Contractors given one month to complete Cemetery Road, Conversation Tree works

Given growing concerns about the delay in completing works on Cemetery Road and Conversation Tree in Georgetown, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill Friday said contractors have been told they have been given until the end of January next year to complete the works.

The Minister reminded that upgrading of the existing two-lane Cemetery Road to four lanes has surpassed the initial deadline.

“Works should have been completed in 2023; the project is still behind time which is a concern for us.

“The contractor has received a deadline of January 2024 to complete the project,” Minister Edghill said.

He added that if January ends and the project is not completed the contractor will be replaced. Avinash Constructing and Scrap Metal Inc. was awarded the $475M contract in 2022.

Meanwhile, Kallco Guyana Inc., which was partially contracted for the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street project, valued $1.8 billion, was singled out for its slothfulness.

The Minister said the same new deadline was given to Kallco and S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies, the other contractor.

“Lot One is progressing satisfactory and Lot Two is a concern, and the contractor received a revised deadline.

“These are two important affairs that we cannot continue to allow to languish,” the Minister said.

Kallco Guyana Inc. was flagged for poor performance in July this year after the Minister inspected the project. The company told the Ministry that additional resources from Trinidad had to be acquired.

According to Edghill, the company hasn’t fastened its pace.