-gov’t, ex-PPP/C minister trade blame over bungling
A design review, including geotechnical surveys, is underway for the Indian Immigration Monument project at Palmyra, according to the government, which yesterday also reported that preliminary information suggests that a “flawed” construction method resulted in the recent collapse of the base for the structure.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) yesterday also announced that the Government of India has offered to provide technical expertise for the monument’s erection and that this will be pursued, while specialised geotechnical survey services are to be contracted.
According to the preliminary findings that were released by the DPI yesterday, a design report was not done; geotechnical surveys to determine soil properties were not done since they were not budgeted for and assumptions were made for the soil data; and the supervisory consultant that revised the project did so without adequate engineering analysis.
Further, it was noted that the monument’s base should have been constructed using a four foot wide footing, block walls were to have been infilled with structural concrete as opposed to the mortar being used at the time of collapse, and the internal base should have been 8 inches thick reinforced concrete wall and not block work infilled with mortar.
“It was infilling with mortar which was done and which subsequently failed,” the DPI statement on behalf of the government said. “Preliminary information suggests that the construction methodology used in the construction of the base of the monument was flawed which resulted in the collapse of the structure,” it added, while noting that the monument weighs 17 tonnes, making geotechnical analysis vital.
The statement suggested that the crucial lapses occurred under the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and then Minister of Culture Dr Frank Anthony, who started the project, although the former minister yesterday accused the government of changing the original design, which he believes contributed to the collapse, and attempting to score cheap political points.
The base for the US$150,000 bronze sculpture that was gifted by the Government of India crumbled in late April, while works were ongoing. It was said to be 85% completed at the time of the collapse.
Since then, the project has come under close scrutiny. While most opined that the cause of the collapse was due to substandard work being done, questions were also raised about the awarding of the $42 million contract for the construction to Linden-based company, Alternative Contracting Enterprise (ACE).
The DPI statement said yesterday Cabinet took a decision that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure would assume responsibility for oversight of the project in wake of the collapse of the base.
While no dates were given, the statement sought to outline the timeline of the project, which it said began under the former PPP/C administration.
“This project commenced under the former PPP but was stalled for several years. The coalition govnerment resuscitated the project to allow for its successful completion to honour our fore parents who came from India,” it said.
Documents Stabroek News obtained from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) show that the project comprised three phases.
Phase 1, which dealt with preparatory works, including construction of an access road, at the site, was awarded to Erron Lall Engineering Civil Engineering Works on September 12, 2016 at a cost of $43 million, after bids from 13 companies. The DPI statement said that to date $26.5 million was paid to the contractor and 60% of the works were completed.
Phase 2, which entailed the construction of the base, was contracted to Alternative Contracting Enterprise at a cost of $42.2 million. The contractor has been paid $22.8 million to date. And while government gave no estimation of the works completed, an employee had told this newspaper it was 85% done. It was at this stage that the structure collapsed.
Phase 3 entails landscaping and finishing works at the site. Bids were received from 11 companies and an $8.2 million contract for the works was awarded to BK International. The statement said that aspect of the works has since been suspended.
Documents have now been transferred to Ministry Infrastructure and acco statement Ministers of David Patterson a Ferguson, have held m the supervisory consu CAM), the design (Innovative Engineerin Services IECS) and th ACE. The ministry’s W Group’s Technical tea stakeholders were al meetings. Although IE tified as the design c was noted that it was n designer of the projec Design Consultants Limited.
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