Water seeps through walls in controversial Friars Hill Road office; will Ministry of Works – or IF Antigua – pay for repairs, observers wonder

The controversial Friars Hill Road building that houses three departments of
the Ministry of Works reportedly fell victim to the torrential rains on Monday,
June 17, as workers there claimed that water seeped through the walls.
Those on the inside claim that the heavy downpour caused water to leak
through the sheet rock that makes up the inner walls in the office of the
Development Control Authority (DCA), and this forced the early dismissal of
staff.

The insiders allege, further, that the building had been hurry-done; that no
plans had been submitted for approval by the DCA; and that no engineer or
inspector had checked on the construction in progress.
Hence, today’s flooding came as no great surprise to them, and they are
betting that the sheetrock will be sprouting mold as a result of the soaking it
received on Monday.

Reportedly, a crew – headed by the chairman of a statutory body – is to look at
the building today, Tuesday, with a view to making repairs.

Questions are now being asked about which entity – the Ministry of Works or
IF Antigua – will be financially responsible for repairing the damage the
property sustained on Monday.

Mere months ago, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told the Lower House of
Parliament that his son Andron had “an interest” in the property.
However, it was later confirmed that Andron is the sole owner and director of
the company that owns the premises, IF Antigua, and that the buildings had
actually been repaired and renovated by the Ministry of Public Works, which
is headed by his stepmother, Minister Maria Browne.

Renovation work ran into the hundreds of thousands, according to figures
reportedly released by the Ministry. However, the senior Browne has
contended that taxpayers received value for money, as the rent for the first 18
months of occupancy was merely $1 a month.

The prime minister has since refused to disclose what the current rental
arrangements with his son’s company are, while the West Indies Oil Company
has refused to disclose the price at which it sold the property.
Prime Minister Browne was alleged to have driven to the damaged premises
on Monday, but is said to have remained outside in his vehicle.