Wednesday, January 13 – Government signed four contracts for the construction of three retaining walls totalling $290,556.50 with Mr. Ifield Hodge, C.A.R. Construction Ltd., Mr. Clarence Vanterpool and for project management services with Systems Engineering Ltd. for phase I of the Sholasten Road Restoration Project at Harrigan’s Estate during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Premier’s Conference Room.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE signed the major contract with Mr. Hodge for $146,712.50 on behalf of the Government with Hon. Julian Fraser, RA Minister for Communications and Works as witness. In his remarks, the Premier congratulated the four contractors for being awarded government contracts and also apologised for the long delay in starting the project. The Premier charged the Public Works Department with ensuring that the job is completed on time and properly to avoid any future collapse.
In his remarks, the Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser, RA gave some background information on the project and thanked the community for their patience. “I want to acknowledge the patience of the people who live in the immediate area, including Mr. Dwight Leonard, whose development is adjacent to the site, and is physically impacted; the district representative and all those people who have been inconvenienced by being unable to travel from Sea Cows Bay via the Bound Tree in Harrigan,” Minister Fraser said.
“In 2006 government invested over half a million dollars to construct three retaining walls and by October 27, 2007 due to heavy rains, those walls came tumbling down, the minister added.
“Today we are in a position to sign contracts for Phase I of the restoration project for the erection of three retaining walls,” Minister Fraser explained.
Honourable Fraser assured the group that by the time the walls are completed the Government will be in a position to begin phase II of the project, which will be the road construction.
Second District Representative, Hon. J. Alvin Christopher, expressed his pleasure on behalf of his constituents who have been inconvenienced by the road closure. “I want to say thanks to the Honourable Premier, the minister and this government for making this a reality this morning. I believe that the contractors involved are contractors we can rely on; they are very credible men and they have proven in the past that they can complete this work within time and within budget,” Honourable Christopher said.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors Mr. Hodge said that he will work along with the other contractors to bring the project to a close in due time and in a proper manner.
Government remains committed to the modernisation and expansion of the Territory’s infrastructure through the rehabilitation and upgrading the present road network.
British Virgin Islands News