GM grills EPC contractors on project delivery

Freetown, SL, Wednesday, July 4, 2018: While applauding EPC contractors for making rigorous efforts im implementing the CLSG interconnection project across the CLSG countries, the General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG demands they deliver the project on time.

At the two-day bi-annual coordination meeting with EPC contractors in Freetown, Sierra Leone, (which concluded today), the General Manager, Mohammed M. Sherif asked key questions and sought clarifications on CLSG project related issues as highlighted by the EPC contractors in their respective presentations.

The objective of the meeting was to take stock of progress made in the implementation of the CLSG interconnection project. The meeting was also part of TRANSCO CLSG’s coordination framework for an efficient monitoring of project implementation, which is very important in view of the complexity of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity for TRANSCO CLSG and the EPC contractors deliberate on the progress and challenges in the project implementation.

The General Manager urged the EPC contractors to set effective project timeline which plays a crucial role in ensuring successful outcome. He said in order to keep the implementation on track, the contractors must set realistic time frames, assign resources appropriately and manage quality to increase the prospect for the project to meet its timetable for commissioning.

Some of the EPC contractors cited densely forest locations and bad road conditions as some of the key challenges they are faced with in the implementation process. They also made video presentations highlighting the difficult terrains they endure during the implementation process.

The TRANSCO CLSG General Manager said being tough on the EPC contractors is to ensure synergy in the work. “We must work harder and deliver this project on time. We all have the passion to implement this project and we (TRANSCO CLSG) recognize that. Nobody should relax along the way. Your presentations were impressive and they provided insights as to what you too are going through.”

He praised EPC contractors for the physical construction activities so far and encouraged them to continue. “We are impressed to see that the substations constructions are on course, so whatever we can do to expedite the process to bring the implementation forward will be highly appreciated.”

The General Manager assured the EPC contractors of TRANSCO CLSG’s unwavering commitment to making sure their construction activities are going smoothly in each CLSG country. “Today we all agreed on the way forward. You presented clearly on the progress and challenges you are facing in the project implementation. We will work with you.”

Not blaming the EPC contractors entirely for the delays, the General Manager asserted that being behind schedule “was not exclusively your fault. It’s not mutually exclusive. Some, you were responsible, some, TRANSCO CLSG and some, the Owner’s Engineer. So, we all going to agree for the Owner’s Engineer to meet with each of the contractors and go over their work methodology and refine it to agree on what works best moving forward.”

“I know all of you are here today to ensure that we work together to ensure quality delivery. I have no doubts that’s the sole purpose of each and every one of you. We are impressed and grateful for collective objective to deliver.”