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Nauth and Sons defends $1.6B Coldingen Road Project against “substandard” claims by WIN
Kaieteur News – Local construction firm H. Nauth and Sons has come out in defense of its work on the Coldingen Access Road project, following allegations of substandard work and lack of accountability raised by Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed, and Member of Parliament, Vishnu Panday.
In a press statement released this week, the contracting firm rejected claims that improper materials were being used on the $1.69 billion project, asserting that all works are being executed “strictly in accordance” with approved engineering designs and official specifications.
The rebuttal follows a site visit by Mohamed and Panday on April 17. In a video broadcast via the “Team Mohamed’s” social media page, the opposition members highlighted what they described as “slush mud” and inadequate foundations.
“Residents in the community reached out to us… complaining bitterly about the material used to construct this road,” Mohamed stated in the video. “That is why these roads don’t last. A year or sometimes two years after, these roads would crumble.”
Panday further criticised the technical aspects of the construction, claiming the sub-base appeared to be less than 24 inches deep and failed to reach a “hard pan” surface. Panday also raised concerns regarding the height of the newly constructed concrete drains, which he alleged sit roughly 1.5 feet above residential yards, posing a severe flood risk to the community.
Addressing the fact that the project is behind its original May 2026 completion timeline, H. Nauth and Sons attributed the delay to a massive shift in the project’s scope.
According to the firm, the road was initially designed as a two-lane thoroughfare but was subsequently upgraded to a four-lane roadway, including two dedicated parking lanes.
“This revision substantially increased the scope of works,” the company stated, noting that the expansion also necessitated the construction of concrete drains on both sides and additional structures. “Under standard contract terms, this allows for an extension of time, which applies in this case.”
The firm emphasised that the expansion was “necessary and beneficial” to meet projected traffic demands and national development goals.
Regarding the quality of materials, a primary point of contention for the opposition, H. Nauth and Sons maintained that white sand, sand clay, crusher run, and asphalt used on-site are industry standard.
“At no point has there been any deviation from the prescribed standards,” the statement read. The company added that the works are under continuous monitoring by a clerk of works and engineering personnel to ensure compliance.
- Nauth and Sons, which cites over 30 years of experience in the sector, concluded its statement by urging public officials to exercise caution in their commentary. “Statements of this nature ought to be informed, measured, and responsible, so as not to mislead the public or undermine confidence in important national development works,” the firm said, specifically calling on the opposition leader to regard the “full facts and technical context” of the project.
The opposition, meanwhile, has called for greater transparency regarding the approval process for the project’s expansion, with Mohamed questioning whether the additional costs and design changes were ever approved in parliament.
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