Two companies that were debarred by multilateral development banks are now beneficiaries of contracts from the Ministry of Housing’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) for the construction of a $13.3B four-lane highway from Eccles to Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the contracts were signed yesterday between the Ministry and 12 contractors – The Guy-America Construction Inc., V. Dalip Enterprise, (JV) Colin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works, S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc., H. Nauth and Sons, JS Guyana Inc., (JV) VALs Construction, AJM Enterprise and China Railway First Group Company Ltd.
V. Dalip Enterprise is on the IDB’s list of Sanctioned Firms and Individuals. The local company was debarred on the grounds of fraud and collusion committed in Guyana. The company, according to the list, shows debarment commencing December 29, 2017, and ending December 28, 2030. The company’s owner, Vevakanand Dalip has also been debarred for similar offences and is also facing a 13-year sanction.
Back in September 2019, the World Bank announced a two-year debarment of China Railway First Group Co. Ltd. (CRFG), a Chinese, state-owned, construction company, in connection with fraudulent practices under the Dasu Hydropower Stage I Project in Pakistan.
The four-lane road forms part of the alternative EBD road link which is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on the East Bank corridor, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said yesterday in a report. It noted that once completed, more than 22,000 households will directly benefit, as well as the growing volume of commercial users.
During the signing ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, M.P., implored the contractors to be innovative and strategic in their approach to the project. He also emphasised the need for quality work and timely completion.
Minister Croal also encouraged the contractors to put systems in place to work beyond the stipulated working hours and avoid unnecessary delays. He reminded them to adhere to the labour laws and ensure workers’ safety.
Further, he advised the contractors to cultivate a working relationship with the residents and communicate any inconveniences that may occur as a result of the work which should be done in a timely and respectful manner.
“Should you adhere to these guidelines, I’m confident that you will have a successful project and the communities and citizens will be better for it,” he was quoted as saying.
If these companies were black listed, how were they selected?
This government has done wonders since it came into power. Are you going to go down the road of the PNC/APNU/AFC? President Ali, please keep up the good work. Investigate these contracts.
On the bright side, the opposition has no grounds to call you a racist, as one of the contractors seems to be a thieving Indian.
I hate to think if one was a black. It would have been racism, racism, racism.