By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A senior Ministry of Works official yesterday confirmed that a $7 million roadwork project in North Andros had been put ‘on hold’ pending an inspection to ensure compliance with the Government’s specifications.

Colin Higgs, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, told Tribune Business that a hold had been placed on the roadworks being carried out by Bethell’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment.

Back in February, the Ministry of Works signed a $7 million contract to reconstruct what was described as a “critically important” stretch of road in North Andros leading to the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI).

The reconstruction of the 9.7 miles of road was initially expected to take six months, and an assessment on the project is due to take place today.

Mr Higgs confirmed via e-mail to Tribune Business: “The works were put on hold pending inspection by our technical officers to ensure compliance with specifications.

“We do not want the contractor to greatly progress the works without assurance that the quality specifications are being met.

Mr Higg was unable to confirm exactly how much of the project has been completed to-date.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis said back in February that with the opening of BAMSI last September, it was critical that the main road between it and the San Andros Airport be reconstructed and paved with hot-mix asphalt.

“By reason of exigencies, technical officers in my ministry engaged Bethell’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment in negotiations to agree a price to reconstruct some 9.7 miles of the main road from the San Andros Airport to the major crossing south of the BAMSI site,” Mr Davis said.

“Resulting from the negotiations, the award of a contract in the base sum of $7.107 million to Bethell’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment to undertake the road works was approved.”

Mr Davis said the contract signing marked phase one of many aimed at equipping the island with “world-class roadways”.