Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Major renovation work on Ministry of Health and Environment’s former Headquarters is nearing completion.

22nd January 2016

Joseph made the announcement on January 22nd, a week after all the cancerous materials were removed from the compound and buried at the Cooks Landfill at Denfield, West of Hatton village.

Minister Joseph said that he is overjoyed with the turn of events and is anticipating moving into his new office in the very near future.

He said that he is delighted with the fact that the Government has decided to transform the facility rather than tear it down, as was suggested by the previous administration.

"I am very pleased with the progress that we have made considering the history of this building because there were plans to destroy the building which has significant and considerable history in this country but I am very pleased, really pleased that within the next two months or so, the entire Ministry of Health and the Environment will have a new home with upgraded facilities", Minister Joseph stated.

One of the individuals who supervised the removal and subsequent burial of the Asbestos material is Project Supervisor, Hewlett Athill, who said that everything has been done to make the building as safe and secure as possible.

"We had about two percent of the building that had the Asbestos materials, so I would say that the building is really safe, we have removed all the Asbestos, we had a small amount in the roof and a little out front which we actually took out and replaced with windows and blocks so the staff can rest assured that all the Asbestos is out of the building", Athill said.

Site Foreman, Conroy Ephraim echoed similar sentiments, noting that he believes the facility is at least two hundred percent safe, adding that the necessary clothing, tools and equipment were used in the removal of the Asbestos material so he is confident that everything is quite ok.

Minister of Health and the Environment, Molwyn Joseph has declared the former Ministry of Health and Environment Headquarters on High and Long Street Asbestos- Free and one hundred percent environmentally-friendly. The plastering and painting of the building's exterior have been completed and exterior work is now in progress.

A handing over ceremony is expected to take place between the Months of April and June and upon completion, the structure is expected to be one of the wonders of St John's City.

The Ministry of Health and Environment staff has been relocated to offices on Redcliffe Street since 2014 to enable renovation on the building to proceed in earnest.