An extension from the April 30 deadline which was given to contractor Kishan Bacchus for the construction of a new government complex at the corner of High and Princes streets is currently being processed.
Stabroek News understands that a private consultant is currently working out an extension period to determine a new deadline for the completion of the building which is expected to house among other agencies, the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
When this newspaper visited the site yesterday minor masonry work was being carried out.
An official at the site said it was unclear when the project will be completed but added that it might take more than five months. He said almost half of the planned volume of work had been completed.
When contacted recently for a comment Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir, said he was unable to do so. Nadir had earlier told this newspaper that the contractor was to be blamed for the sloth and non-completion of the project at its initial deadline. Regarding actions which would have been taken against the contractor, the minister had said that there were processes which were to be undertaken.
Construction of the two-storey complex started in April last year and was expected to be completed last December.
However, problems obtaining materials and poor weather conditions at the time saw the project’s consultant giving a five-month extension.
Last July, a Government Information Agency (GINA) report stated that the building‘s foundation was laid and work was carried out to frame curb walls and erect columns. Nadir had said on that occasion that contractors were being sought to undertake electrical works as well as the design for the air conditioning of the building.
The 65,000 square feet building is being constructed at a cost of $600 million on a plot of land where the former Guyana Broadcasting Cor-poration once stood. The Labour Ministry’s operations were decentralized following a fire and the administration took the decision to construct a new building to house the ministry in 2001. That ministry is currently housed in buildings at Water and Cornhill streets, Camp Street, Brickdam and North Road.