By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
After years of delays and multiple missed deadlines, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has taken a firm stance: the new Bamia Primary School in Region Ten will not be accepted until every aspect of the project is fully completed.
The $364 million facility, awarded to Statement Investment Inc. in 2021, is still undergoing “minor works,” according to Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand. Despite contractors’ assurances that the school would be completed in time for the September 2025 academic year, the deadline came and went once again.
“Contractors have not finished what they’re supposed to do,” Minister Manickchand said during an interview with journalist Gordon Moseley. “There are some very minor works left to be done, but we refuse to take a building for the sake of taking a building… if we’re not completely satisfied that the contractual obligations have been carried out.”
The Minister expressed disappointment with the extended timeline, emphasizing that contractors must adhere to the standards, price, and timeframe they committed to when bidding.
“If you bid for a project, you come and say you could do this at this cost, in this time, at this quality — and you have to do it,” she stressed. “I am very disappointed in how long they took.”
Repeated Setbacks and Extended Deadlines
The Bamia Primary School project has been plagued by repeated delays due to material shortages, rising costs, and labor shortages. These issues forced the government to grant multiple extensions, pushing the project far beyond its original completion date.
Despite these setbacks, Minister Manickchand made it clear that urgency will not take precedence over accountability.
Since assuming office in September, the Minister has held several meetings with the contractor to accelerate the remaining work. She acknowledged that the contractors are eager to demobilize and leave the site, but insisted that the government will only accept the project when it meets all required standards.
No More Compromise
The Ministry’s stance signals a shift toward stricter oversight and enforcement as major national infrastructure projects continue across the country.
The Bamia Primary School, once completed, is expected to significantly benefit students and families in Region Ten by easing overcrowding and improving educational access.
However, for now, the government is adamant: no shortcuts, no partial handovers, and no excuses.
