A report compiled by the Ministry of Public Works and the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has recommended that the contractor responsible for the collapse of several poles on the Aubrey Barker Road be blacklisted.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill yesterday gave the contractor’s name as Astra Service. They were awarded a similar contract through the Housing and Water Ministry for a similar project to the tune of $69.7 million.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had expressed concern over the situation, calling for credible explanations from the Public Works Ministry and GPL stating that “Why couldn’t they just do it by two blocks at a time and then build the concrete drains? This is all ridiculous. So it happens routinely”. He was speaking at one of his December press conferences.
He acknowledged that the collapsed utility poles were not installed according to specifications and pledged to hold those responsible accountable specifying the public works ministry and GPL. He had emphasized that contractors, engineers, or any complicit government staff should face termination or blacklisting if found responsible.
Residents of North and South Ruimveldt were plunged into darkness on December 13, 2024 after 4 poles initially fell, however the situation worsened after several other poles collapsed. Power was eventually returned the next day to the more than 2000 affected residents.
The incident had raised questions about the quality of the pole installation work and whether road construction or activities by GPL might have triggered it.
One resident recounted: “I heard a loud cracking noise and rushed to the door. By the time I got outside to move my vehicle, the other poles started falling too.” Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but some 20 vehicles were evacuated as a precaution.
One of the sub-contractors, Sunil Persaud had defended the initial installation of the poles, contending that they were properly placed at the time. However, he suggested that recent work by GPL might have contributed to the incident. “GPL was working on these poles for the past two days, installing transformers and heavy-duty wires. They should’ve ensured that the poles could handle the weight before proceeding,” he argued.
Edghill had visited the community four days after and had tendered an apology.
