No-Confidence Motion, have been criticised for seeming reluctant to go to the polls and comply with the Constitution and Court rulings.
“It is the private sector’s view that the President, by his behaviour, has put at risk all private sector entities and other organisations made subject to contracts and any other action authorised by the Cabinet, by presuming them to be legal. The Private Sector Commission has, therefore, advised its members to seek legal advice in this regard,” the Commission stated.
According to the PSC, the President announcing that Cabinet shall continue to function is “totally unacceptable”, noting that this means that the President is refusing to honour the Constitution of Guyana.