New Library to cost treasury $31,600 a month in rent
However, the Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) failed to advise the public of the cost based on square footage payable to Clarence Thomas Limited, or if this is the amount now being paid to house the students in the same building.
He was at the time providing answers on some ‘petty’ contracts that had been inked by the Ministry in December last in the House of Assembly sitting on Thursday June 28, 2018.
Hon Walywn was asked to provide the cost of removing the public library from its former location and what is the amount of the annual rental payments for the new location of the public library.
No money paid?
According to the Minister for Education and Culture, “the amount of money expended to date for the fitting out of the new premises for usage by the public library at the old Clarence Thomas Limited (CTL) building is zero dollars.”
He said, the Road Town Public Library was officially closed on May 16, 2016 and had been closed for a period of two years and one month.
According to Hon Walwyn, the scheduled date for reopening of the Road Town Public Library is not available at this time.
He said however “the contracts were signed and sent to Treasury for processing of first payment on August 31, 2017 but no payment was processed because of the hurricanes.
The Chairman of the National Democratic Party stated, with the catastrophic hurricanes in September 2017 that devastated the largest secondary school in the Territory, a decision was made to use the proposed library space at the old CTL building located in Pasea Estate for housing the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) on a shift system.
Where is our public Library?
“This space will continue to house the ESHS until the rebuilding of the old campus is completed,” he said.
Many residents and commentators have lambasted the Minister for having the Library remain closed for so long. They have asked “does the Minister for Education know what a library means to a country and in this case, to our Territory?”
A library promotes culture, a library is a public space with the requisite resources that allows all citizens access to tools for the development of good citizenship. A library is fundamental to a healthy community, many have argued.
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21 Responses to “New Library to cost treasury $31,600 a month in rent”
Rent for What????????
These people sick man. You paying the mortgage for CTL whole building with that?
That is money squandering . I believe some peddle back is involve here cause never in my dreams I thought rent can be so high and to put in book and study tone at that.
Library is long overdue and badly needed.
Money to be paid to rent the building identified could easily pay for a building properly outfitted to house a decent library with better access. Let us wise up and stop paying other peoples mortgages.
why are they paying rent to anyone? the schools and library are public, gov't backed. why does he get all this money and how can they stand the light of day? Guess which bank they use...eh? ha ha.
Worth the thought.