$780M contract signed for restoration of dilapidated City Hall

City Hall is set to undergo a major makeover following the signing of a $780 million contract on Friday. Works on the building will commence in October of this year, and are expected to be completed within 18 months.
The contract signing was done at the forecourt of the City Hall compound in Georgetown, and came shortly after three companies: Fidis Guyana Incorporated, Bulk & Timber Works Incorporated, and OM Custom Wood Working & Restoration, had bid for the contract.
Fidis Guyana, with a bid of $754.7 million, has been awarded the contract.
At the signing ceremony, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall said the Government of Guyana is taking the lead role in the restoration of the 138-year-old building, and this project is part of the Government’s commitment to restore the nation’s capital city to its former glory.
“The capital city is described as the centre of business, and we believe, as Government, it is our duty, despite the challenges of the City Council and all of the attendant issues associated with the management of the City, we have decided to take the bull by the horn and ensure that the investment is made in the city”, the Minister said.
He added that the Government of Guyana will be pushing for the building to be completed within the stipulated timeline, and his Ministry will not indulge in the fashion of extending contracts.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Anand Persaud, has said the company is competent and is specialised in the building and restoration of historic landmarks.
He further stated that the contractor would use local produce in the construction of the building, that in turn would create many job opportunities, and overall boost Guyana’s economy.

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, welcomed the signing of the contract and said he would work with any Government for the betterment of the city. He added that he would like to see the Government and the City Council work concertedly on other projects to beautify Georgetown.
“I’m happy to see that the Minister has taken this venture to a different level where we can be able to work for the benefit of our people of the city. And, not only to restore City Hall, but there are other projects and other development that I would like to work with the Government so that we can be able to get on with the business of the city,” the Mayor has said.
Mayor Narine also voiced that he hopes the City Hall building, upon completion, can be used as a tourist site and a library for all to explore its history.
The project is being done in collaboration with the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, the European Union Delegation, and the City Council.
Chargé d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana, Evelina Melbarzde, said the EU is proud to be a part of the restoration and preservation of the building.
“The contribution the European Union made at that time was significant, it was around US$325,000…that was our aim at supporting Guyanese authorities to preserve this fantastic, amazing pearl of heritage. So, once again, I would like to congratulate Guyanese authorities, and wish them all the luck.”
In his budget presentation in February this year, Minister Dharamlall had announced that a sum of $100 million had been allocated for the restoration of the City Hall building.
The crumbling, historic edifice has languished for years even though millions of dollars have been allocated to facilitate repairs, including some $20 million in 2012.
Within the last two years, an inspection done on the City Hall building by City Engineer Colvern Venture and the Guyana Fire Service concluded that the building has deteriorated further and urgent relocation of staff is necessary. (G9)