Works on Moruca Bridge stalled due to inclement weather-Minister Persaud

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud,  at a press briefing on Monday, said that work on the Moruca Bridge, Region One has been hindered due to inclement weather, and will resume shortly.

Residents of Moruca Sub-district have expressed concerns about the substandard work done by the contractor, who also failed to deliver within the given time.

Minister Persaud said that the Moruca Bridge has had more than its fair share of difficulties, and expressing apologies to the residents, and in particular, the school children for the continued inconvenience caused by the contractor.

The Local Government Minister said that when the bridge was completed, there was a call for the approach be upgraded. As a result, a request was presented to Cabinet and it was approved, and thereafter the tender board was approached and approval was sought.

However, he said that the same contractor was already mobilised and on site and the contract was given to him, but due to heavy rainfall there was a two-month delay in getting the equipment together.

Minister Persaud said that the revetment was done and there was information shared on the substandard work.  “The ministry went and checked, and saw that the contractor was indeed not keeping within the specification and remedial work done… heavy rain came and obstructed those remedial works again and then school reopened,” Minister Persaud said.

The contractor, having awarded a sub-contract to now supply the sand, the residents claimed that the contractor was abandoning the project, he stated. “The genuine concern of the citizens was that this guy left the project because some of his equipment were being removed,” he pointed out.

Minister Persaud said that particular contract was one that was not properly executed and the ministry will seek interventions.

Meanwhile, the regional administration has been instructed to make the region’s boats available to transport the children to church landing to easily access the school.