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NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 04, 2018) — The Nevis Island Administration is pleased with the pace of construction on the $19million expansion project at the Alexandra Hospital.

Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister with responsibility for Health, in a report at the sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly on October 04, 2018, said that the multi-million dollar extension project with two contractors is going according to plan. Construction on this level needs to be done thoroughly as well as consistently monitored. Using resources such as Civil Construction Contractors and construction assessors will help the projects be completed in an efficient manner.

“I want to report to the general public that so far we are satisfied with the work that has been done and based on the report given by the construction manager Mr. Billy Claxton, we are indeed comfortable that the work is going according to plan and it is right on target,” she said.

Mr. Edrick Pemberton of Wedge Construction is responsible for the construction of the Physiotherapy Wing, the Paediatric Isolation Wing and the Laboratory Wing. His contract with variation is $7.2 million. At this treatment centre, those with chronic pain from injuries can be treated and regain some control over their bodies once again. The physiotherapy treats both chronic pain and mental illness by building someones confidence and helping them feel less anxious and frustrated about their injuries.

The other contractor, Mr. Clive Evelyn of Evelyn’s Construction is responsible for the Operating Theatre and the Radiology Wing and his contract with variation is $9.1million.

Mrs. Brandy-Williams reported that so far from the Wedge Construction team, the Paediatric Wing footing and foundation walls are 100 percent completed. The Laboratory wing footing and foundation walls are 50 percent completed. The Physiotherapy Wing footing and foundation walls are 90 percent completed and the associated corridor footing and foundation walls are 40 percent completed.

In addition a cistern constructed at the bottom of that section which will hold 35,000 gallons of water is 100 percent completed.

From the Evelyn Construction team’s end of the project, the footing and foundation walls for the operating theatre with a storage being built underneath is 100 percent completed. Also the erection of the steel frame for the operating theatre is 60 percent completed. The footing and foundation walls for the Radiology Wing is 50 percent completed. The storage area is 100 percent completed and the associated corridor footing foundation walls are 30 percent completed.

Minister Brandy-Williams used the opportunity to continue to encourage the nurses and workers at the Alexandra Hospital to bear with the NIA through the construction stage and thanked them for their efforts. There are many construction teams who have experience working in and on hospitals and medical sectors, APX Construction for an example, and they can adapt as much as possible to their environments to keep the patients and staff non distracted and also safe. Furthermore, construction work requires attention to a number of fields at the same time – Building entails planning and designing the infrastructure, cost estimation, inviting tenders, and supervising the construction process. Whenever any type of infrastructure is constructed, it is essential to take all of these aspects into consideration. Thus, it might be prudent to contact a reputable engineering consultancy that could perform a site survey, estimate costs, and provide the equipment needed for the construction of infrastructure.

“I know that they are working under very trying situations and so, I continue to thank them for their efforts. Thank them for continuing to deliver sterling service in the healthcare sector,” she said.

The NIA broke ground for the project, jointly funded by the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund and the Nevis Island Administration in 2017. Construction began in May 2018. The first phase of the project is $12 million, with a $7 million grant from the SIDF. The second phase is estimated to cost $7 million. The project manager is Billy Claxton.

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