78% of roads under Urban Roads Project completed

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 8, 2020

In 2019 the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was allocated $3.4B for the operation of the Miscellaneous and Urban Roads Programme.

Of the aggregate funds the ministry was allocated $2.1B to roads under the Miscellaneous Roads Programme which includes main roads outside of urban zones.

Under this programme, 229 road contracts were tendered in 2019 and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson has disclosed that 42% of the roads were completed by the end of 2019.

“And when I say completed, substantially completed because, [when] you finish the road there is a defects liability period which is generally 6 months to one year. So, while some roads could be completed and the contractor is off…we don’t consider it completed until the defects liability period is [completed],” Minister Patterson asserted.

The defects liability period refers to a stipulated time frame in which the contractor will remain liable for any possible defects which may occur. This period is usually 6-12 months.

According to Minister Patterson the remaining 58% of the roads that are incomplete are either in the defects liability phase or fall under ongoing works.

As it relates to the Urban Roads Programme, the ministry recorded a higher completion rate.

“Under the urban programme 53 roads were tendered. 78% of these have been completed,” Minister Patterson stated.

The ministry was allotted a total of $1.4B for projects under the programme, which includes towns.

Minster Patterson noted there were shortages in some materials owing to increased commercial and other projects.

In addition, the Special Projects Unit was given $1.6B which was used to conduct maintenance works in 2019.