BK awarded $186M contract

May 21, 2017 News

The Hinterland Scholarship students in the near future will be housed in a new dormitory at Liliendaal.
Yesterday, a contract to construct the dormitory, which will accommodate 120 students, was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Alfred King and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

(Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock (center) presenting the contract to (left) BK International’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Tiwari.

of BK Construction Company, Brian Tiwarie.
The signing ceremony for the contract worth in excess of $186M was held at the dormitory’s building site, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. The current building is overcrowded, a government statement explained.
Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who is performing the duties of Prime Minister, is hoping for a timely completion of the students’ dormitory which has a timeline of six months.
The Minister stated, “As you know, we are sitting in this building here that is overcrowded and the government has promised that it will enhance education facilities for education opportunities and through our Ministry, is one part of the bigger picture.”
He added that he was happy to see the beginning of the project, especially since it would benefit young Indigenous students in their quest for a higher education.
According to Minister Allicock, building an educated nation remains a high priority for the coalition government and as a result, efforts will continue to ensure that hinterland youths receive a well-rounded education. He added that he will be in contact with the contractors to keep abreast with the construction of the dormitory.
Tiwarie expressed his gratitude for being provided the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. He assured the Minister that his company will provide quality service, especially since it is for the students’ benefit.
Tiwarie also committed to work assiduously to ensure that the dormitory is completed within the agreed timeline, even if his workers have to work extra hours “especially during this May-June rainfall season.”
Over the past 10 years, an estimated 600 students have benefited from hinterland scholarships to attend a number of tertiary institutions, including the Guyana Technical Institute (GTI), Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the Guyana Industrial Technical Centre (GITC).
Previously, students were accommodated at guardians, family members and at the Amerindian Hostel.