THE US$58M Georgetown Marriott Hotel currently under construction, is protected by one of the most robust, internationally accepted contracts, complete with requisite penalty clauses meant to ensure the Chinese Contractor – Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) – deliver on the project, in compliance with the international specifications.
This clarification came recently when Chairman of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), Winston Brassington, provided his most recent update on the project and informed that while SCG was chosen because it was the lowest evaluated bidder, AHI ensured that the contract is as robust as possible and in the favour of Guyana.
AHI is the Special Purpose Company created to build and own the hotel project which will be operated by Marriott International.
The Marriott Hotel in the final stages of construction at its Kingston site. (Adrian Narine photos)In seeking to emphasise the rigidness of the project, Brassington explained that Marriott International will not be accepting the Kingston property from AHI, if not built to its specification and further AHI will not be accepting the facility from SCG, if they do not build to specification.
The AHI Chairman also used the opportunity to point out to the Guyanese public, many of whom would have expressed some fears as to the quality of works to be delivered, that the contract has embedded in it, provisions for an independent third party to supervise the construction works by the Chinese.
He spoke to the fact that the contract has in it components to protect AHI, firstly through its robustness, the provision for independent supervision of the construction of the project as well as stringent penalties.
INDEPENDENT SUPERVISION
The Company hired to ensure SCG build the hotel according to the specifications expected by Marriott International is New York based MA Angeliades Inc. and its resident representative, Romesh Budram, recently castigated naysayers who questioned the ability of the Consultants.
One such critic is social commentator, Christopher Ram, who was recently quoted in another section of the media as saying: “The contractor on a project of this size should have a Quality Manager whose primary responsibility is to meet Quality Assurance/Quality specifications.”
In criticising AHI’s ability to adequately ensure SCG delivered on the requirements, Ram had implied that this was not the case with MA Angeliades.
Budram promptly rubbished the assertions made by Ram, suggesting that he should in fact recheck the source of his information before making ludicrous declarations.
According to the MA Angeliades resident representative, works undertaken by the Chinese Contractor is not signed off on until his company, in conjunction with Marriott International, approves.
Budram is adamant however, that ultimately his company is responsible for the quality of works being delivered by SCG.
He informed that at present he has a number of personnel on the worksite monitoring the work being undertaken by the Chinese.
Reports are then submitted to Budram, who in conjunction with Marriott International sign off on the works.
Quality assurance and quality specifications as it relates to the construction work falls under the mandate of the New York based MA Angeliades and according to Budram, “we constantly observe the contractors operations on site to ensure that the proper methods are being employed.”
This supervision, he said, does not escape the type of materials being used on the project as this too is monitored rigourously by MA Angeliades.
LEED CERTIFICATION
Described by Brassington as one of the most advanced high-rise building being constructed in Guyana, he was quick to point out that the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification is a non-negotiable requirement for Marriott International and the Hotel has to be built to this specification.
Ram in his criticism of the project had suggested that Brassington was duped by SCG into excluding LEED Certification from its mandate, a charge that the AHI Chairman has vehemently denied.
Ram had suggested that when SCG was initially asked to redesign the hotel to meet AHI’s budget, the Company had excluded LEED requirement as part of its mandate and that rather AHI would have to foot the bill.
Brassington however, is adamant that LEED Certification is an obligation placed on the Chinese, an obligation to which they will be held accountable.
The contactor, he said, will not get the handing over certificate if they don’t deliver on LEED Certification.
It was explained that LEED Certification comes only after the completion of the construction aspect of the project after which the building will be inspected by the international body, US Green Building Council (GBC)
According to the MA Angeliades resident representative, LEED requirements involve designs and practices meant to conserve on energy among other factors and is rated based on a points system.