Work on the renovation of the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre is to begin in approximately two weeks time.{{more}}

Last Friday, Minister with responsibility for the centre Frederick Stephenson, announced that work on the compound at Green Hill is scheduled to begin 17 days after last Friday’s signing of the contract by Fraser’s Construction firm, which had been commissioned to do the renovations.

“The OECS has accepted the tender submitted by Fraser’s Construction firm for the execution and completion of works and remedying of any defects therein, at the agreed sum of 531,893.12 for the renovation works to be carried out at the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Facility.

“The works include, but are not limited to, putting on a new wing at the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Facility, and some remedial work in relation to the bathroom and toilet facilities and the existing dorms.”

Stephenson said the 17- day grace period was allowed to facilitate remedial work taking place at the Gomea Community Centre, where the boys will be accommodated until work on their dormitory has been completed.

The minister said the renovations are part of the Juvenile Justice Reform Programme, which seeks to assist young boys who are in conflict with the law, by providing them with a place to stay, while seeking to reform them and enable them to return to their communities.

“It makes good on the promises that we have as a state, that no child should be left behind, but that all children must have an equal opportunity for their own advancement and for the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Stephenson said of the programme.

“Today is a very historic day for me as a minister and St Vincent and the Grenadines, as we are the first country in the OECS that has rolled out a number of programmes as we continue our work with our juveniles in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he added.

Cauldric Fraser, contractor and manager of Fraser’s Construction, signed the contract last Friday, witnessed by Keith Collis, a technical officer in the Ministry of National Mobilization.

Fraser said that he was pleased to be accepted to perform the renovations of the facility, which is in the community in which he resides. Fraser indicated that he had done work at the centre in the past, and that he was happy with the cooperation he had received.

The project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is scheduled to be completed by mid-March.(JJ)