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They’re saying we’re slow! Premier praises RDA on ESHS work

New buildings at a the Elmore Stoutt High School in Lower Estate. (RDA photo)

Amid some criticism about the speed at which the project was completed, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has, once again, sought to praise the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) for a stellar job in executing the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) redevelopment.

Premier Wheatley disputed claims that the project was completed at a slow rate and insisted that it was done in record time despite the delays it suffered.

“Somehow or the other, they’re trying to push something that we’re slow. But at the Elmore Stoutt High School, there were no new buildings constructed there since Lavity Stoutt was alive and we were able to deliver that for the people and we’re proud of that accomplishment,” the Premier said.

The project, which began in April and was expected to be completed in September ahead of the new school year, saw several hiccups along the way. However, the project was eventually deemed as completed late last month by the RDA.

“They had a few delays because of issues with shipping and an incident that took place in a port in Jamaica where the paint spilt, and you know, anything that could have gone wrong, went wrong,” the Premier explained.

“The Elmore Stoutt High School Redevelopment Project achieved substantial completion as of Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Substantial completion means that all major components of the works have been successfully completed and the building is deemed fully functional,” the RDA noted earlier this month.

And while recognising the good management of the RDA, Premier Wheatley suggested that naysayers could always find something that hasn’t been done, but this will not prevent him from pushing towards further successes.

“Nobody’s going [to] rain on my parade by telling me something that hasn’t been done okay. The fact that of the matter is that those students will have much more comfortable accommodations than they’ve had in the past,” Dr Wheatley stated.

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25 Comments

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  1. SMH says:

    House of Assembly…stop giving Greed Fundation Tax Payers money

  2. Resident says:

    It’s only been 5 years, since the Storm; still it’s only a generation of high school kids, so not a priority….

    Like 19
    Dislike 1
  3. Increments!!! says:

    Ok yes great the school finish. now pay the teachers their increment.. when Andrew was in you use to say it’s finance. Now you the minister of finance and you have done or stated nothing on increments no excuse no apologies nothing. 5 years no increment everything so expensive and you expect people to be happy. Are you for real. How can it take so long to get increments but don’t worry the next strike going buss chest!!

    Like 23
    Dislike 1
  4. Slow start says:

    was the problem with the rebuilding of the ESHS. One damaged building was refurbished in 2019 then nothing until April 2022. So after 8 months of frantic construction there is finally a high school in Road Town for all kids born here after 2006.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  5. Talk That! says:

    You are the one who is SLOW

  6. Good idea says:

    Let us name these school buildings after Andrew… {AF Complex}

    Like 2
    Dislike 12
  7. Slow says:

    Why wasn’t the paint bought locally? Would it not be quicker and cheaper? Split buckets in JA sounds costly.

  8. wilcock says:

    Slo*onde

  9. Jane says:

    We’ve built a school after 5 years which looks like schools designed 60 years ago. Where are the PV panels to power A/C? Why no green roofs to reduce heat? Why no future proofing by building for additional capacity needed in the near future? Why is there no lay-by for the dropping off of students without blocking the road? Are the classrooms equipped with wired data points, smart boards etc?

    This is another project of “what could have been”? See also the Pier Park.

    Yes we have a school but no-one should be feeling smug about it. Total lack of vision and about 4 years too late.

    Like 34
    Dislike 2
  10. @Slow says:

    All purchasing is up to the RDA. They have their own reasons for choosing where the goods originate/are purchased.

  11. Great says:

    I’m not going to lie.. drove by yesterday and was very impressed. The school looking good mehson! Good job to Andrew for getting it off the ground.

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  12. Resident says:

    The teachers need to forget about the lame union leaders and call a strike. It’s ridiculous. He’s boasting about a school but wouldn’t pay the people who keep education going. STRIKE!!! I say. Let’s see if the walls can teach.

  13. LOL says:

    So you were sitting on your a**** for 3 years (VIP) and then you put something up at $ 600 per square foot? Now we are supposed to applaud you and RDA, what a joke. I am endorsing everything Jane said.

    Like 10
  14. Jane for Premier says:

    Me too I am endorsing what Jane said. With that kind of vision, she sound more qualified than what we call a premier currently. Maybe he should start focusing more on his ‘last day in office’ speech.

  15. Jane for Premier.. says:

    Me too I am endorsing what Jane said. With that kind of vision, she sound more qualified than what we call a premier currently. Maybe he should start focusing more on his ‘last day in office’ speech.

  16. NO OFFENCE says:

    But concentration camp comes to mind , we really thought , seeing that we are in the 21st it would of shown a more futuristic design the kids deserve better

  17. Parent says:

    I did a tour of the building but I did not see a staff room.

  18. @@slow says:

    Ah- so that’s why the project cost so much. RDA giving bids to buddies.

  19. Great Job RDA. says:

    It looks good, Nice design. Hope the students take care of it. I hope they get serious security to protect the property and control the kids.

  20. Jah Know says:

    5 years since the storms and now decided to rush this project to get it done in a year. So much more could’ve been done

  21. Serpico says:

    Is there a cafeteria on that campus? Asking for a foreign friend.

  22. Licher and Sticher Good says:

    Slo** Wande ain’t yet figure out that education has moved on. All countries are pushing towards hybrid learning, online and partial offline. This building a school thing is out of date.

  23. WEW says:

    Be ready in September ! Right Slowie ?

  24. Ok next says:

    So much darn wasted space could of build around peremiter… and use the whole inside for sports activities volleyball basket Ball and as space for events.. a very small minded plan.. anyways whatever nice to have a BUILDING increments noww.. this is rediculous now.

  25. why government says:

    don’t give increments in a timely fashion. you get increment this year then it takes years to see abither. all the time you getting evaluated to not see increment

    i got so much back up increments. when I dead and gone i will still be owed.

    this government just full of s**t

    and needs to do better. year end most government world wide gives bonus to their workers not this s**tty government.

    now sheep asking for money to help building a wall on private property

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