CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION INTERVIEW
ENG. JAINARINE BANSEE
PRESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (APETT)
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onstruction
Earmarked as a vital cog in the assembly line of the nation’s recovery, the construction sector has suffered from a ‘stop start’ scenario in the past year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Regardless, the importance of the sector is evident by the prioritisation allocated – 15,000 construction workers were selected for early COVID-19 vaccination – as well as the continued plans for building homes and highways across the landscape. Indeed, construction was top of the list of the sectors that were allowed to resume as part of a phased reopening of the economy in July 2021. Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning alluded to the economic thrust provided by construction “The Government wants 25,000 new homes to be built in the next 10 years with 20% of this project being awarded to small and medium contractors. This will help boost the economy, creating thousands of jobs.” Such new projects offer a welcome addition to the others that have been stymied by various pandemic-enforced lockdowns, such as the Point Fortin Highway Extension. At the time of writing, both public and private sector construction projects were fully operational. Exemptions were granted for some projects to recommence during the nationwide lockdowns, including an early restart on the Valencia to Toco Road Upgrade Project. The other mass project of note is the Diego Martin Interchange that began in March 2021. Expected to last 18 months, its development will be a major symbol of construction leading the economic recovery.
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The challenges as a result from COVID-19 have provided opportunities for organisations to re-evaluate, upgrade and retrofit their plant assets.
by Sheldon Waithe
RESUMPTION, RESTORING, REJIGGING AND PLANS FOR BUILDING
Besides the lockdown period, what has been the biggest problem faced by the industry during the pandemic?
Perhaps the greatest challenge to the sector has been the rapid price rise of materials due to COVID-19. The price of steel almost doubled in the six months to April 2021. This represents a disruptive factor for the local building industry, creating increased costs and according to the TTCA President, Glenn Mahabirsingh, it must lead to new contractual practices “This is a variation on a long-standing debate on how contracts should cater to contingencies beyond GLENN MAHABIRSINGH the control of commercial parties. For companies, President - Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association the difference between profit and loss hinges on margins easily eroded by ungovernable variables.” (TTCA) The second critical factor for the industry remains the substantial debts owed by the State to contractors and the potential for retrenchment as part of cost-cutting exercises. Mahabarsingh confirms that the TTCA recognises these issues and is doing its part to deal with these perceived pressures “You have a mixture of direct employees as well as a lot of
