The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) on Monday issued a comprehensive response to recent allegations made by Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul regarding six incomplete pump station projects.
In a letter published by the daily newspapers recently, Mahipaul noted that a substantial contract of $544,890,203 was awarded to Adamantium Holdings back in July 2020 for the construction of a pump station at Charity, Region Two The stipulated completion date for this project was July 8, 2023. To date, Mahipaul said only 10% of the work has been completed.
Mahipaul further highlighted that Adamantium Holdings was also granted a contract for the rehabilitation of the pump station at Cozier, Region Two, valued at $261,080,869. The slated completion date was April 16, 2023, but Mahipaul said only 45% of the work has been executed.
Additionally, Mahipaul said the contract awarded to Civcon Engineering Contractors for the construction of a pump station at A-Line Sluice, West Bank Demerara, was worth a substantial $717,095,940, with a completion date of June 12, 2023. Presently, Mahipaul said a mere 8% of the project is finalized, despite 25% of the contract sum having been disbursed.
Equally disconcerting he said is the situation with the contract granted to Well Built Construction Service for the construction of pump station at Canal No. One Sluice (Southern Side). Valued at $650,074,684, Mahipaul said the project was expected to be completed by May 31, 2023, yet only 25% of the work is done, and 30% of the contract sum has already been expended.
In addition, Mahipaul said the construction of a pump station at Cottage on the West Coast of Berbice, assigned to VALS Construction with a budget of $903,371,020, was slated for completion on December 1, 2022. As it stands, he parliamentarian said only 44% of the project is finalized.
Lastly, Mahipaul said the construction of a pump station at Black Bush Polder to Irrigate Black Bush Frontlands, awarded to Yunas Civil & Building Construction for a substantial sum of $978,715,000, had an expected completion date of April 23, 2023. However, only 14% of the work is completed, with 20% of the contract sum already disbursed.
As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, Mahipaul demanded accountability and transparency from the NDIA on these projects.
In response, NDIA emphasized that these projects were received the requisite extensions from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) under the Procurement Act, indicating valid reasons for the delays.
It said the challenges faced in these projects were substantial. For instance, at the Charity Pump Station, the project encountered difficulties with squatters occupying the site. NDIA noted that it had to enlist the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to remove these individuals from the pump station’s wayleave. While this process took several months, work is now progressing, and pumping equipment is expected to be delivered shortly.
Similarly, at the A-Line Pump Station, NDIA said encumbrances such as shops, fishermen’s storage huts, and utilities needed to be removed from the project site. NDIA said it engaged in consultations and provided compensation to aid in the relocation process, which took several months before completion.
At the Canal No.1 Pump Station project site, NDIA said delays resulted from obtaining approval for the demolition of a community centre building within the construction zone. This building housed a sub-office for the National Library of Guyana. Engagements were made for the relocation of occupants, which took some time. Nevertheless, the project is currently at a completion status significantly higher than the 25% mentioned by Mahipaul, with foundation piles currently being driven.
The Cottage Pump Station in Region Five faced its own set of challenges. Due to the erosion of the main access dam, NDIA said there was an issue with accessing the project site. Consequently, a bridge and access dam had to be constructed, leading to major delays. As for the Black Bush Polder Frontlands Pump Station in Region Six, this project was terminated by NDIA on September 25, 2023, due to poor quality and performance of work. but will soon be retendered.
NDIA noted also that Mahipaul could have sought information on these projects before resorting to the newspapers with allegations of a “haphazard approach to managing substantial taxpayer funds.” The agency also noted that his comments were misconceived and misleading and underscored that all extensions were legally granted by NPTAB due to the encountered difficulties.
While welcoming objective scrutiny and constructive criticisms, the Ministry of Agriculture and NDIA asserted their commitment to working transparently, accountably, efficiently, and competently with all stakeholders in fulfilling their mandate.
