March 28, 2024

INFO 10

THE TRUTH IN BLACK AND WHITE

New work programme to address loss in productivity at Bamia Primary

Current state of affairs at the Bamia Primary School

Regional Chairman Deron Adams, is hoping that the new work programme submitted by St8ment Investment Inc, will address the shortfall in productivity at the Bamia Primary School, which resulted in works being stalled for over two months. Work at the school reconvened last Friday.

Construction woes at the school became public, more so that the contract was deemed controversial. The project was awarded to St8ment Investment Inc, principals are Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Muhammed of the Kashif and Shanghai Organization. The project was awarded to the tune of $346 M.

In the initial months, construction seemed to be going according to plan but abruptly stopped.  

According to a source close to the company, finance was listed as the primary reason behind the hold up. The source related that with the current inflation, the project was being executed at a loss since raw materials are triple the prices initially listed in the bidding document. The company has secured approximately close to $60 M for the first phase. The foundation for the school is not yet competed. Unconfirmed reports claim that the company was seeking more funding in consideration of the current inflation.

Regional officials however were adamant that while the reason may be genuine, it was for this very reason concerns were raised over awarding a contract of this magnitude to inexperienced contractors.

“Maybe that is why we had other contractors bidding more, to take into effect the inflation and other things, that is the exact reason we were concerned. Construction work is continuing all around the country, why only this school has an issue,” why only these contractors have an issue,” the regional chairman related.

During his recent inspection of the work, Adams said the council is hoping that everything is in place for the school to be completed in the projected time period. The updated workplan will see eight percent of the construction work being completed on a monthly basis.

The project was expected to last for 20 months. When completed, the school will accommodate almost 800 children.

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