BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Christopher Air & Seaport Authority (SCASPA) has denied suggestions that there is a cost overrun on the development of the Second Cruise Pier at Port Zante.
In a media statement, SCASPA’s Public Relations Officer, Nordia Demming singled out “The Operating Room” and its host “a former government minister” [Dwyer Astaphan] for the comments.
Speaking on his radio programme aired by WINN FM on Tuesday (Apr. 16), Astaphan indicated that there is some talk that the project has a US$7M overrun.
“I have been advised, reliably, that the new cruise pier is now US$7 million is cost overruns. I have been told that. I am told that is just about EC$20 million that will carry it up to US$55 million…We are told that this is due to a possible misunderstanding by the contractors; no fault of SCASPA. My information is no fault of SCASPA. With the result of that misunderstand is that more piles, more steel, more concrete would be needed, so a US$7 million additional cost to the project.”
According to SCASPA’s PRO, as the Second Cruise Pier Project progressed, the contractor (Canadian Commercial Corporation) made claims for additional works under the General Conditions of Contract.
Demming noted that the claims are “currently under the careful consideration by SCASPA’s consultant Project Managers, ADeB Consultants Ltd. of Jamaica. It is not unusual in major infrastructure projects such as the Second Cruise Pier Project for the contractor to encounter situations which it believes gives rise to an entitlement to claim for additional works. Similarly, it is standard practice for the Consultant Project Managers to review any claims made and to advise the employer of the validity, if any, of said claims. Furthermore, the Project Managers have not yet advised SCASPA that the Contract sum will increase based on the claims made by the contractor”.
Further, the SCASPA official has denied reports that the entity intended to suspend work at the location.
“The public should be aware that as the Project progresses, many local construction tradesmen continue to benefit from the works being undertaken to construct the Second Cruise Pier Project. Similarly, several local contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers are also benefiting from the construction involved in building this major piece of tourism infrastructure,” Demming said.
Construction of the pier is expected to be completed by September of this year.
The project has been placed under the spotlight after a number of local entities went forward to be investors in the development.
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