THE unfinished multi-storeyed state-owned property at Lot 44 High Street, Werk-en-Rust, just north of Sussex Street, has been described by Minister of State Joseph Harmon as “a sore thumb that has actually been sucking monies out of the public purse”.Speaking to the media yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Harmon indicated that the fate of the building is still to be decided. This will depend on a report being compiled by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, on projects and other infrastructural works. This status report, the Minister said, will determine what Government does with the multi-million dollar structure.
Construction began on the building in 2010 at a cost of some $600M at the old Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) headquarters on Princes and High Streets.
It was originally designated for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. There was a change of plans to accommodate the Ministry of Health after a fire destroyed the main building of that ministry some years ago. Months later, it was reported that the building would instead facilitate other Government departments. The unfinished building currently requires substantial repairs to its interior and exterior. There are still windows and doors to be installed. Ceiling and other interior repairs such as cubicles, and other work spaces are undone. (GINA)