Ogle-to-Eccles Highway: Execute works in best possible manner – Edghill to supervisory company

…as US$3.2M contract signed

The Public Works Ministry on Wednesday signed a contract to the tune of US$3.2 million for supervisory works to be conducted during the construction of the Ogle-to-Eccles Highway.

The US$106 million contract for construction of the highway was signed last Friday, and it will see the construction of some 7.8 kilometres of roadway with each of the four lanes being 3.6 metres wide.
The construction of the highway will be done by Ashoka Buildcon Limited and the supervisory works by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES).
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill at the contract signing highlighted the critical role that the supervisory firm would now play in the execution of the highway.
“While we had the civil works contract signed last week, the signing of this contract today (Wednesday) is very important because they need to immediately oversee the removal of utilities along the corridor to ensure that the civil works component can kick into gear.
“So, RITES will have to begin to provide that supervisory service to the various utilities to make sure we clear the carriageway and I would hope that that would be something that is swift,” the Minister explained.
He stated that the removal of the utilities was just awaiting the signing of the contract for a supervisory firm to come on board to ensure that all works would be conducted according to the project design.
While noting that the Government was privileged to have two of India’s finest companies undertaking the major project, Edghill urged the firms to execute the works in the best possible manner.
“Make your mark, make your footprint, let your flag fly high and let us continue to collaborate for many more things to come,” he said.
The Minister also revealed that Ashoka was actively engaged in the mobilisation of equipment and additional personnel to Guyana which the Ministry would help to facilitate to commence works as soon as possible.
He noted that the Government was committed to Guyana’s development in the best interest of its people.
“We are committed as a Government to being accountable, we are committed to being transparent, and we believe that the way to do so is by bringing to your notice and notice to all in Guyana what we are doing, why we are doing it, how we are doing it, and who will benefit as result of what we are doing,” Edghill said.

Tremendous interest
Meanwhile, in his address at the contract signing, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa noted that Guyana has been of growing interest for India.
“We have been in touch with the Indian companies, there’s a tremendous interest in India right now about Guyana,” he said.
The High Commissioner assured that the Indian companies signed to undertake this massive developmental project would get the job done in a professional manner as they were highly reliable and world-recognised for the quality services that they provide.
He added that these companies would soon be setting up permanent offices in Guyana.
“When interact with these Indian companies I insist that entering Guyana should not be a one off, they should build an office here, they should build a presence here and I’m very happy to inform that based on my conversations with both Ashoka Buildcon and RITES, they are completely sold-out all over Guyana, so they will be here in Guyana with a permanent presence, they will be building their local offices,” the High Commissioner said.
The Highway will link the East Coast of Demerara corridor at Ogle directly to the East Bank Demerara corridor at Eccles.
It will feature a median in the middle and sidewalks as well as several connector roads especially at the East Bank end to allow for further diversion of traffic.
Works are slated to commence August month-end after the rainy season as Ashoka Buildcon Limited is committed to delivering the project within the 24-month timeline stipulated in the contract.