Government to get it right before construction
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THERE is no clear timeframe set by the Team Unity Government to begin construction for the new Basseterre High School (BHS).
The government is currently in the phase of developing drawings and undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the new institution, which is expected to be constructed at Ponds Extension.
At a press conference held yesterday (Jul. 20) at Government Headquarters, this media house questioned Head of the Planning Board, Cromwell Williams on whether or not it is realistic that they would begin constructing the institution before the yearend, to which he claimed the possibility exists if all things go according to plan.
“I must say that all things being equal, the stakeholders on this project are committed to [it]. While we are committed to doing things right, we are also committed to seeing this project being started in a timely manner.
“My belief is that this project might in fact start this year.”
Williams disclosed that a project of that nature is expected to take approximately one to two years for completion.
Should the EIA study indicate that the school would be affecting the environment, Minister of Education Hon. Shawn Richards pointed out that an alternative would be found.
“If the EIA determines that there is some particular environmental impact, then I think one of the first things that we would want to do is determine if that can be mitigated against. And one would also have to look at the severity of that particular impact. If it is that it is deemed to be very severe and cannot be militated against, it obviously means that the government would have to look elsewhere relative to the siting of the new Basseterre High School.”
Speaking to costs, Richards reminded that in 2016 there was an initial sum of $10M that was budgeted for the construction of the institution.
However, construction did not begin last year because the government is seeking to be extra careful in every step they take in dealing with the new institution, the Minister noted.
The Minister gave an estimated cost to have the school built, including consultations and other preparatory work to ensure that the environment is perfect to construct the new educational institution.
“It costs approximately $40 million for the new Basseterre High School. Of course, after the concepts and designs have been submitted, that cost can be adjusted upwards or can be adjusted downwards. And yes, the costing does include the various experts and everything associated with the project.
“It is a capital project, and with a capital project you include all of the necessary costing – not just the cost of construction but whatever else you would have to determine there is an expense associated with the project.”
Concerns were raised about the possible impact that construction of an institution of that magnitude could have on the Basseterre Water Aquifer, which is located in the vicinity of the proposed Ponds Extension site.
But, Senior Principal at Syantec Caribbean, Andrew Hutchinson debunked those concerns and criticism, and explained to reporters that construction works would not in any way impact on the Basseterre Valley Aquifer.
