The Housing and Water Ministry has signed more than Gy$805 million in contracts for the construction of roads, drainage, other structures and pure water distribution networks in Regions Two, Three, Five and Eight.
The signing ceremony was held on Monday, February 21st, in the ministry’s boardroom, where Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali urged the contractors to ensure that the projects are completed within their stipulated periods and are in keeping with high standards of quality, accountability and transparency.
He encouraged contractors to be prepared to deal with changing weather patterns or difficult circumstances to complete the projects within their stipulated times. The minister pointed out that the contractors were selected through public tender involving the National Board of Procurement and Tender Administration.
The projects will be executed in new housing areas, which include Lots One and Two, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; Block D, Phase Two, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice; Leonora, West Coast Demerara; and Mahdia, Region Eight.
Some Gy$600 million will cover construction of roads, drains, other structures, and pure water distribution networks at Zeelugt and Leonora, which will benefit 1160 lots. Construction of roads, drains, other structures, and pure water distribution networks at Block D, Phase Two, Bath Settlement, and at Mahdia, in Region Eight will cost approximately Gy$136 million. Roads, drains and other structures will also be upgraded at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast at a cost of almost Gy$54 million, and the main access road at Tuschen, East Bank Esequibo will also be upgraded at a cost of more than Gy$73 million. The contractors include KARES Engineering; Mohamed Ramzan Ali; Khan Construction; Ivor Alleyne; Compustruct Engineering; M Fawaz Construction; and A Ramcharritar Construction.
The projects will last between 60 and 90 days, and will benefit 18,614 lots. Minister Ali also noted that the expansion of the East Bank Demerara corridor is moving apace, and 1000 new lots will also be made available at Eccles. He lauded the ministry’s public-private partnership, and noted that all private developers have to participate in a public process for selection.
The minister pointed out that the ministry has an ambitious target set for 2011: to have 7000 new house lots developed.
