First day as Local Gov’t Minister, Manickchand presses contractors on completion of Bamia Primary School

On her first day as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand wasted no time in signalling her priorities—pressing contractors to deliver on long-delayed projects, starting with the flagship Bamia Primary School in Region Ten.

In a Facebook post titled “Day One | Different Ministry, continuous service,” Manickchand recounted a site visit to the facility just outside of Linden, where she made it clear that the school must be completed without further excuses.

“This school WILL be completed and the children WILL enjoy the benefit that the government intended. No ifs and buts. It WILL finish,” she wrote, noting that contractors have been given strict new timelines. “The contractors have been made aware that they either finish the project in accordance with our newly set timelines or someone else will.”

The Bamia Primary School has been under construction since November 2021, when the contract was awarded to St8tment Investment Inc. Initially set for earlier delivery, the project has faced multiple setbacks, including labour shortages, higher material costs, and unfavourable weather conditions, forcing several extensions.

By April this year, the facility was said to be in its final stage, with only minor electrical installations, lighting fixtures, and limited plumbing work outstanding. A joint inspection led by Regional Executive Officer Dwight John and consultant Rudolph Anthony of E&A Consultants Inc. found the work progressing at a satisfactory standard, with the school expected to be operational for the September 2025 academic year.

Once completed, the state-of-the-art campus will stand as one of the most modern educational institutions in Region Ten. The expansive facility includes 44 classrooms, a gymnasium, auditorium, science laboratory, music room, library, smart classrooms, and modern restroom facilities—designed to accommodate a growing student population and provide a well-rounded learning environment.

The project has been highly anticipated by the Linden community, which sees the school as a transformative addition to the region’s education landscape. Kerwin Bollers, representative of St8tment Investment Inc., had earlier expressed confidence in reaching the final milestone, stating: “We are proud to have brought this project to its final stage and look forward to officially handing it over to the Region and the young minds who will benefit from it.”

Now, with Minister Manickchand making it her first order of business, pressure is on contractors to meet the government’s renewed deadlines and ensure the long-promised opening becomes a reality.