Latest update November 27th, 2024 1:00 AM
Contractor to face financial consequences over Belle Vue bridge project delays
Precast Bridge at Belle Vue, Region Three
Kaieteur News – The $78.4 million Belle Vue, Region Three Bridge which was scheduled to be completed at the end of March is yet to be completed and the contractor stands the risk of facing financial consequences.
During a site visit by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Friday, it was discovered that delays are a result of the contractor, Hanbel Garnett, who said he is awaiting the delivery of concrete slabs from Jagmohan Companies and Son.
The project was scheduled to be completed by the end of February. However, an additional 15 days was granted to the deadline to facilitate the removal of electrical lines which were obstructing crane operations.
Minister Edghill proposed imposing liquidated damages on the contractor to ensure accountability and expedite the completion.
“I don’t care if the slabs come tonight or tomorrow but I want this bridge finished,” Minister Edghill said.
The concrete slabs that were prepared by S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Incorporated.
He continued, “The delayed time while we were waiting on GPL to move the powerline so that the crane could operate, make sure we verify is how long, we get that done, we deduct that and beyond that, we start charging liquidated damages.”
However, in a press release issued on Tuesday evening, S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Incorporated refuted suggestions that the company was responsible for not providing the concrete slabs to the contractor.
In a terse statement, Jagmohan said that the claim by the contractor is “false”.
The construction company said that Mr. Garnett of Hanbel Garnett Construction “falsely attributes his delinquency in completing works to the non-delivery of concrete slabs from our company.”
Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Incorporated made it clear that “all of the concrete slabs have been manufactured and we are awaiting the contractor to settle his outstanding financial obligations on April 16, 2024.”
The contract for the Belle Vue Bridge project was awarded in May 2023.
The completion of the pre-cast bridge will bring significant relief to thousands of residents and road users alike. It will offer improved access to essential services, facilitating easier travel, and fostering opportunities for economic growth, the DPI stated.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) said it welcomes the Public Procurement Commission’s (PPC) review of the award of the contract for the construction of the pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, Region 3, and its report issued.
“The NPTAB has taken note of the detailed assessment conducted by the PPC and appreciates the recommendations made therein. The NPTAB remains fully committed to working closely with its evaluation committees to ensure scrutiny of bids and strict adherence to the evaluation criteria. Moreover, the NPTAB reiterates the importance of procurement entities drafting evaluation criteria that clearly outline all relevant issues for evaluators to analyze and make recommendations,” the entity said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.
NPTAB acknowledged that the need to eliminate inconsistencies, where they exist, in the instructions to bidders.
“This recommendation is aligned with ongoing reforms being undertaken currently and will be implemented through collaboration with the PPC to strengthen bidding documents, particularly when tenders are advertised in lots.”
Further, NPTAB said that it has commenced two consultancies to strengthen records management and develop a public procurement management system.
“Both will introduce information technology solutions to current processes and procedures and pave the way for a robust e-procurement system,” the statement said.
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