‘Major shake-up’ imminent at Asphalt Plant, Harbour Bridge -Minister Edghill

Significant changes are set to be made at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Asphalt Plant and the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) after a probe into the operations at those entities revealed several irregularities.

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill made this disclosure prior to Monday’s meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.

“There will be a major shake-up in both the Asphalt Plant and the Demerara Harbour Bridge. My position is any party who played a role in facilitating what took place, should not be allowed to spread that cancer continually, even under new management.”

On January 8, Minister Edghill said the DHBC Board recommended its human resources sub-committee interview employees believed to be culpable, with respect to the allegations and outcomes of the probe.

Chief Executive Officer of Chateram Ramdihal Chartered Accountants, Mr. Chateram Ramdihal handed over the Report to both Minister Edghill and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar.

The Report investigated the financial and operational management of the old asphalt plant during the years 2013-2020.

The Report faulted DHBC’s management for not ensuring the plant was controlled and efficiently run, among other damning findings.

Among the findings was a $12 million debt accrued by Courtney Benn Construction Incorporated and both Suresh Jagmohan and China Railways accessed loans without the Board’s approval.