Minister in the Ministry of Water Resources, Charles Griffith and Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, William Duguid speaking to the media about the work at Old Barbados Water Authority (BWA) building.
Government is currently on a mission to transform derelict buildings across Barbados and put them back into use through the ‘Rejuvenation/Repair of Crown Properties Project’.
Yesterday, Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, William Duguid provided an update on the renovations being carried out at the Old Barbados Water Authority (BWA) Building at The Pine, St. Michael.
He said that the first of the three buildings on the site, ‘The Gate House’, is expected to be completed by mid-April at an estimated cost of $240 000, and thereafter handed over to the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Water Resources.
Minister Duguid told the media that the project, which is generating employment, also seeks to reduce the rents government has been paying out by giving such derelict properties a facelift to utilise them.
“We are trying to get as many people back to work as possible following all protocols – temperature checks, hand sanitising and wearing of masks. Secondly, to reduce the rental cost to government because this particular building we call “The Gate House” at old BWA will be used to house the QS Department of the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Water Resources. Thirdly, to reduce the surge of derelict buildings across Barbados, as they can house rodents and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So, this is a win-win situation for the government, and the people of Barbados and for the surrounding district”.
The Housing Minister went on to reveal that the second building to be renovated on the BWA site will go to the Drainage Department, whereas the third building which is three-floors will be used for general offices.
“In the Ministry of Housing we have about 14 different sites that we will be working on over the next few months, to be able to get people back to work. So, it will include building housing, for example at Todds, Rices and Applewhaites…And of course we have all the Rejuvenation projects such as the Welfare building, School meals and the old Sanitation Service Authority building,” Duguid added.
Minister in the Ministry of Water Resources, Charles Griffith said he was pleased with government’s efforts to renovate derelict buildings across the island.
“As indicated this particular building is going to house our QS section as we are a little crowded in the parent building, so to have this come on stream to be able to house that department is a very good thing,” he expressed.
“It makes no sense to me to be paying excessive rent when we have a lot of buildings across the island owned by government that we can repurpose, and to reduce that rent level that we have every year. I believe that last count was over $80 million or so that we paid in rent and we are looking to reduce that”. (TL)