Diamond bond 25 percent completed

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 14, 2018

The Ministry of Public Health has budgeted more than $600M to complete and provide several facilities at various locations. One of the projects falling under this budgeted sum is the expansion of the Supplies Chain Management Complex, commonly referred to as the Diamond Bond.

A contract was awarded to R. Bassoo and Sons construction company to expand the facility with the addition of two bays which would allow for the storage of more drugs and medical supplies. This extra space will be needed since the new procurement system for drugs requires storage capacity for one year’s supply.

Heidi Gillette, Project Manager of R. Bassoo and Sons construction company updated the Department of Public Information on the scope of work being carried out on the expansion. “What we are doing is a strip foundation reinforced concrete floors hollow block walls, metal sheeting for cladding… we are going to be putting on a special finish to the floors to make certain there is no dusting because you are having pharmaceuticals stored here.”

As of April 13, 2018, Gillette said that the project is about 25 percent complete as they are in the process of completing the steel frame. “We are not having a lot of hiccups at present because we have been getting cooperation with the people who are heading the MMU (Materials Management Unit) here… in terms of moving pharmaceuticals against the wall, which is the western wall.”

The expansion project based on contracted arrangement is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2018.

 

By: Delicia Haynes