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Min. Fraser defends Sea Cows Bay/Hannah’s Sidewalk Project!

- Named 28 contractors & project cost to “silence liars”
The Sea Cows Bay/Hannah's Sidewalk Project was done by 28 contractors, according to Min. Fraser and was a need for safety of pedestrians and will also serve as a corridor to link major commercial projects within the district. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works and 3rd District Representative Julian Fraser had come in for much criticism for the project which some referred to as
Minister for Communications and Works and 3rd District Representative Julian Fraser had come in for much criticism for the project which some referred to as "the million dollar wall".
The project during its early stages.
The project during its early stages.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Third District Representative and Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser, RA cleared the air on the controversial Sea Cows Bay/Hannah’s Sidewalk Project to “silence liars” regarding the number of contractors who benefitted from the project and the true cost and benefit the project will bring to the district.

Speaking at his official launch at Ellis Thomas Downs on October 10, 2011, the district representative disclosed that the project was much needed as he was responding to the needs of the people and it created a safe stretch for pedestrians to traverse from Hannah Bay and Sea Cows Bay which initially was the most dangerous stretch of Drake’s Highway for pedestrians.

Min. Fraser during his speech, named all 28 contractors who were contracted to carry out various work on the project stating that he was doing so as “an act of both pride and vindication”.

“I do this as a means of recognition, and also to silence the liars who come into your homes saying that only a few contractors in the District get work,” he said.

The 28 contractors he named were: BVI Tools, Farid Rasheed, Tortola Concrete, Glen L Smith Plumbing, Clarence Thomas Ltd, Abdul Melville, HF Construction, Akeem Smith, Bartholomew Williams, Justin Charles, Florencio Matthias, Rufus Smith, Terry Smith, Kerry Winter, Dornel Barry, Randolph Mactavious, Michael Smith, Sylvester Johnson, Selvin Christopher, No Limit Construction, Sugar Apple Group, Fraser Incorporate, Bert Trucking, Verne Forbes, Bee’s Equipment, Felipe Smith, Termac Construction and John Nibbs Construction.

In addition, the district representative said the cost of the entire sidewalk project cost $573, 851.00, and was “a far price from the so called million dollar wall that people talk about.”

“Each of these contractors employed an average three persons, that give you a total of at least 112 people who benefit directly from this project economically,” he explained. He further dispelled rumours that he only gave work to a few people in his district.

“It is not true that I only give work to a few people in the District, for my policy is that all are inclusive. People must be honest, for if you don’t have documents, namely, a Trade License and Good Standing Certificates from Inland Revenue, and Social Security, you cannot get a Government Petty Contract. Petty Contracts are given only to those with such documents. Every man and woman in the Third District knows this, because I have had two well attended meetings for persons interested in doing Government Contracts,” he said, noting that it is difficult for him to get people to bring in those documents which sometimes take a month that cause delays to projects.

"If I check my files right now, I doubt I will find three sets of current Documents, and if I do, it will be the same set of persons who make sure that their Documents are current," he added.

Minister Fraser had high praises for project engineer Kurt Hodge, who he said will some day be the Director of Public Works. “Kurt is one of us from right here in Sea Cows Bay. He is the master mind of the project, and I am proud of him. We should all be. When it comes to this project, tomorrow’s headline should read, “Hometown boy does well”.

Complex Project

Explaining the details of the project, Minister Fraser said from Albion Well to Palestina Bridge was the only section of road that did not get sidewalks during the time he did the installation under the last VIP administration.

He further explained that following negotiations with as many as four different land owners for permission to use their land, construction began in May of 2010, but suffered severe damages in July from landslides due to a flash flood.

“And it didn’t just stop there, because for the three months that followed there were numerous setbacks on account of a hurricane, a tropical storm, and another flash flood.”

However, the district representative said he was pleased to report that the sidewalk was now open to pedestrian traffic and for the first time in modern times people can walk from Sea Cows Bay to Hannah’s “without taking their lives into their own hands”.

He also outlined that the project was a complex one as in order to facilitate the sidewalk, the road had to be widened, thus the necessity for hillside land, and to do so it required excavation and retaining walls.

“When we were done, the project has served its purpose, providing the well needed security to the public, and it could not come at a better time to serve as an economic stimulus for the District considering the numerous amounts of contractors who were involved in the works.”

Corridor for economic stimulus

Meanwhile, Minister Fraser said the Sea Cows Bay/Hannah’s Sidewalk project creates a corridor that links the upcoming $20 plus million expansion of Nanny Cay and developments at Palestina, with the Sea Cows Bay Harbor Development Project.

“Together this single entity becomes the Economic Trading Zone for the 3rd District. This Economic Trading Zone is an initiative being advanced by the proprietors of Nanny Cay, Palestina and myself as a means of creating a true alternative to what currently obtains for visitors and residents.”

14 Responses to “Min. Fraser defends Sea Cows Bay/Hannah’s Sidewalk Project!”

  • Crank Shaft (14/10/2011, 15:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How much did it cost to acquire the land? How much did it cost to put down the sidewalks? We are not asking about the wall, we want to know the cost of the project! The 'wall' may have costed $500,000, but give us the total stop playing games! Splitting up a small project among 30 contractors shows a sign of ignorance! It's best to give each contractor, based on their ability, a good contract where they can make enough money to sustain themselves for a sufficient period. Not giving 30 contractors a job and by time they pay workers etc. they leave with $2,000 in their pockets, that make sense? We have 100ft of sidewalk and 5 contractors doing 20ft each? How can that make sense!!
    • sea cows bay people (14/10/2011, 16:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      all the blogs in the world will not change our minds we are voting for Frazer ALL THE WAY..tell the judge I tell you so
      • TAMIKA (14/10/2011, 16:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        AND THAT IS A FACT SEA COWS BAY PEOPLE...WE VOTING FRASER NO QUESTION THERE
    • Cheaptalk (14/10/2011, 19:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Minister give the price of the project which included all walls, sidewalks, drainage, and electricity from the Bottom of the steep hill, to the Serian Supperett in Hannahs. So smoke that you NDP prick.
  • vip loyalist (14/10/2011, 15:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i'm glad the truth came out from those ndp's up and down spreading rumors about the man and his project....look how useful that sidewalk came in now?
    • Truth (16/10/2011, 10:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And as soon as the sewerage project in East End finish, we putting down sidewalks up there too.
  • vex me vex (14/10/2011, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks vino as we can only relay on you to tell the truth..it seems like the NDP properganda mechine Platium ony post negative blogs about Frazer...they are shameful
  • Crank Shaft (14/10/2011, 16:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two VIP posters saying the same thing over and over using different names won't work, SORRY!! I asked again, please tell us how much he paid the land owners for the land. That project looks horrible with overgrown brush by the wall itself and constant flooding by the sidewalk! FAILURE! We have qualified engineers in Public Works, USE THEM!!!!!!! Facts are facts whether its in your favour or not!
    • MaNNNN. (14/10/2011, 19:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Didnt the Minister say that Kurt Hodge engineer the job? Isnt Kurt Hodge an engineer (qualified) from Public Works? You ought to read the article before making silly comments.
    • DOG MEAT (14/10/2011, 23:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      TO CRANK SHAFT" come on you think VIP got time like NDP to sit all day and try to change the facts with blogs...oh no oh no I comend the Minster for his courage and transparency in telling the people the true cost. it was funny man Myron who start saying the wall cost a million...but all he silly speeches fly in from DC would not work in this election. The people have made up their minds WE AINT WANT NO DAMM ISLAND MAN IN WE HOUSE who is really concern about self, vindictiveness and petty crap!
    • small head (15/10/2011, 09:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "Crank Shaft" boss me hope after det election & Fraser and dey VIP in office your lil brat will carm down..for jealous you jealous ah Fraser..shoot man
  • uP with the facts (15/10/2011, 11:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FRASER THANKS FOR THE ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR IF I HAD LISTEN TO THE NDP PROPAGANDA YOU WOULD HAVE LOST MY VOTE..WE DOING THE RIGHT THING WE VOTING FOR JULIAN FRASER
  • you know (15/10/2011, 12:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Fraser is simply the best and better than all the rest now that is a FACT
    • SERVICE (16/10/2011, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      tank god some body knows tis...pll Frazer tis rite for we in the 3...he much be reeleclect to keep servin we das ah fact..over & out


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