Heyliger-Marten says Marketplace Project Nears Construction Phase

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten returned to Parliament on Monday to respond to questions from Members of Parliament on the prolonged delay in the Soualiga Marketplace project, outlining what she described as a clear and coordinated path toward execution of the long-awaited vendor facility.

The meeting was a continuation of an earlier parliamentary session during which Members raised questions on the economic impact of major events such as the Soul Beach Music Festival and the stalled marketplace project, which has remained a concern for vendors and small business operators. In her responses, the Minister placed particular focus on the marketplace, emphasizing that the project is now in its final preparatory phase and will move into full construction immediately upon issuance of the updated building permit.

Minister Heyliger-Marten explained that the design now before Parliament is the validated and approved design, having been reviewed, confirmed, and accepted by both the engineering teams of the co-financiers and the independent project management firm engaged by the Ministry. She said the Building Permits Department has already completed its review of the revised design from a construction compliance standpoint, with only the final internal fire safety advice still to be completed following required architectural adjustments.

“The revised design does not introduce new risks. On the contrary, it improves safety and usability through wider walk paths, additional openings, and more entrance and exit points,” the Minister said, while stressing that the project is now much closer to implementation than at any point in recent years.

According to the Minister, full construction is expected to begin immediately once the updated permit is issued. The construction timeline is 216 days, or approximately 31 weeks, placing completion at just over seven months from the start of works. She added that preparatory site activity is already underway, including clearing, utility relocation, and other enabling works needed for a smooth construction start.

Addressing repeated questions from MPs about why the project was not re-tendered, the Minister said Government acted in accordance with the FIDIC Yellow Book, which governs the Design and Build contract. She explained that the adjusted design and revised bill of quantities fall within the contract’s established variation mechanism and therefore do not trigger a legal requirement for a new procurement process.

“The project remains a marketplace development. The changes relate to quality improvements, operational functionality, safety, and compliance. These are permissible variations under the contract and do not amount to a fundamentally different project,” the Minister stated.

She said this position was supported through internal legal and technical review, an independent legal assessment, and detailed evaluation by the project management firm, all of which concluded that the continuation of the project with the existing contractor was contractually and legally sound. The matter was subsequently brought to the Council of Ministers, which approved continuation of the project, ensuring full government alignment.

Minister Heyliger-Marten also addressed the role of the Ministry of VROMI, making clear that VROMI remains fully involved in the project through its statutory and regulatory functions, including permits, technical input, inspections, and public works support. She said the independent project management firm was brought in to provide day-to-day contract administration, technical supervision, and FIDIC oversight, not to replace VROMI’s legal responsibilities.

In explaining the source of the delays, the Minister said the project inherited by the current administration was not actually in a position to begin, despite earlier public indications that major elements were already in place. She told Parliament that although a contract had been awarded, a building permit issued, and co-financing funds transferred under the previous administration, formal authorization to use those funds had not yet been granted. In addition, co-financiers later identified shortcomings in the submitted design that required further refinement and approval before responsible execution could begin.

The Minister said the review process revealed key functional gaps in the earlier design, including inadequate bathroom facilities, insufficient accessibility for persons with disabilities, ventilation concerns, and layout inefficiencies affecting both vendors and visitor flow. She noted that these were not luxury additions or unnecessary extras, but essential corrections to ensure the marketplace would meet modern operational, safety, and accessibility standards.

She further disclosed that a late request for a soil test by the Department of New Works at the time of the groundbreaking, combined with the unexpected introduction of a multi-story concept after the ceremony, also contributed to delays. Once the soil investigation was completed, the findings showed that a multi-story structure would require piling, making that option financially unfeasible. Government therefore moved ahead with the validated single-story design, which the Minister said best serves vendors, visitors, and the practical needs of the facility.

On financing, the Minister confirmed that the project is being funded through the capital expenditure budget posts 8340-1108 and 8210-1121. She said Government has already committed the funding necessary for Phase 1 to proceed, while discussions with co-financing partners continue to finalize the most responsible funding structure for Phase 2.

The Minister also said the updated bill of quantities was reviewed and found to be technically sound and market-aligned, with original contract rates remaining consistent. She noted that although the contractor had previously included a provisional allowance for delayed-start costs, a detailed contractual review found there were no sufficient grounds for a delay-related inflation claim against Government, and that claim was subsequently withdrawn.

On support for vendors, Minister Heyliger-Marten said the Ministry remains in active communication with those affected by the prolonged delay and has already held formal meetings to present the updated design and project status. She reported that vendor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with vendors expressing appreciation for improvements in accessibility, ventilation, customer flow, and the overall functionality of the new facility.

As part of immediate relief, she said vending fees will be waived for the duration of the construction period. She also confirmed that each vendor unit will have its own GEBE connection and meter, while Government intends to temporarily cover electricity costs during the initial operational phase as vendors transition into the new facility. In addition, Government is exploring funding opportunities for solar panels as part of a broader sustainability strategy.

With regard to future rental and management arrangements, the Minister said the operational framework is still being finalized and that any decisions on rent or related fees will be made in consultation with vendors. She stressed that the aim is to strike a responsible balance between affordability and the long-term upkeep of a modern public marketplace.

Minister Heyliger-Marten told Parliament that her approach has been to bring complete and substantiated information to the House, rather than fragmented updates, and emphasized that her Ministry remains committed to transparency, proper coordination, and responsible delivery.

“The focus now is on execution,” the Minister said. “After years of revisions, delays, and unresolved technical and financial issues, this Government has brought the project to a validated, buildable design and a clear path forward. Our vendors deserve a facility that is safe, functional, attractive, and sustainable, and that is exactly what we are working to deliver.”

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