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Labour Minister pushing local labour for JVD school construction

Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull

Labour Minister Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has challenged contractors for the Jost Van Dyke Primary School project to employ locals in their operation.

Quality Construction Limited headed by Roy Garrawayn was recently awarded the contract for the project which has a value of more than four million dollars.

Speaking at a community meeting ahead of the project, Turnbull said: “I want to ensure that Mr Garraway and his team understand the importance of hiring people, and getting the locals involved in the construction and the trucking and the excavation so that we can feel a part of what we are building for, not just our children, but for our entire community”

He said one of the complaints received from members of the community is that every time something was being done for the island, it was done without the involvement of members of the community.

Turnbull said he was happy the Unity Government is making a push to invest resources into the rebuilding of Jost Van Dyke and also expressed hope that partnerships would be made between the contractors and the people of the island. 

Turnbull previously complained that the island was left behind and said he had been trying for the better part of seven years to get the situation resolved. 

And while alluding to concerns about the size and scope of the project, Turnbull said he knew there were questions about why the school was so big but said the question should instead be why not? 

“If you have left this community behind for some 20-plus years and you have allowed the students of this facility to just be in this environment for so long, why not build for the future? Why not build to allow for community meetings to be had?” Turnbull asked. 

 

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10 Comments

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  1. JVD says:

    Remember that from Tola ain’t local JVD

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  2. Deh Watcha says:

    Dude just save it.

    If you truly wanted local JVD labour to be included in the process you would have ensured it was stipulated as one of the terms of the contract. Mr Garraway does not have to do anything other than deliver on the contract.

    You all talk a good game, but your play styles are weak.

    Like 11
  3. blyden chinnery says:

    Yellow man and Roger bring a lot ah island man over here to wuk and bypass we

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  4. Chupes says:

    After the fact. This guy is a power hungry, fake and deceitful person. If you wanted to have JVD people involved you would have encouraged that from the beginning. Shut the he** up.

  5. TurtleDove says:

    @ Deh Watcha

    On the money….put it in writing then you don’t have to ask or beg. Every single contract should have a hire a percentage of local clause. If you cant meet it you have to file an addendum and get it approved before starting.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  6. Tasty says:

    This is a RDA project so no minister gets to impose contractors – that is why we have the RDA to stop this kinda interferences

  7. Hmmm says:

    The contractor will have his staff working. When bidding for these contracts you got to list your staff organization and their qualifications. You don’t pick up someone yo tie your steel becaude you from here. Majority of construction staff on work permit. The man done have his staff and the representative and minister should let him do the scope.of work agreed in the contract. Go pick up a trademan because he from here snd let the block them fall down.
    This place and the politics sickening.mehn

  8. Licher and Sticher says:

    Who else going to do it unless these guys engage a Chinese construction company. There we go again, a member of the Unified A**Clowns speaking when he needs to STFU

  9. Question says:

    Why wasn’t anyone from JVD encouraged to bid job?

  10. @Question says:

    RDA does not give out contracts because you born here. If JVD people want contracts, then they needed to get themselves up to the standards that would make them qualified to bid. They must also have the means and ability to secure a workmanship/liability insurance for the contract. Stop and think before you all post!

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