Revised cost for Cornwall Regional Hospital rehabilitation now at $21 billion

The total cost for the redevelopment of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James is now estimated at $21.4 billion, according to new budget documents released by the Government. 

That figure includes the controversial $15-billion contract that the Cabinet last year approved to Chinese firm ZDA Construction Limited despite the Public Procurement Commission claiming that the Ministry of Health and Wellness presided over an "irregular" process. 

The ministry rejected the assertion. 

The Estimates of Expenditure for the 2024-2025 financial year tabled in Parliament today stated that the initial estimated cost for the hospital project was just over $5 billion. 

However, it said the figure has been revised to $21.4 billion.

Approximately $6.7 billion has already been spent, with $5.8 billion projected for the upcoming financial year and about $8.9 billion for the two years leading up to March 2027. 

The scope of work was significantly widened. 

The project, which is being funded entirely by taxpayers, was originally slated to run from April 2019 to March 2023. 

But the project has now been extended to March 2027.

The document lists $2 billion for 2026-2027. 

Last November, the government's information agency, JIS, reported that "works started on October 16 and are expected to be completed in 2026". 

Citing the Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, JIS also reported that "the phased occupation of the main building will commence in April to mid-year 2024". 

Up to December 2023, the new budget document stated that achievements under the project included a full roof repair, demolition and structural repairs to nine floors and the basement, and the signing of the contract with ZDA. 

The anticipated targets for the upcoming financial year, which starts on April 1, include completing the designs for phase three, the start of construction work and the initiation of procurement of certain items. 

The restoration of Cornwall Regional, the chief primary healthcare facility in western Jamaica, has been fraught with problems.

It started in 2016 with concerns about noxious fumes, followed by the relocation of services, shifting deadlines, ballooning budgets, and problems with contractors.

In December 2020, Tufton blamed the lack of local expertise for the missed deadlines and signalled that his ministry would look overseas for help.

The Jamaica Institution of Engineers and other construction stakeholders slammed the minister as misguided, with one expert deeming Cornwall Regional “a messy, messy project” that had all the hallmarks of bad planning and cavalier spending.

The health ministry signed a contract with ZDA in September 2023. 

The company took over from engineering firm M&M Jamaica.

The Opposition People's National Party has criticised the Government's handling of the rehabilitation project.

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