Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
Amaila Falls Access Road…Delinquent contractors to suffer same fate as ‘Fip’ Motilall
…as Robeson Benn insists adequate safeguards in place
The Guyana Government offered its no objection to a $832.8M contract to complete the
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn
Amaila Falls Access Road for the Hydroelectric project. And given the ‘Fip’ Motilall experience Public Works Minister, Roberson Benn, has assured that there are adequate safeguard measures in place.
Since the announcement of the contract this publication has been informed by stakeholders that the contractor, Hassan N. Pasha, is akin to Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall of Synergy Holdings Inc as it relates to competence in the execution of the project.
Motilall’s contract had to be terminated on January 12, last, for failing to abide with the contractual obligations and according to Benn, the same fate will meet any of the other contractors should they too fail to meet their obligations.
Hassan N. Pasha is the man who secured the contract for the company beating out China Railway First Group Company Limited’s bid of $2.5B and another bid from Joint venture – B&J Civil Works in collaboration with Ivor Allen Construction and Dynamic Engineering Company Ltd.
China Railway First Group Company Limited is the company already contracted by the developers of the project Sithe Global to construct the Hydro Electric Project.
Dr. Krishna Naraine’s Company, SRKN’ Gineering, has been appointed as oversight consultants.
The Public Works Minister also says that SRKN has engineering personnel on the ground ensuring that the works being undertaken are to the required standards. He said that there is also a second tier of safeguard measures linked directly to the Public Works Ministry.
The Minister explained that apart from SRKN undertaking its oversight work, Engineers from the Minister will also be adding another level of checks and inspect works completed and underway.
He spoke too of performance bonds being in place and reminded that Motilall’s Contract had been terminated after he had failed to acquire a performance bond.
Contractor, Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall of Synergy Holdings Inc.
Benn says that Pasha, as do the other contractors working on the road, have performances bonds in place and will be called upon should the need arise.
The Guyana Government is still awaiting payment from Hand in Hand Trust which had issued a Performance Bond for some US$1.5M to Motilall. Motilall failed to have this bond renewed.
The Minister did also remind that Pasha was selected from the public tendering process which also involves an evaluation process for all bids submitted.
Benn says that he has accepted the process in place.
As it relates to the maintenance of the road, Benn reported that this is not a problem for the Government of Guyana. Sithe Global and its construction team China Railway First Group Company Limited will have to assume the maintenance responsibilities.
Under the terms of the agreement with the Guyana Government, Sithe Global will Build, Own Operate and Transfer the facility to the Guyana Power and Light Company after two decades.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon on Thursday made the announcement as it relates to the winning bid for the contract for the final stretch of the Amaila Falls Access Road that involves construction through virgin forest.
That section of the road has also been deemed the most challenging. The engineers’ estimate was $979,491,800.
Since Motilall’s US$15.4M contract was terminated Toolsie Persaud Quarries Inc. was awarded the contract to build the Kurupukari junction and it also holds the contract for section four. Section five has been allocated to Ivor Allen, while section six is yet to be allocated.
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