Works Minister Surujrattan Rambachan has warned local contractors hoping to benefit from the $7.5 billion Golconda to Point Fortin Highway that sub-standard work will not be tolerated.He was speaking at a meeting on Wednesday to update local contractors on the status and significant opportunities that will become available on the project.
At the meeting at Paria Suites Hotel, La Romaine, were officials of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco), the project managers, and the main contractor Brazilian-firm OAS Constructora.Rambachan boasted that the project has had no cost overruns, is on schedule for the 2015 opening and 93 per cent of the workers are locals.
However, he warned: "The one thing that we must observe on this project will be the strict quality standards that will be required. T&T has been known to do quality work. You will find as contractors on this project that you will be asked to meet some exacting quality standards. This is necessary if we are adopting first world standards."
The minister spoke about several areas between Mon Desir to Point Fortin where work is underway, but made little mention of the contentious Debe to Mon Desir segment which has been the subject of protests and litigation.Nidco president Dr Carson Charles admitted that everything was not in place when the project started and they had to "wrestle land acquisition to the ground" but assured that everyone is now on board.
OAS director Evandro Daltro said his company is proud to be part of such an important project. He asked local contractors for their co-operation.