By VENUS HONORE-GOPIE Wednesday, August 5 2009

GOVERNMENT has called in the Chinese to complete construction on the Tranquility Government Primary School, after a local contractor overseeing the project was recently fired.

Government sources said this move was made in an effort to have construction completed in time for the new school term.

The Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) officially terminated the tenure of the main contractor effective Monday. According to subcontractor Marlon Simon of Marlon Simon Construction Limited, the remaining workers of subcontractor Elvis and Don Construction Limited, were asked on Monday by EFCL officials, to vacate the premises by 5 pm.

He said while construction was almost complete, the Chinese workers were brought in yesterday morning to speed up the process.

Some 100 plus workers from Beijing Luijian Construction Corporation Trinidad and Tobago Limited started further construction to the building. At present, the Chinese firm is currently overseeing construction of the Aranjuez Government Secondary and Five Rivers Government Secondary schools.

The workers are working two 12-hour shifts to get the building ready for the students and are guarded by a security company. Simon said they questioned the EFCL’s project manager about outstanding monies but was told, “We have to contact the main contractor for the money.”

Simon said when the main contractor was contacted, he informed them that he had no money and will be taking the matter to court.

An upset Simon said they were not aware of what was taking place and found it unfair since no one can tell them when they will be paid.

Simon said there was no need to call in the Chinese and warned if no word comes later this week on when the money will be paid, protests will take place early next week.
The two sub-contractors met with an official from the Office of the Prime Minister following protest action last Monday and were assured the matter will be resolved. Simon said they have to be paid for more than two months of work. “The majority of the work is completed by our workers and now they bring in the Chinese to complete the school,” Simon said.
Last Thursday, the EFCL said they empathized with the sub-contractors but the EFCL has no contract with them but with the main contractor and therefore it was not legally bound to pay the sub-contractors.

The EFCL said after months of trying to get the main contractor to settle the matter amicably it proved futile and therefore the contract of the main contractor had to be terminated.

According to the EFCL construction began by Uniform Building Contractors Limited on August 27, 2007 at a sum of approximately $39 million, with completion of the building by November 27, 2008. According to EFCL 60 percent of the building was completed and the main contractor was paid for 58 percent of the completed work.

Sherry Mc Millan, manager corporate communications for EFCL, promised yesterday to send a press release giving an update on the situation, but up to last night, her promise was unfulfilled.