One of the contractors (left) placing his signature to his contract, while Permanent Secretary (ag) in Works Ministry Arlene Smith-Thompson and Hon. Penn look on. Photo: VINO

From left to right: Hon. Penn, Hon. Vanterpool and Project Manager McIntosh. Photo: VINO

This was asserted by the subject Minister, Hon. Mark Vanterpool at a contract signing yesterday, March 8, 2012 at the Administrative Complex where 12 petty contracts were inked for phase three of the Parham Town project.

He told journalists that he has been advised by Project Manager of CBE Engineering Associates Ltd, Samuel McIntosh that the pipes will be connected to a treatment plant in Paraquita Bay in that estimated time frame.

The contracts signed totalled $585,635 with an additional $136,764 to be allocated for purchase orders, the Minister added.

The works, which is expected to commence on March 13, 2012 and last for two and a half months, include cutting of pavement areas and the installation of pipelines and manholes.

“This [project] continues to mark Government’s vey firm commitment to solving as quickly as possible our sewerage woes in this Territory and the Premier is very adamant that we continue to move in the direction to solve these issues in East End and Road Town and later in other areas,” Hon. Vanterpool added.

In explaining the magnitude of the project, McIntosh stated that it will reach the “upper reaches of Parham Town” and include laying 2,000 feet of 8 inch PVC pipes.

“Those pipes will complete the full extent of the lines that homes and business places will be connected to. Once these connections are installed the next step is to connect the larger pipe lines which we call the transmission lines along the Blackburn Highway. These are the pipes that will take out the sewerage flow to a central pump station in Greenland and eventually to the treatment plant in Paraquita Bay,” he said.

McIntosh added that two or three contractors will work simultaneously for the project to be completed in the two and a half month timeline. Regarding the obstruction of traffic, the Project Manager, said the roads are very narrow and based on experience in the past – they will have to be closed during works.

“The community has been cooperative in the past and we will work along with them,” he further stated.

Meanwhile, 8th district representative Hon. Marlon Penn was pleased to be part of the signing process and told journalists that “after four months Government is committed to the sewerage woes that have been chronicled in the media especially in the 7th and 8th districts. There was much blame to go around, however, the time for blame is long past and its Government’s lone focus to address the long standing issue and bring some relief to the residents.”

Cognizant of the fact that the process of laying pipes and installing the core infrastructure at the treatment plant and pumping station will take some time, Hon. Penn will be looking at interim solutions to bring immediate relief to the worst affected areas, especially in the upper Greenland area.

“A meeting will be held shortly to remedy this,” he disclosed.

The 8th district representative also commended two contractors, Cecil Penn and Cliff Williams, for hiring some of the unemployed youths as apprentices, and is optimistic that contractors at the ceremony will continue the trend.