The Ministry of Social Cohesion, with Responsibility for Sport, yesterday sealed contracts with two Guyanese construction companies, initiating the third phase of work on the new synthetic tracks to be laid in Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne, and Region Ten, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice.
The two new tracks — at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Bayrock Community Centre ground at Wismar, Linden — will carry to three the total of such tracks to be laid in Guyana, following the laying of the Leonora Synthetic Track.
The bidding process for the construction works was carried out by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), which saw the project at Region Six receiving 14 tenders and at Region Ten receiving 12 tenders.
Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, detailed the work that will be done by the two companies which have emerged successful from the bidding
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Melissa Tucker, has been given the honour of officially signing the contracts with Builders Hardware and Supplies representative Rajesh Samaroo
process.
“We’re in phase three, this is specific to the ground preparation. There will be ground work, the laying of drainage pipes, curb works, asphalting and concrete where necessary. This is prior to stage four, where the laying of the synthetic material will be done,” Dow- Richardson explained.
The contract for the Berbice track has been awarded to BK International at a cost of $141 million, while the Linden track will be done by Builders Hardware and Supplies at a cost of $179 million.
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, expressed his satisfaction with the construction of new tracks, noting that the pressure would be taken off the lone track at Leonora, which is experiencing some deterioration.
“I am indeed pleased, but I must confess that this signing is long overdue. It was only last year (that), for the first time, we had our National School Athletics Championships being run on a synthetic track at Leonora. (In) my last inspection of that facility, it was not too encouraging,” he said.
Dr. Norton detailed the complications with the existing track, stating, “The actual synthetic material, we found that it has been eroded, and through the innovation of ground staff, they managed to patch the different areas; but it is only a temporary measure to correct the situation. A few weeks ago I was there, and those areas that were patched are already deteriorating.”
The Minister has stressed that the additional synthetic surfaces would go a long way towards improving the level of athletics in Guyana.
“We’re hoping that, with this effort, it will bring us closer to where we want to be,” Dr. Norton said.
Works are expected to commence seven days after the signing of the contracts, which projects to next Friday; and the timeline given for the duration of phase three is said to be between 3 and 6 months.
When probed by media operatives about sticking to their deadline, Rajesh Samaroo of Builders Hardware and Supplies gave all assurance that the company will complete the work on time.
“With regards to the deadline, it depends on the weather, but surely we should finish on time,” Samaroo stated.
Subsequently, Minister Norton was questioned about how the Ministry will keep an eye on the works, to ensure they are up to standard. He hinted that the communities would be the eyes and ears in this regard.
“What I can assure you is that this Ministry, with the hands-on approach, has been in the areas, particularly in Linden and New Amsterdam, and we invited all the stakeholders to our meetings there, and we’ve implored them to follow as closely as possible what is taking place, so that the community itself is actually involved. We find that this is a very effective way of monitoring and evaluation,” He stated.
