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Harmon pulls plug on Dax Cable contract

August 14, 2015 4:52 pm Category: latest news A+ / A-

Minister Harmon and officials at the meeting. [Jules Gibson Photo]

Minister Harmon and officials at the meeting. [Jules Gibson Photo]

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Minister of State Joseph Harmon has decided to pull the plug on the contract awarded to Dax Construction Services to complete works on the Fibre Optic Cable laying project.

 

Earlier this year, DAX Contracting Services Ltd was hired to execute rehabilitation and related structures from Lethem to Georgetown at a cost of US$4.5M.

In exchange for repairing the cable, Dax was also given forty (40) years of exclusive use of portions of the cable, duty free concessions for SUVs and four door pick-ups, as well as tax holidays.

The deal was heavily criticized by the then APNU+AFC opposition. A release from the Minister’s Office stated that on Friday August, 14 Harmon met with Faizal Mohammed of Dax Construction Company, along with E-Government Advisor Floyd Levi.

“The meeting was called to inform Mohammed that government has commissioned a team of telecommunications experts to review the Fibre Optic Cable laying project that was overseen by former project manager Alexei Ramotar,” the release stated.

Minister Harmon informed that all works by Dax are to be halted while the team does its review, after which they will report on the project execution, the amount of money expended, the performance of contractors and consultants; they are also expected to advise government on the possible utilisation of the cable and on the way forward.

“Mr. Mohammed for his part pledged his cooperation and gave his commitment to work with the new administration in whatever manner they decide following the release of the report,” the statement noted.

According to the report, Harmon assured Mohammed that he would be fairly treated for whatever “measured works” he would have accomplished in fixing parts of the cable.

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Govt yanks fibre optic cable rehab from DAX

The Government of Guyana on Friday flexed its muscles, yanking the contract from local firm Dax Contracting Services, which  was

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and owner of Dax Contracting Services Faizal Mohammed along with E-Government Adviser Floyd Levi in the meeting on Friday

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and owner of Dax Contracting Services Faizal Mohammed along with E-Government Adviser Floyd Levi in the meeting on Friday

tasked with rehabilitating and maintaining the controversial Fibre-Optic Cable that is expected to be used to transmit data for the State’s E-Governance System. The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had come under heavy criticism for handing the company the contract earlier this year. However, during a meeting on Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, met with the owner of the company, Faizal Mohammed, called “Dax”, and terminated the contract. This was done in the presence of E-Government Adviser Floyd Levi. Despite being one of the previous Government’s critics of the E-Governance Project while in Opposition, the A Partnership for National Unit/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has decided to move ahead with the project. In the statement from Minister Harmon’s office, it was outlined that Mohammed was informed during the meeting that a team of telecommunications experts were commissioned to review the Fibre-Optic Cable laying project that was overseen by former Project Manager Alexei Ramotar, the son of former President Donald Ramotar. “Minister Harmon informed that all works by Dax was to be halted while the team does its work. Upon completion of the review, the team will report on the project execution, the amount of money expended, the performance of contractors and consultants; they are also expected to advise Government on the possible utilisation of the cable and on the way forward,” the statement further detailed. It went on to say that the Minister of State assured Mohammed that he would be fairly treated for whatever “measured works” he would have accomplished in fixing parts of the cable. The previous Administration was heavily criticised for the “sweetheart deal” it had given to Dax Contracting Services during its last days in office. In exchange for repairing the cable, Dax was given 40 years of exclusive use of portions of the cable along with duty-free concessions for SUVs and four-door pick-ups as well as tax holidays. Head of the Presidential Secretariat under the previous Government, Dr Roger Luncheon had defended Government’s decision on the contract, stating that it was more cost-effective as oppose to borrowing between US$20 to US$30 million to have it repaired. Dr Luncheon told media operatives that there was no need to invite bids to contract a company since his Government wanted to find an entity to do the rehabilitation works without spending money. As part of the deal also, Dax Contracting Services was given several of the 12 pairs of cable; however, the company was not allowed to provide telecommunication services. The contract had a lifeline of 25 years, but the company had the option of extending it for a further 15 years. The PPP/C Administration has expended some US$4.5 million on laying the cable from Lethem through the interior to Georgetown.

FM
Originally Posted by asj:

Harmon pulls plug on Dax Cable contract

August 14, 2015 4:52 pm

 
[www.inewsguyana.com]Minister of State Joseph Harmon has decided to pull the plug on the contract awarded to Dax Construction Services to complete works on the Fibre Optic Cable laying project . . .

i suppose "Harmon" is the Gov't, and the gov't is "Harmon"

 

the wicked intent here is unsubtle . . . even the Guyana Times didn't go there

 

this is not just poor reporting

FM
Originally Posted by Nehru:

Some people beg for DICTATORS to take over the Country, now dem ah hall like bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

isn't there some douching and the like u should be busying yourself with in preparation for some rough weekend horing in Richmond Hill?

 

why waste precious time dragging down the thread with ignorance and drunken hysterics this early in the day

FM
Originally Posted by redux:
Originally Posted by Nehru:

Some people beg for DICTATORS to take over the Country, now dem ah hall like bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

isn't there some douching and the like u should be busying yourself with in preparation for some rough weekend horing in Richmond Hill?

 

why waste precious time dragging down the thread with ignorance and drunken hysterics this early in the day

Like you are one of them??

Nehru

It looks like Harmon is running the show, Where is Granger???? Notice all the changes are made by Harmon, PNC in charge, Granger APNU/AFC is just a front. Since election ,no word from Nagga and Rumjaat, two monkeys and their tin cup.  I am aware of three businesses that will be closing, taking their money and run back to USA. the economy is moving snail pace, but crime is up, time to cut and run, don't wait for the ship to sink or it's too late.

K
Originally Posted by kp:

ETHNIC CLEANSING.

kp, Faisal Mohammed ent get killed or thrown in jail. When y'all over-use the term ETHNIC CLEANSING it loses it meaning and purpose.

 

FM
Originally Posted by kp:

It looks like Harmon is running the show, Where is Granger???? Notice all the changes are made by Harmon, PNC in charge, Granger APNU/AFC is just a front. Since election ,no word from Nagga and Rumjaat, two monkeys and their tin cup.  I am aware of three businesses that will be closing, taking their money and run back to USA. the economy is moving snail pace, but crime is up, time to cut and run, don't wait for the ship to sink or it's too late.

lol . . . the stupid parade taking front and center on GNI

FM

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