Contractors yesterday held a demonstration in front of Construtora OAS Golconda compound, blocking the entrance with trucks, as they demanded payment of over US$40 million.
The contractors who were hired by OAS to do work along the $7.2 billion San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway claim they have not received payment for the past seven months.
Speaking with reporters, spokesman William Ashby said OAS officials told them they (OAS) had not been paid by National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco), the project manager.
However, Ashby said he and other contractors met with Nidco senior officials yesterday and were told that Nidco was not owing OAS any money. Some 60 contractors, several workers as well as their (contractors) supplies were affected, he said.
“We start action here. We are hoping to get a response from OAS and Nidco by tomorrow, if not we will start the J’Ouvert in town,” said contractor Alastai Ramharack.
They called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Finance Minister Colm Imbert to intervene.
“Basically what we pleading for is that Government step in and take action. Don’t let this project slip away. Don’t let 3,000 people stay hungry. Don’t let 60 business cripple on the ground.”
Ramharak said they wanted that rectified soon because they heard that OAS was packing up to go home.
He said some contractors could not send their children to school and the banks were levying on them and they were losing their equipment and land.
Another contractor, Clint Arjoon, said OAS had been owing him money since 2013 and when he talked out in 2015 his contract was terminated.
Blocking the gates since 11 am were six Jazco water tanks and ten dumper trucks were on the way.
One OAS employee begged the contractors to move the trucks and allow her to pass with her car because she had to pick up her child from school but they refused.
The T&T Guardian was told sometime later the police came and ordered the contractors to move the trucks and also issued tickets to some of them.
Nidco, according to a CNC 3 report, said no money was owed to OAS and could not understand why contractors were still owed. Transport Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds said he did not know anything about the matter. Attempts to reach officials from OAS were futile.