BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS works on the Kim Collins Highway Roundabout near completion, businesses in the area which may have suffered damage due to construction of the project may be able to claim compensation.
This was revealed at a press conference held Monday (Mar. 17) for the opening of another completed section of the Roundabout along the highway.
When quizzed on the topic of compensation for properties damaged as a result of the project, it was revealed that the construction company took out the necessary insurance to cover itself and its client (the Federal Government) in the event of such mishaps.
Engineer Peter Jenkins explained that because of the nature of the work, it was expected that the company would take out an insurance policy, which is in keeping with construction laws.
“In construction, before you start any construction you are required to take out what is called Liability Insurance, which covers risk. That is what the insurance is for, so that if there is damage attributed to your project then one can claim under the insurance.”
Director of Public Works Cromwell Williams echoed similar comments relating to construction companies having insurance policies for specific projects, such as the Kim Collins Highway Roundabout.
He however declared that his department did not officially receive any claim for damage to properties, and that the insurance policy is only concerned with physical damage.
“At this point we have not received officially any claims, so we cannot speak to such. My understanding is that it pertains mainly to physical damage. And with regards to other losses, like the loss of business, I suppose that it may be a matter of the lawyers battling it out in the courtroom.”
Jenkins advised that individuals going forward to make claims must provide concrete evidence of the damage caused.
SKNVibes Business was told that last week discussions were had between representatives of the Public Works Department and the owners of businesses within the area of construction, and that the owners were informed that there would have been some level of disruption to their businesses during the construction process.
“Mr. Fraser was at our meeting last week when our consultants were here and he had indicated that there was a fall-off in his count and he attributed it to the construction that was taking place, and we understood that it was expected that that would occur,” Jenkins added
He posited that on completion of the Roundabout, Pond Road would be carrying three lanes; one would be a “Stocking Lane”, which would allow for vehicular traffic to enter the gas station.
Prior to business owners meeting with representatives of the Public Works Department, SKNVibes Business had interviewed the owner of F&H Frisco, Sylvester Fraser, who explained that his company was adversely affected since construction of the project began.
He told this publication that no official word was had from the Public Works Department at that time.
Fraser added that there were several cracks in the walls of his service station after the project began and he was in the process of quantifying his losses.
