February 2022 is new deadline for Sherriff/Mandela road project

After a series of delays spanning years, the Sherriff/Mandela road project has a new but seemingly final deadline.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill led a site visit along the stretch of road on Tuesday and announced that February 14, 2022, is the new date for completion.

But road users have been promised a more accessible road by the end of December 2021 with the road now some 95 per cent complete.

“We will be able to say happy valentine’s to the people of Guyana… coming out here and seeing what has been done… today, November 30, I think we have achieved a milestone,” Edghill said.

He told the press the government was comfortable with the work being executed and assured them that although the project may cost more than the contract sum of US$31 million, the government was getting what it paid for.

As it is now, only 600 meters of the road is left to be paved but Edghill said it was not paved because assets were diverted to completing the junction that connects the East Bank corridor to Mandela Avenue.

He promised that within the next 48 hours, the entire section will be paved. Also still outstanding is the installation of 325 streetlights of which the first one was mounted on Tuesday having arrived in the country recently after a delay.

The contractor, Sinohydro Corporation and sub-contractors, are also still working on the installation of the vertical road signs, guard rails and road markings.

To this end, Edghill addressed concerns raised by the public and offered an apology for the lack of public education.

“If people will like to make light of road markings, I want to say that this is a success project,” he added.

Edghill told reporters that because of adjustments to the scope of work, additional monies would be needed for which he is in talks with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of Finance.

“…but it will be no major adjustments… there is no jeopardy or danger at this particular time as it relates to the financing of the project.”

Minister Edghill said with the project delayed and the price for materials changed, the government was forced to hold contractors at the prices stated at the time of signing.

“I’m satisfied that since I’m Minister of Public Works I got what I am paying for…”