By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
MINISTRY of Works Permanent Secretary Luther Smith confirmed yesterday that a portion of a roof under construction at RM Bailey Senior High School collapsed on Wednesday, just weeks ahead of the new school year.
Photos and video clips of the collapsed roof spread on Wednesday, worrying some who questioned the quality of the construction.
Mr Smith said his ministry would release a statement on the matter but could not say when.
“A portion of the roof that was under construction collapsed,“ Mr Smith said. “But the roof did not collapse because you don’t have a roof until it’s completed, so that portion collapsed.
“The minister has directed that a report be provided as to why it collapsed and that report is being prepared by the director and that will then go to the minister, but it was nothing of any catastrophic consequence.”
Mr Smith said he could not give further details.
He said the matter would not delay school repairs.
“This has nothing to do with school repairs,” he said.
“This has to do with a new capital works facility, which is the gazebo for students during lunchtime. The capital works at RM Bailey are proceeding as per usual.”
Comments
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 3 months ago
"A portion of the roof that was under construction collapsed,“ Mr Smith said. “But the roof did not collapse because you don’t have a roof until it’s completed, so that portion collapsed."
Is Mr Smith serious? The gold standard of construction is "if the building falls down but it's not yet complete that doesnt mean anything"? This should never happen, not only is it a loss of thousands in materials, labour and time (please tell us how much for all 3) , it is a clear and present danger to workers both construction and otherwise. This also calls into question every piece of work the "contractor" completed. The files should be pulled and a qualified inspector independent of MOW should immediately review all of his work. If less than this is done, the minister should be held personally liable should any part of a completed structure anywhere collapse and injure someone.
What were the inspection points on this work? Please ask a contractor about this
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