–on schedule for April ‘23 completion

WITH significant works already completed on the Guyana Fire Service (GFS)’s new headquarters on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, it is set to be completed on schedule.
This is according to Fire Chief Gregory Wickham, who, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle confirmed that works have been progressing smoothly on the $614M facility, which will be the GFS headquarters upon completion.

During a telephone interview with this newspaper, Wickham revealed that construction works on the building, which began late last year, are around 85 per cent completed.
He said, “It should be about 85 per cent completed. However, at the rate at which they’re going, they should be able to complete within the contracted period.”

The contract was awarded in November 2021 to Mohammed’s Enterprise following a tender process. Subsequently, the construction began in December, with an expected 14-month timeline.
The relocation of the Fire service headquarters from the Stabroek area to Homestretch Avenue is expected to increase emergency response timing, as it will now be away from its previous heavily-congested area.

In February 2022, the Guyana Chronicle reported that following preparatory works on the three-and-a-half-acre plot of land, the foundation for the facility was laid, and further works commenced.

Later in September this year, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn confirmed that work on the actual structure was about 60 per cent completed. At the time, he noted that he was satisfied with the progress and quality of the work done thus far.

The expected deadline for the completion of the project is April 2023. While the contract sum is $614 million, the new Headquarters for the Guyana Fire Service is expected to cost some $648 million upon full completion.