Madam Speaker, I am informed that a plot of land of an extent of approximately 2,600 m2 at Roche Bois has been vested in my Ministry in June 2018 for the construction of Roche Bois Community Health Centre. The specifications, tender drawings, bills of quantities and cost estimates were prepared by Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited in December 2019. After the first bidding exercise carried out in July 2019, the contract was awarded to AWL Trading and Contracting Co. Ltd. for the sum Rs39,069,182.50. However, as the latter did not submit a performance security, as laid down in the conditions of contract, within the specified timeframe, the award was cancelled in February 2020. Subsequently, a second bidding exercise was undertaken in August 2020. The contract was awarded to Ganessen Construction Ltd. in February 2021 for an amount of Rs36,237,936. The contract was signed on 28 May 2021 and the duration of work was 300 calendar days as from handing over the site. However, due to illegal squatters, the site could only be handed over to the contractor on 24 August 2021.

48 The start and completion dates were set for 07 September 2021 and 04 July 2022, respectively. Since the start, the progress of work of the contractor was very slow and several warnings were issued to him. As no improvement in the progress was noted, and on the advice of the consultant, the contract was eventually terminated on 22 May 2023 in line with the conditions of the contract. The performance guarantee of an amount of approximately Rs3.7 million was forfeited. The total percentage of work completed was approximately 8% for which an amount of Rs2,746,415 had been paid to the contractor. Subsequently, the consultant of the project was requested to assess the remaining works and prepare the cost estimates. The consultant initially submitted a cost estimate of Rs50.5 million. However, some essential components such as boundary wall, gates, lift provisions and contingencies were omitted. My Ministry, therefore, requested the consultant to review the scope of work and the cost estimates. In March 2024, the consultant submitted an amended scope of works and cost estimates amounting to Rs77 million. However, the Ministry of Finance requested my Ministry to review the requirements with a view to bringing down the cost of the project. Madam Speaker, the consultant is at present in the process of reviewing the concept design before proceeding with detailed design and drawing. My Ministry has approached the Ministry of National Infrastructure to advise on the way forward.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Juman!

Hon. Minister, thank you. By when can we expect the works to start? By when can we expect, through the consultant, constructers, etc., the works to start on site?

Madam Speaker, having a long experience in infrastructure works, I personally believe that this has to be scrapped. We have to hand over the entire work to the experts at the Ministry of Infrastructure because they have to look into the issue over again, as the sum they are demanding is too exaggerating.

49 It is impossible for us to spend that much of money. That is the reason why I personally believe that we have to handover the matter to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

So, you cannot give a timeframe?

No.

May I request the hon. Minister to clear the bushy land there? The site is bushy. Can you clear that?

Bushy, bushy!

I will look into the issue. We will try to have the site cleared. But, personally, again, I believe that it is too exaggerated. The consultants are exaggerating. I am clear on that.

Okay. I do not know if we can do the next question within three minutes. We can try. Let us try! Hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River! CHEMIN GRENIER – NEW MARKET FAIR – SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION