DUTCH QUARTER--The infrastructure upgrading project in Dutch Quarter came to a partial standstill on Thursday due to utilities company GEBE not moving quickly enough to remove its utilities poles and put its cables underground, much to the chagrin of Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger.
Heyliger told The Daily Herald on Thursday that this was a blow for the people of Dutch Quarter, who have been understanding and have been living with the inconvenience because they knew it would bring an improvement to their community. "And now the people are being held hostage by GEBE, a company that they own."
GEBE, he explained, had been involved in the planning process for the upgrading from inception. "The Ministry has been in touch with GEBE and letters were even sent to remind the company about its responsibilities, but nothing has been done, leaving the contractor to work around the major work."
As it stands, the contractor will continue doing tasks that can be carried out without the cables needing to be underground. However, if GEBE takes too long to carry out its part of the work and the term of the contract runs out, the contractor can levy additional charges on government.
"This means government ? with its limited resources ? will have to foot an additional cost to get the work done and when we as government try attempt to recover the funds from GEBE there will be a quick outcry from the company that it can be put in jeopardy," Heyliger said.
The upgrading of Dutch Quarter is slated for completion by the end of the year.
Pakistan cricket team Vladimir Putin North and Central America JS Bach Beach holidays Pop and rock
No comments:
Post a Comment