From next year, the Ministry of Public Works will grant certification to providers of raw construction materials—quarry, loam and sand pit owners—as a means of ensuring compliance with established standards.
The Department of Public Information said that the announcement was made on Wednesday by Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn, during a stakeholder engagement with road contractors.
The release quotes Vaughn as saying “In 2021, we will be certifying all quarry and loam pit owners… When you have your materials, it will have to follow our specification.”
Vaughn’s statement, the release said, followed concerns raised by contractors about the owners of loam and quarry pits sometimes short-changing them by providing substandard materials.
To further combat this issue, Vaughn is said to have announced that the Ministry would be forming a stronger partnership with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since in most cases, it is this entity which has the authority and oversight responsibilities for the pits.
Among the expected outcomes from strengthened collaboration are regular visits to the pits and subsequent inspections.
According to the release, public works minister Juan Edghill spearheaded Wednesday’s engagement at which a number of concerns were raised by contractors.
One such concern was that the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) ought to do their part to prevent degradation to roads, and the minister outlined steps he intends to take.
He was quoted as saying, “I want it to be prepared, a letter to the Minister of Local Government advising NDCs that when they clear drains, the placing of silt, mud and other debris on the road shoulders compromise the integrity of roads.”
Additionally, Edghill is said to have requested that the unpriced bill of quantities for road works be conspicuously displayed within the communities the projects are to be executed.
On the subject of road designs, the release said it was related that the Ministry has rolled-out new ones which feature stabilised shoulders to ensure structural integrity.
Meanwhile, on the issue of variations to the scope of works, the release noted that some contractors said there are times they are unsure whether to proceed with works while awaiting confirmation of variation.
According to the release, on this matter, contractors were asked to rely on their “site books which are supposed to have proper documentation of any project variations.”
The release said it was explained to contractors that they do not have to wait confirmation from the Ministry since any agreement to variation is listed in the site book.
The meeting was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
