A section of the Bartica stelling that was slated to be rehabilitated, yesterday collapsed following high winds and heavy rainfall.
The incident occurred just around 2 pm at the section where passengers would usually disembark with their goods from the ferry.
At that section of the stelling, a frame was left up, as construction workers had taken off some of the roofing and some of the components of the shed over the walkway. This meant that what was left were just some supporting beams, leaving it weak and prone to collapse.
Once it was hit by the heavy winds yesterday, the structure collapsed, hitting a car and an outpost nearby.
No one was report injured. The ferry service was not active at the time. Only the speedboat terminal was active and throughout the day there is normally a steady flow of passengers.
Stabroek News contacted the Mayor of Bartica, Anthony Murray and he expressed relief that no one was hurt but noted that at the time of the incident he did not see caution signs.
“Well, I didn’t really notice any caution sign there because the ferry normally comes in the morning to take off goods and people. So, I guess that’s the reason why caution tape was not being placed there at that point in time.”
Murray opined that maybe the contractor was advised to not put up the sign since they are working on the structure and it’s currently used when the ferry docks. He assured that measures will be put in place by the contractor to ensure that no one gets injured
“Based on what happened today, steps will be put in place; there will be caution tape there and I guess the contractor will take all the necessary measures and no one will get injured”, he said.
As it relates to the project, the mayor related that that it is going well and is expected to be 75 per cent or even completed by the end of the year.
Works are being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works’ Transport and Harbours Department and had commenced under the APNU+AFC government back in 2017.
The contract was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services for two sections of the phase to be done. It remains unclear as to what was done, but Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, had expressed his disappointment with the pace of the work ongoing at those facilities.
The minister had told the National Assembly during the consideration of the estimates, that the former administration had paid 90 per cent of the contract sum for the Bartica stelling, but only 15 per cent of the work was done, and the contractor will not be in charge of the project.
Subsequently, the project was retendered this year and works were estimated to cost $572 million. K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies was awarded the contract for $553 million.
A 12-month time frame was given for the completion of the project.
