The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ROADWORKS critical to the official opening of the new agriculture and marine science school in North Andros could begin within a matter of days.

Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday revealed that “all the finances” were in place to repair the roads; however, a contractor had not yet been chosen.

“The roadworks in this area from the airport to the school should begin within the next seven days,” he said.

“I’m advised that all the finances are in place, I think they are trying to find out which contractor will do this particular part of the road, but I am told by the prime minister that the roads would begin within the next week or so, and the deputy prime minister has assured us that it is a priority for him. The site will not be opened until the roads to it and from it are paved.”

Classes began at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) yesterday.

Roads connecting BAMSI to the San Andros Airport are prone to flooding and severely deteriorated with numerous potholes.

Mr Gray told reporters earlier this month that the road works will take about six weeks to complete, with some five or six contractors engaged to complete various sections.

During the earlier press tour, Mr Gray estimated that the government had spent nearly $50m on the BAMSI project and had only just begun.

Prime Minister Perry Christie has maintained that the government plans to spend $100m over the course of the project’s development in Andros and related infrastructure upgrades.

The Free National Movement has since called for a fiscal audit of the new school to account for the management of expenditure.

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the project given that the government has yet to reveal its master plan for the institution.

Calls placed to Minister of Works, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis were not returned up to press time.