A and E Construction, Supplies and Services has resumed work on the Wismar Housing Scheme Road in Linden after residents on Wednesday blocked the access bridge with debris as they protested against the incomplete project.
Regional Chairman, Deron Adams, said that the residents have removed the debris since the contractor arrived on Wednesday night with his machinery to resume work. He mentioned that the contract was supposed to be completed some three months ago and that the workers are currently on site.
Adams said that while the reason the contractor’s work was incomplete is unknown, he opined that maybe the contractor underbid for the contract or is suffering the effects of the current inflation. He added that the continuous rise in in the cost of goods and services is affecting persons especially in the construction sector. Three months ago when the contract was awarded compared to now, the prices for construction materials have risen. According to the Regional Chairman, the government should activate a plan to compensate contractors for inflation.
The administration of the Regional Democratic Council had issued three warning letters to Judy Sugrim, the contractor who was awarded the contract. The residents decided to block the bridge because business owners and senior citizens had to navigate the area that is under construction to run daily errands. Their concerns were that they are taxpayers and as such must have proper facilities. Adams assured that the engineers would be there to oversee the contactors to ensure proper work is being done.
“This is to ensure that the road is compacted properly, the asphalt is of the right temperature and not overheated and that it is being done in a proper manner. We need durable roads”, he said.
He added that if the contactor failed to complete the work, the contract would be terminated and given to the next bidder.
Additionally, Adams referenced some road projects being done by other contractors that were not properly done in areas like Wisroc, Watooka, and Black 22, noting that some 15 days after completion, the roads were already deteriorating. He expressed the view that the contractors involved should come and rectify those roads.
The Regional Chairman added, “I’m encouraging experienced engineers that are living in Wismar to look over the work being done by the contractors in the community just to ensure that the work is properly done. If defaults are seen it can be reported to the chairman. They can look out too because it will benefit all of us.’’
