(CMR) After missing several dates for the official opening, the Poinciana Rehabilitation Center is now expected to be opened next year.
Minister for Health & Wellness and Home Affairs, Hon. Sabrina Turner, announced during the sitting of the Finance Committee last week that the completion of the building inspection is now being awaited so the building can be handed over to the Health Ministry.
The Minister said Cabinet approved $1.7 million for the completion facility in September 2023, pointing out that the original cost for the construction of the facility has increased by approximately CI$5 million, moving from CI$16.2 mil to a projected $21.5mil.
The additional money approved in September was taken from other areas of the Ministry's 2023 budget, the minister said.
She said this increase in the original cost was due to several factors, including an increase in the scope of work, an increase in the size of buildings constructed, the implementation of an underground perimeter detection system instead of a regular perimeter fence, and an increase in construction material.
The Minister also stated that the facility was constructed to higher hurricane standards expected for standard residential properties and that fixtures were implemented to specification.
Minister Turner also announced the approval of $100,000 to enable the Department of Environmental Health to carry out a second bulk waste campaign during December, funded from the ministry’s other budget allocations.
Cabinet also approved supplementary funding for the Cadet Corps in the amount of $75,000 for engaging additional essential volunteer staff and $100,000 in supplementary funding for the Bridge Foundation, a halfway house or substance recovery center from drug or alcohol abuse, both obtained from the ministry’s budget approvals in policy advice areas.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid