Minister of State Joseph Harmon yesterday announced several contracts that government gave its no objection to, at last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Notable, was the announcement of an increase in the monies slated for the rehabilitation of Oranapai Towers, Wights Lane, Kingston, where the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s office is located, to facilitate the removal of the toxic and carcinogenic, asbestos material. The increase in allocation went from $9,749,850 to $23,996,570.
Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr Indarjeet Ramdass explained the removal process to Stabroek News. He said that in the case of government buildings, the Permanent Secretary of the specified building would have to apply to EPA for an asbestos removal permit. A US$50 application fee is attached with the submission of the form. The EPA will then visit the site and depending on the amount of asbestos, the cost for the permit will be determined. The permit states the conditions that the contractor has to follow and where he has to dispose of the material.
Ramdass informed that there are specialized places that remove hazardous material and if a contractor cannot find one EPA can assist by providing a list.
The asbestos collected is then buried at Haggs Bosch landfill under EPA guidelines.
Meanwhile, other contracts that were greenlighted by Cabinet include the upgrading of the Diamond Hospital in Region Four at a sum of $21,480,025, awarded to Doodnauth Contracting Supplies.
The contracts for rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips also received the no objection: Lot 1 – Eteringbang in Region Seven for the sum of $76,605,100 awarded to STP investments; Lot 2 – Kurupung in Region Seven for the sum of $28,984,000 awarded to MMC Inc; Lot 3 – Paramakatoi, Region Eight for the sum of $39,947,430 awarded to N & A Construction; Lot 4 – Kato, Region Eight for the sum of $65,627,935 awarded to Colin Talbot Contracting Services; Lot 5 – Kopinang, Region Eight for $38,711,235 awarded to Colin Talbot Contracting Services; Lot 6 – Monkey Mountain, Region Eight for $23,825,300 awarded to KP Thomas & Sons Contracting Inc; Lot 7 – Annai, Region Eight for $56,948,600 awarded to SYMS General Contractor Inc.
Cabinet’s greenlighting will also see increases in the allocations for (i) the rehabilitation of Dennis Street, Sophia from $194,868,215 to $253,251,685 and (ii) the construction of a ramp and landing for Orealla and Siparuta residents at Corriverton foreshore from $16,972,430 to $26,160,110.
Meanwhile, the award of a contract for the supply of vaccines and syringes for maternal and child health under the Ministry of Public Health for the sum of US$113,959.13 to “Pan American World Health Organization” was also greenlighted.
