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No order was given for contractor to expedite works on Kato School
…if it was badly done, he must fix it – former Education Minister
In the wake of the scathing report written by Rodrigues Architects Ltd on the construction of Kato School, former Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has defended the role that she, and her government, played in the process.
Former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand
Albert Rodrigues, Managing Director of the company, had reported that contracting firm Kares Engineering was urged by the previous administration to complete the school before the May 2015 general and regional elections.
This is something which the consultant for the project, Design and Construction Services Limited (DCSL), had made mention of in its response to the technical audit report. According to Manickchand, however, the previous administration would not have given such an order.
Manickchand during a recent telephone interview stated that the then administration knew that the school could not have been finished for that date and would not have compromised standards. She was adamant that she, personally, would never have given such instructions.
The former Minister went on to relate that any dealings that Kares Engineering had with her Ministry were above board and followed due process. She also stated that she never met the contractor or the consultant on her own.
Manickchand however noted that if the school was badly done, then Kares has to fix it. Kares had recently issued a statement and an advertisement, promising to fix the defects. However, it has disputed assertions that the school is not structurally sound.
Currently, there is no official opening date for Kato School, for which construction started in 2013. The edifice was scheduled to be opened last January. This was delayed following the discovery of the defects.
The Kato Secondary school complex.
Because of this, a technical audit into the school was commissioned and a report prepared by Rodrigues Architects Limited. That report was subsequently presented to Parliament by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson.
Cabinet also examined the report, the roles of the supervising consultant, construction and cost of remedial works to be done. The findings had resulted in cabinet recommending that the Attorney General’s Chambers review the report.
Patterson had said that because of the shoddy work done by the contractor, some students wouldn’t get to attend secondary school for another year and parents would be forced to reorganize their plans.
Kato Secondary was initially billed at over $700M, but the previous Government later disclosed that the final tally could be about $1B. The school was intended to be a ‘super structure’, which would cater for 400 students.
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Plausible deniability?
Manickchand never seems to understand what values lie there in holding her ‘peace.’ Every time she opens her mouth it gets her into the defense without substance.
WHY NOT ASK THE CONSULTANT FOR A RETRACTION, Priya? Whom are you defending and/or protecting? Or is it ‘I can’t seem to recall!’