The  delay in the construction of the Ministry of National Security’s new headquarters on  John F. Kennedy Drive  is said to illustrate the lethargic, convoluting and mysterious manner in which the former administration awarded and executed contracts, according to National Security Minister Marvin Dames.

Mr. Dames said that upon coming to office, an assessment of the property  revealed that the project was plagued with  incomplete and shoddy workmanship.

“In 2018 a new contractor was hired to correct the work and develop the Annex at the rear of the complex.

“These delays will end up costing the Bahamian taxpayers $40 million. The budget for the original scope of works was $26 million,” he said. 

The Minister told  members of the House of Assembly in his contribution to the budget debate, “I am now being told that we can expect to move into the building sometime during the last quarter of this year.”    

The $20 million contract was signed with Holiday Industrial Builders in 2014.

Then  Housing Minister Shane Gibson told a local daily that the building would house the Ministry of National Security and the administrative staff of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

He  noted that the building would be complete within two years. 

In his address  Minister Dames noted that moving into the building could once again be delayed if the contractors encounter any unforeseen challenges in construction.