Contractors who worked on the School Repair Programme have been paid by the Tobago House of Assembly.
In a statement, the THA said the contractors received the funds from the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy during a ceremony last week. In all, the contractors completed 83 projects at 45 primary and secondary schools in time for the start of this school term, the release said. The release did not, however, say how much was paid out to the contractors.
The programme was an initiative of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Education Division. Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles said the 2018 School Repair Programme gave local contractors an opportunity to demonstrate quality work and get greater exposure.
Charles said: “Gaining the necessary experience through projects such as the School Repair Programme will prepare, in particular, the smaller contractors, for future construction projects in Tobago.”
The contractors were praised for their work performance, the quality of workmanship and completing their projects in a timely manner.
Contractor Demi-John Cruickshank also praised the division for its timely payment.
“We would have called for this and I think they are talking the talk, and I want to commend the Chief Secretary and the Administrator of the Division of Education for paying us contractors on time,” Cruickshank was quoted as saying.