BK International says it is displeased at government’s continued interference and design changes to plans for the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, which is delaying construction at the site.
Reading from a prepared statement, the company’s representative Lloyd Stanton told stakeholders, at a forum hosted on Friday at the administrative building on the site, that inadequate original design for the landfill posed serious challenges to construction.
In response, Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill said the design changes and constant engagement with BK is to ensure the construction of a properly-run facility. He noted that this is the first such project that government has embarked on and “allowances must be made to facilitate changes to the design that would have been unforeseen as a result of lack of knowledge,” according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report.
“Yes there have been a number of changes that have been made… with good reasons, coming out of discussions, basic agreements,” Edghill said, while reiterating that it is “to ensure that we get the best possible implementation… and value for money.” Further, he said that there may have been some flaws with the construction of the landfill but government has made some significant steps regarding the management and disposal of solid waste.
“We are willing to admit that we have not arrived at a level which we must all feel comfortable with; and it is with that in mind that we continue to engage with the contractor and operator of this facility along with the specialist from the IDB… to ensure that we take stock of what has been happening and how we should take corrective measures to improve what we are doing,” Edghill said.
The issue of solid waste management is not straightforward dumping of garbage, he said. “It is a science that has to be done based upon environmentally-sound principles. We have to deal with very intricate issues… and it is a learning experience for Guyana and we see our partners as development partners,” he continued.
Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud posited that establishing the landfill facility is uncharted waters for Guyana and as a result changes to the original designs are normal.
Minister within the Local Government minister Norman Whittaker echoed Edghill’s view, while adding that since 2006 the administration and contractors have been collaborating to address these challenges.
BK also raised concerns about government’s withholding payment based on the claims that the company has not been fulfilling the minimum compaction requirement. In response, Edghill said since financing for the landfill project comes from an IDB loan, disbursement is based upon the contractor reaching certain satisfactory benchmarks. He noted that government is now satisfied that hurdles have been crossed and disbursement to BK would now be moving more smoothly.
