Hand-in-Hand withholds bond until heavy equipment imported

Jun 07, 2010 News

Amaila Falls road contract…

Hand in Hand Insurance Company is in no danger of losing the US$3 million it is prepared to post as bond for Makeshwar Fip Motilall.
Earlier this year, Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington, had remarked that in the wake of the government granting a US$15.4 million contract for the construction of the road leading to the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, Hand in Hand had psoted the bond on behalf of the contractor.
The bond will cushion the government in the event of a failure on the part of the contractor to deliver on the project and within the specified time frame of eight months. The bond is about 20 per cent of the project cost.
However, one of the Directors for Hand in Hand, has said that the bond will not be effected until there is some collateral provided by the contractor. Asked to be more specific, the Director said that Motilall has pledged the heavy duty equipment he is scheduled to be importing to construct the road project.
According to the contract, Motilall was to have begun procuring the equipment from April 15, last, the first start-up date of the project. Since then Motilall has imported four all terrain vehicles and one grader.
The project, which is to get underway by July 15, entails constructing more than 100 miles of road where there are existing trails, a further 80 miles of new road through virgin forest, and construct bridges.
The task will provide employment for hundreds, necessitate a massive communication network to support the workforce, and a large kitchen operation. With about a month to go to get the project off the ground, there is still to be advertisements for the various categories of workers.
There will have to be recruiting stations across the country and scores of recruitment officers and again there is no movement in this direction. Further, the government has not announced a change in the schedule for the Amaila Falls project.

Contractor Makeshwar Fip Motilall

Ever since the first interview with Stabroek News, Motilall has been silent.  When asked about a possible press conference to announce the commencement of the project, Mr. Brassington had said that given the apparent witch hunt against Fip Motialll, it is unlikely that the man would want anything to do with the local media.