$364 M contract signed for Bamia Primary School

A contract valued $364 million was signed on Monday for the construction of a primary school in Amelia’s Ward/Bamia, Region 10 (Upper Demerara -Upper Berbice).

The contract signing was facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and was awarded to Sta8tment Investment Inc. The facility will house up to 800 students.

The contract signing was facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and was awarded to Sta8tment Investment Inc. The facility will house up to 800 students.

Minister Nigel Dharamlall said initiatives such as these are critical within the region, as it paves the way for development.

“This area is very important in the development scope of our country because of its magnitude and because of its potential,” he noted.

He said contract is expected to be completed within 20 months, and will be able to open its doors to the students of the community in 2024.

Minister Dharamlall urged the contractor to utilise labour from within the community as it will create employment for persons there.

“Part of the vision of His Excellency is to ensure that whatever resources we place into different regions, that employment creation is one of those outcomes, as well as wealth generation. So, this is not an investment in a school alone, but it is also an investment in the wider economy of Region Ten.”

The bids were opened by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in July of this year, from which four companies made submissions.

The project for the construction of the school was birthed in 2019, however because of logistic issues, the monies were transferred to the construction of the Christianburg Primary School, which was completed in 2021. The Bamia Nursery School was constructed to the tune of $51 M. It is yet to be commissioned.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Deron Adams issued a statement expressing his disappointment that the contract was signed without the involvement of the office of the Regional Chairman. Present however, was the Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John.

“The project to construct a new primary school to serve students in the Amelia’s Ward and Bamia communities, had been conceptualised under the previous Administration from as far back as 2017 and championed by the 9th Council on their assumption of office, and has now been awarded at the Central Tender Board level to a new contractor team, with the signatory on behalf of the RDC Region 10 Mr. Dwight John being referred to in the post as the ‘Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10’,” the statement said.

“The Regional Democratic Council again takes note of the manner in which these developmental projects are being addressed, with scant regard being paid to the elected representatives of the people of Region 10. The Council pledges to continue to monitor these projects and hold these new contractors, the various Ministries and the Regional Executive Officer Dwight John, accountable for the efficient and effective delivery of quality work on this and all other development projects funded by the taxes paid by its constituents and all Guyanese.”