Building work for a new Met Office in Tobago to start in a few weeks

By Kinnesha George

Story Created: Feb 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM ECT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM ECT

THE construction of Tobagos new Meteorological (MET) Office will start in mid February, according to the Minister of Tobago Development, Dr. Delmon Baker. The $64 million office will be built adjacent to the fire service building at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport. Dr. Baker told the media that Cabinet made the decision to build a new Met Office building in September 2007. On July 14, 2011, the Government after just one year in office took the decision to appoint NIPDEC to act as project managers for the design, construction and outfitting of the building. The construction is expected to be mobilised early in February, I am pushing to ensure that this occurs within the first two weeks, weather and all other matters permitting, stated Dr. Baker, who says he has sought the assurances of NIPDEC that local contractors, where possible, will carry out the building work. With the construction of this building, the Government is undertaking a training needs assessment for the facility and for the island of Tobago as indeed, we are doing for Trinidad and Tobago as a whole, to ensure that adequate staffing is available to meet with the needs of this new facility, he added. According to Dr. Baker, this will be the most modern facility on the island of Tobago and I am hoping that I can say at the end of fifteen months, that it came to the people of Tobago within budget and in the time lines that were ascribed when the original contract was put out; holding NIPDEC to that as you the people of Tobago can hold me to that in the first instance. I am putting my reputation on the line NIPDEC, he exclaimed. Meanwhile, the Chairman of NIPDEC, Hamlyn Jailal stated that NIPDEC will deliver the project on time and within budget. Eleven companies bought the package, while eight responded and Adams Project Management and Construction Limited was selected. This company has a rich legacy both in Trinidad and Tobago. This company has done work before in Tobago and we feel very confident that this contractor will deliver on time and on budget, as this is the experience we have had to date with this particular contractor for projects at NIPDEC, Jailal explained.

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Building work for a new Met Office in Tobago to start in a few weeks