Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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Building for the future By Scott Armstrong ~ Guardian Business Editor ~ scott@nasguard.com: More than $40 million of government contracts representing hundreds of jobs for Bahamians are soon to be decided as bids go in for two major projects in Abaco and Freeport. Yesterday bids were being submitted by a number of pre-cleared contractors for the chance to build the $25 million National Insurance Board headquarters in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. This is a project which will have several government departments under one large roof. Algernon Cargill, director of the National Insurance Board, said: "This is a multi-million project which will house several government departments on which we hope to be breaking ground very soon. "A number of pre-qualified contractors were invited to submit their bids, the next step is for us to evaluate these tenders and then make a recommendation to the Prime Minister's office, based on the information contained within those bids. "The benefit of having these different departments in a single complex is greater efficiency, reduced costs, and greater convenience for the public. "Plus of course before it even opens there is the stimulus to the local economy, this work will represent hundreds of jobs within the construction industry. "I understand that the Government has plans for major expansion for the town and the Marsh Harbour area and this project is simply the first." Bids have also already been submitted to construct an $18 million multi-government department building in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Departments to be housed there include Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Passport officers. It is hoped that a recommendation to the Prime Minister's office about the preferred contractor will be made this week. Cargill refused to name any contractors involved in either project saying the process had to remain confidential, adding only that several companies been pre-cleared for the tendering process. On the Abaco project, The Nassau Guardian understands that major players such as Cavalier Construction, Sunco Builders & Developers Ltd, George Mosko and Carl G. Treco Contractors are among those bidding for the work, though the NIB director would not confirm that. The Nassau Guardian revealed last week how those four companies are understood to be in the race to build the $10 million Straw Market, with bids for that project submitted last Friday. Tuesday, December 1, 2009