Latest update November 14th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- “Regardless of a referendum ExxonM has to consent to change oil deal- AG, Anil Nandlall
- ExxonM produced 500 million barrels of oil Since 2019- Company says
- Deadly Israeli strike shatters sense of ‘safety’ in remote north Lebanon
- Govt. signs rental deal for second powership
- Auditors question ICAG’s motive behind suspension of licence and membership
Synthetic Track will add up to $1.4 billion
Construction work on going at the Leonora athletics track yesterday.
– Road contractor faces the axe
Construction of the Synthetic Track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara will add up to $1.4 billion, officials said yesterday, indicating that they intend to get contractors to stick to deadlines and could end up axing one for being way behind schedule.
Yesterday, BK International was handed a contract for $176 million to build the northern stands, which would accommodate some 3, 000 spectators. The other stands would be built to accommodate at least 8, 000 persons, Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport said yesterday.
Before yesterday’s contract award to BK International, contracts which were awarded before for various aspects of the project add up to $651 million, Dr Anthony said in the National Assembly Thursday.
So with a total of $827 million already awarded the contracts, the Minister would be looking to get approved a further $573 in this year’s budget to complete the entire project. Dr Anthony said that the entire project should be completed in the next two years. Thursday, Dr Anthony said that payment made on all contracts to date is $374 million.
Besides the contract awarded to BK yesterday, there are five active contracts at the site. The contract that is way behind schedule is the contract for the construction of internal roads.
The $157 million road contract was awarded to Pioneer Construction of Linden. More than half of the projected time for the contract has passed, but the contractor has only completed 10% of his contract. He was given 15 percent of the contract cost.
With three months remaining on the contract time, Dr Anthony said that if the contractor cannot complete the job, “alternative measures” would have to be taken. The Ministry has already terminated one contract at the site, and there is every indication that Pioneer Construction could suffer the same fate if they do not come up to scratch.
The Leonora Project was divided into three phases.
Phase One was completed by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd. His contract entailed building the foundation for the track. The surface was excavated and compacted with some five-feet of materials, said Alfred King, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. With that sort of height, it is unlikely that the track would be flooded in cases of excessive rainfall.
Phase Two of the project was awarded in several lots. Lot One is the laying of the synthetic surface – this component was awarded to German firm Regupol. This is incomplete because the track foundation must be laid before this done.
The track is currently laid with crusher run. The next stage is for it to be asphalted. Once this is done, the German company can then lay the tract. But that would only happen once the fencing is completed.
Dr Anthony said that the site has to be fully secured before the track is laid.
BK Construction is expecting to complete asphalting by the end of this month, taking care of Lot Two of this phase.
Lot Three is the construction of the inner field and drainage system. This is being done by Eagle’s Transportation and General Construction and is about 90% complete. The inner field is being designed to hold local and international football matches.
Lot Four is the construction of the boundary fence and ticket booths. This was awarded to JPM’s General Construction, but this firm was terminated for non-performance. The remaining work was subdivided into 4 sub-lots and retendered, two new companies Bhola Nauth Ramraj & Andre Howard Construction Services were awarded these contracts. Works are about 26% complete.
Lot Five of the project is the construction of internal roads and associated structures. This is the contractor facing termination if he does not improve the pace of his works.
Lot Six of this phase was awarded yesterday for the construction of the northern stands. BK should commence works next month and complete his contract in nine months.
Phase 3 of the works would be tendered once there is budget approval. These projects would entail construction of the southern stands, construction of sanitary facilities, construction of Club House and Pavilion and construction of Eastern Parking lot.
Dr Anthony said that the construction of the Leonora facility is a flagship project for sports in Guyana.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Poor Power Planning (PPP)
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Planning has long been the PPP/C government’s pride and joy. The PPP/C touts it at rallies,... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
