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Government Expenditure on Office Retrofits Revealed in Internal Memo
A memo has surfaced detailing the extensive costs incurred by the Ministry of Works for retrofitting various office spaces, including one owned by the son of Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
The building in question, housing the Development Control Authority, underwent significant renovations to accommodate the Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Urban Renewal.
The memo, signed by a Permanent Secretary, sheds light on the expenses incurred during the retrofitting process.
The initial contract for the refurbishment was valued at $852,834.03, covering a 5,814.523 sq ft area.
However, due to additional scope and negotiations, a 30% reduction was applied for retrofitting a second building, resulting in savings of $255,850.21.
The renovations included gutting the superstructure, constructing offices and bathrooms, installing plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems, furnishing, tiling, replacing windows and doors, and installing central and split AC units, among other enhancements.
In addition to the building retrofit, an adjacent parcel of land was developed into a parking lot, with an estimated value of $150,000. This brought the total expenditure for the entire project, including furnishings, to $852,834.04.
The memo also outlines costs for retrofitting other offices and spaces, such as the Cannabis Authority on Friars Hill Road ($875,932.66), Social Transformation Renovations ($682,054.46), ECCA Headquarters at Coolidge (approximately $687,389.00), and refurbishment at Barrymore Hotel ($2,481,954.35).
This revelation comes amidst growing scrutiny over government spending and transparency, raising questions about the allocation of public funds for such projects.
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Without Prejudice
Review of Contract to Retrofit Office Space Located on Friars Hill Road, to accommodate the Ministry Of Housing, Lands and Urban Renewal, under the stewardship of Permanent Secretary Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim and Former Minister Lennox Weston.
In 2021 the Ministry of Works engaged a contractor to retrofit and furnish a property on Friars Hill Road to accommodate the Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Urban Renewal. Initially, the property was not suitable for immediate use, necessitating significant renovations. The decision to use this space was made by the Permanent Secretary and Senior Officers of the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban Renewal, during a period of staff unrest and calls from the ABPSA to have them urgently relocated from the Ministry of Agriculture building near Country Pond.
The renovation involved:• Gutting the superstructure• Constructing offices and bathrooms• Ceiling installation• installation of Plumbing, electrical, and lighting• Furnishing• Tiling• Replacing windows and doors• Installing central and split AC units• Painting
The initial contract, valued at $852,834.03 for a 5,814.523 sq ft area, was based on a quantity survey by the Ministry of Works. Before completing the first building, a 30% reduction was agreed to for the retrofitting the second building, housing the Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Urban Renewal headquarters and a section of the Development Control Authority. This additional scope, valued at $450,000.00 was completed within the savings from the negotiated discount, totaling $255,850.21.
An adjacent parcel of land vested in the crown was developed into a parking lot, alongside other enhancements, with a $150,000 value.
Overall, the retrofitting extended to 8,278.523 sq ft of office space, with the breakdown being:• Original contract: $852,834.03• Reduction savings (30%): $255,850.21• Completion of building 1: $596,983.83• Completion of Building 2 and parking lot (parking lot belongs to crown): $255,850.21• Total expenditure: $852,834.04 (furnishings included)
Cost for retrofitting other Offices and Spaces:• Cannabis Authority on Friars Hill Road: $875,932.66• Social Transformation Renovations: $682,054.46• ECCA Headquarters at Coolidge: approximately $687, 389.00• Refurbishment at Barrymore Hotel: $2,481,954.35
Sincerely,
………………………………….Permanent Secretary
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