Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said that another contractor is being considered to fix the most recent sea defence breach at Dantzig Mahaicony, Berbice.
The new breach spans 100 metres, and according to the minister can cost as much as $145Million to be sealed. During a news conference on Wednesday Edghill said the Permanent Secretary and Technical team advised that due to inaccessibility to the site, a contractor, who is already on the location, should be contracted to respond to that emergency.
During a visit to the area on Thursday morning, Edghill and a team from the Sea Defence department as well as local authorities, inclusive of Regional Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal, conducted a fresh assessment of the situation. The minister and team met with both contractors; BK International Incorporated and A&S. General Contractors who have begun fixing some 500 metres of breached sea defence. Residents complained about the harsh effects of flooding in the area and made recommendations.
Following a meeting with the technical team and local authorities, another route to access the site to transport machines and materials was established. “The advice we received from the Permanent Secretary and our technical staff was that due to the inaccessibility to the site and the prevailing conditions; they recommended that the contractor who is currently engaged on the project – which is BK International – fix that breach. I was not satisfied with those arrangements so I came myself this morning to see and to talk with the residents,” Minister Edgehill stated.
Due to the urgent nature of work, it was decided that another contractor is to be engaged to work on the most recent breach. The Minister said residents are expecting the two present contractors BK International and A&S General Contractors Incorporated to complete their ongoing work promptly. He underscored that excuses for further delays will not be accepted. (DPI)
