$364M Bamia Primary School: Edghill acknowledges delay, assures completion despite contractor’s challenges

…contractor says building 95% complete

 Amid controversy surroundingcompletion of the $364 million Bamia Primary School in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Public Works Minister Juan Edghill revealed that this project would not be the first or last to encounter delays.
The Minister made this statement during a recent visit to the mining town on Tuesday.
“I’m happy that the Bamia school will be finished and open. But let me say this, the Bamia school is not the first school, or would not be the last school, that a contractor gets that didn’t finish on time,” Edghill said.
Moreover, the Minister revealed that despite the project being executed under the region, in light of delays the Public Works Ministry had offered assistance to the contractors in an effort to complete the project in a timely manner.
“But I’ve said to them, ‘Even though it was a project that was done through the region, we have said to them from the Public Works, ‘Get on with it! Whatever skills, whatever is needed, if you’re having challenges, let us know!’ Because everybody has to have a first project.”

Meanwhile, in a statement from the contractor, St8tment Inc, it was noted thus, “despite political mischief and various challenges during construction — such as material shortages, rising costs, and labour shortages —the Bamia School in Linden, Region 10, is now 95% complete.”
The statement added that the project’s Chief Foreman, Akannie Blair, revealed that after completion, the new school will be one of a kind, and will provide a more conducive learning environment for learners.
Once completed, the Bamia Primary School is expected to accommodate approximately 800 students. The structure will feature 44 spacious classrooms along with state-of-the-art facilities, including a gymnasium, an auditorium with a performance stage, a sick bay equipped with showers, two smart classrooms, modern restroom facilities, a library, music room, science lab, staff room, and more.
The project, which comes under the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, received bids from four companies – Bulkan Timber Works Inc ($349,595,065); St8ment Investment Inc ($346,327,748); Orin’s Supreme Enterprise ($348,726,772), and A Nazir & Son Contracting & General Supplies ($340,549,671) – which tendered for the project.
The construction project was awarded to St8tment Inc in November 2021 at a cost of $346 million. At the time of the signing, the project was expected to be completed within 20 months, that being completed by July 2023. However, due to several delays, the project’s completion deadline of July 2023 has been extended.