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by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) in partnership with Rainbow Tourism Group is expected to be complete in March.

Responding to written questions from Business Chronicle, NSSA said commissioning of the hotel   would be done once the project was complete and when Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) finished modalities with regards to test running all the facilities.

“The project is now 93 percent complete. It is expected to be completed by the end of March 2013, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Major outstanding works are the specialist fittings and finishes to the rooms,” said NSSA.

An estimated $25 million has so far been spent on the project that started in 2009.

“The greatest challenge has been for the contractor to bring in an adequately experienced labour force to carry out the works and to keep to the planned or scheduled work programme.

“The contractor has also been unable to fund the works in advance, relying on NSSA to finance   materials and payment of service providers,” said NSSA.

Construction giant Costain is building the three-star hotel.

The authority entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with RTG to operate the hotel once it was complete.

It is hoped that the project would create jobs once complete as professionals would be engaged in running the hotel.

The double-storey hotel has 150 rooms comprising single and double rooms as well as executive, diplomatic and presidential suites.

The hotel will also have a casino, gym and a swimming pool.

In line with keeping abreast with international trends, the hotel is expected to be the first almost totally non-smoking hotel in the country.

Provision has also been made for two banks to offer a banking service within the hotel.