Undue delay in repaving runways

THE EDITOR: Public attention has recently been focused on the problems that passengers have been experiencing due to the lack of progress on the repaving of the runways at the Piarco International Airport. We have seen photographs in the press of passengers stranded in Tobago because the flights on which they were booked were delayed or cancelled because the airplanes could not take off from Piarco. Fears have been expressed by experienced pilots about possible damage to airplanes and injury to passengers because of the very poor condition of the runways. Travellers arriving at and departing from the Piarco Airport would normally expect to suffer some inconvenience when such major works are being carried out on the runways. But they would certainly expect that the works would be completed with minimum delay. Unfortunately, the progress of the work is far behind schedule, and one wonders whether the contractor will be able to complete the work on time and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Users of the Airport at Piarco should be made aware of the facts of the award of this contract.

The consultants estimated the cost of the project at $40,000,000 exclusive of VAT. Notwithstanding this estimate, the award was made to the contractor whose tender was only $23,000,000 inclusive of VAT. Thus, the award was made to a contractor who tendered just about one-half of the consultants’ estimate for the project. Is it any wonder that problems are being encountered in executing and completing the contract? Indeed, how could the consultants continue to supervise this project when there is such an enormous disparity between their estimate and the contractor’s? It was estimated by the consultants that approximately 90 percent of the materials required for the job would be stone aggregates. Very stringent specifications are demanded for these aggregates. Did the consultants and the Government ascertain whether these aggregates were available locally, or whether they had to be imported? Did they assure themselves that the contractor would be able to acquire these materials within the time frame specified for completion of the contract, and did they determine the source from which they would be acquired? 

It is no secret that the contractor tried to source the materials from the National Quarries. The National Quarries could not produce such materials and so they were forced to import them. Some shipments of the aggregates imported by National Quarries failed to meet the stringent specifications, and they had to be disposed of locally in competition with local producers of aggregates. Because of the nature of the problems now being encountered, particularly by users of the airport, and the delays in the progress of the project, it will be no surprise if the original stringent specifications on which tenderers were invited to submit their tenders for the project were to be considerably relaxed in order to expedite the completion of the project. Any such relaxation will result in sub-standard runways and risks both to the travelling public and aircraft. It will also affect the longevity of the asphalt used in the repaving of the runways as any guarantees given will be worthless.  

The puzzle is that it should have been recognised at the time of the award that the contractor would be unable to complete the job at his tendered price of $23 million, VAT inclusive. It would not be surprising if the ultimate cost exceeds the consultants’ estimate of $40 million, exclusive of VAT. In view of the continuing delays and problems on this project, Government should review the progress and advise the general public, particularly those who use the airport, on the likely completion date of the project and what additional costs the taxpayers of this country will be required to meet. Because of what has already happened and what is very likely to happen on this project, it is time that the Prime Minister personally intervene and inquire into the reasons for the delays encountered. He should also ensure that appropriate action is taken to prevent sub-standard performance and the use of materials inferior to those originally specified.                                                   

WILFRED JAMES
Diego Martin