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Three-year-old $12M Hogg Island Police Station now a ‘white elephant’
In 2011, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government constructed a police
The three-year old, $12M Hogg Island Police Station being overrun by weeds.
outpost on Hogg Island, in the Essequibo River.
The outpost was one of six additional police outposts that were on the cards to be constructed. The other five were located in St Cuthbert’s Mission, Aranka; North Ruimveldt, Abary; and Crabwood Creek.
In November 2013, tenders were also opened under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the construction of the Hogg Island Police Outpost with four contractors bidding for the project.
The table below illustrates the names of the bidders and their respective bid prices.
The engineer’s estimate was announced at $11.8M.
The building was reportedly completed in early 2014. Now two years later, the building is vacant and being overrun by weeds.
A resident who lives close to the building, told Kaieteur News that since the building was constructed, it was never used.
“It was built right next to the health centre and it (Outpost) never open. How they build it, just so it left. (Government) waste money here. Is nah best them bin buy two (boat) engines and give we?”
Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara)’s representative from the Prime Minister’s Office, Harry Narine Deokinanan, told Kaieteur News that he found out about the building during a visit to the island earlier this month.
“I was with the Agriculture committee to reach farmers. There I was told by farmers. No one is maintaining it and I have informed the authorities,” Deokinanan said.
Meanwhile, a number of police stations across the country are set for rehabilitation. These include the Blairmont and Weldaad Police Stations on the West Coast Berbice (at an estimated cost of $10M at $8M respectively), Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara ($14M), No.51 Police Station ($10M), and the No.62 Police Outpost, Corentyne at an estimated $9M.
In Georgetown, the Kitty Police Station will be rehabilitated at a cost of $12.2M, and Grove/Diamond Police Station, East Bank Demerara ($10M).
The Ministry of Public Security has already begun to invite eligible and interested bidders by way of advertisements in the various newspapers.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the rehabilitated police stations will not cater for domestic violence cases.
Others that will be rehabilitated to cater for domestic violence cases include Mibicuri, Cane Grove, La Grange, McKenzie, Kwakwani, Enachu, Issano, Aishalton, Annai, Suddie, Aurora and Mabaruma Police Stations.
“The police stations would be remodelled to include a department for domestic violence cases and domestic violence case room with the provision of accommodation for children, a witness protection room, an automated case management room, an area for management of the public and a listening room.
“The stations selected were based on recommendations made by the GPF to the Project Manager of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme, Clement Henry.”
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