and Minister Evans Rogers. L-R (Back row) Daryl Richardson,
Minister Curtis Richardson and Premier Banks
There has been a considerable amount of delight between public and private sector parties in Anguilla as February ends with the signing of two of four contract packages for the redevelopment of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
Accounting for an overall sum of US$25 million US dollars, it is the largest project being funded under the humanitarian grant of 60 million pounds sterling from the UK Government – following the ravages of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Both signing ceremonies, with Minister Cora Richardson-Hodge and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Karim Hodge, of the Ministry of Infrastructure, signing on behalf of the Government of Anguilla, were in the Executive Council Chambers where officials of the Governor’s Office, the Government and the contractors were in attendance.
The first package, on Monday, February 24, was awarded to Orchard, Romney & Beck represented by Mr. Gary Orchard and amounting to US$3.7 million. The work entails the construction of a dining hall and kitchen in a steel portal framed building with metal roof sheeting, part concrete flat roof, concrete and block work and electrical and plumbing finishes; and an IT Block comprising a two storey concrete frame structure with concrete roof and electrical, A/C, and plumbing finishes.
Package two, amounting to US$12 million, was signed on Tuesday, February 25, with the joint venture partnership involving Mr. James (Sonny) Ruan, Mr. Cuthwin Webster and Mr. Glenville Hodge. The contract comprises an Administration block and entrance with a two-storey concrete framed structure, concrete roof with electrical, A/C and plumbing finishes; a three-story concrete framed structure (for Special Needs Education, DOVE and Art) with concrete roof and electrical, A/C and plumbing finishes; a classroom block of a framed concrete structure with concrete roof, basement water storage tank and electrical and plumbing finishes; and all the external work to the entire site including roads, parking, drainage, sewage plant, etc.
The contracts for the other three and four packages, comprising mainly classroom blocks, will be signed as from next week.
Minister of Education and Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge, said on Monday: “The reason why we wanted to split up the packages is so that the work can take place simultaneously; and we are anticipating that the work can be completed within 18 months. That is because each contractor, working on the individual aspect of the project, ought to be able to complete that aspect of the job within that 18-month period of time. Work on the project is expected to commence on March 9.
Meanwhile, Premier Victor Banks told The Anguillian newspaper during the signing ceremony on Tuesday, February 25: “This is the largest contract for the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School project and they are all Anguillian contractors who have been successful [in their bids]. The 60 million pounds UK grant has had its impact on the construction industry, and Anguillians are at the forefront of delivering those contracts and that is commendable. It is not only commendable because we have been able to achieve this despite the procurement guidelines of the British Government. It is also commendable because we have Anguillian contractors qualified to do the work.
“I wish them well, and this is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and management skills and ability to be able to take on projects like this – and this will augur well for the future. It means that when other projects come on stream, we will know once they do their jobs right, and manage their projects right, that they can deliver on multi-million contracts for both the public and private sector. This is a very important achievement, and I feel blessed by the fact that we have been able to achieve this.”
Premier Banks further commented: “We still have the Blowing Point Port project, as well as the Valley Polyclinic, so there are two more projects to go. But I am particularly pleased that the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, the largest contract, is now in hand.”
