Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Two senior government engineers axed
– blamed for Cemetery Road death bridge
Government has reportedly terminated the contracts of two senior engineers following the death
WSG’s Head, Rickford Lowe
of a teen earlier this month on Cemetery Road, Georgetown.
Senior Head of the Works Services Group (WSG), Rickford Lowe, and engineer Leon Goring of the Ministry of Public Works, were reportedly sent off a few weeks ago. They recently received letters from the Ministry which gave them one month’s notice each that their contracts were being terminated.
While Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, yesterday declined to comment, well placed sources have indicated that the decisions by the Ministry are linked to a bridge on Sussex and Savage Streets, Cemetery Road which claimed the life of 16-year-old Elbert Thorne after a dangerous hole in the road sent the car he was travelling into a nearby trench.
There were reportedly several other incidents around the same period at that particular spot.
Residents had blocked the bridge in protest, citing its danger to the public. Government has since started works to repair the bridge.
When contacted, Lowe declined to comment on the issue yesterday.
However, this newspaper was told by a Public Works official that while roads across the country fall under that Ministry, smaller works like repairs and maintenance would be the responsibility of the City Council or the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, depending on the location.
In the case of the problematic bridge at Cemetery Road, there was no immediate direction to WSG to start repairs.
However, other senior Public Works officials are contending that WSG is tasked with monitoring the
Sent home: Engineer, Leon Goring
conditions of the country’s roads and effecting emergency repairs when the need arises.
Lowe would have served in excess of 30 years with government and was under contract.
Kaieteur News was unable to contact Goring.
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