The government has ordered an intensified, islandwide review of more than 400 government-owned and government-occupied buildings following growing concerns about leaks, mold, poor ventilation and other conditions affecting employee health and productivity.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Cabinet agreed that many public buildings—some several decades old—are showing significant signs of deterioration, prompting the need for a more aggressive maintenance and inspection regime.
He noted that several ministries, including Tourism, Education and Agriculture, are already undergoing repairs as part of the Ministry of Works’ ongoing maintenance schedule.
Merchant said the decision “upscales what is already taking place,” with departments instructed to ensure their facilities meet acceptable standards for safety, air quality and structural integrity. He pointed to the lack of natural ventilation in the government office complex, built in the 1990s without operable windows, as one example of the wider infrastructure challenges.
A dedicated maintenance fund, managed by the Ministry of Works, has already been established to address building repairs and urgent issues. Merchant said the fund is being used to address leaks, eliminate mold, modernize ventilation systems and respond quickly when buildings “quickly fall into disrepair.”
As part of the expanded review, an HVAC specialist has been contracted to work with the ministry to diagnose and resolve air quality and ventilation problems across the public service. The Department of Analytical Services continues to issue reports and recommendations after assessing buildings, with findings shared with permanent secretaries and heads of departments for action.
Merchant also confirmed that a new national building code—featuring updated standards for air quality, ventilation, structural safety and health-oriented design—will be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of 2026. He said the updated code reflects the government’s long-term commitment to ensuring public infrastructure meets modern workplace and health requirements.
The intensified inspections are expected to help prevent buildings from becoming uninhabitable and to support productivity improvements across the public service, Merchant said.
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