The Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP) yesterday signed a $7.3 million contract to rehabilitate the Amerindian Hostel at Princes Street, Georgetown.

The labour cost for the project, awarded to Coastal Construction Services (CCS), is $2,709,519, while expenditure on required materials will cost SIMAP $4,676,819, a release stated.

The duration of the project, which will see the renovation of the upper and lower floors of the facility, measuring 4,150 sq ft and 4,386 ft respectively, is two months with a three-month period for defects liability, according to the release.

The release indicated that the project was coordinated by the Amerindian Welfare Support Group, which forwarded an application to SIMAP for the relevant assistance. Aside from the $7.3M, the sponsor will contribute $1.2 million in the form of the construction of a benab and two guard huts and the provision of materials valued at $615,740.

The Amerindian Hostel was built in the early 1980s to provide lodging for hinterland residents seeking medical attention or other services in the capital city. Over the years repairs were conducted on the building - previously managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and later, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs - but no major refurbishing has ever been done. The facility also houses the Hinterland Students' Welfare Division and a craft shop, the release said.

Present at the signing were Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues; SIMAP Operations Manager, Nandram Persaud; Co-ordinator of Amerindian Projects, Robert Choo-shee-nam; representative of CCS, Colin Murray and representative of the Amerindian Welfare Support Group, Pat Pierre.