CJIA contractor now behind schedule, under fire in Jamaica
…to submit revised work programme seeking extension
Under fire in Jamaica over illegal quarrying on the CARICOM Island, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) is also now woefully behind schedule with the expansion of the US$150M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) project.
It is expected within two weeks to present Government with another work programme requesting a substantial extension on the September 2015 deadline for the CJIA expansion project.
The September deadline cannot be met and the Chinese officials who hold responsibility for the decision making are currently not in Guyana.
Kaieteur News has learnt that the Senior CHEC officials had left Guyana to take part in their country’s recently celebrated New Year’s celebrations. Within two weeks they will return to present the revised work programme.
The project began on January 16, 2013, and was to last 32 months, ending September, 2015. This deadline will not be met.
Earlier this year when CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir presented an update on the expansion project, he said that the project was already behind schedule.
By the end of last year, in excess of US$30M had been disbursed to CHEC for works executed under the project.
Under the contract signed onto by the Government which coincidentally was only made public in Guyana after it was publicized in the Jamaica media, Guyana has to pay *$270 million for supervision of works;
*$122 million for CHEC’s site accommodation;
*$70 million for temporary roads;
*$60 million for traffic control during construction;
*$238 million for insurances;
*$150 million for the performance bond which the contractor is required “to provide at his cost”; and
*$100 million to cover the cost of advance payment guarantee.
Guyana has agreed to also pay
*$20 million for “as built drawings”;
*$41 million for signs and markings; and
*$1.5B for layout structure and systems.
This is in addition to
*$424,000 each for 69 toilet sets,
*$124,000 per sink
*$165,000 washbasins.
Under the provisions of the contract the Guyana Government has also agreed to provide to CHEC a temporary construction yard for free and during the course of construction ensure that CHEC is guaranteed ten hours work per day, seven days per week for the 32-month duration of the contract.
The Guyana Government has also agreed to assist CHEC at no cost to the company and free of all duties and taxes – in obtaining all the necessary permits, licences or approvals from relevant authorities, including vessels, cars and vehicles, GPS frequency, mobile phone, internet, materials, equipment, tools, medicines, etc.
Meanwhile, CHEC has also been coming under fire in neighbouring Jamaica, where the company has been ordered by that government to cease its illegal quarrying operations on the island.
The order was issued last week by the Jamaican Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining following a tour of the quarry last Tuesday.
According to that regulatory body, CHEC, since late last year, has been illegally quarrying hillsides on lands the company purchased in that area, without approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and other entities.
“CHEC has been carrying out quarrying at the location and it does not have the licences for that kind of quarrying,” said a representative of the Mines and Geology Division, who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
“We received an application from the company for the quarrying but it cannot be granted without approval from NEPA and others.
“Last week it was discovered that quarrying was going on and a cease-and-desist order was issued.”