Ali dismisses concerns of shoddy construction on Schoonord highway
allowed to expire because ‘nobody notices’. May we come to the realisation that beyond the revolving doors to the halls of power, we, the citizens, are left to trip, fall, and impale ourselves on shoddy work. May we turn our attention to the message more and stop shooting the messengers.”
The commentator also pointed out that no mention was made of the change in costs but noted that a slip lane was to be added.
“I also wondered how come an extra lane was promised in the initial signing of the contracts for 11billion but at the celebrations when it was announced that the project would be 15 billion, there was talk of having to add a slip lane? Does there mean there was insufficient planning at the design phase? How much will it cost and how long will it take? So many questions go unanswered in this land.”
Further, he added,” I hope someone in charge sees this and gets the relevant contractor to fix the issues raised. It really irks me that public safety is always at the bottom of the agenda in Guyana. It’s irksome that half of us feel condemned to silence at any given time though we all suffer for the same incompetence.”
President Ali said that he addressed Bailey’s issue in a document he received from the project engineers and which he made public and shared with journalist, Denis Chabrol.
“Comments made about the works done on Schoonord Road via video posted on social media by Mr. Francis Michael Bailey. Please note that the following comments below were made by Mr. Bailey in the video posted. 1) Formwork in place under and between drain covers (tripping hazards). 2) Rebar handles protruding above drain covers (sticking out). 3) Covers claimed to not be casted in individual units. 4) Claims of poorly casted concrete covers. 5) Claims of unfinished drain works leading into Parfaite [La Parfaite Harmonie] Housing Scheme. 6) Claims of pot holes being patched on the highway,” the document notes.
In Ali’s “Response to the comments/claims made” he
listed and addressed each of the areas he had before highlighted.
“The formwork supporting the drain covers are there due to the covers has not reached the curing age. These covers will be hoisted to remove the formwork under and beneath them when the required strength is met. 2. Rebar handles protruding above drain covers (sticking out).These handles were placed in such a way that when the formwork beneath the covers is removed, the handle will drop and finish with the cover, so as to not be a tripping hazard. As such, when the formwork is removed, the handles will not be ‘sticking out,’” the document stated.
“The covers shown in the video are all casted individually allowing them to be removed for cleaning. However, concrete covered the formwork separating these covers making them seem as one large slab which is not the case. 4. Claims of poorly casted concrete covers - all covers were casted with 5100 psi concrete and cube samples were taken and tested to confirm they meet the requirements. The concrete works done on the drains met the requirements and are structurally sound. The cracks observed were due to the contractor trying to hoist the covers a day after they were casted to remove the formwork and they did not meet the required strength as mentioned in the first response above,” the document adds
And where there were claims of drains not finished leading into Parfaite Housing scheme, the document said, “Please be informed that the drain works are completed where the widening of the carriageway ends and the section of road leading into Parfaite was upgraded and not widened, As such the construction of RC drains leading into the parfait scheme was NOT a part of that scope.”
On Bailey’s highlighting of what looked like patched sections of the road, Ali explained, “The asphalt overlay “patch” observed on the roadway was NOT a result of any potholes. They were no potholes on the Schoonord road that was patched.”
Yesterday, Bailey expressed disappointment with the responses as he said that he believed that his exposé would have helped government to hold the contractor accountable but instead it seems as if it has sided with them.
“Apparently we have no issues with substandard work in this country. Call me stupid, but I honestly thought these guys would make the contractors fix the glaring problems instead of siding with them. I’m just here wondering who this government are really representing and who they are really working for,” he expressed.