Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 23, 2016 News
… contractors fail to deliver school furniture
Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Democratic Council (RDC) has once again found its hands tied
after several contractors have failed to deliver the required quantity of furniture to some schools in the district.
The Council is now examining the option of procuring “ready-made” furniture which is likely going to cost more.
Earlier this month, the Chairman of the RDC, David Armogan, expressed frustration after schools in the region opened their doors for the new academic year only to find that the full complement of furniture was yet to be delivered.
Armogan was convinced that the contractors were “pussyfooting” since the contracts were awarded to several suppliers three months prior to schools reopening their doors.
The furniture, according to reports, consists of benches and desks for students, cupboards, as well as furniture for teachers and play-park items for several nursery schools.
Efforts to contact Armogan for an update yesterday were futile. However, the Vice Chairman of the RDC, Dennis DeRoop, when contacted, said that to date, the situation has not changed despite the contractors being given a delivery extension – which expired two days ago.
DeRoop added that the RDC will be meeting next week to discuss the way forward with the high possibility of terminating contracts.
Asked if any advanced payments were made to these contractors, he responded in the affirmative.
He explained that the contractors would have received a mobilisation fee of 15 to 20 percent of the contract sum, however, he pointed out that since some of the contractors would have already delivered a substantial amount of furniture, it would have exceeded the mobilisation fee.
DeRoop said that Council will be taking decisive measures to deal with contractors who are yet to begin their delivery.
Reports have indicated that the contract to supply furniture including benches and desks was awarded to Berbician, S.Ramsarran.
A source told this publication that Ramsarran has already delivered the full quota but upon inspection, it was revealed that some of the items were not up to standard. Ramsarran was advised that corrective works needed to be done immediately.
First-time suppliers, brothers M. Ramnarine and N. Ramnarine, have so far delivered 40 percent of the required amount of furniture whilst Contractor, Sheik Mohammed, who was tasked to supply cupboards, had only delivered a fraction of the required amount.
Brian Beepat was awarded the contract to supply the teachers’ chair and to date, has only delivered approximately 100.
Contracting company, Memorex, has delivered 75 percent of their quota with the remainder up for inspection, a source said.
Meanwhile, another contractor is yet to deliver play-park items for some nursery schools in the district.
Previous reports would show that matters relating to the shortage of furniture in Region Six on the first day of the new academic year are nothing new. Back in 2011, students returning to school were welcomed with a furniture shortage, which had evolved into a controversy where one Education Ministry official was accused of “covering up” the matter after the media had cracked it wide open following numerous complaints by parents.
In 2012, there was a recurrence which was due mainly to wanton destruction coupled with the insufficient allocation of sums by the Ministry of Education to purchase furniture.
The year 2013 was no different. An inspection by the Regional Administration had found that contractors had failed to deliver the required furniture on time which had resulted in hiccups at both the Primary and Secondary School level.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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