No new hospital for VG as promised!
The Ground Breaking and Contracting Signing Ceremony for the construction took place on Monday March 30, 2015.
The American Centre
Many residents of Virgin Gorda were hanging on to the promise that they would have been getting a fully equipped hospital that services proved on par as Peebles Hospital, though a much smaller facility.
Leader of the Opposition and Ninth District Representative, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE, nevertheless, expressed gratitude for the efforts of government. "I wish to thank the Ministers and the Cabinet and the National Assembly for seeing that this Medical Centre, that seems to be an American term now, is now going to be established here and I know from what I know of the contractor it will be done on time and people will be satisfied with the work."
Hon O'Neal also expressed how much respect he has until this day for Ms Iris O'Neal because of the person she was. He also recalled that even back in the days she had much concerns about the existing clinic. "I knew how she complained about the situation here, the centre as it is being called."
Background to clinic
In giving a background to the construction of the existing clinic, which was a gift to the people of Virgin Gorda, Hon O’Neal said a Mr Paul Perlin of Perlin’s Charitable Trust had made it clear that he did not want the Government to be involved in its construction.
"Mr Perlin said he wanted to build something that the people would remember but he didn’t want the Government to be involved in it. ...So they talked me into handling the monitoring and reporting every month.... and the building there cost nearly two hundred thousand dollars, including furniture," said Hon O'Neal.
He recalled that there were subsequent additions done by the VIP Government of the day back then, particularly to improve the nurse’s quarters. "And today now we are going up higher and higher and I think we have a lot to give God thanks for."
Contract valued $5,969,687.39
Cabinet awarded the contract for the construction of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre to James Todman Construction Ltd. The contract was awarded for the amount of Five Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Dollars and Thirty-Nine cents ($5,969,687.39)
According to the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, it will be a 24-hour service facility.
Mr James Todman, Director of James Todman Construction, assured that residents of Virgin Gorda will be given the opportunity to have jobs on the construction of the building.
"I want to say to the people of Virgin Gorda, I travelled throughout this world and I advertise The Baths. The Baths is not in Tortola, it is in Virgin Gorda. I say that to say I will do my best in Virgin Gorda as I have done in Tortola and James Todman Construction will involve whoever possible [or] is able to do anything to have this project compete."
He added, "We will, we will, share the pie. People of Virgin Gorda have no fear, James Todman Construction is over here."
Mr Todman also pledged twenty eight thousand dollars ($28,000) towards the equipping of the medical facility. “On behalf of my family and James Todman Construction, we want to be the first to donate twenty eight thousand dollars to the Iris O'Neal Clinic.
Coincidentally, the donation of twenty eight thousand dollars came on the eve of the 28th anniversary of James Todman Construction Ltd.
Tenders
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms Petrona N. Davies, in giving a backdrop to what led to yesterday's contract signing and ground breaking ceremony, recalled that it was after the design was approved government moved forward with the project.
"With approved construction drawings in hand we embarked on an open tender process in May of 2014. Eight tenders were received and opened in August of 2014 with values ranging from eight million to eighteen million dollars," said Ms Davies.
She said it was after the advice of the evaluating teams Government entered into negotiations with two parties with the aim of achieving the best value for money. "Two companies were approached to provide valued engineering solutions for the building and their final revised proposals were received in January off this year. All of this effort has brought us to the signing of this contract today for the completion of phase 1 construction works."
Phase 1 to be done in 1 year
Davies said Phase One includes the construction of two floors and the complete fit out of the ground floor. The building will consist of 18, 270 square feet of space. "And this phase of construction is to be completed over a period of 12 months at an investment of five million nine hundred and sixty nine thousand, six hundred and eighty seven dollars and thirty nine cents, to be financed entirely by the Government of the Virgin Islands."
Ms Avaline Potter of A.R Potter and Associates was commended for being the person responsible for the design concept of the new Iris O'Neal health facility.
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55 Responses to “No new hospital for VG as promised!”
Ummm..sounds like a Hospital to me.
Let's fool them with a good Health Care Facility. North Sound people really some Mu-mu for true messon...
No matter which party you voted for or whose side you are on, let be happy for what progress that has been made thus far. Everything that is promise by anyone may not be granted at all times. The intentions are there but like anything in life, they all do not come to pass. Yes it would have been great to have hospital over there. But unfortunately not at the moment. WHat we should be happy for it that they are getting a better clinic which is a very great start. With a hospital being built means that nurses will have to be contracted from throughout the region and all the goes with building such. So for now why don't we as a people or country no matter which party you are for, come together and embrace what has been completed from the government manifesto. Like I mentioned earlier everything may not be completed by the time frame in what we the voters and people of this country would have like to see. Out of all the good things that has been done, the one that have not been done seems to outshine all the good with such negativity and bashing.
Remember we did not wake up ourselves this morning. God did that. Your family, friends or politicians did not do it. God did. So it would be a great idea for us each day that we are allow to breathe be very grateful and thankful to be alive. When you are asleep at night you are practically dead to the world, like you are in a coma. But God loves each of us so much despite all the good, bad and ugly we have for each other. We should be there for each other like God has and will continue to be there for us. Let us commend the good and try to help make a difference in our community. This all reminds me of US politicians.No matter what good that is obviously seen done by President Obama and his Administration, the more negative talks heard/said. Why Why. Never mess with Gods anointed. The more negativity that is said or thrown at Gods chosen the more things are being done or rather coming to pass for the people.
Let for once just come together no matter what side you are for. God would so love and appreciate that. I love each and everyone of you and I love my BEAUTIFUL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.