With public sector construction now once again allowed, works are to recommence with the implementation of safety measures and policies onsite to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to Chief Works Officer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Geoffrey Vaughn.
With some exceptions, public sector construction had been halted due to the implementation of emergency measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, Guyana on Friday entered the second stage of a planned rollback of the measures and provision has been made for the restart of public works.
Asked when major construction works, such as the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Expansion Project will recommence, Vaughn said that no schedule has been set. He explained that companies and contractors will have to implement safety measures before being granted any approval to begin work again.
“Before we can give the green light to contractors, we will have to see them implement hand washing sinks and policies to help with social distancing even though there isn’t much social distancing one can practice on a construction site. But we will need to see some measures in place before they are given the green light,” Vaughn explained before stating that the ministry is writing contractors to officially inform them of the new guidelines they will have to adhere to.
He noted, too, that the Chinese company Sindohydro, which is contracted to execute the road expansion works for the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue project, has been informed of the changes.
In April, Stabroek News reported that sub-contractors, who were awarded contracts for the construction of the drains and sidewalks along Sheriff Street, were trying to maximise their output given the prevailing good weather conditions and the reduction in traffic following the implementation of the COVID-19 restrictions.
The project was handed over to the company early in 2018 after the contract was awarded and work commenced in the latter part of the year. The contract is pegged at US$31.03 million and is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank.
