ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Two floors in the Paul Aflak building on Redcliffe Street have been earmarked as the new home for the Ministry of Health, officials from Public Works revealed to OBSERVER Media yesterday.
The building that currently houses the Ministry of Health has been deemed unfit for workers as it has been found to contain asbestos, a substance which has been known to cause cancer in humans.
A fire safety report by the Antigua & Barbuda Fire Brigade’s Fire Prevention Unit listed several major concerns and confirmed the presence of asbestos in the building.
Government’s Chief Architect Wesley James disclosed that the preliminary design for the new space located has already been conducted.
“Two floors of that building are going to be earmarked for the Ministry of Health. We have just completed preliminary design and met with the permanent secretary earlier this week and we are now making changes to the design based on the discussion we had,” James said.
Meanwhile, James also announced relocations for several other government departments.
The survey department within the Ministry of Agriculture will move from Perry Bay to Old Parham Road.
“Where PayLess is, they will occupy the second floor of that building. We are now trying to complete the construction drawing for that and to get a costing on it,” James said.
Work on a new location for the Department of Teacher Education has commenced at the former American University of Antigua location on Friar’s Hill Road.
The former CIBC building is being reconfigured to provide a new home for the Treasury department, the chief architect said.
Why does the government continually seek to rent buildings instead of constructing their own? Paying rent from month to month over a period of years may as well be spent on a proper mortgage. This would avoid disputes with the owners of the buildings and the government being held at ransom.
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