Min. Fraser defends Sea Cows Bay/Hannah’s Sidewalk Project!
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 ProjectExplaining 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 stimulusMeanwhile, 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.”
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