Plaisance transmission tower…Relocation of piles not an indication that location being changed - Project Manager

Plaisance transmission tower…Relocation of piles not an indication that location being changed – Project Manager

Apr 10, 2013 News

The removal of piles from the Plaisance Community Centre ground is not an indication that Government has rescinded its decision to erect one of its E-governance transmission towers there, says Alexei Ramotar, Manager of the E-governance Unit.
Residents, who sat under the pavilion yesterday, ‘guarding’ the playfield, were elated when the contractor removed the piles from the East Coast Demerara location.

Several residents sitting under the pavilion yesterday.

They are determined not to leave until the hole that the contractor dug to erect the tower is filled.
The residents were of the impression that Government had recanted its decision following their heated interaction with Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill. But it has since been revealed that the E-governance Unit is using the material to commence works on another site along the East Coast Demerara, while the impasse is being addressed.
Ramotar did not want to comment on whether Government has decided to find an alternative location to erect the tower, but did confirm that the timber piles are being relocated to be utilised at another site.
Earlier this month, residents of Plaisance protested the erection of the tower on the community playground. The protest actions caused the Chinese contracting firm, Huawei, in collaboration with its subcontractors, to temporarily halt works. The project is subcontracted to Colombian, Trinidadian and Guyanese contractors.
Ramotar and Government’s Chief Engineer Walter Willis had indicated that Government was going to erect the tower at another location. Subsequently, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon said “Government will not allow this project to be hijacked and to be treated so irresponsibly.”
The residents were adamant that they would not allow Government’s imposition. On Saturday, Edghill and Ramotar, tried to negotiate with residents, but were unsuccessful. Residents returned to the playground yesterday to ensure that no construction works were carried out.

They were greeted by a team removing the piles, said to be going to La Bonne Intention, further up the East Coast.
Residents are convinced that the most suitable location for the tower is where the first Guyana Broadcasting Corporation tower at Sparendaam was before Government moved it across the Demerara River to La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

This, residents claimed, was to facilitate the building of mansions for close associates of the administration at “Pradoville 2”.
According to Ramotar, the first tower was relocated because it was in the flight path of Ogle Airport. In addition, that tower was for radio communication while this new tower is a telecommunication medium and would not serve its purpose near the seawall.
Ramotar stressed that the transmission tower does not let off radiation harmful to people’s health.