Mr. Mark Jno-Baptiste and Minister Cora Richardson-Hodge
SYNERGY CONSULTANCY LIMITED has become the third contractor in Anguilla to be awarded a package contract to build a significant section of the multi-faceted new Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in The Quarter.
The package 3 contract was signed in the Executive Council’s Chambers on Tuesday morning, March 3. The signatories were Mr. Karim Hodge, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, who signed on behalf of the Government of Anguilla; and Mr. Jerome Richardson and Mr. Mark Jno-Baptiste on behalf of SYNERGY CONSULTANCY LIMITED.
SYNERGY has been contracted to build a classroom block measuring 18,020 square feet and a culinary block measuring 12,456 square feet. The contract price is US$5,050,463.00 (five million, fifty thousand four hundred and sixty-three dollars). Work on the project is expected to commence on March 23 and the planned construction time is 19 months.
Head of the Anguilla Programme, Governor Tim Foy, OBE, said he was delighted that the contract had been signed thus allowing the work to begin. He said SYNERGY had competed at the highest level, had shown an ability to undertake the project – to complete it in good time; and that there was a win-win for all concerned.
Mr. Jerome Richardson said he and Mr. Jno-Baptiste were happy to be involved in the project and had been bidding under the Anguilla Programme for some time. “That is the game we play as contractors – just bidding and bidding – and eventually one hopes to get something,” he stated. “We are happy that we are on this project and hope to finish it ahead of schedule using our engineering and construction experience.”
The redevelopment of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School adds to a series of public sector projects – mainly school buildings – now under construction in Anguilla. Asked what she thought about these various projects, Minister of Education, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, who was at the signing ceremony, commented:
“I am happy about it. The only thing is that I wish the projects had started earlier, but we had to go through the local procurement system which took a little while. However, at the end of the day it is going to mean well for better schools, and the resilience of schools, so I am satisfied. I am very impressed with the existing contractors who have already started. Most of them, if not on schedule, are ahead of schedule and they are very committed to completing their projects within the time frame set out. I am very happy for SYNERGY that, as a local engineering company, they have been able to win this bid. They fought long and hard to make their name known and I have no doubt that they will be able to deliver.”
Asked about his company’s construction experience, Mr. Jno-Baptiste said that they had built the storage building at the Department of Infrastructure; three buildings at Belmond Cap Juluca for dck International as well as a recent fitness building there; and an extension to Merchants’ Market. He added that his engineering company usually designs and builds projects.
Meanwhile, a fourth package contract for more construction work at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School is to go back on tender.
