$13.3B in contracts signed for Eccles to Diamond four-lane road

The Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) on Wednesday, signed
contracts to the tune of $13.3B for the construction of the four-lane highway from Eccles to
Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
It was noted that the four-lane road forms part of the alternative EBD road link, which is
expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on the East Bank corridor. More than 22,000
households, once completed will directly benefit, as well as the growing volume of commercial
users.

The contracts were signed between the Ministry and 12 contractors – The Guy-America
Construction Inc., V. Dalip Enterprise, (JV) Colin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall
Civil Engineering Works, S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc., H. Nauth and
Sons, JS Guyana Inc., (JV) VALs Construction, AJM Enterprise and China Railway First Group
Company Ltd. Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, during the signing ceremony held at
the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), urged the contractors to be innovative and
strategic in their approach to the project. He also stressed the need for quality work and timely
completion.
Croal also encouraged the contractors to put systems in place to work beyond the stipulated
working hours and avoid unnecessary delays. He appealed to them to adhere to the labour laws
and ensure workers’ safety. Additionally, the minister advised the contractors to cultivate a
working relationship with the residents and communicate any inconveniences that may occur as
a result of the work, which he said should be done in a timely and respectful manner. “Should
you adhere to these guidelines, I’m confident that you will have a successful project and the
communities and citizens will be better for it,” he noted.
Croal noted that this project was conceptualised and initiated by President Irfaan Ali when he
served as housing minister prior to 2015. However, he disclosed that the project was scrapped by
the APNU/AFC administration. Junior Minister, Susan Rodrigues, said that the ministry is
pleased to see the project to fruition. “Years later, this project is being executed by the Ministry’s
Project Department, which shows that the capacity was also there, given the fact that the
foundation for this project was set years ago,” she opined.
Rodrigues disclosed that the project adds to the many transformative ones the government is
embarking on to benefit all the citizens of Guyana. “What we are doing here is not just signing a
13 billion contract for the construction of a road, what we will embark on is the transformation of
people’s lives,” Rodrigues explained. She disclosed that the project is divided into 12 lots. The
scope of the works includes 8.6 kilometers reinforced concrete four‐lane highway, equipped
with walkway and cycle lane, more than 30 reinforced concrete bridges, as well as two
roundabouts. Permanent Secretary Mr Andre Ally, CH&PA’s Director of Operations Denise
King-Tudor and Director of Projects, Omar Narine were among those attending the event.