FACILITY COMPLETED ON TIME

THE work on the new multimillion-dollar complex at Cane Garden, St. Thomas that is home to the District “D” Police Station and the Districts “D” and “F” Magistrates’ Courts, was completed on time and within budget.

That is according to Director of the National Insurance Department, Ian Carrington. This new facility, Carrington explained, is part of the Citizens Security Facilities Project, which is being financed by the National Insurance Department. Speaking yesterday at the official opening, he said the agreement was signed between the National Insurance and the Ministry of Finance to construct new police stations at Hastings, Cane Garden and Boarded Hall; a new police headquarters and the rehabilitation of the old Black Rock Police Station and the male barracks. He said to date the rehabilitation work and the construction of the Cane Garden facility have been completed and he expects that the Hastings facility should soon be completed as well.

“The total sum for these projects is $76 million; I can tell you that to date we have spent $33.8 million, which leaves us roughly with $42.2 million outstanding. But what I am particularly happy about is that we have brought in these projects on budget and we have brought them in on time. And I can say to all of you, all the contractors, the consultants, the persons at the Ministry of the Attorney General, we will get no credit for it because we in this country can only point to things that are not done, and are not done well. When they are done well, when they are done correctly, when they are done in a cost-efficient manner, they say absolutely nothing,” he lamented.

Carrington went on to say that ensuring that there were no cost overruns was especially important to him. This, he said, is because he takes his responsibility to safeguard the National Insurance’s funds very seriously, as it is the insured population’s money that is being utilised. His comments came as he maintained that the project was a worthy one, as it was imperative that the police and the magistrates were provided with better conditions in which to operate. He made the point as he dismissed the notion that employees in the public service should have to work in the worst conditions.

“My view is if we want the best out of people, treat them properly and give them the tools to deliver and when they don’t deliver, fire them,” he said.

Adding to his comments, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Brathwaite said he was pleased that in spite of initial problems, which resulted in the contractors having to dig farther down than expected, the project progressed smoothly. He said the additional basement space that was created will be put to good use.

The AG made the point while noting that the original idea for the complex included provision for other facilities to accommodate social services, but they were unable to follow through with that, as the funding from the National Insurance was only for the Citizens Security Facilities component. As such, he said that should the Government desire to complete the complex, the provision has been made to ensure it is possible.

He noted too that the new police station is the first that has a full custody suite, which can be used to house persons who need protection. Brathwaite indicated that the room is fully contained and it can accommodate up to three persons. Going forward, he said other facilities will be outfitted with similar suites, which he explained can help with domestic violence matters.

The provision of the new police station and courts has also been well-received by Chief Justice, Sir Marston Gibson and Commissioner of Police, Tyrone Griffith. Both expressed their appreciation to the Office of the Attorney General for ensuring the project, which had provided spanking new accommodation for their staff, has become a reality. As a result of this complex being opened, the District “D” Magistrate’s Court, previously housed in cramped conditions at Rock Hall, St. Thomas and the District “D” Police Station, which was sharing space at the Holetown Police Station, will now be better able to execute their duties. (JRT)