LUCEA, Hanover – Chairman of Hanover Parish Council (HPC), Lloyd Hill wants the local government ministry to utilise the HPC in-house technical team to build the new infirmary which is being funded by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Entertainment (CHASE) Fund.

Hill is averse to putting the contract for the construction of the new modern facility to public tender, arguing it would be likely to overrun the $20-million Chase Fund allocation.

“…if we could get to do it in-house rather than send it to public tender then probably we would be able to complete one ward with the sum provided by the Chase Fund. Our superintendent (of works) and his technical persons would buy the material and actually engage individuals to carry out the work. When you submit it to tender and it goes to a contractor it costs a lot more,” said Hill.

He also noted that the parish council would be exempted from paying GCT for the purchase of material for the project which would result in shaving expenses, which would allow the completion of at least one ward.

Arguing that the tendering process runs over three months at times, Hill pointed out that delegating construction responsibilities in-house would also reduce the time frame in which the project would be completed.

He explained that upon completion of a ward with the Chase Fund donation, it would be easier for the local government ministry to assist in ” the expansion of the structure to accommodate all the 56 residents who are there and it wouldn’t be much additional cost”.

“So it is something we are trying to get some speedy action on. The funds are there…. provided by Chase so we would like to utilise it as soon as possible. We are fortunate so far this season in that we have not had any severe rainfall or hurricane but we can’t trust to luck; we have to be proactive,” the Lucea mayor said.

As a result of the deplorable state of the near century-old structure which houses the infirmary, the 26 residents from the female ward have been temporarily relocated to the dining and recreation section of the facility.

“We are in discussion with the ministry (of local government) to speed up the process (construction). Because what we have now is a situation where the female residents have been relocated and that is not really convenient where they are now. Where they are now is specially designed for dining and recreation purposes. So while it is safer than where they are coming from it is not really appropriate for living purposes. And therefore we hope that their stay there is as short as possible,” noted Hill.

He further noted that the male ward which accommodates 29 residents is also unsuitable for dwelling.

“Where the male residents are is deteriorating rapidly and therefore we would like to get them out of there also,” he stated.

Ruth Williams, matron at the Lucea Infirmary, also stressed the immediate need for the new facility, recounting an irksome incident last year when residents had to be relocated to a church during the pouring rain.

“During the hurricane season last year we had to relocate to the church hall which was not a nice experience. We had to go through the rain. So I am thankful that the ministry is now in the process of giving us a new accommodation for them. I do hope and pray that before the year ends we will be moving to the new location,” she said.

The mayor was speaking to the Observer West following the recent handing over of clothing and other items to the infirmary by the National Council on Drug Abuse .