One day after Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill boasted that the current Government successfully completed the Ogle to Eccles Highway at a significantly lower cost, when compared to the cost that been tabled by the APNU+AFC Administration, former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson has revealed that the project completed by the PPP was done at a higher cost for less.

Minister Edghill, at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, stated that although the initial contract sum was increased to US$133.8M to include bridges, drainage systems, elevated sections to prevent flooding, and a full four-lane design, the increased costs remained well below the APNU+AFC proposed cost of US$275M.

“When we came to government, we met a project that was US$275M by the APNU Government to do exactly what we did here. US$275M!” the Public Works Minister told those present.

But in a statement on Tuesday, Chairman of the AFC and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said to suggest that the recently commissioned US$133.8M Ogle to Eccles Highway is the same project that was conceptualized by the APNU+AFC Government with an estimated cost of US$275M, is to mislead the nation.

Patterson said the project, while appreciated, is another prime example of poor financial management.

It was explained that the original design for the project was completed in November 2019 and included a total of 25.43km of roads, comprising a four-lane main alignment of 15.34 km with a design speed of 120 km/h, four connector roads at Aubrey Barker, Haag Bosch, Mocha Arcadia and Great Diamond, totaling 10.09 km with design speeds of 80 – 100 km/h.

Additionally, the project included seven major intersections, four  major bridges, 15 minor bridges and 66 box culverts as well as highway lighting for the entire length, and 717 road signs, traffic lights, hazard marking, mounted signs, safety barriers, traffic attenuators and bus stops

“The total cost was US$208.1M inclusive of 10% contingency allowance and 7.5% consultancy fees – overall a completed project inclusive of a reserve set aside for a light railway at US$8.18M per km. The PPP has constructed a 7.8 km road for US$133.8M, averaging US$17.8M per km and is now touting this as an example of fiscal discipline and value for money,” Patterson said.

He said the PPP/C Administration reduced the project design by 30%, and doubled the cost of the project.

He said the Heroes Highway is another example of how the Government is wasting taxpayers’ money.

“After spending G$15B (US$75M) on the Heroes Highway (aka concession highway), they now claim that it is temporary work and must spend an equal amount to pave it in the future – this road, not more than two years old, is now in need of urgent repairs,” the AFC Chairman added.  

He said another glaring example is the Wales Gas to Shore Project, which was originally designed to cost under US$700M, but has now skyrocketed to over US$2.4B and counting, “with the final completion date being kicked around like a football in a FIFA World Cup match.”

Warning citizens to be mindful of disinformation, Patterson said the government has not been giving citizens value for money in many of their projects.

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Eccles to Ogle Four-lane Highway Commissioned, linking East Coast to East Bank of Demerara US$161 Million Soesdyke-Linden Highway contract signed; Project has two-year timeline President warns Eccles to Diamond highway contractors against further delays in project Government paying more for poorer quality roads -MP Patterson