Minister Indar inspects roads, sea defence projects in Region Two

– expresses displeasure with delayed works

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar on Sunday visited Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) to examine the progress of road and sea defence projects in several parts of the Region. 

The Minister was accompanied by Regional Engineers Mr. Philip Amos and Mr. Saeed Mohamed.

Following a thorough inspection at several sites, the Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the approach some of the contractors are taking towards getting the job done. He said there would be consequences faced if the contractors do not meet the stipulated completion date. 

“I am very serious about this. I am not happy with what I am seeing here, and if the contractors don’t work, they will be dealt with accordingly. This is taxpayers’ money, and they need to benefit from it. We cannot delay the work any longer,” Minister Indar said. 

The Minister inspected works at Market Road, which is awarded to Jagmohan Construction and is approximately 30 to 40 per cent complete, while residents of Mandir Street, Hibernia are set to benefit from a much-improved thoroughfare within the next two weeks.

The Main Access Road at Onderneeming and the Phase Three road works at Onderneeming Housing Scheme were also examined by Minister Indar. He has given strict orders for temporary measures to be put in place to rectify the water build-up on the Main Access Road there.

Further, the Minister examined the status of ongoing works by Mohamed Ramzamal Khan Construction at School and Bad Streets in the community of Affiance. Those works are 40 and 75 per cent complete, respectively. 

The work being done by the same contractor at East and Back Streets, Paradise was also inspected. The Minister also checked on the project at Better Success Back Street. 

While at Charity River Dam, Minister Indar was joined by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall who was also in the district on duty. 

There, residents made several complaints about the deplorable condition of the street. But they said several residents in the area have contributed to the state of the road; one being a businessman who built a concrete fence without the Regional Authority’s permission. 

Minister Indar noted that the structure prevents water from receding from the road surface, and the situation has to be addressed before rehabilitation starts. Both Minister Indar and Dharamlall spoke to the residents on the way forward, noting that the project will benefit daily travellers. 

Sea Defence Works

Meanwhile, Minister Indar also voiced his displeasure with the pace of the sea defence work at Andrews, Essequibo Coast. The contract was awarded to BK International, and the project was to be completed since August 21, 2020.

The over $124 million contract, awarded on December 21, 2019, is to construct approximately 300 metres of rip rap. To date, only 15 per cent of the work is finished, and the servicer already received 75 per cent of the payment.

Another 165-metre-length of rip rap sea defence works was awarded to Samaroo Investment on November 30, 2020, at Suddie at the cost of $92 million. That contractor too is moving at a slow pace much to the dissatisfaction of the Minister.