BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 18, 2023 (SKNIS) – The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under the leadership of the Honourable Konris Maynard, intends to pursue the commencement of a number of key public infrastructure projects in 2024, as well as the completion of others that were abandoned by the past administration.
Understanding that construction is one of the major catalysts for economic growth, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has alloted in excess of $130 million in construction-related capital expenditure.
“Some of the proposed government projects under this ministry include the construction of coastal area revetments in Irish Town, Fortlands and New Guinea. Community road development starting with roads in Shadwell West, Shadwell South Housing Development, Boyd’s View and Palmetto Point then going on to Newton Ground, Rawlins, St. Paul’s and White House in St. Peter’s, and then moving on to Farm Meadows Sandy Point, Lodge and Stapleton,” said Minister Maynard, when he presented during the 2024 Budget Debate on December 18.
Importantly also, the minister said the government will move forward with the resurfacing of asphalt roads, specifically the completion of the Old Road Bay Road and the start of work on the St. Peter’s main road, referred to as the Rehabilitation of the St. Peter’s Main Road and F. T. Williams Highway East Project. This significant stretch of road was noticeably left out of the previous government’s road rehabilitation project.
“The St. Peter’s Main Road has gone through its processes. It has gone through its design, development, procurement and now it is at the stage of signing off the contract and moving forward, and the Budget has significant monies allocated for the construction of the St. Peter’s Main Road,” Honourable Maynard said.
Other projects where some level of activity is expected in 2024, include the construction of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs building, rehabilitation of the Judicial Complex phase two, construction of the new Traffic Department, refurbishment of police stations, and the rehabilitation of government buildings. The government also intends to pursue the upgrade of a number of community centers, construction of new administration buildings, the refurbishment of the Pelican Mall, and the construction of the Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary and the Basseterre High Schools.
Furthermore, Minister Maynard issued a passionate call for local builders, contractors and skilled persons to register their businesses with the Public Works Department to ensure that they can benefit through the roll-out of these significant projects.
“Make sure that you are good with your business licences… so that you may be called upon to provide quotations for certain types of works,” Minister Maynard stressed. “Do not be left out, do not wait on the sidelines. Register yourself and let yourself be known.”
In addition to the massive construction agenda being pursued by the government in 2024, a number of major private sector-led projects will also be pursued. These include the Housing Revolution that is being undertaken by East Coast Housing Development Ltd., the new climate smart hospital and the EC$217 million solar and battery farm.
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