Two major contracts were signed: For the renovation and upgrade of the Government Complex in Bimini; and for a storage facility for the C.A. Smith Building in Freeport, on Tuesday at the Grand Lucayan. Shown from left standing are: Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray; Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez; Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie; Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; and Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Kenred Dorsett. Shown from left seated are: Michael Edwards, Pinnacle Investments Construction; Christopher Harris, Pyramid Construction Company; Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson; Director of National Insurance, Rowena Bethel; and Senior Deputy Director of Buildings and Business Support Services, Theresa Burrows. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

Following the historic Cabinet Meeting held at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Prime Minister and Cabinet members went to the hotel for a press conference where the Prime Minister briefed the media on meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Subsidized by the National Insurance Fund, the contract for the new Bimini Government Complex was awarded to Christopher Harris of Pyramid Construction Company in the amount of $10,336,246.80. The Complex was designed by Bahamian architect, Sean Farrington of Diamond Consultant Group.

Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. D. Shane Gibson said, "the Government of The Bahamas having recognized the condition of the current Government Complex determined that the facility required renovation and modernization to provide adequate services to the residents and visitors of Bimini."

The complex will have approximately 20,000 square feet of new construction and 7,600 square feet of renovation works for a combined total size of approximately 27,600.

The building will house the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, the Police Station and Fire Services, Immigration, Ministry of Works, Passport Office, Post Office, Social Services and Department of Labour.

The project, he said, has a completion timeline of approximately 18 months.

The National Insurance Board completed the construction of the C.A. Smith Building in late 2011 and it was opened in 2012, said the Minister.

"Storage within the building, as designed, does not meet all requirements of the respective Government Offices being accommodated with the complex. In particular," continued Minister Gibson, "the Ministry of Education which requires a consolidation of their storage capacity to improve efficiency and security for the distribution of all educational materials from one central location."

The storage facility, which was designed by local architect Iram Lewis of Lewis Architectural Services, will also reduce storage fees for each Government Ministry or Department. It will be approximately 12,000 square feet with a loading bay, bathrooms, and individual storage areas for each department, as well as a main reception area.

Described as "long overdue" the contract was awarded to Michael Edwards of Pinnacle Investments Construction Limited in the amount of $1,300,366.62 and is expected to be completed in 35 weeks.

Also present was the Director of National Insurance, Rowena Bethel, who said "the National Insurance Board is pleased to again demonstrate its continued commitment to the growth, development and sustainability of communities in The Bahamas. As stewards of the contributions made by all Bahamians and workers in the country, the projects that will emerge from these contract signings today are evident of citizens’ savings working for them in a real and tangible way.

"Bimini is a growing community that needs upgraded and enhanced government services in order to meet its development needs. "

Each island and each in community, she said, should have the same quality and levels of services available throughout this country.

"In short, the National Insurance contributions can be seen as forming part of the foundation blocks for sustainable community development.

"In the case of both Grand Bahama and Bimini, the National Insurance Board is building on a legacy of community infrastructural developments begun years before in health care facilities and government service facilities."