Priya Manickchand wasted no time in outlining her priorities on her first day as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. She emphasized the urgent need for contractors to fulfill long-delayed projects, starting with the flagship Bamia Primary School in Region Ten.
In a Facebook post titled “Day One | Different Ministry, continuous service,” Manickchand shared her visit to the construction site just outside Linden, where she asserted that the school must be completed without further excuses. “This school WILL be completed and the children WILL enjoy the benefit that the government intended. No ifs and buts. It WILL finish,” she declared, stressing that contractors have been given strict new timelines. “They either finish the project in accordance with our newly set timelines or someone else will,” she warned.
The Bamia Primary School project, which has been underway since November 2021, was awarded to St8tment Investment Inc. Originally scheduled for earlier completion, the school has encountered several delays due to labor shortages, increased material costs, and adverse weather conditions.
As of April this year, the facility was reported to be in its final stages, needing only minor electrical installations, lighting fixtures, and limited plumbing work. A joint inspection led by Regional Executive Officer Dwight John and consultant Rudolph Anthony of E&A Consultants Inc. confirmed that work was progressing satisfactorily, with hopes for the school to be operational by the September 2025 academic year.
Once completed, the state-of-the-art campus will be one of the most modern educational institutions in Region Ten, featuring 44 classrooms, a gymnasium, auditorium, science laboratory, music room, library, smart classrooms, and modern restroom facilities. This expansive facility aims to accommodate a growing student population and provide a comprehensive learning environment.
The Linden community has eagerly anticipated the school’s completion, viewing it as a transformative addition to the region’s educational landscape. Kerwin Bollers, a representative from St8tment Investment Inc., expressed optimism about achieving the final milestone, stating, “We are proud to have brought this project to its final stage and look forward to officially handing it over to the Region and the young minds who will benefit from it.”
With Minister Manickchand making the completion of the Bamia Primary School a top priority, contractors are now under pressure to meet the renewed deadlines and ensure that the long-promised opening becomes a reality.
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