Premier Wheatley disputed claims that the project was completed at a slow rate and insisted that it was done in record time despite the delays it suffered.

“Somehow or the other, they’re trying to push something that we’re slow. But at the Elmore Stoutt High School, there were no new buildings constructed there since Lavity Stoutt was alive and we were able to deliver that for the people and we’re proud of that accomplishment,” the Premier said.

The project, which began in April and was expected to be completed in September ahead of the new school year, saw several hiccups along the way. However, the project was eventually deemed as completed late last month by the RDA.

“They had a few delays because of issues with shipping and an incident that took place in a port in Jamaica where the paint spilt, and you know, anything that could have gone wrong, went wrong,” the Premier explained.

“The Elmore Stoutt High School Redevelopment Project achieved substantial completion as of Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Substantial completion means that all major components of the works have been successfully completed and the building is deemed fully functional,” the RDA noted earlier this month.

And while recognising the good management of the RDA, Premier Wheatley suggested that naysayers could always find something that hasn’t been done, but this will not prevent him from pushing towards further successes.

“Nobody’s going [to] rain on my parade by telling me something that hasn’t been done okay. The fact that of the matter is that those students will have much more comfortable accommodations than they’ve had in the past,” Dr Wheatley stated.