President assures… Mega developments on stream for Region Three – as US$46.8M Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika road project launched

THERE have been numerous developments already in Region Three, and there is much more to come for the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, including a Call Centre, opening up of agriculture lands, a new bridge across the Demerara River, and major road upgrades, among others.At the launch of the US$46.8M, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Government of Guyana-funded West Coast (Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika) Road Project yesterday, President Donald Ramotar underscored the importance of this huge venture which will not only boost the Region’s development, but that of the country which has been propelled by the performance of the economy over the last several years. Guyana has experienced nine consecutive years of economic growth, in face of international and domestic challenges.

President Ramotar addressing officials of the project and Vreed-en-Hoop residents

A Call Center is scheduled to be opened at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and with another at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Together, they are expected to provide employment for 900 people.
The launch of the Road Project was held at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling and witnessed by a large gathering.
ROADS

There are also plans in train, the President revealed, for road expansion works on the West Bank Demerara Highway, the Canal Number One and Two roads and several others in the Region.
All of these projects, he said, will better the lives of the Region’s residents and ultimately their communities which are becoming more organised.
President Ramotar also spoke of Government’s proposals which will see a new bridge being built within the next five years over the Demerara River. This, he said, could even result in Georgetown being expanded to encompass Vreed-en-Hoop.
Mention was also made of the Amaila Falls Project which the President indicated was close to being finalised and construction expected to begin before the end of 2015.
As an aside, the Guyanese Head of State gave his reaction to a statement made by Opposition Leader David Granger recently, in which he indicated his support for the construction of the Amaila Hydro Power Project. This change in position is a demonstration of Granger’s character, the President said. He also described as “gung-ho”, the move by the Opposition alliance (APNU+AFC) to allocate various ministerial positions such as “vice-presidencies” to members of the joint coalition despite not yet winning the upcoming elections. This evoked loud applause from the large gathering.

AGRICULTURE LANDS

Region Three is primarily agriculture in nature, and according to the President, in addition to rice, the expansion of coconut and soya production would be among crops which could be grown with the opening of the Del Conte Road.
This roadway will result in the opening of thousands of acres of agricultural lands, in the Region. All of these are part of Government’s efforts to broaden and diversify agricultural production, President Ramotar explained.

President Ramotar in conversation with Mr Shane Garvin, Project Manager of Surrey Paving & Aggregate Company Limited

He also reiterated statements expressed by Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, and called on residents and other stakeholders to care the infrastructural works being undertaken at great expense. He also called on them to be understanding with regards to any inconvenience that may be caused by the road project, as it was “for the greater good” of the Region and country as a whole.
STERN WARNING

The President further issued a stern warning to the Public Works Ministry to ensure that the contractors complete their jobs within the scheduled time frame, and on budget.
“I’m tired of many of the projects not coming in on time and on budget and this is one of the focus we will need to have. We can have consultants justifying all kinds of delays. We must put in all of their contracts, penalty clauses, if these things don’t come in on time and on budget. It is time that we look for quality in every area, not only in the physical infrastructure, but in the manner in which we do things as well.”

WEST COAST ROAD PROJECT

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn said the project was conceptualised in February of 2013 and pushed through at the insistence of the President and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and his Planning Unit which finalised the funding agreement with the CDB.

President Ramotar and Minister Benn listen to what Region Three residents have to say, including this schoolgirl

There were several factors such as the volume of vehicular traffic, accidents and communities, which were taken into consideration, Minister Benn said.
Describing the stretch of road as the “most critical segment of the national network,” Minister Benn encouraged those responsible to ensure that those who use the thoroughfare “understand what it should be used for and how to use it.” He said he expects that “significant attention” will also be paid to enforcement with regards to usage.

According to Minister Benn, this project is a major step forward with regard to the development of public infrastructure in Guyana. He noted that the constant improvement of the road infrastructure has been a primary focus of this Government. “The Government of Guyana, during the time of the PPP/C has been constantly working to improve our public road network and infrastructure,” he said.
He commented on the project management and the delivery time of the completed road, and noted that his expectations are that “we do not have too many delays and we can have this delivered on time.” The minister also gave details on some of the projects that his ministry and the Government have in the pipeline, with one of the major projects being to bridge the Kurupukari crossing so as to reduce a significant amount of travel time to Lethem.
A 36-month long Road Works component will be carried out through a collaborative effort between Surrey Paving & Aggregate Company Ltd., and BK International Inc. Surrey Paving & Aggregate Company Ltd is a Jamaican company, and was awarded the contract only after intense scrutiny by the Ministry of Public Works and the Caribbean Development Bank. The company also boasts an ISO 9000 certification for quality. Both parties expressed delight with the association.

Chairman of BK International, Mr Brian Tiwarie, President Donald Ramotar, and Public Works Minister, Mr Robeson Benn during a walk around at Vreed-en-Hoop yesterday

Speaking briefly with the Guyana Chronicle, Shane Garvin, Project Manager of Surrey Paving & Aggregate Company Limited, explained that by contract they were given 36 months to complete the project and the company is hoping to deliver this in 30 months. He noted too that delays will occur and presently they are having a problem with the utility companies and that is their present hold-up. According to Garvin, even though the company is Jamaican, they will be utilising Guyanese professionals instead of importing Jamaicans.

Meanwhile, remarks were also given at yesterday’s launching ceremony by Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber who thanked the Government for the “long awaited project”, and Surrey Paving and Aggregate Company Ltd Executive Michael Archer who revealed that due diligence studies and initial works were started some three months ago. Archer added that his company was proud to partner with a local company such as BK Inc., on the project, expressing confidence since similar jobs have been successfully completed in several other Caribbean nations.
On November 22, 2014, Government formally signed a US$46.8 million contract with several contractors for varying aspects of the road project. The road network upgrade will see the rehabilitation of the 30.7 kilometre road from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie, catering for widening, separation lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, traffic signs, replacement of the Groenveldt Bridge, relocation of utilities and other ancillary works.
One component comprises a School Road Safety Awareness Programme to be undertaken by TRL Limited at a cost of 252,107 (pounds sterling).

President Ramotar in meeting with residents of Region 3

Another component will be carried out by Geo Tech Vision Guyana Inc., at a cost of US$86,500 over a two-year period. This part will see road safety and drivers’ education sessions being given to residents of communities served by the network.