By Delicia Janniere
Residents of Nabacalis, East Coast Demerara, received reassurance from Public Works Minister Juan Edghill regarding the completion of the West Sideline Dam project after encountering delays caused by contractor issues.
Minister Edghill visited the community on Monday afternoon to address concerns and provide updates on the project.
The first phase of the road works in Nabacalis involves the construction of approximately 365 meters of road at a cost of $28.6 million.
The work is being carried out by Rowell Jagroop General Construction Services.
However, issues arose regarding the completion of the road, prompting Minister Edghill’s visit to address resident concerns.
One of the primary concerns raised by residents was the lack of an unpriced bill of quantities or notice provided to the community before the commencement of works.
This led to a protest by the village council, as the contractor had distributed crusher-run beyond their contractual obligation.
Efforts to rectify this mistake resulted in disruption of work and dissatisfaction within the community.
In response, Minister Edghill assured residents that the entire road strip would be rehabilitated in a phased manner.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in ongoing projects, highlighting the importance of the bill of quantities provided to residents.
The minister encouraged residents to remain vigilant throughout the project and utilize the bill of quantities for transparency and accountability purposes.
He stressed the need for the contractor to complete the works within the specified time to ensure prompt progression into phase two of the project.
As the project moves forward, Minister Edghill affirmed the government’s dedication to fulfilling its national build-out plan and addressing the infrastructure needs of communities like Nabacalis.