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Govt. to spend $13.9M more on Bartica Stelling project
Kaieteur News- After spending over $500 million thus far, the government through the Ministry of Public Works will be spending $13.9 million more on the Bartica Ferry Stelling rehabilitation project, this time to upgrade its Administrative Building.
The rehabilitated Bartica Ferry Stelling in Region Seven. (Photo courtesy, Ewrin Ward/ Facebook)
This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the ministry through its Transport and Harbours Department which stated that bids are expected to open on April 24, 2025 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.
The admin building houses staff who manage the affairs of the stelling and also includes other offices. This publication had reported that the rehabilitation of the Region Seven stelling has been under construction for about eight years.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during the Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure for his ministry in February had said that the project was expected to be completed at the end of March this year.
This newspaper reported that works on the Bartica Stelling began in 2017, when the first phase was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited. According to reports, the first phase was completed in October 2018. The first phase entailed the demolition of the southern section of the stelling. That section was reconstructed with support piles made of greenheart for the substructure. The phase now accommodates commercial concessions and a modernised passenger waiting area.
It was reported in January 2019 that the second phase of the contract was also awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited. This phase entailed the extension of the northern section of the stelling, as a way to accommodate the drawbridge.
It is unclear what works took place after then, but in 2021 during a visit to the Bartica and Leguan stellings, Minister Edghill had expressed disappointment with the pace of work ongoing at those facilities.
The minister was quoted in a Department of Public Information (DPI) article as saying that the projects which his government inherited from the previous administration were at a stage of failure and riddled with poor performance and delays.
After that contractor failed to complete the works, the Public Works then sought another contractor for the project via public tendering. Back in 2023, a $553 million contract was awarded to K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies to complete the stelling project.
The stelling was being upgraded to ensure the safe use by commuters and boat operators.
(Govt. to spend $13.9M more on Bartica Stelling project)
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