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BK asking for more time to complete EBD four-lane
The East Bank Demerara four-lane expansion to Diamond is heading for more stormy waters over the relocation of utility poles with contractor, BK Group, yesterday announcing moves to extend its contract time.
Ongoing works on the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway at Diamond.
The US$20M ($4B) project has been facing numerous delays with accusations flying back and forth over who has to pay for the relocation of the telephone and water lines.
BK, in a letter addressed to Work Services Group, Public Works Ministry, and released to the media yesterday, said that the public misconceptions have been hurting the reputation of the group.
BK said the delays have forced it to now serve a notice of claim in accordance with “Clause 8.4 Extension of Time for completion and Clause 20.1 Contractor’s Claims of the General Contract”. BK said it is “unprepared to bear the growing consequences of our reputation being harmed in the public domain. Consequently, we are requesting an immediate statement from you on the current position, and guidance as to how we should proceed.”
The letter was addressed to Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Works Services Group (WSG).
“Despite our several and repeated complaints, the continuous delay in the relocation of GT&T buried and overhead cables, constitute delays under Clause 8.5 Delay caused by authorities, and remains a problem for us in the timely completion of this project.”
BK accused GT&T of being “swift” to send invoices for damage to cables but slow to treat with the problems on the ground.
“Every day of delay in the completion of this project is a substantial cost to the BK Group. These delays are also an inconvenience to commuters. Further, concerned citizens see this as a misuse of the public funds and are laying the blame at the door of BK Group.”
The contractor said it will await a statement of WSG on how to proceed.
“Please note that we are making this request public in order that our efforts to correct this situation will be known in places where we are being wrongfully charged with negligence and disrespect for public concerns.”
The letter was signed by BK’s Managing Director, Brian Tiwarie and copied to Dr. Roger Luncheon – Head, Presidential Secretariat; Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works; Ron Rahaman – Engineering Coordinator, Works Services Group; Raymond Latchmansingh – Managing Director, CEMCO and
Andrew Clough – Resident Engineer/Team Leader, MMM Group Ltd.
Earlier this month, BK claimed that it lost over $50M on Phase Two of the East Bank Demerara four-lane expansion as a result of delays caused by utilities that have not been removed in a timely manner since the signing of the contract and the commencement of work in 2012.
BK, talking on the Guyana Water Inc. and GT&T, raised concerns that the water mains and telephone cables continue to hold up the completion of road work at the Diamond section of the East Bank Demerara four-lane expansion.
Both GWI and GT&T, according to BK, had pointed to the Ministry of Public Works as the source of the delays in the removal of the utilities.
In November 2010, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced that it approved a US$20M loan to extend the four-lane highway from Providence to Diamond.
With new housing schemes and thousands of new homes, authorities were expecting an explosion of vehicles on what is considered one of the country’s most used roadways.
According to IDB, within five years, the project is expected to yield a 15% reduction in travel time by car on the improved road section, as well as a five-kilometer extension of the road network that is in good condition.
The delays in completing the four-lane have angered commuters who have been facing severe congestions from the work.
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