Despite significant delays in work, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was still extending contract time for the Hunter Street project
Kaieteur News-The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) under the previous administration extended the contract time for the $ 86M $ three Hunter Street project, despite significant delays in work by the contractor. These and other details were shared by the Auditor General in his 2019 report.
The report reminded that in respect of the Geometric Improvement – Hunter Street, Georgetown, a contract was signed on May 8, 2019, in the amount of $ 86.685M. The works included the construction of a concrete paved pedestrian pavement between Front Road and Daisy Street, and Water Lilly Street and Mandela Avenue on the east side of the carriageway, together with widening of road shoulders, full construction of concrete drains on the west side and a road surface finish asphalt concrete.
As of December 31, 2019, the PE report indicates that sums totaling $ 13.003M were paid to the contractor, which represented approximately 15% of the contract amount. Subsequently, four interim payments were made in 2020, resulting in total payments at $ 35.041M, which represented approximately 40% of the contract amount.
Concerned, the report highlights that the method of procurement used by the Ministry to employ the services of the anonymous contractor could not be determined, as there were no details of when the work was advertised, the length of bids submitted, and the number of bids . accepted. Only the contractor’s application form dated December 20, 2019, was seen.
He went on to say that the tender evaluation report had not been submitted for audit audit, and as such, government auditors could not confirm whether tendering and awarding of the contract was in accordance with the Procurement Act 2003.
The contract start date for the works was June 10 2019, the report notes, with a completion date of December 11 2019. The defect liability period was twelve months. “The contractor was given three extensions, resulting in a revised contractual completion date of August 7, 2020. A physical check carried out on October 9, 2020 revealed that the work was incomplete; although the revised contractual completion date has expired. It should be noted that there was little work activity at the time of the physical inspection, with the on-site contractor workforce comprising only one foreman and seven employees, ”the report states.
He continued, “The contractor failed to pursue the work diligently, and again the Ministry granted three extensions of time, instead of taking action against the defective contractor. Moreover, the completion date was extended from December 11, 2019 to March 13, 2020, then to July 17, 2020, and finally to August 7, 2020. The third extension was granted although the Ministry was by letter dated July 9, 2020, it highlighted to the contractor that it was performing poorly, and that “the site was discontinued on December 16, 2019, and constructive production never started again for five weeks”.
It should be noted that these extensions of time were not justified. As a result, the base of the extensions could not be determined.
He went on to state that the sum of $ 120,000 had been paid for Safety and Traffic Management. However, it was highlighted that traffic control, warning signs, warning tape, barricades or traffic cones at the time of physical verification did not indicate that the work site was in operation. Follow-up spot checks carried out by the Audit Office revealed that poor traffic management persisted, often leading to traffic congestion, as equipment and building materials were often left uncertain along the roadside without any precautionary measures. at work.
“The final account has not yet been prepared, until the work is complete. However, it must be reiterated that the last extended date for completion was August 7, 2020. As such, the contract would have attracted fixed compensation ”, the report concluded.