Biwater already invested $25M of own money into project
This information was supplied by Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool in response to questions posed by Representative for the 3rd District Hon. Julian Fraser RA during the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Second House of Assembly Yesterday, October 9, 2012.
Asked how much money was invested in BiWater’s Project construction to date, Hon. Vanterpool said that from reports received, the money invested in the Biwater Project Construction to date is in the "range of 25 million US".
He said the construction of a water plant cost approximately $20M; the expenditures on pipelines were approximately $3M while the construction of a reservoir was approximately $2M.
The money invested, however, is Biwater's own money.
Hon. Fraser then asked whether the designs and drawings provided by BiWater for the Facilities and the Sewage Treatment Plant (including pipelines and pumping stations) were reviewed and approved in accordance with the relevant quality and performance standards defined by the American Water Works Association and the American Society for Testing and Materials as stipulated in the BiWater Agreement.
The response received from Hon. Vanterpool was that “documents” were provided to the Ministry by Biwater but no form of review has been done.
The Member from the 3rd District then asked the Minister how he would account for the sustainability of the plant if the reviews were not done.
The Minister for Communications and Works said he did not wish to make excuses for a review not done but noted that if the contract calls for such review then it will be done.
Hon. Vanterpool also disclosed that since this term in office started he has made regular visits to Biwater sites, held regular meetings with the project director and intends to make more regular visits along with technical staff from Water and Sewerage Department.
The Biwater Project, which was strongly opposed by the ruling party government of Dr. D. Orlando Smith leading up to the November 2011 Elections, recently failed to source adequate underground water and has since written to Government requesting a further extension on their promise to deliver water by November.
Minister Vanterpool had previously informed the House of Assembly that BiWater had indicated that the timeline for delivery of water was November 30, 2012. The Minister also disclosed that the BIWater request for an extension is being processed through the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Attorney General´s Office.
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12 Responses to “Biwater already invested $25M of own money into project”
Imagin the Agreement provides for the Government to inspect the construction to ensure that the construction is done according to the drawings and specifications for compliance with world standards, and the minister is saying that none of that was done.
Imagin the Permanent Secretary in the Employer's Representative and she doesn't have a clue about engineering. Ths is a total scandal.
The whole point about Government being allowed to make inspections is to ensure that when the plant and other facilities are built they are durable, so that when they are turned over to government in 15 years they won't be like the Baughers Bay Plant (WHICH WAS NO GOOD).
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