The spanking new $13 million Cane Garden Police Station and magistrates’ court is not a rush job, insists Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite.
The St Thomas complex was officially opened yesterday despite not being furnished.
“I am so tired of this silliness. We decided that the building was complete, and we are going to have an opening. It’s as simple as that,” Brathwaite said in response to questions over “rush opening” claims.
He, along with director of National Insurance Ian Carrington, Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson and Police Commissioner Tyrone Griffith all lauded the move.
The police station will be the first on the island to have a custody suite.
“A full suite that can be used if we want to house someone for their own protection . . . . I believe it can house three individuals and it is our hope that in any future facilities, we will do the same,” he added.
Carrington explained that in December 2016, the National Insurance Board signed an agreement with the Ministry of Finance to finance a $67 million Citizens Security Facilities Project.
That project consisted of four new police stations in Hastings and the Worthing, Christ Church; Cane Garden; Boarded Hall in St George and a new police headquarters. The Black Rock Police Station, and old Male Barracks at Central Police Station, were also renovated.
Carrington said he expected the new Hastings Police Station to be opened around April.
He added that the renovations totalled 33.8 million, which left $33.2 million for other projects. (AD)
