THE Ministry of Public Works has denied assertions made by former Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson regarding delays and public access to Phase Two of the Thomas Lands Rehabilitation Project, describing her statements as inaccurate.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the ministry said Ferguson’s claim—made in a video posted to Facebook on November 18—that the project has been ongoing for two years is “completely false.” According to officials, the 600-metre road project began on November 25, 2024, and carries a 12-month contractual deadline ending in November 2025.
The ministry stressed that the project remains within its scheduled timeline and that the contractor, JKP Construction, is expected to complete the works as agreed. Phase One of the Thomas Lands rehabilitation, which covered the stretch from Albert Street to Queen’s College, was also executed by the company.
Responding to additional claims that the public is being improperly restricted from the area, the ministry said access limitations are in place for safety reasons and that only stakeholders operating between Irving Street and Albert Street were granted entry during construction. These include the National Park, One Communications’ hardware operations, the Civil Defence Commission, Maltinos Sports Ground, and the Transport Sports Club.
The ministry stated that all other road users are required to utilise alternative routes and rejected Ferguson’s assertion that commuters were being encouraged to traverse the active construction zone.
Officials added that recent rainfall has slowed field density testing of newly compacted loam and sand layers, as water saturation must subside before testing can continue without compromising structural work already completed.
The project, according to the ministry, remains on track for its scheduled completion next November.