The main contractor hired to build nine multi-storey apartment buildings for the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) at the Las Alturas site had written to the project’s civil engineers four weeks after work began, expressing concerns that it was dangerous to continue with the work.
Continuing with her opening submissions yesterday as the commission of enquiry resumed at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, the commission’ s lead counsel Pamela Elder, SC, said there were several issues to be determined.
Elder, referring from the contractor’s China Jiangsu Corporation (CJIC) letter, said the company had written to the designer and project manager, Civil Engineering Management and Services Ltd (Cemas), in January 9, 2009.
Quoting from the letter, addressed to Neil Dookie of Cemas, Elder said officials reported “that foundations of Blocks H/I were living in the moving earth. Foundation of retaining wall was over existing level. If we construct as the drawing and existing site, it will be very dangerous.”
She said Cemas had informed the contractor on September 15, 2008 that new rates were to be agreed for the fourth floor to buildings D and E, which were not in the original contract; building variations to blocks H, I and J and for a retaining wall to be built to the south of blocks H, I and J. Infrastructure work began on buildings H and I on December 8, 2008.
These two multi-storey units were later stripped out of its fixtures and listed for demolition after they began showing major structural faults.
They formed part of the units at the housing project at Lady Young Gardens, Morvant.
In September 2009, a site visit revealed that cracking had occurred along the retaining wall to the south of building H and that engineers had advised that further monitoring be done to ensure no expansion was taking place. Once that had concluded, the contractor was advised to fill the cracks, Elder said.
In November 2009, a Cemas piling report recorded that cracks were developing on the walls and ground floor slab and that remedial work was done.
On December 30, 2009, the contractor wrote to Cemas asking for prompt measures as the movement and settlement were more serious than previously noted in October 2009, when examined by Kistow.
Again, they pointed out that there were serious cracks on the ground floor of both buildings.
Cemas recommended the remedial measure of underpinning the foundations of the buildings which involved the use of structural steel sections acting as support for the existing footings, to which the contractor repeatedly expressed concerns about the efficacy of these restorative works.
Elder said the contractor was later assured by Cemas that the interim works were safe, adequate and acceptable.
In March 2011, the HDC hired the engineering team of Robert T Ratay (forensic structural engineer), Severund Associates Consulting Engineers (structural engineers) and Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers (geotechnical) to review and comment on the past investigations, make an independent determination of the causes of the failure, recommend remedial action and provide litigation support.
Elder concluded that the commission would have to determine if the necessary approvals were applied for and granted by the Town and Country Planning Division.
Adjourning early yesterday as the attorneys representing the HDC were not yet ready to proceed, Ibrahim reminded all present to stick to the issues at hand in order to reduce time wasting.
Up to yesterday, lead counsel for the HDC, Vincent Nelson, QC, had not yet secured permission from the High Court to practise at the local bar.
Larry Lalla is also appearing alongside Nelson for the HDC
The hearing will resume at 9.30 am today.
AT A GLANCE
PM appoints probe
The commission of enquiry was set up to investigate “the entire process which led to the construction of the Las Alturas towers at Lady Young gardens, Morvant, and all other acts, matters or decisions done or undertaken incidental to and including the construction” of the project, which includes the procurement process.
Two multi-storey units of the Las Alturas housing project began falling apart after construction and the $26 million towers were to be demolished. They were part of a larger project, which was originally budgeted for $65 million and then rose to $90 million. The commission is chaired by former Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim. The members are civil engineers, Dr Myron Wing-Sang Chin and Anthony Farrell. Attorney Laraine Lutchmedial is the secretary. They were appointed by President Anthony Carmona last December. The enquiry continues today at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. Last September, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recommended an enquiry into the project after raising concerns about the two towers which had to be demolished. Persad-Bissessar said Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, who was a former housing minister under the PNM, as well as Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, who succeeded him, have distanced themselves from blame. Rowley said then he welcomed the probe but said it would be another waste of millions of taxpayers’ dollars.