The Police Training School and Special Services Unit (SSU) Base, located at the Old Montrose Police Station, will join the growing list of police stations across St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) that are being housed in temporary accommodation.
“… given the extent of what is required to be done, most that we can do is to do some cosmetic repairs,” Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves told Parliament.
“… in order to allow for the major rehabilitation of the station, … we are moving the training and other supportive services out at the site at the former Richmond Gabriel compound. The police training school and the canteen would be moved to Belair.”
Gonsalves, who is also minister of national security, was responding to a question from opposition MP St. Clair Leacock.
Leacock, who shadows the national security ministry, asked how soon the signage on the Old Montrose Police Station would be repaired and or repainted.
He also asked the prime minister to say how soon police officers at Largo Height could expect repairs to their living quarters, bathrooms and general amenities and the reason for the holdup in starting repairs to the roof of the Largo Height Police Station.
Gonsalves said that nearly two years ago, when SVG was hosting Tradewinds, he had informed Parliament that the US authorities had indicated that, before the hosting of the military exercise, they would put the capital expenditure for the repairs of the Old Montrose Police Station.
“Later, I came back to this house … and informed this house that the US authorities have decided that they’re not going to carry out that expenditure again,” Gonsalves said.
He said he, therefore, had to seek funding.
“And the funding which I went seeking was the Saudi Fund, and that is inside of the budget and we are working our way through with the funding and all that is required to get the renovations going.”
He said work on the building are expected to commence this month.
“In relation to the SSU, there’s a building across which formally housed the HIV/AIDS Secretariat, to put the centre of that unit there,” Gonsalves said.
“We’re expecting that to be finalised by the end of July, and then we are fully expecting the repairs, barring something unforeseen, with the other procedural requisites with the Saudi Fund, that we can start the full extent of the repairs and with everything that the Honourable Member asked about.”
The Spring Village, Colonarie, Barrouallie, and Paget Farm police stations are in temporary accommodation and the Layou Police Station is expected to join them soon.
All the money you’re borrowing is to pay rent for government offices and ag2mcoesbthT Your ministry cpntrols all the money so you have no money to repair only to pay rent . The rent is for over 20 yeaes
Another total disgrace, more begging and borrowing and it will take two years. What a thing. Lord have mercy on us. Where are we headed with this beggar government whose plans are always years behind everything. Ralph Gonsalves everyone sees that you are just talking as usual. Why don’t you leave well enough alone.This country needs a leader who can actually bring about change, and prosperity
Ar yo leave everything fo rotten down, because of no maintainance ,,,,, den everything become temporary and why ar yo want to be in power (as you all do say) pernament ? Hope the people taking note.
These things just makes me almost want to weep. Look at what this country is coming to. ULP has the nation dumfounded with all the senseless unexplainable delays and lack of conviction. It look like this nation has gone to sleep or is drunk out of their minds. Gonsalves your days are numbered.