San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway

[PapaC]

Passed today. Very poor signage.

Well at least they consistent.

[Dizzy28]

Somebody events company real eat a food with that opening there!!

[waitbutwhy]

Somebody events company real eat a food with that opening there!!

Dizzy, they always do. Every opening event.


Cant forget The paid supporters with their seemingly perfectly printed placards. Not to mention they are served their food separate and to go.

With respect to signage and barriers, how long alyuh would give it before there is an accident on that stretch???

[Habit7]

On the South Trunk leg, are they building a tunnel under the road to go Pricesmart?

[daxt0r]

rel bad signage for real, i pass thru the old road only to realize it block and have to come back round d roundabout then up the ramp.

[bluesclues]

highway halted. oas cant continue work unless they offer the same kickbacks to pnm government. then face jail like they facing in other countries.

[Rory Phoulorie]

An email went out from OAS in August saying that they have no money to pay contractors in August and that they hope to settle up outstanding debts in September. I guess the money did not arrive in their bank account in September.

[pugboy]

makes sense eh,
foreign parent company buss but everybody saying doh worry local still operating
how is that really possible without some fishiness under the table

[bluesclues]

allyuh so late is only now allyuh asking question. i did a full background check on oas looong time. since kubs was deadin in he bed of malnutrition. funny thing.. all the information on oas corruption worldwide can be found with one simple tool. google.

out of ALL the companies that couldve been contracted to build that highw for 40million dollars, the washout ex government went with the 7bn oas bribery and corruption organisation of the caribbeanstatutra

[The_Honourable]

Point Fortin highway only 50% complete

Government has vowed that appropriate action will be taken over what it describes as the mismanagement of the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway project.

Responding to a question from former Works minister Dr Suruj Rambachan in Parliament today regarding the completion time for the highway, Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert revealed that a comprehensive review of the project is being conducted as no financial arrangements were made for works to continue beyond October.

Government is now charged with finding the necessary funds to continue with the project, he said.

At the previous administration's final Post Cabinet media briefing then Finance Minister Larry Howai revealed that additional funds were needed to continue construction on the highway, and that money would have to be borrowed.

Brazilian construction firm OAS Construtora is the contractor on the project.

Further, Imbert stated, following a site visit nearly a month ago, it was noted that physical works are just about 50 percent completed, while the contractor has been paid nearly 70 percent of the cost of the construction cost.

He said design changes were made by the former administration which reduced the scope of the project, essentially downgrading its effectiveness.

“As a consequence of all of these events: the mismanagement of the project by the former administration, the possible overpayment to the contractor, and the reduction in the design scope of the project, the Government is currently conducting a comprehensive review and will take appropriate action in due course.”

Imbert said, as a result of all the factors involved, he would be unable to say when the project would be likely to be completed.

Asked whether OAS exercised its right to discontinue the project as its contract ended on Tuesday (November 24), Imbert replied that the matter Rambachan referred to was a direct consequence of the “gross negligence” of the previous administration as no arrangement for the long-term financing of the project.

Imbert assured that the matter is subject to constant review and “experts” have been brought in to ensure that the country’s interests are protected.

Source: http://www.looptt.com/content/point-for ... 0-complete

[EmilioA]

All them loyalists praising Kamla becuase she "develop the country" . If they learn just how much money she pocket will they remain with her ?

[TriP]

Tony Bedassie Commentary :

With governments' current liability with respect to OAS and the San Fernando to Point Fortin highway estimated at $1.6 Bn, $200M of which is owed to local contractors. Many will be feeling the pinch this Christmas and into the new year.

Construction has all but stopped and contractors have been forced to send scores of crews home. One contractor I spoke to has already cut staff and is currently preparing to send home his administrative personnel.

Suffice it to say that many of these workers hail from La Brea and Point Fortin. Two of the ruling party's strongholds.

Many of these workers are owed outstanding salaries which the contractors are unable to pay since they themselves haven't been paid since June of this year.

Union representation was seen earlier this year seeking the interest of these workers but now seems sadly lacking at this crucial time.

Government and not party is responsible for settling this debt however and thus, must step up to the plate and face their responsibility.

The irony of the situation from a political standpoint is that those who voted for this government from La Brea and Point Fortin are the ones feeling the pinch. their segment of the highway is the one currently on hold. Meanwhile Supporters of the PP from Debe Oropouche and Rousillac have already reaped the benefits of the segment which has been constructed so far.

I expect however that the union will step in shortly time and insist that these contractors be paid, that the government releases the funds. That way affected workers will receive their just dues.

My sympathies go out to those affected workers and their families at this time.

[desifemlove]

cos Dr. R doh like Indo people or people from south....so he stop highway cos he want south people not to have good roads #UNCmemberlogic

[TriP]

Court orders OAS Construtora to pay $6 million to contractor

Brazilian construction firm OAS Construtora has been ordered to pay over $6 million to a local sub-contractor for the Point Fortin Highway.

KJS Enterprise Company Limited, of Small Trace, Siparia, yesterday obtained a default judgment against the firm after it had failed to file a defence against the company’s lawsuit seeking to recover outstanding fees for services it rendered in the construction of the La Brea segment of the over $7 billion project, which is still incomplete.

According to the court order, a copy of which has been obtained by the T&T Guardian,OAS is required to make the payment forthwith or risk the company commencing proceedings to seize its assets to recoup the funds.

“Warning-If you ignore this order your goods may be removed and sold or other enforcement proceedings may be taken against you. If this happens further costs may be added,” the order stated.

The company filed the lawsuit in October last year after it had not been paid since completed its services in two months earlier. Under the contract between the two parties, OAS had agreed to make payments within 30 days of the company completing the excavation works.

OAS’s woes may be compounded in the next couple of weeks as the T&T Guardian understands that another local sub-contractor Caribbean Welding Supplies Limited has also threatened legal action for a little over $5 million, which it is owed for the rental of equipment to the Brazilian firm.

That company served OAS with its preaction protocol letter on December 17, last year, however, it has agreed to delay filing its case giving OAS an extended deadline to respond, which expires next Thursday.

Both companies are being represented by attorneys Abdel and Shabaana Mohammed, while Steven Singh is representing OAS.

OAS is no stranger to controversy as in late 2014, several executives the construction giant were indicted by Brazilian law enforcement agencies for of making bribe payments to politicians and committing administrative irregularities in several Latin American countries.

Several calls were made to OAS’s local offices at Newtown Centre, Maraval Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday for a response to the default judgment. However, there was no response.

The highway project is a reportedly only a little over 50 per cent complete and has been marred with controversy since it commenced in 2011. Construction had to be delayed on several occasions due to protest action at various sites taken by the Highway Reroute Movement (HRM), who opposed it based on environmental concerns and issues with the displacement of residents, whose land had to acquired by the Government for construction.

HRM has initiated a constitutional motion challenging Government’s decision to construct the highway, which is currently before High Court Judge James Aboud and is yet to go on trial.

Shortly after assuming office last year, Finance Minister Colm Imbert revealed that the project was in jeopardy his predecessor Larry Howai made no financial arrangements were made for works to continue beyond October. He told Parliament at Government was seeking ways of finding funding to complete the project but gave no assurances as to when it will be done

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-01- ... ign=buffer

[grad]

i guess no highway for the folks south of the caroni....is any work going on at all from debe to penal?

[bluesclues]

how does one clean out the treasury? build a highway quoted at more than 50 times the real cost and split up the money after yuh get vote out of government.

coated from page 15

the best:

how come the focus is on all kinda ting except the ridiculously exhorbitant cost to build this highway? allyuh ent find it too expensive for a country that dont even need to import pitch? japan build a bridge to a island and it was like less than 1/10th the cost of this flicking mon desir highway.

i say you all getting the old cloak and dagger. while allyuh making and following every other issue around the highway.. the main one.. the one where they emptying the treasurey being overlooked.

atleast we from south benefitting wen the treasury being emptied...

that comment deserved a 5 star approval lel

When I see the amount of work being done, employees, machinery, material, bridges, street signs, street lights, safety measures, oil well capping, land acquisition, delays, repairs, losses, etc and consider it is not only the highway but from Gulf View to the Creek (and I assume beyond) as well I wonder if $7 billion is even enough. This government really working for the people!

or they could be selling you a couch set, a new fridge and stove when all you really went in the store for was a pair of shoes.

This is where I have to agree with you.

Its a lot of work to be done and I'm hoping pockets aren't being filled when no one is looking.

Should have gotten some pics when the creek jampacked with bumper to bumper traffic though lol

the same contractor getting charged in corruption case for bribery etc. in brazil. let's just ask ourselves if that is an isolated case or if that is his usual M.O. from what i saw this highway was railroaded. even if half the country wanted a reroute they wasnt getting it. for whatever reason that highway had to pass where it pass possibly to justify the expenditure. i not against the highway, i against distressing both ppl and nature and overpriced quotes for giant kickbacks syphoning the treasury to do it.

and my personal favourite:

This video was shot in Debe, South Trinidad, near to the embankment that is being built for the Debe to Mon Desir highway, on July 19th and 20th, 2015.

For years the Highway Reroute Movement has warned the Government and NIDCO about the potential for flooding disasters if a 12 feet embankment is constructed across the Oropouche lagoon. To date, no hydrology study of the wetland has been done.

this is why i voting unc. they giving out free swimming pool to their supporters.

lel

[nervewrecker]

Lel back a few pages and explain how it caused the flooding in mayaro plz.
And why don't you give them the money to complete it since you have so much?

Sent from my ONE E1005 using Tapatalk

[TurboSingh12]

Lets all have a moment of silence for the death off no work on the Mondesir to Pt Fortin highway

[brams112]

Lets all have a moment of silence for the death off no work on the Mondesir to Pt Fortin highway

Word is the bhagi trucks get piece from debe to mon desir and the dhal trucks get to finish the piece towards the creek until oropouche.

[xtech]

Waiting for fire to take the mini forest that is in the median

[konartis]

Waiting for fire to take the mini forest that is in the median

Someone shud highlight that on social media

[fireworks]

Why it takes care of the macco traffic jams. Cant see across it to notice any accidents

[abbow]

who doing the signs for the hw? OAS or regional corps?

saw a black cow in the slow lane northbound from mondesir to orop...jus sitting there...at 4 30 am....at least the street lights did its job

No Tethering of Animals sign needed

[Chimera]

Thats a ghost u see

[TurboSingh12]

who doing the signs for the hw? OAS or regional corps?

saw a black cow in the slow lane northbound from mondesir to orop...jus sitting there...at 4 30 am....at least the street lights did its job

No Tethering of Animals sign needed

That cow always their.And higher up the lighting is very poor

[abbow]

yup.....I wonder if that cow takes part in the night drags????

[xtech]

This is pics from Debe behind the market onwards.

Tall brush... 4x4 is dwarfed. Can't see across to other side of highway

[Zӧne Man]

I LIKE DIS HIWAY IT BRING ME HOME QUICK FROM AIRPORT. ONLY PNM RACE PEOPLE FROM THE EAST AND NORT WUDDA MAKE A ISSUE OF DIS

[nervewrecker]

yup.....I wonder if that cow takes part in the night drags????

It does have drags

[brams112]

yup.....I wonder if that cow takes part in the night drags????

It does have drags

Ent you from on that side?how come I heard about the car chase sometime ago with the popo,but you ain't know about it.