Latest update May 12th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 03, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
Given the large budgetary vote for road maintenance in this year’s budget it may be useful to make available to readers some information which hitherto, remains unknown.
In the Government of Guyana’s Tender Documents for Routine Maintenance Programme under the heading: “Section VII. Evaluation Criteria”, sub clause 4 (Experience), item 4.2 “Average Annual Construction Turnover” the requirement provides thus:
“Applicant’s minimum average annual construction turnover $25 million calculated as total certified payments received for contracts under execution or completed for at least the last three years prior.”
Item 4.3: Specific Construction Experience:
“Applicant participation as contractor, or subcontractor, in at least one three year, routine maintenance contract that have been successfully or are substantially completed and that are similar to the proposed works…”
Mr. Editor, my sources tell me that, in 2006, the following contracts are among those awarded even though the contractors failed to meet the provisions quoted above:
1. Soesdyke Linden Highway
2. West Coast Demerara
3. East Bank Demerara
4. West Bank Demerara
5. East Coast Demerara
6. Essequibo Coast
Each of the foregoing Routine Maintenance Programme contracts was issued by the Works Services Group and was for three years’ duration. I am advised that they all came under IDB funded projects.
I am reliably informed that, the funders became unhappy upon realising that unqualified contractors were awarded at the expense of qualified bidders.
Funding was consequently withdrawn in the course of the first year of these contracts. The government, therefore, was forced to carry the can to save face.
Mr. Editor, the foregoing together with interventions by a certain government minister who has employment supervision over a member of the evaluation (bid) committee help to heap frustration on contractors who bid for such projects.
It should be noted that, this minister has no formal connection with the Ministry of Works but uses undue influence over his ministry’s employee to ensure that certain contractors receive favourable considerations while others are made to suffer. I add that, I have raised this particular issue with the Minister of Works.
It may now be clear, if it was not before, why the government insists that persons who are interested in contract details should purchase the tender documents. There is clearly much to hide.
Mervyn Williams, MP
Listen how to run an oil country
May 12, 2024
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