The road to Amaila Falls - trick or treat?

The road to Amaila Falls – trick or treat?

Mar 24, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
There seem to be some inconsistencies and/or curious payment practices in the latest information from Synergy Holdings Inc.
1. The specification for the access road to Amaila Falls hydropower dam site has been repeatedly published by Kaieteur News and includes: “some 110km of virgin road through the forest as well as 85km of road where trails already exists. According to the agreement signed with NICIL, Motilall must produce a continuous, all-weather road to be built incorporating existing roads where possible and building new ones as needed to accommodate automobile, bus, and heavy truck access from Georgetown to Amaila Falls. Motilall is also responsible for the construction and supply of a pontoon crossing on each bank of the Essequibo River at or in the vicinity of Butakari and on the Kuribrong
River at or in the vicinity of Portage Falls in accordance with the specifications set out in Exhibit C.
The pontoon must be capable of carrying 100 tonnes minimum.
The roads (whether new or existing) must also be capable to carry 20 tonnes/axle with the design maximum unit carrying capacity of 100 tonnes. All roads must also be stabilized and capped with a minimum six inches of laterite or similar materials compacted to 95 per cent proctor and suitable for use as the final wear surface” (‘Synergy must complete 1/4 mile per day to meet deadline – project document’, Kaieteur News, 06 May 2010).
2. “Motilall said that if the weather was favourable the road would be passable by August. “I’m working with an August [deadline] to get you four-wheel access”. (‘Weather stalling Amaila Falls road – Motilall’, Stabroek News, 23 March 2011).
3. “Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall, who said that works are 25% complete, with government already paying 25% of the US$15.4M. Motilall, who said he was an observer at the press conference at the Pegasus Hotel, disclosed that he is being paid according to every mile completed.
“As I get done…I submit the invoice to the Ministry of Public Works; it goes to the Ministry of Finance…I get paid.” (‘Rains could affect August deadline – ‘Fip’ Motilall’, Kaieteur News, 23 March 2011).
4. So, if I understand correctly, Synergy Holdings Inc. is being paid as if it were completing the road to full specification while it is actually only building a track suitable for 4WD access.
Mr. Editor, could you ask the payment office of the Ministry of Finance, to clarify the story?
Janette Bulkan

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The road to Amaila Falls – trick or treat?

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