Minister Benn inspects roads, addresses concerns in Region One

Residents of Wauna, Region One on Saturday related to the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, during a community meeting, that the contractor is not using the right materials for the road since it is washed away when there is heavy rainfall.

Having had this information prior to arriving at the community, Minister Benn and his team comprising Regional Officials and engineers, assessed the progress of the work done, and the material being used.

The Minister posited that the material used contained a high clay content at the time that it was being laid on the road.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and team on the Wanaina/Wauna stretch of road.

Approximately $15M is being spent to fix portions of the stretch of road that have deteriorated.

Several weeks ago the road work was interrupted when residents staged a protest and blocked the road. The Minister told the residents that it was unlawful to do so, and that they should  report their concerns to the Ministry.

“You have a legal right to protest…but do not prevent the work that is on-going, 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,” the Minister told the residents.

Despite the interruptions in the work, and the inclement weather, the project is expected to be completed shortly.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn inspecting work being done on the shoulder of the Wanaina/Wauna road.

With respect to the quality of the work, Minister Benn informed the residents that the contract has set interventions that are applied to poor work, and  these include the contractor effecting remedial work during the liability period, or the contract is taken away if the work is not corrected.

While interacting with the residents, Minister Benn explained that the Wanaina/Wauna road project is being done through the Ministry’s Hinterland Road Project which would not normally focus on these types of community roads, but would conduct work on the Linden/Lethem,  Amaila Falls access, and Mahdia roads. However, the Ministry in 2012 expanded its reach to include these roads.

The Minister said that he was aware of the issues with the road when the work was started, and this was  due to there being   a limited number of  contractors in Region One. There are only two in the region.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and Hinterland Roads Engineer, Naeem Mohamed viewing the flooded segment of the Barabina road.

Meanwhile in Barabina, residents had rejected the material (wood) that was being used by the contractor for the revetment and pall-off. The incomplete  work impacts the residents in that they have to pay increased transportation costs.

Hinterland Road Engineer, Naeem Mohamed explained that because there are not many contractors doing work in the Region, the usual two weeks of advertising for the project was extended, however, only one person submitted a bid.

Additionally, the wood initially procured by the contractor was also rejected by the Ministry, and a list of appropriate woods was had from the Regional Administration that was  passed on to the contractor.

Currently, the contractor is in the process of procuring the wood for the revetment and he has also requested a two-month extension which was granted.

Residents of Barabina, Region One at a community meeting with Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and team

In this regard, work on a section of the road will be completed by the end of July; if not clauses in the contract will be applied for liquidity damage.

Minister Benn in noting his concern about the situation, stressed that the project will be closely monitored to ensure the community gets relief. He also commended the resident who shaped out a by-pass (walkway) along the segment of the road that is covered with water.

He also recognised that the height of the high tides is affecting the traditional drainage system along the road side.