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Synergy Holdings hopelessly behind schedule – Dr Luncheon

Apr 21, 2011 News

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, yesterday expressed the administration’s dissatisfaction with the progress Synergy Holdings Inc is making with the construction of the road to Amaila Falls.
According to Dr Luncheon, Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall, is “hopelessly behind” schedule and they have suggested that he start to contract out certain components of the project.
He said that he believes that the consultant, Walter Willis, mirrors the sentiment of Cabinet and explored options for the completion of the roadway.
Dr Luncheon did state that no effort is being spared by the administration to get Synergy Holdings to complete the road, according to design. Motilall was also responsible for the road design.
The Cabinet Secretary said that this concern has led to suggestions and “even demands for them to contract out components of the road way.”
As it relates to penalties he said that this would come into play at the end of a contract when the enormity of the failure to abide by the terms could properly be assessed.
At the end of February last, Dr Luncheon had told media operatives that “the government couldn’t help but be was concerned about the delays,” as these relate to the construction of the Amaila Falls Road Project currently being undertaken.
At that time Dr Luncheon had said that Motilall should be very worried because the design of the contract stipulates stringent penalties.
“The penalties are quite significant and will be enforced for not meeting the drop dead date.”
Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Public Works, Walter Willis, at that time had told this newspaper that there were no delays as such but rather lost days which had to be given back to the contractor.
Willis pointed out that the first notice to proceed was given in October 5, for some sections of the road. On January 11 the next notice to proceed was issued and this section entailed virgin forest.
Willis confirmed that some 15 per cent of the road has already been completed.
The breakdown of the project awarded to Synergy Holdings Inc states that the upgrade of 89km of road will cost US$3.9M; the 110km of virgin roadway, US $7M, the two pontoon crossings or a bridge will be US$1.5M and ‘T’ line clearing is said to be US$3M.
Hand in Hand Group of Companies is the company that has backed Synergy Holdings Inc. with the US$3M mobilization and security bonds which were a prerequisite to securing the recently awarded Amaila Falls Road contract.
The road that Synergy Holdings is building is to pave the way for the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project which is described as just part of a larger effort to revolutionise Guyana’s power generation infrastructure.
The storage dam site would be located near the top of Amaila Falls and would impound the waters of both the Kuribrong and Amaila Rivers.
The Amaila site is located on the Kuribrong River, a tributary of the Potaro River in West Central Guyana. The nearest point of access is the airstrip at Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River, approximately 15 miles to the south.
An overland trail exists from Kaieteur to Amaila. Access is also provided overland by an all-weather road through Tumatumari on the Potaro River and on to Mahdia and Kangaruma.
River access along the Potaro-Kuribrong Rivers to the foot of Amaila Falls involves several portages around rapids and waterfalls.
The road from Tumatumari was recently extended to Mahdia/Kangaruma that brings the project closer to the site but approximately 30 miles of additional roads will need to be built to the top of Amaila Falls.

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