Following the termination of a contractual agreement between the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) executives and a contractor, Navin and Sons, for the construction of a new health centre at Supply, East Bank Demerara, Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen has revealed that bids for the project will be retendering early next year.
Allen made the announcement during an interview with Guyana Times on the
The foundation of the health centre at the centre of the controversy
sidelines of an event hosted at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday.
“With the termination of the contractor it means the works will have to be re-advertised so that another contractor can begin works,” she said.
According to the regional executive, the region is seeking to conduct invitation of bids for the major project early in 2019.
Asked whether or not legal action is an option against the contractor, the Chairperson noted that he was already informed of what is required of him and the region is working to ensure that he meets his requirements.
On Sunday, <<<<Guyana Times>>>> reported that as a result of shoddy works, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four has not only terminated the contract but has also ordered the contractor to repay the region monies for the foundation and columns.
“I have therefore written to the Ministry of Communities outlining the issues and thereby seeking the advice on the way forward. As such, the Ministry wrote me and accepted my recommendation of terminating the contractor with the contractor tasked with repaying the region,” the REO Pauline Lucas said.
Lucas stressed that the decision to terminate the contract is based on recommendations made by the senior engineer for the region and the Auditor General’s Office, both of which conducted tests on the works done. Both tests lead to similar findings.
The Supply Health Centre has for some time been at the heart of a struggle between regional officials seeking value for money and the contractor. A few months ago, an investigation was ordered into the issue by Regional Chairperson Genevieve Allen.
The move was sparked after Councillors on the RDC recommended sanctions against the contractor. At the time, it was pointed out that the contractor has multiple contracts in the region and thus, those projects could also have issues.
There have been long standing concerns over the quality of the work and the actions of the contractor; all of which had caused the Region Four authorities to seek to halt the construction of the health centre.
According to a report that was submitted by the Clerk of Works, the contractor had failed to comply with a number of requirements for the project. Among the requirements reportedly ignored by the contractor was one for the complete removal of tree roots and debris from the site. Regional officials have complained that contrary to the specifications of the project, the casting of the health centre flooring was found to have been done without removing a major tree stump. Lucas had previously expressed concern that this raised serious questions about the strength and quality of the building.
The contractor was ordered by the Clerk of Works to not proceed with casting the foundation of the health centre. This cease work order was reportedly ignored.
