An additional $127 million has been allocated this year for the completion of the controversial Bamia Primary School, which is now slated for April 1st, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag.
Parag’s disclosure on Thursday came in response to questions posed by APNU+AFC Members of Parliament Devin Sears and Jermaine Figueira on how much more money is being allocated towards the completion of the primary school out of the $375 million budgetary provisions for the region’s schools, educational facilities and payment of retention.
The Minister told the Committee of Supply that the primary school is currently 65% complete when pressed by Figueira.
The opposition MP after observing smiles on the face of the Minister Parag when he grilled her for details on the incomplete school said that the situation was not one of mirth since many children have been affected as a result of overcrowding in other schools in Region 10.
Parag: “We are at 65 percent and it will be completed on April 1st, 2024”.
Figueira: “65 percent this is flabbergasting, wow okay thanks”.
A source who has knowledge about the project said that to date almost 50 percent of the contract sum has been paid to the contractor.
St8ment Investment Inc is the company which was controversially awarded the $346 million contract for the construction of the school.
On December 4th, 2023, Stabroek News reported that the contractors had missed a second deadline.
The construction project was given a 20-month lifespan in November of 2021 and was expected to be completed in July of 2023.
However, since the contractors were not able to finish the project on time, a new deadline was set based on an explanation and request by the contractor.
The new deadline was given as November 16 of last year.
The company, whose principals are Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment along with Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Muhammed of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament, was formed just a few months prior to bidding for the project and had no proven construction background.
The project comes under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and in July of 2021, the bids were opened. Four companies – Bulkan Timber Works Inc ($349,595,065), St8ment Investment Inc ($346,327,748), Orin’s Supreme Enterprise ($348,726,772), and A Nazir & Son Contracting & General Supplies ($340,549,671) – tendered for the project.
Shadow Minister of Public Works David Patterson last year said that public records showed that this company (St8ment Investment Inc) was established only eight months prior to the award, bringing into question if the company would have met the technical criteria as set out in National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s Standard Bidding Documents.
St8ment, with the second-lowest bid, was awarded the contract which was signed by the principals of the company and Region 10 Regional Executive Officer REO Dwight John.
Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams had also raised concerns over the sloth in building the school.
