Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday toured the Umana Yana located at High Street and Battery Road, Kingston, to oversee the rehabilitation works being done on the benab, and he said his ministry is pleased with the work,  GINA said in a release.

A $16 million contract was awarded to the Captain of Gunn’s Strip, Paul Chekema and his team by the ministry to rehabilitate the benab.

Minister Anthony also commended Chekema and his team for their professionalism and commitment to their work.

Permanent Secretary Alfred King said that the Umana Yana has been a favourite for tourists and because it is a national monument, the ministry undertook its preservation.

Chekema said that the repairs commenced on July 28 instead of July 16 because of the delay in sourcing materials due to heavy rainfall.

Despite the late start the rehabilitation work is still expected to be completed by the deadline as 35 persons are working on it.

Fifty per cent of the work is completed and it will take approximately 500,000 troolie leaves to rehabilitate the roof of the structure.

The Umana Yana was initially constructed by Chief Elka and more than 60 Wai Wais in 1972. The construction took 80 days and was completed at a cost of $26,000.