The Public Works Ministry has terminated a multi-million dollar sea defence contract that was undertaken by Toolsie Persaud Quarries Inc.,(TPQ) at Leguan and suspended the contract for M&B Construction on Wakenaam.
A statement from the ministry today said that the action was due to the companies’ “unsatisfactory performance and total disregard for residents’ convenience and safety.”
The release said that Minister, Robeson Benn, on August 14, requested that his engineers suspend M&B’s contract until the contractor fixes a two-mile stretch of road in Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam. The trucks used to transport the boulders for the sea defence contract have damaged the road, impeding movement in and out of the community.
“I was in the area yesterday and many residents bemoaned the fact that they really cannot use the road. It is evident that they traverse it with great difficulty,” Benn said in the release.
The Minister further stated that the contractor on Wakenaam, Mahendranauth Oodit, was warned before about using heavily laden trucks on the road. The company began the construction of Rip Rap Sea Defence on January 16 this year.
“They were told to use lighter loads in transporting materials between stockpiles, and despite several engagements with the Ministry’s sea defence engineers they blatantly continued,” the Works Minister charged.
The release said that Benn had visited the island six weeks ago and frustrated residents had begun to complain about the road.
“Now they have to repair it immediately. The contract will remain suspended until the road is fixed. The residents deserve that!” the Minister declared.
The contract is worth $96.6M, and Benn said that the amount of damage to the road “may exceed the monies that were allocated for road maintenance in the contract.”
Meanwhile, a $126.8M contract to Toolsie Persaud Quarries Inc. to construct Rip Rap sea defences at Cane Garden, Leguan has been terminated for non-performance. The order to commence work was issued since October 2012 with a project duration of eight months.
“The company’s negligence resulted in more damage to the area. And it is something we could not condone,” Benn said.
According to him, the Ministry will not accept the cost for additional works due to negligent collateral damage by contractors.
The Ministry has since taken over the Leguan sea defence work.