The Government is taking a hard stand against delinquent contractors in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), with some of them even having their contracts terminated.
Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, was accompanied by Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai during an outreach to Mahdia on Wednesday. While there, residents raised with the Minister several issues they have with the roads. The Minister was accompanied by local leaders and engineers during his inspection.
For instance, there was an $87 million concrete road project that has faced almost three years of delay despite its extended September 2022 deadline. The project was said to have been delayed by poor weather, faulty equipment, and stone shortage.
Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, and other officials during his inspection of roadworks in Mahdia
Minister Indar was having none of it. “This is no longer a project with K&P [Project Management] and the Government of Guyana. I am instructing the Permanent Secretary to cancel it,” Indar said after inspecting the thoroughfare. In addition to the current optimal weather, it was pointed out by the Minister in a release that completed portions of the road also had structural issues.
Another road project in Mahdia that is on the chopping block for termination is a $60.5 million concrete road project at Danjah Street. The Minister informed residents that with only 42 per cent of the project having been completed and the contract being well over its completion date, this project would be cancelled.
Meanwhile, a $108.6 million concrete road that measures 500 metres was also inspected, with Minister Indar reading the Riot Act to the contractor. questioned by Minister Indar on why preparatory works were not done, the weather was again blamed. However, both the Minister and residents rebutted this, with the Minister threatening to terminate the contract if the road is not completed.
According to Indar, “At the strike of one month from now, if this road isn’t done, consider your contract done.”
Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, and other officials during his inspection of roadworks in Mahdia
Both Ministers also addressed other community concerns raised by residents. For instance, residents were informed that a contract to repair a bridge at Mango Landing is out for tender and that the procurement process will be fast-tracked.
When it comes to trucks damaging the roadway at Micobie, Minister Indar pledged to forward the matter to the Minister of Natural Resources for further action, since it is in a mining zone. Residents were also informed that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) and the Ministry of Housing would be doing an outreach to Mahdia in the coming month, to assist residents with their land-related concerns.
In budget 2023, a total of $136.1 billion was set aside for the Ministry of Public Works to continue the transformation of bridge and road networks across the country. Specifically, $38.5 billion was allocated for work on community roads, particularly in underserved areas. (G3)
