Nevis Junior Minister for Public Works outlines major achievements

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter, SKNVibes.com

Nevis' Junior Minister for Public Works Carlisle Powell

Powell, who also has responsibilities for Communication, Works, Public Utilities, Physical Planning, Ports and Natural Resources, last week highlighted the achievements during his Budget Address. He said Public Works had been very active this year and had constructed a new office facility to house the Physical Planning Department Unit.

Public Works, he said, had renovated the administrative office of the Water Department to combat continuing moisture problems. He pointed out that walls were panelled, new ventilation system installed and new work stations built. “The workers and customers will now have a more comfortable space to do business in,” he said.

Powell noted that the floor of the Intensive Care Unit at the Alexandra Hospital was changed from wood to concrete; the bathroom of the said unit was also refurbished and a new bath tub was installed to facilitate easy access to patients; and a new storage area was constructed to house important medical supplies.

Also repaired was the leaky roof at the Nevis House of Assembly. The Minister noted that new shingles were placed on the eastern, western and northern sections of the roof; the ceiling was repaired and painted while the eaves and windows were also repaired.  “We have been here during rain storms and had to dodge water, so all of us will be happier for the repairs,” he said.

The Junior Minister declared that at the request of the Deputy Governor General, the NIA started restoration work on Government House in 2006. He noted that the entire inside of the building including the floors was removed leaving the stone walls. Powell declared that over $350 000 was spent and another $671 024.82 is required to complete the project. 

Additionally, the Minister said major maintenance work was done in several schools. Extensive maintenance work was done on the St. Thomas’ Primary school including the repainting of the entire external panels and replacing of old and faulty doors to classrooms and bathrooms; the school’s main bathroom had an entire overhaul, which include painting, replacement of faulty plumbing and bathroom fixtures and replacing of the partitions between stalls of both male and female bathrooms.

General maintenance work was also done at the Charlestown Secondary School.  Windows and doors were repaired and replaced, broken glass panels replaced, and repairs to desks and ceilings as well as painting of exterior walls were completed.

Powell said new frames and windows were installed at the Gingerland Secondary School. Doors repaired and replaced, new bathroom fixtures installed. The entire roof for the canteen building was replaced and a room was refurbished to house the Vice Principal. Additionally, he said, the broken glass panes were replaced and the leaky roof to the Principal’s office was sealed.

He noted that general maintenance work was done at the VOJN Primary and St. James’ Primary Schools.

He stated that in addition to general maintenance, a complete renovation of the bathroom facility was done at the Ivor Walters Primary. ~~Adz:Right~~

Four classrooms were refurbished at the Joycelyn Liburd Primary School. Walls were painted, floor tiled, replacement of chalk boards and replacement of old doors. Maintenance work done in other rooms includes ceiling repair, cabinet replacement and bathroom fixture installation.

The Junior Minister also outlined major road construction done by NRP-led Nevis Island Administration. He pointed out that the roads and bridges crew had completed extensive maintenance works for the year and noted road and drainage cleaning and clearing were done from Market Shop to Pot Works via Charlestown, as well as asphalt patching among other works. Several secondary roads were upgraded with base course material and clearing of bridges, he added.

He told Parliament that the Public Works Ministry had done major road construction and drainage works around the island. He highlighted work done in Charlestown, especially on Government Road between Main Street and the Jewish Cemetery.

“It is common knowledge that after heavy rains, the area from Grove Park to Scotia Bank floods easily. In addition, the junction of Government Road and Main Street was a major disaster area as water flooded all the way back up to Cable TV. On Government Road, we cleaned, widened, deepened and covered the drains. I am happy to report that during the last set of heavy rains the drains functioned effectively,” the Junior Minister said.

“We completed drainage works at Newcastle next to the pottery and drainage works on the bypass road next to the Observer Newspaper. We also completed Road and Drainage works at upper Stoney Grove in the area by Errol Blake. Drainage works by Super Foods, Culvert at Cocoa Ghaut, Drainage improvement at Zetlands, Old Manor Culvert at Prospect gate, Culvert on Government Road next to Hospital, Drainage works on Craddock Road next to Lindetta, and Drainage works at Webb’s Ground and at Garrick’s Pasture

“In addition and in the interest of safety, we substantially widened the corner between Reliable Motors and Powell’s Garage. Simple changes but very welcomed in the interest of safety,” Powell said.