Dangriga Market Project to resume, but at a higher cost

The Dangriga Market Project, after months of delay, is finally set to resume, but at a higher cost. The market which was originally contracted to Kenard Smart at a cost of one point five million dollars, but now that price tag has increased to over two million dollars. This morning, representatives from the Social Investment Fund formally handed over the completion of works to CB Construction, a company from San Ignacio. Completion of the refurbishment and expansion of the municipal market was suspended in September of last year, in the wake of a scandal of corruption involving the previous administration of SIF who were all fired.  The matter concerning the recovery of losses for investors Lyndon Bailey and Gush and Emy is yet to be resolved.  According to Public Relations Officer Selwyn King, an assessment conducted by CB Construction confirms that the project can be completed within the next six months.

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Via phone:  Selwyn King, P.R. Officer, Social Investment Fund

Via Phone: Selwyn King

“The handing over ceremony that took place was basically a normal handing over, a technical meeting that takes place between SIF and the contractor.  That took place in the presence of the mayor, His Worship Gilbert Swazo, the executive director Mr. William Lamb Jr., project manager Mr. Ernest Raymond and other officials from SIF and members of the town council.  So basically our engineers, along with the new contractor went over the whole plan, the documentation, in terms of moving forward.  So the handing over represents basically now, the turning of a new page in a new chapter of moving forward to complete the project and, as explained by the contractor, it’s expected to be completed within six months time.”

Isani Cayetano

“Was there an assessment of the total work done so far that brought you guys to the six month deadline with which this job needs to be completed?”

Selwyn King

“Well that assessment of course had to be conducted by the contractor.  So, in terms of his knowledge, his assessment of what needs to be done, what is required.  It’s his view that the works can be, the remaining works can be completed within the six months timeframe.”

Isani Cayetano

“What becomes of the existing claim by Lyndon Bailey, as well as Gush and Emy Ramirez with regards to previous works that they had done and had subsequently incurred losses with regards to the Dangriga Market Project?”

Selwyn King

“Well from my understanding, basically, the Social Investment Fund had a contract with one contractor, I believe that is Mr. Smart and, as you are aware, for us to have signed this new contract, if you notice from the press release, we said that there was no objections from the World Bank and concurrence from the Contractor General.  So we are moving forward, we have a new contractor onboard and at that time we engaged and entered an agreement with one contractor and that was Mr. Smart.”

The long overdue market is set to be completed by September. The Dangriga Market Project is being funded in large part by a loan from the World Bank.