The complex was severely damaged in the September 2017 hurricanes and government said the rehabilitation works are an ongoing major undertaking to restore the facility which will make it ready for full occupancy in the near future.

Initial demolition works and disposal of the waste material from the west wing of the complex have already been undertaken at a cost of $107,185.39, while the remaining works to be done on the same wing is expected to cost $51,023.50.

The total demolition cost of the west wing was estimated at $158,208.89, a Cabinet decision document released on Thursday stated.

According to Cabinet, the demolition works for the east wing of the admin complex is estimated to cost some $195,036.44. The Cabinet document did not detail how these demolition works are expected to be carried out.

Office Spaces, corridors, ceilings also to be demolished

However, it said outstanding demolition works of office spaces, corridors and ceilings in the complex, will be executed using the procurement procedures provided for under the policy on procurement in emergency, disaster, pandemic and catastrophic situations.

Cabinet said using the procurement procedures will assist in keeping the local economy stimulated.

Demolition will exclude the building’s basement, which Cabinet said requires professional services.

The demolition works for office spaces, corridors and ceilings will be done through a blend of petty contracts and work orders only and are not to exceed $246,059.94.

While works continue at the complex, government has been forced to rent office spaces in the Patsy Lake-owned Cutlass Tower — where the Premier’s Office is now located — and at various other buildings in the Road Town and the Fish Bay areas.