The Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has criticised the Stabroek News editorial dated October 16, 2023 captioned `Chaos in infrastructure projects’.
The editorial referenced delays at several major pump station projects as evidence of poor preparation and planning on the part of the NDIA and the ministry.
In its statement, the NDIA said that “Notably, there was no acknowledgement of major issues with pump stations by the NDIA as stated in the editorial as the Authority was merely highlighting external issues with its pump station projects. These external issues such as squatting and encumbrances in the construction zone would have caused significant delays to these projects. The editorial ought to be aware that projects generally experience `teething’ problems. The projects under reference in the Editorial are no exception having regard to the several challenges, both legal and illegal within the construction zones”.
It said that engineering studies would have been done to determine the best location for each project after consultations with residents, farmers, Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and other relevant stakeholders. As such, the editorial’s claim that projects are ‘done in a haphazard manner’ is very misleading since the Authority would have determined location based on sound engineering advice, the views of stakeholders and in the public interest.
The editorial had said that the need to remove squatters, fishermen’s installations and a branch of the National Library was evidence that the Ministry had not carefully determined where these projects should be located.
The NDIA noted that the editorial also made reference to the award of the Black Bush Polder pump station project to Yunas Civil and Building Construction. That $978m contract was cancelled for poor work almost two years after it was awarded and just two years after the contractor had been debarred by the then Public Procurement Commission.
“The Ministry of Agriculture’s NDIA wishes to make it explicitly clear that evaluations are done by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) before an award is made. It is only after an award is made that the NDIA is notified of the successful bidder. As such, the award would have been subject to public procurement procedures in accordance with the Procurement Act 2003”, the NDIA said.
As it relates to the termination of the Black Bush Polder pump station project, the NDIA said that a Project Completion Certificate would have been issued by the engineer for works completed and materials on site.
Therefore, it said that the contractor would only be paid for works that were satisfactorily completed and materials on site as is the case when there is a fundamental breach of contract. In addition, at the time of termination, the advance mobilization and performance bonds were still active. As such, monies can be recouped. The editorial had questioned what would be the loss to the country from the aborted project and having to retender it.
The NDIA said the editorial then highlighted other pump station projects namely, Charity pump station, Region No.2, A Line pump station, West Demerara, Region No.3 and Canal No.1 pump station, Region No.3 stating that there was “poor preparation prior to project awards”. In refuting this statement, the Ministry of Agriculture’s NDIA said that it wished to make clear that each project has experienced consultants and engineers who support the Authority in formulating the design and best location. These consultants would have designed other pump stations that have been successfully completed, it said.
“It is a known fact that persons have been illegally occupying reserves along the length of the coastline which has been posing a problem to development. Under those circumstances, it would be misleading for the editor to claim that works are being done in a `harum-scarum’ manner and is `a reflection of the pell-mell haste by the government to secure political gains’ since consultations would have been held prior to the commencement of works”, the ministry said.
It still did not explain how a project could be awarded in the vicinity of squatters or whether the squatters had occupied the location after becoming aware that a project was going to be launched there.
The NDIA said that the Cottage pump station is another example of unfounded statements made by the editorial. The editorial had said that in relation to the Cottage pump station, in Region No.5, it was explained by the NDIA that due to the erosion of the main access dam, there was an issue with access to the project site. As such, a bridge and access dam had to be constructed.
“Again, no project should be awarded in any area that has not been geotechnically inspected and cleared for such works. The Ministry is clearly just assigning work to willing contractors without proper preparation”, the editorial had stated.
The NDIA said: “This is wholly erroneous as engineering studies are done before commencement of projects. Notably, at design stage, several consultations and meetings are held with all relevant stakeholders before a location is determined”. The ministry/NDIA did not explain how an eroded dam came to be found in an area that was studied.
As it relates to the dredging of the Pomeroon River mouth, the NDIA said that works will recommence this week based on a commitment made by the contractor. The Ministry of Agriculture’s NDIA wishes to state that discussions were held with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) before works commenced and there was no “underestimation of what was required” as is being alleged in the editorial.
The word “underestimation” had been derived from an interview done between Stabroek News and the contractor, Komal Singh of Gaico.
“Given the offensive and misleading statements in the editorial, it is imperative that the editorial gives equal prominence to this release. The Ministry of Agriculture’s NDIA welcomes constructive criticism but will correct misleading and offensive statements as it relates to transparency and accountability of its projects”, the statement said.
Stabroek News’ Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud said that the newspaper stood by the editorial.
