Georgetown, GINA, January 15, 2004

Prime Minister, Sam Hinds today toured the CARICOM headquarters site at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, to inspect works and ascertain the structural soundness of the building. The Prime Minister’s site tour was prompted by concerns expressed by City Council officials and a group of engineers associated with the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE).
Queries raised by the concerned parties, are the absence of a design and specification plan, the loading capacity of the two-storeyed building, the positioning of fire escapes and the engineering techniques employed by the contractors to install beams and other interior works.
Taking the Prime Minister through a tour of the CARICOM headquarters, Supervisory Consultant of VIKAB Engineering, Michael Sears, explained the engineering intricacies associated with the structure, which he described as “well designed.”
Sears pointed out that the beams were all fabricated and constructed. He noted that the City Engineer’s and Fire Departments have also visited the premises and declared them safe.
On the top floor of the building, which will feature eight sections and four office blocks, Sears explained that a 30-tonne air conditioning unit will be installed to serve the various blocks.
In terms of preparedness in the event of a fire, the Consultant stressed that the new CARICOM headquarters will be equipped with an alarm system designed to identify the exact zone of a fire.
In addition, the floor of the building will be fully finished with non-combustible tiles, while the ceiling will carry smoke detectors and audible fire alarms. A special pressure pump system will be used in tandem with 20,000 gallons of readily available water to extinguish a fire should one occur.
The VIKAB Engineering official said the firm is currently in discussion with CARICOM to finalise the floor layout, which will determine fire escape routes.
At the end of the tour, the Prime Minister declared, “the design looks adequate.” He remarked that he is satisfied that significant queries were addressed, rather than ignored.
Commenting on the differences in opinion expressed by the engineers and technical officials on site, the Prime Minister said he hopes the professionals will become less “protective and defensive,” and seek to “learn to interact on the question of performance and work together.”
In the end, he encouraged the designers to submit the information as requested by the City Engineers Department.
Also present at the site tour was City Mayor Hamilton Green, who stated that his concerns centre on the “integrity of the building,” and the future of the complex. Mayor Green conceded that the building will add beauty to the environment.
The $1.562B contract for the CARICOM site was awarded to Nabi and Sons, with VIKAB Engineering retained as the Engineering Consultant firm. Work has progressed on the structure since its commencement last year, and a March 2004 date has been earmarked for completion of the project. The building is designed to house some 300 employees of the CARICOM Secretariat, under one roof.