Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (ar right) on September 6, 2018, inked a contract with Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Limited to execute rehabilitation works at Windy Hill, Tortola under the Caribbean Development Bank Project scope. Photo: GIS

The event coincided with the one-year observance of Hurricane Irma but the contract inked by Minister Vanterpool had nothing to do with the devastation from that Category-5 Hurricane, rather for works eight years in the making—a result of the devastation of another storm.

Retendered

The Government Information Service (GIS), in a press statement dated, September 6, 2018—following the signing ceremony—quoted Minister Vanterpool saying, the contract signing shows great progress, with rehabilitation works to the damage caused by “Sub-Tropical Storm Otto in 2010.”

Minister Vanterpool said, “this project was retendered and has now been awarded to Autland Heavy Equipment Co Limited in the amount of $1,741,000.91.”

According to Minister Vanterpool, “initially, this contract was awarded to G-Unit Construction, however, was terminated in April 2017, due to several breaches and based on this, the Government decided to invoke Clause 56 of the General Conditions of Contract (GCC).”

The scope of works for the project include general clearance of land along the route of the permanent works; disposal of unsuitable site arising; demolition of an existing reinforced concrete road pavement; construction of four reinforced concrete cantilever retaining walls; construction of a reinforced concrete box drain along the upper and lower Windy Hill roads and other works.

Reexamined

It was explained that the Territory also experienced a considerable amount of rainfall in July 2017, which caused many significant landslides and undermining of the upper and lower roadways.

As such, the project was re-examined by the Engineering Consultants FDL Consult Inc, “who upgraded the drainage structures, the roadway and retaining walls which significantly altered the scope of works.”

The Virgin Islands government has signed 13 contracts to date, under the CDB loan in the amount of $13,034,916.96 with a balance of $2,144,054.75. Nine projects have been completed, according to the GIS statement.

The Caribbean Loan Funded Natural Disaster Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme is designated for areas affected by 2010 Sub-tropical Storm Otto.

These include resurfacing, installing edge of roads, curb walls and slipper drains on Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.