Dear Editor,
Kindly permit the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to respond and hopefully clarify a few issues highlighted in a letter published in the Friday, April 10, 2020 edition of Stabroek News under the headline, `China Rail should reconstruct substandard curbs between Better Hope and Buxton’.
The author, a well-known engineer pointed out that he believes there are flaws in the construction work done on the curbs, between Better Hope and Buxton, East Coast Demerara. In fact, he opined that the curbs should be reconstructed to meet required standards. Additionally, he noted the lack of signage along the current East Coast road expansion site.
The Ministry would like to thank the engineer for his observations and it should be noted there are some works which are classed as non-conforming to the specifications, for these defective works a non-conformity report is prepared and based on the conditions of the contract, the contractor is required to fix these defects before the issuing of the Final Completion Certificate. The contractor has not received payment for the construction of the curbs and if the restoration is not made for the curbs, the client can withhold the payment and nominate another contractor to execute the repairs to the curbs. However, China Railway First Group Company Limited has given the assurance that these defective curbs will be fixed.
Secondly, the Ministry would like to remind or bring to Mr. Gonsalves’ attention, that the East Coast Demerara Public Road Widening and Improvement Project from Better Hope to Belfield Village is still ongoing, even though the project was commissioned on February 27, 2020 some minor works remain outstanding. These include the installation of traffic signals and road signs.
The Ministry was informed by the contracting firm, China Railway First Group that the signs were delayed due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. It was explained that the Chinese firm was having difficulties contacting their suppliers in the United States.
Also, important to note, is that this project is still within the defects liability period, meaning that damage or flaws, if present will be corrected by the contractor, free of cost. The Ministry’s team will be deployed to reassess the curbs along this stretch of road. If it is found that the designs were not built to specification, works will commence to rectify same.
Moreover, the Ministry would like to point to the fact that a possibility exists for uneven curbs to be in existence given the fact that it continues to be used on a daily basis by commuters as works progress. Currently however, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure advises that all the curbs are in a useful condition for pedestrians.
We would like to encourage all road users to exercise extra caution when using the road, especially at nights, as we have received reports of accidents caused due to speeding and drivers losing control near construction sites for bridges. We will continue to work tirelessly with the contractor on this project to ensure it reaches the required standard.
Yours faithfully,
Davina Ramdass
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Public
Infrastructure