Government House is unsafe to stay in, and urgent repairs are needed.
Rena Lalgie and her family are living in a temporary home paid by the taxpayers while construction is being completed.
It was 18 months ago that Parliament learned of extensive water damage in the Langton Hill building, owing to leaky roofs and defective windows. However, major repairs had been deferred due to lack of funds.
Last week, a government spokesperson told The Royal Gazette: “Following receipt of an interim report on the condition Government House it was determined that urgent work is required to make Government House suitable for occupation.
The Government of Bermuda is paying for the temporary alternative accommodation of the Governor, in order to fulfill our responsibility of providing a proper home for the Governor and family.
A spokeswoman stated: “After a complete assessment is received, it will help inform the decisions made regarding Government House’s remediation and continued use as an office residence.”
She stated that the payment for temporary housing would be made from Government House’s capital budget, but she did not provide a cost estimate.
As of March 31st 2022, $1.7million had been spent from the $5.2million total funding authorised by the Government Budget. The allocation for this year was $380,000, and the last one was $300,000.
Walter Roban told the House of Assembly last March that $300,000 allocated for 2022-2023 will be used to maintain the home, but major repairs are on hold due to a lack of funding.
He stated: “It is important to note that Government House, originally constructed in 1871, has an aging infrastructure. This will require significant capital investments to ensure a secure working environment for the staff as well as a residence safe for Her Excellence.”
Roban stated that the cost to replace the windows was estimated at almost $2 million and that the cost to replace the roof at $450,000.
Water damage will increase “substantially” unless major capital projects are funded and the associated operating costs can be covered.
In the previous year the government was asked to act urgently to stop the official residence of the Deputy governor from becoming disorganized, but it decided not to.
Montpelier in Devonshire was vacant since 2018, and it had begun to degrade.
The Ministry of Public Works had civil servants who wanted to renovate the interior and improve the outside, including a garage and swimming pool. However, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch refused to fund the project.
Then he said: “At the present time, I confirm that the work will not begin in the near term and that funds for this project have neither been allocated nor budgeted.”
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