This is according to Minister of Health Carvin Malone who said this phase of the construction process is scheduled to be completed by the end of next month.

Speaking in the House of Assembly on Thursday, October 17, the minister said the total value of the contract which was awarded to James Todman Construction Ltd now stands at $7,016,228.90 with $6,649,921.49 of that sum being certified for payment.

“The increase of $1,046,541.51 from the original contract sum of $5,969,687.39 is attributable to the fact that the contractor was asked to perform a significant amount of additional works under the current phase of construction, which were considered necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the facility,” Minister Malone explained.

Phase one completion nearing

He also said the final finishing touches are being undertaken to ensure that phase one of the centre is completed by November 30.

The Minister said: “Various building services including air conditioning, plumbing and electricals have been tested and commissioned while the medical gases and fire protection systems are awaiting certification from external parties prior to being fully commissioned.

The generator and automatic transfer switch are scheduled to be transported to the site during this week with installation, testing and commissioning to be completed within three weeks,” he said.

Malone further stated that once the contractor has handed over the building, the BVI Health Service Authority will then proceed to furnish the building the necessary equipment and supplies.

“Several pieces of critical equipment and furnishings have been ordered and some have already been shipped such as chairs, couches, desks, cabinets, scales, stretchers, wheelchairs, medical lights, resuscitation equipment, and stands. An x-ray machine was shipped by the manufacturer GE on the 9th of October to be installed by GE upon arrival, and an ultrasound machine has already been received,” Malone said.

Setbacks

The new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre was declared as being substantially completed under the former NDP administration back in February 2019, days before the general election.