MP Ferguson Criticises Slow Progress Government Office Complex

The proposed office complex, intended to consolidate multiple government ministries and departments under one roof, was first announced in 2022 with a projected cost of $2.6 billion. However, since then, the project’s price tag has skyrocketed to $7.6 billion, and some reports suggest the final cost could be as high as $15.8 billion. Despite these ballooning costs, there has been little visible progress on the Houston site.

The complex is planned to be a landmark structure to house various government offices. Originally, construction was expected to begin in 2024, but as of November 2024, the site remains largely undeveloped. The project has been surrounded by controversy from the outset, with concerns raised over its increasing costs, delays in construction, and the lack of transparency surrounding its development.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government has yet to provide full details about the contractor involved, Caribbean Green Building Incorporated, and the process behind selecting this company has come under scrutiny. The project has faced criticism for its lack of public consultation, absence of an environmental impact assessment, and the government’s failure to release detailed plans or progress updates.

In her recent op-ed, Ferguson raised several key points of concern, emphasising that the pace of progress on the project was far slower than the government’s assurances suggested. Ferguson reportedly made a site visit to the location on November 7, 2024, and described the state of the construction as “appalling.” While stockpiles of aggregates were visible on the site, Ferguson noted that there was no evidence of any major preparatory works for the foundation, such as drilling for piles or casting the base for the building.

Village Voice News passed by the site  yesterday and the situation is as the photograph submitted by Ferguson. This lack of visible progress stands in stark contrast to the government’s statements, particularly those made by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, who has repeatedly assured the public that the project is moving forward.

In a September 2024 press release, Edghill sought to reassure the nation, claiming that materials for the building’s superstructure were being fabricated overseas. However, Ferguson has dismissed these claims, pointing out that such preparatory works, like laying the foundation, should have already been underway by now.

“I will not allow differences of explanations or opinions provided by Bishop Edghill to persuade my thoughts,” Ferguson stated. “As a layman with some knowledge of construction, I know that preparatory works for a project like this involve far more than the fabrication of steel frames and sand filling.” In the APNU+AFC Coalition government, Annette Ferguson served as Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Ferguson also expressed her frustration that, despite the critical nature of the project, Edghill had only issued a press release in response to her concerns. “Minister Edghill should call a press conference, showcase the off-site factory where materials are being fabricated, provide images, names, and shipment details — something more than a vague press release,” Ferguson urged.

Ferguson emphasises that the slow pace of work on the site, combined with the rising costs, raises valid questions about the project’s legitimacy and its potential to become another white elephant, a term often used to describe government projects that fail to deliver expected benefits.

The lack of accountability from the government on this project has sparked calls for more robust oversight, with Ferguson noting that high-ranking officials like Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who regularly address various matters in the media, have remained silent on the issue. “This should be a major concern for the government’s chief spokesman, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who speaks on all conceivable matters but has never addressed the slothful pace of this project at his weekly press conferences,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s public interventions call for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. With taxpayers’ money at stake, she has repeatedly called on the government to provide detailed answers about the contractor, the timeline, and the costs associated with the office complex.

M.P. Ferguson’s criticism mirrors unease – expressed by other observers – surrounding the project. As the project remains stalled with no clear answers from the government, the calls for answers from the ruling regime become louder. As Ferguson stated in her op-ed, “I am positive that on reading this, Bishop Edghill will take time out from his busy schedule and host a press conference to address the questions. Those questions still remain relevant and appropriate responses should be provided.”