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FM
Former Member
Guidelines for design of Amaila Falls road poorly done – review – experts call for urgent changes
By STABROEK STAFF | LOCAL | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

A review of the Amaila Falls access road conducted by external consultants in June highlighted the poorly outlined specifications in the original project document and recommended immediate changes to the design including widening the road and reducing its steepness (grades). According to documents seen by this newspaper, Sithe Global, the developer of the project, contracted BBFL Caribbean Ltd in collaboration with Earth Investigation Systems Ltd to undertake a review of the proposed road to see whether the road, as designed and specified, would be able to function for its intended use. The review was conducted by the consultants in June and a final report was released in July.

Reliable sources provided evidence to this newspaper which suggested that the report came months after representatives from the proposed hydropower contractor China Railway visited here in March/ April and expressed concern about the road being unable to satisfy their demands. This prompted an entire review of the road by the various entities involved in the US$15.4 million project currently being undertaken by Fip Motilall’s Synergy Holdings Inc, this newspaper was told.


Fip Motilall

The consultants, in their confidential report which this newspaper was able to peruse, noted that while the project contained good general guidelines the design specifications were poorly written and unclear in several cases. “The Information Memorandum is the only document received which indicates any level of project specification. This document, while giving generally good guidelines for the construction of the work, lacks any specific guidelines for the proper design of the road,” the report stated. “Any given design specifications were poorly written, unclear and ambiguous,” the report added.

“No international design standards such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or British Standards (BS) to be followed or referenced for the design of the road or bridges were stated in the Information Memorandum,” the report further stated. Further, the consultants noted that the sub-base or road base material to be used on the project was unclear as the specifications stated in the project document were unclear and contained “an obvious error” in the material standard quoted.

Synergy’s contract is for “the upgrading of approximately 85 km of existing roadway, the design and construction of approximately 110 km of virgin roadway, the design and construction of two new pontoon crossings at the Essequibo and Kuribrong rivers.” The fourth part of the project is for the clearing of a pathway alongside the roadway to allow for the installation of approximately 65 km of transmission lines. Motilall was granted the construction notice to proceed on Sections 1 to 5 of the project on October 5 last year and the notice for Sections 6 and 7 in January and was expected to fulfil the initial contract by September 9.

The overall geometric design of the roadway as indicated by the drawings submitted is adequate and acceptable for the project roads except in very localized areas. Observers have questioned how the project supervisors, SRKN’gineering and the government oversight team led by Walter Willis failed to discover these issues earlier. The consultants, in their report, pointed to the original project document which spoke of “acceptable grades of 20 per cent for sections shorter than 200 m”. The original document contained favourable grades of 10 per cent yet recommended 8 per cent. “These guidelines are very unclear, confusing and contain errors that could lead to erroneous design,” the consultants said in their report. The consultants gave a recommended grade of 6 ½ per cent.

The consultants also recommended that whatever design changes are required they should be addressed as soon as possible. “While we understand that the contractor has commenced work based on the material test results given to date, it is imperative that the pavement design be modified if the pavement structure is to be capable of performing over the design life required,” the report said. “Any change in design should be addressed as soon as possible before any substantial surface layer of laterite is instilled,” the consultants added.

Sources close to the project have told this newspaper that Motilall has since had to go back and to do additional work on some of the sections that have already been completed. A knowledgeable source close to the project opined that in this case Motilall’s sloth on the project proved to be slightly advantageous.

Earlier this month, Willis told this newspaper that Motilall is badly behind on the project but that the company was likely to claim an extension for the bad weather and for other extenuating circumstances. He said it is only if the company fails to complete the project by the extended deadline that the government can claim liquidated damages. Willis said then that Synergy is not likely to substantially complete the road before December.

Sithe Global has repeatedly said it intends to commence construction of the hydropower plant before the end of the year and the completion of the road is seen as key to securing financial closure for this project.

Source

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
The consultants, in their confidential report which this newspaper was able to peruse, noted that while the project contained good general guidelines the design specifications were poorly written and unclear in several cases. “The Information Memorandum is the only document received which indicates any level of project specification. This document, while giving generally good guidelines for the construction of the work, lacks any specific guidelines for the proper design of the road,” the report stated. “Any given design specifications were poorly written, unclear and ambiguous,” the report added.

“No international design standards such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) or British Standards (BS) to be followed or referenced for the design of the road or bridges were stated in the Information Memorandum,” the report further stated. Further, the consultants noted that the sub-base or road base material to be used on the project was unclear as the specifications stated in the project document were unclear and contained “an obvious error” in the material standard quoted.

Who woulda thunk it . . . eh?

Fip will cut de trail, say it is complete according to 'specifications' and bank his money; then more money will have to be spent to actually build a real rosd (by the Chinese, likely).

Collect liquidated damages from Fip, you say?

Nah . . . the loophole(s) are cleverly built into the 'contract' . . . read carefully.

These thieving PPP bastards take us for fools. THERE MUST BE JAIL!
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:
Reliable sources provided evidence to this newspaper which suggested that the report came months after representatives from the proposed hydropower contractor China Railway visited here in March/ April and expressed concern about the road being unable to satisfy their demands.

If the Chinese complain about the quality, then it must be terrible for true. Few can imagine anything worse than Made in China.
Mr.T
quote:
Originally posted by warrior:
when this government change he is one going down no part of this world he can hide in


Should the government change, do you think that the new one will scrap the project?
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
quote:
Originally posted by warrior:
when this government change he is one going down no part of this world he can hide in


Should the government change, do you think that the new one will scrap the project?


Perhaps, Perhaps not.
Mitwah
FIP in the news again..what a laugh de Puja man is hoping that incense and tassa drumming will build a highway.We have not heard any comments from the PPPites on this forum not a word of condemnation, it the usual field day if the PNC had give the job to a black guyanese of the status quo as FIP, you can imagine the uproar.FIP if you really know the true meaning of the abbreviations you will cringe...the man cannot even build an outhouse but is qualified to build a highway as in "highway robbery"..
FM
quote:
This document, while giving generally good guidelines for the construction of the work, lacks any specific guidelines for the proper design of the road,”

Fip provided a backdam road specs. APNU and AFC must play a MAJOR role in scrapping or revising this Jagdeo project, a giveaway of $$$Milions to cronies.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
quote:
Originally posted by warrior:
when this government change he is one going down no part of this world he can hide in


Should the government change, do you think that the new one will scrap the project?
The joke is that FIP has already spent the money and there was no accountability under Jagdeo because FIP is one of his cronies.

I am sure Jagdeo got a nice kickback from that venture. Why else do you think Norway held back the LCDS funds while Jagdeo was in office. That same road was supposed to come out of the LCDS funding as part of going green.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Nuff:
quote:
Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
quote:
Originally posted by warrior:
when this government change he is one going down no part of this world he can hide in


Should the government change, do you think that the new one will scrap the project?
The joke is that FIP has already spent the money and there was no accountability under Jagdeo because FIP is one of his cronies.

I am sure Jagdeo got a nice kickback from that venture. Why else do you think Norway held back the LCDS funds while Jagdeo was in office. That same road was supposed to come out of the LCDS funding as part of going green.
when parlament start back,i am sure this one of the main agenda.i say hang the mother f-----
FM
Who designed the plan for the roads? They should be held accountable. Was it Flip? I doubt it. However I do wish this project would be completed as it would be a significant benefit to Guyana. But if the cost keeps increasing then it would be really be cost effective? Is it time to scrap the project until the APNU gets into power, remember this party is the best, they can see the project to fruition like the UMDA project.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by BGurd_See:
Who designed the plan for the roads? They should be held accountable. Was it Flip? I doubt it. However I do wish this project would be completed as it would be a significant benefit to Guyana. But if the cost keeps increasing then it would be really be cost effective? Is it time to scrap the project until the APNU gets into power, remember this party is the best, they can see the project to fruition like the UMDA project.

You start of well, but eventually end up talking nonsense as usual. This has nothing to do with APNU. It has everything to do with the way Guyanese taxpayers money is wasted on a no good for nothing contractor. Flip is an incompetent thief, plain and simple. To try to defend the shoddy workmanship he has been delivering and turning it into a political defense just shows how morally bankrupt you are.
Mr.T
Who in Guyana would have the skills and know how to do a job like this? This is not an easy project. Most of you talking becuase u want to make a post and don't have a clue about the enormity of this project.It is easy to be critical sitting in your luxurious living room.

Why don't you guys post something useful and talk about the project and give some useful suggestions about the project rather than constantly talking about who is thiefing and all the other nonsense.

Merry Christmas.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Dhall:
Who in Guyana would have the skills and know how to do a job like this? This is not an easy project. Most of you talking becuase u want to make a post and don't have a clue about the enormity of this project.It is easy to be critical sitting in your luxurious living room.

Why don't you guys post something useful and talk about the project and give some useful suggestions about the project rather than constantly talking about who is thiefing and all the other nonsense.

Merry Christmas.



Oh i now understand where this Dhall cmming from.

Dhall problem is he dont want anyone to talk about thiefing or corruption involved in this Jagdeo scheme.

Dhall want us to forget or cover up the thiefing because it is exposing the "Jagdeo Dhall & Rice Gang" that pull off this big scam and fraud.

Dhall trying eeee best to save "Jagdeo Dhall & Rice Gang" from going to Jail.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Gupta:
quote:
This document, while giving generally good guidelines for the construction of the work, lacks any specific guidelines for the proper design of the road,”

Fip provided a backdam road specs. APNU and AFC must play a MAJOR role in scrapping or revising this Jagdeo project, a giveaway of $$$Milions to cronies.


Only an act of parliament can scrap this project then the Opposition will be throwing away US$800 million in similar fashion that Burnham did with the mazaruni Hydro project.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Ramakant_p:
quote:
Originally posted by Gupta:
quote:
This document, while giving generally good guidelines for the construction of the work, lacks any specific guidelines for the proper design of the road,”

Fip provided a backdam road specs. APNU and AFC must play a MAJOR role in scrapping or revising this Jagdeo project, a giveaway of $$$Milions to cronies.


Only an act of parliament can scrap this project then the Opposition will be throwing away US$800 million in similar fashion that Burnham did with the mazaruni Hydro project.
RAMA STAY SOBER FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON i know it will be a hangover but try.and must ask bar--rat and flip why they messing with the guyanese people money
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Dhall:
Who in Guyana would have the skills and know how to do a job like this? This is not an easy project.

So why give it to Flip when nobody in Guyana is capable of doing it? Why bring in the Chinese to do everything else, but give Flip something even you admit to as being an impossible assignment for a Guyanese? I'll tell you the answer why he got the contract: it was a thief man in high office who pass off his friend as the person most fitting to get some free dough.
Mr.T

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