Road will be built properly, Benn assures Region One residents

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn on Saturday engaged residents of Region One who related their concerns that the contractor responsible for the construction of the $15 million Wanaina/Wauna stretch of road was not using the correct materials.

According to a release from the Guyana Information Agency (GINA), rehabilitative works to the road which have deteriorated were interrupted several weeks ago by residents who staged a protest and blocked the road.

Residents were reported as telling Benn that the contractor was not using the right materials to rehabilitate the road, and explained that the materials which were being  laid, identified by the minister as “ a material which contained a high clay content,” was washed away whenever the area experienced heavy rainfall.

Benn reportedly told residents, “You have a legal right to protest… but do not prevent the work that is ongoing; do not avoid a rational and reasonable discussion about whatever problem is there… contact the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry or the Chief Works Officer.”

According to the release, Benn explained to the residents that he was aware of the issues with the road and said that this occurred as a result of a deficiency of contractors in Region One. Currently there are only two contractors in the region.

Benn assured the residents however, that correctional provisions existed in the event that work to the stretch of road was done improperly.

‘Minister Benn informed the residents that the contract has interventions that are applied in the instance that poor work is done on the project. These interventions include the contract effecting remedial work during the liability period, or the contract [being] taken away if the work is not corrected,’ GINA said.

During the exchange the minister reportedly reminded the residents that the rehabilitative work on the Wanaina/Wauna road is being facilitated through the Works Ministry’s Hinterland Road Project which is usually aimed at conducting works in the Linden/Lethem, Amalia Falls access and Mahdia roads.

He said that though “these types of community roads were not normally included in the project,” the ministry in 2012 expanded its reach to include these roads.

Benn also addressed concerns about the type of wood that was being used by the contractors for the revetment and pall-off.

GINA noted, “the incomplete works continue to hamper residents who are forced to pay increased transportation costs.”

It was reported that the wood which was initially procured by the contractor was also rejected by the ministry, after which a list of appropriate woods was recommended by the Region One Administration to the contractor.

The procurement process for the recommended material is said to be ongoing, while a two-month extension has been requested by the contractor and granted by the ministry.

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and Hinterland Roads Engineer Naeem Mohamed viewing the flooded segment of the Barabina road. (GINA photo)
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and Hinterland Roads Engineer Naeem Mohamed viewing the flooded segment of the Barabina road. (GINA photo)

In the release, Hinterland Engineer Naeem Mohamed explained that the lack of contractors doing work in Region One had led to the extension of the usual two-week advertising period. Despite this extension, he said, “only one person submitted a bid.”

GINA reported that a section of the road is slated for completion by the end of July and said that clauses in the contract will be invoked for liquidity damage if this deadline is not met.

The release said the minister noted concerns about the entire situation, and assured residents that the project will be closely monitored to ensure the community gets satisfaction.

Benn, who also recognised that high tides were affecting the traditional drainage system alongside the roadside, commended the residents for their initiative in forming a by-pass (walkway) along a segment of the road which was under water.