By Tomeika Jeffrey
Randolph Riley, Vineta Cabey and Emmanuel Galloway turn the sod
SoSec Director, Kenneth Scotland
Come this time next year the Montserrat Social Security Fund is expected to see the near completion of its new permanent home in Little Bay, Director of the Fund, Mr. Kenneth Scotland announced at the ground breaking ceremony at the Montserrat Cultural Centre (MCC) Tuesday morning, July 31, 2012. Director scotland
The building will be located a block away from the Montserrat Cultural Centre building and is anticipated to rival the Cultural Centre structure, in fact said to be larger than it is.
Rev. Florence Daley opened with prayers, followed by Miss Paulette Ward, Admin Asst. who introduced Director Scotland, chairperson for the event, his right leg in cast notwithstanding from a falling accident.
He voiced his contentment and anxiety to see construction get off the ground. He said, “Despite all the difficulties and delays, we remained resolute that the Montserrat Social Security Fund must have a permanent home, a home that would provide a satisfactory level of comfort for our contributors.”
He highlighted the economics of constructing the building. “As I have repeatedly indicated before, the funding for the construction of this building is seen as an investment, in that the building must generate similar or greater returns. …let me reassure contributors, whose monies we are entrusted to safe guard, that all indications are that the building does possess a potential to make the required returns. We are also hopeful that with the construction of this building that it would provide the catalyst for further development here at Little Bay, which all goes well for our contribution base,” he said.
According to Mr. Alford Dyett of ‘Alford Dyett Associates’, the Architect responsible for the building design, the construction of the building should take 54 weeks.
Architect, Alford Dyett
He described further: “The building will have two floors. Each floor will be six to seven thousand, six hundred square feet, a total of 15,200 square feet on the ground floor. The Social Security will occupy 4,700 square feet of the building and a remainder of one lease space on the ground floor. On the first floor, which is also the last floor, we have three lease spaces. The building will be fully air conditioned and we will have parking in the rear for 43 vehicles. The construction period will be…one year two weeks.”
“A ceremony is only the breaking ground, but when all is said and done those of us who remain during the fifty four weeks, will have to be very organized, very vigilant and we will have to stay with the program in order to execute the works,” said the Architect.
He added this caution, “What is very important is that our client the board, would have to be very prompt in making decisions…because time is money.”
Mr. Emanuel Galloway of Galloway Construction acknowledged his appreciation and pledged his commitment to the project. He said, “The completion of this important building, the success of any project is the reflection of all partners involved over the duration of the project,” as he outlined briefly the amount of general material, “… even with the proposed time frame and the aggressive construction schedule and any other factors that influence the rate of progress in any construction project.”
“It is our pledge,” that we will proceed with the work diligently to ensure that the hand over date is not affected and also that the workmanship and a quality of finish is of a very high standard”
Galloway Constructions are the contracting company entrusted with the construction of the plan, which is said to be within the scope of the Montserrat Development Cooperation plans for the Little Bay development project.
Ag. Premier Easton Taylor-Farrell
Ag. Premier Easton Taylor-Farrell was also present at the ceremony. He spoke on behalf of government, and while congratulating the board and staff for choosing Little Bay for the home of the Fund’s new home also calls the move, “the first of what can be considered private sector development in our new capital.” Ag. Premier Easton Farrell
Chairman Randolph Riley in what were supposed to be brief remarks, also expressed delight at having got this far, despite the challenges faced by the board (just as most of the other entities) since it started in 1986 and through the volcanic crisis. He assured however, “The social security is actually teaming up with government for the economic redevelopment of Montserrat and there are several benefits not only to the Social Security but to the entire population,” he promoted. Chairman Randolph Riley – SoSec
Some of guests at ceremony at the Cultural Centre
The party of officials and guests moved to the SoSec ground about 100 yards away, and witnessed chairman Riley with the contractor and a senior staff member Mrs. Venita Cabey break the ground with pick and shovel, symbolising the start of construction.
