The Ministry of Works still hasn't provided an accounting of the 12 million dollars it spent on hurricane relief for roads under the limited tendering process.
And while that commitment to transparency has resulted in an "F", today in two lengthy releases they say they have acted with diligence, impartiality and transparency in their review of two contracts which were signed under the UDP.
The first is for the The Caracol Road Upgrading Project which is about 50 miles of road. The release says the contract is, quote, "one of least priority and learned that the Government of Belize had an active loan with clearly defined expiration dates. The ministry was advised by its colleague Ministry of Finance and Economic Development that it should continue with the active loan and based on existing commitment with its funding partner…the OPEC Fund." End quote. But, for phase two which is funded by the Kuwait Fund, there's been an agreement to defer Phase 2 for a year, quote, "as Belize was experiencing an economic downturn."
So, comprehensive design review was done for those portions of the Caracol Road Project that were not under construction, which the ministry says, quote, "resulted in substantial cost savings…of approximately $28 million Belize dollars was achieved." End quote. Government has signed a contract for the Caracol Road Upgrading Project with Belize Roadway Construction for 12 million Belize dollars which will commence immediately.
The other project is the Remate Bypass Upgrading Project, basically from mile 25 to Corozal - funded in the form of part grant from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund and a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.
A release says, quote, "Cabinet determined that the project was vital for promoting economic development, enhancing road safety and climate resilience, and therefore approved its implementation..."
Lot 1 was awarded to Teichroeb & Sons Ltd for 10.5 million Belize dollars; Lot 2 to Cisco Construction Ltd. for a total of 27 million dollars; and Cisco also gets LOT 3 for a total of 21.9 million Belize dollars, whlle Teichroeb & Sons Ltd. gets Lot 4 for a total 19.7 million dollars.
Works will commence June 2021 and is expected to be completed by August 2023.
