Contractors were warned to complete work within specifications
Supervising Region Five and Six projects…
Minister Juan Edghill watches as a resident digs part of the road to make sure it meets the required thickness at Village Number Two.
Minister Juan Edghill travels part of the road that is being rehabilitated at Black Bush Polder.
Kaieteur News – Contractors involved in projects in Regions Five and Six have been warned to complete their work within the specifications of their contracts. Echoing this warning on Tuesday was Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill when he visited ongoing projects in the Regions.
A statement from the Ministry noted that the Minister in Region Five in De Hoop, had scrutinized on-going work.
In District Six, however, in Brehaspat Street, Village Number Two, he was told that the contractor had disbanded, due to allegations of physical abuse by residents.
During the meeting, residents explained to Minister Edghill that the contractor had used “sappy materials” as the foundation for the road being built in the area. The initial contract amount for the project was $ 31.6 million.
Residents were also unhappy with the fact that the road was not graded prior to laying.
It was later explained by the Ministry Engineer that sections of the road, which had not been deteriorated, were not removed but were used as a base for the beam layer.
On the issue of the use of “sharp materials”, Minister Edghill warned that if the allegations are found to be correct, the Engineer, the Clerk of Works and the contractor will be held to account for correction at no cost to the the Ministry.
The Minister also urged residents during the meeting to be respectful in voicing their concerns to the contractor. He also noted that they should not stop development plans while remaining in the eyes of the community.
En route to Black Bush Polder, Minister Edghill stopped and inspected construction work being carried out by the Guyana Defense Force in Lesbeholden, Region Six. The team was busy building a 90-foot heavy-duty wooden bridge for the benefit of the occupants.
Over at Black Bush Polder, the Minister examined ongoing roadworks. Residents thanked him for his visit and for ensuring that the road was built.
Accompanying Minister Edghill to a community meeting was the Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan; Zamal Hussain, Regional Vice Chairman, and Chairman of NDC, Mr Ubraj Matadeen.
During comments, the Minister highlighted the importance of farming to road marketing. He stressed the importance of Agriculture even in the birth years of oil production, here in Guyana.
However, the Minister used the opportunity to highlight the importance of trucks adhering to the weight limits.
In fact, one resident said he felt that rice millers should be held liable for road damage due to overload at Black Bush.
One resident who attended the Yakusari North meeting complained that farmers were converting the residential housing lots into farmland, much to their discomfort.
The resident said that due to the farming activity, heavy duty trucks would frequent the inner streets and cause damage.
In addition, they were also reported to be affected by chemicals. Minister Edghill said he would investigate the concerns raised during the meeting.