Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh last night announced that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday issued its no objection for negotiations to commence with the most responsive bidder for the US$190m Linden to Mabura Hill upgrade project, Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A. from Brazil.
A release from the Ministry of Finance noted that the project is the first link of the highway between Linden and Lethem. The project is a joint undertaking of Guyana, the United Kingdom and the CDB. The project will provide major support to ease of travel, trade and general connectivity between Guyana and Brazil and open vast opportunities by linking this country’s hinterland communities to Georgetown, the release said.
It added that the process leading to the award of this contract followed a “stringent and transparent” procurement process. A call for proposals for the prequalification of contractors was issued in February 2021. Ten contractors were prequalified and the prequalified list of contractors was approved by the CDB in October 2021.
Following the prequalification phase, the bidding process began in October 2021 and concluded in December 2021. Of the 10 prequalified Contractors, the following 5 made submissions: China Gezhouba Group Company Limited, China Railway International Group & China Railway No.10 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Luqiao Group Co., Ltd., OECI S.A. (OECI) in JV with Castilho Engenharia E Empreendimentos S.A. (CEE) and Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A.
“The bids were carefully scrutinized and evaluated by a team of local engineers. After a thorough evaluation process involving engagements and consultations with the Caribbean Development Bank, Consultant Mott MacDonald and other specialists, Bid No. 5 , Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A , was determined as the most responsive bid indicating full compliance with all Environmental, Social, Health and Safety requirements. The CDB indicated its concurrence with the recommendation of the Guyanese evaluation committee and issued it no-objection to commence negotiations with the winning bidder”, the release said.
This project will be the largest project ever funded by the CDB and one of the most historic projects undertaken in Guyana.
The road works include upgrading the existing alignment to Asphaltic Concrete Surface – 2 Lanes, 7.2m width, approximately 122Km and the inclusion as well of five drainage structures.
The release said that Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A is a large Brazilian Contractor established in 1966. The Company specializes in the construction of refineries, roads, bridges, commercial offices, residential buildings, highways, and sewage systems worldwide.
In December 2020, it was announced here that the CDB, the United Kingdom and the Guyana Government, had partnered to fund the US$190 million project for the upgrading of 121 kilometres of road from Linden to Mabura Hill.
The CDB is putting up US$112 million via a loan towards the project. The approved sum for the project represents the largest project that the regional bank has financed in its 50-year existence. The UK is providing a US$66 million grant and the Guyana Government will provide US$12 million.