Supply Health Centre’s construction to be re-advertised – REO

The termination of a contract between the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) administration and contractor Navin and Sons, for the construction of a new health centre at Supply, East Bank Demerara, has left officials with no other choice than to have the project retendered at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

This was on Tuesday related to Guyana by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas at the sidelines of a handing-over ceremony.
Last year, the contractors were ordered to halt construction of the Health Centre after major building flaws were discovered.
In this regard, the REO said that the project would have to be retendered and was likely to be advertised by next week.
“We have already prepared the bid documents, so it should be advertised shortly,” she explained.
In December 2018, Lucas revealed that the contract between the two parties had been terminated as a result of the shoddy works. She stressed that the decision to terminate the contract was based on recommendations made by the senior engineer for the Region and the Auditor General’s Office, both of whom 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 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) recommended sanctions against the contractor.
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’s 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.