Home Affairs Ministry blasts Kaieteur News for speculation
THE Ministry of Home Affairs responded, yesterday, to a Kaieteur News, Tuesday, March 20 article, which attempted to compare two buildings, the new North Ruimveldt Police Outpost and an unidentified, unpainted structure, stating that the cost for the latter is overpriced. The ministry, in a press release, noted that in the Kaieteur News publication, a photograph of the newly completed North Ruimveldt Police Outpost was placed below that of the unpainted edifice which appears to be a private residence.
It added that the article made an attempt to compare the cost of the completed Police Outpost, which is $10.3M, to that of the incomplete house which is claimed to be $10M.
The release noted that the size of the Police Outpost is 26 feet by 46 feet and it was built based on the specifications of Police Outposts of that size. It includes an Enquiries Office, reinforced walls and metal doors for the lock-ups, accommodation for Criminal Investigations Department (CID) ranks, storeroom, barracks for junior ranks, kitchen, reinforced concrete bridge, walkway, septic tank and separate ablution facilities for prisoners and ranks, all protected by a 500 feet fence.
The statement added that the project went through the open tender process, after which a contractor was selected to undertake the works.
It noted that, from a visual inspection, the alleged $10M unpainted building appears to be built somewhere in Albouystown, also in Georgetown, where the works are still in progress.
“Only the following works could be visually verified – foundation, columns and beams, external walls, roof, steps and front fence,” the release said.
It said that the building, from all appearances, is a mere shell left unfinished for a considerable amount of time.
“It is atrocious that Kaieteur News would attempt to compare the two structures in their insinuation that the cost of the completed and painted Police Outpost was overpriced and the Kaieteur News should behave in a more responsible manner and desist from engaging in speculative reporting,” the ministry said.