In other news, the renovations continue on the National Assembly building. It's in the final phase of finishing, and should be unveiled soon. But, the 2.7 million dollar project - which started in mid October 2024, should have been completed this month.
But, it's not ready yet - and the budget has almost doubled as the engineers struggle with a 55 year old brutalist style building.
Chief Engineer Moody gave the media an updateL:
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer - MIDH
"Yes, the tentative deadline was for us to finish those works in September. At this point in time, we're approximately 94% completed in terms of the works. However, it is the finishing details that is delaying us a little bit because we have to ensure that those are done properly because we really would not want any criticism when the building is in use."
"So we're trying to ensure that all the details that are needed for us to make the building functional, that those are taken into consideration seriously, and that those are implemented as best as we can."
"So we have substantially completed the structure. Most of the exterior works are completed. The ground floor where the clerk's offices are, those are completed. We're doing a second paint, second coat painting on the ground floor as we speak."
"The first floor where the chambers are located, we're doing the finishing works in terms of the woodworks that we need to complete within those areas. Those are being worked on at this point in time."
"The meeting rooms as well for the members, those are completed. On the third floor, the gallery has also been completed, and the kitchen areas and other areas that are used for the members of the house."
"Those are substantially completed. So basically, it's only minimal works that are remaining, including the installation of the air conditions. We have approximately 46 air conditions for the entire building."
Reporter
"If you've stayed within budget?"
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer - MIDH
"No, from what we started on, there was a number of items that were unforeseen in terms of making the building functional, and so we have increase in costs for the structure itself."
"To date, we're approximately about 5.3 million dollars that we have invested in the rehabilitation of the National Assembly. But these costs, as I said, were to ensure that we make the building functional for what its purposes are."
We'll let you know when it's nearing completion.
