Benn commissions $100M asphalt plant on Corentyne

Jul 28, 2014 News

A section of the asphalt plant

A $100M asphalt processing plant was commissioned last Saturday evening at Tarlogie on the Corentyne. Civil contractor, Mr. Peter Lewis and family undertook the massive project which is expected to boost Berbice’s road construction needs immensely.

The plant is completely computerized whereby the temperature controls, bituminous mixture, delivery of materials, are all determined by inputs into the computer according to formulas provided. The event was attended by several government officials.

Minister of Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn lauded the effort of investment by the Lewis family. Benn stated that the government saw the positive aspect in such an establishment since maintenance of roads in Berbice would now be easier.

He alluded to the challenges faced by his ministry with the availability of bitumen and stone on the market as well. He said the computerized plant with training provided by the Indian Engineers who trained the employees there, “is an important aspect of this development.”

“This is an example of what we want Guyanese to have in respect to developing our country,” he added. He praised Lewis as coming from a hardworking family, full of discipline and learning attributes he developed for construction and engineering. “It says for us that one does not necessarily have to go to university and colleges to be successful in life.”

Benn then touched on the issue of the East Bank Berbice roadway, which has been in the news over the past years. He said that works along the contentious roadway will start during the last quarter of this year. “The monies have been identified; the consultants are already in place and are at work on this road; the designs are being completed.

Benn noted that the government, throughout its tenure in office, has worked hard to create the opportunity for national contractors. “There was a time – and we still have the situation – that a lot of work we undertook was done or is still being done indeed by foreign contractors. National contractors’ growth; in their diversity; in their undertakings; their interests; their abilities to undertake large, national construction projects, are testimony to the presence and importance of Guyanese home- grown contractors. “It says to us again that along with the coherent policy of the government over a number of years, that we are making good on our promise to develop our country; that we are making good on the question of realizing our freedom, because we can only really be free until we take over the things to develop our country.”

Mr. Joseph Lewis, brother of Peter Lewis, stated that his brother ventured out at the tender age of 16, “to chase his dreams in Georgetown, unaware of the many challenges ahead. He was given a unique opportunity with construction firm, SA Nabi & Sons, where he started as a labourer, painter and carpenter.

He grew in the business from there, loving it more and more, after which he branched off on his own. He worked with Nabi & Sons on numerous projects such as the National Cultural Centre, Teachers’ Training College; extension of Banks DIH Complex; Brazilian Embassy and Hand-in-Hand building.

Junior Minister of Finance, Bishop Juan Edghill, lauded Lewis for the initiative. “We are quite proud to know that he has seen the light and he has taken the bold step and we are extremely proud to be a part of the commissioning of this asphalt plant.”

Remarks were also made by Region Six Vice- Chairman, Mr. Bhupaul Jhagroo, after which the ribbon was cut by Renita, the daughter of Mr. Lewis, assisted by the Ministers and Member of Parliament, Faizal M. Jaffarally. The officials then toured the plant which has the capacity of producing over 60 tonnes of asphalt per hour.