Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, Minister in the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. KJ Srinivasa yesterday witnessed the signing of the Contract Agreement for Consultancy Services for the East Bank–East Coast Linkage Project (Ogle-Eccles).
A statement from the Ministry of Public Works noted that the contract sum is US$3.2 million.
Signing on behalf of the Ministry was Permanent Secretary (ag), Ron Rahaman.
The agreement was signed with RITES Ltd of India at the ministry.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Ministry’s Kings-ton, Georgetown office, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said that Edghill noted that the signing will see the start of works on the much talked about thoroughfare.
He said that RITES, the Indian supervisory firm will oversee the removal of utilities along the corridor. All the necessary engagements were held and the ministry is awaiting the firm to ensure works are done in keeping with the project’s design.
“I would hope that would be something that is swift…once we get those utilities removed the contractor can engage in actual physical works,” he said
He further noted that, “I have had the privilege as well (of) engaging Ashoka Buildcon Limited since the signing last Friday, and they are actively engaged in the mobilisation of equipment, and additional personnel to Guyana.”
Ashoka Buildcon Limited of India is the contractor for the US$106m contract.
The project was part-financed by the Indian Exim Bank. As part of the agreement, Edghill clarified, according to DPI, that the civil work for the project was confined to Indian companies while the supervisory aspect was open to all.
The four-lane road will be built from the intersection of the Ogle Airstrip Road and the Rupert Craig Highway, East Coast Demerara towards Haags Bosch, Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
RITES Limited had previously been awarded the US$1.3 million contract to undertake a feasibility study for the road.
