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alexk
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The Judiciary said yesterday that it is willing to work with the San Fernando City Corporation and other State agencies to resolve a public health threat in the heart of the city as work continues on the old magistrates court building located at the corner of Knox and Harris Streets.
San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello raised the issue at Wednesday’s statutory meeting of the city corporation and called on the Judiciary to deal with the unsightly San Fernando Magistrates’ Court which has become a haven for mosquitoes.
A statement from the Judiciary yesterday said that it was aware of the “mosquito threat” at the old court building and “is working steadfastly to rectify the issue.”
At the statutory meeting at the San Fernando City Hall, Regrello said that during last week, the Public Health Department investigated the building which has been closed for renovation since September 2017.
He said a report submitted by the public health inspectors showed that several tarpaulins on the roof of the building have collected water and have become breeding ponds for mosquitoes.
“It is with great dismay that I must again bring to attention, the unsightly repairs being carried out at the courthouse on Harris Street. The repairs have been ongoing for the past year and are not only an eyesore but also poses a health concern to the public. A report submitted by the Public Health Department revealed that water that has been collecting in the various tarpaulins around the project is contributing to the increase in mosquitoes in the general vicinity and is a major health risk.
“I must again implore the authorities in charge of this upgrade to give myself and the public an update as to the progress and completion date of this project for the health benefit of the businesses and schools in the immediate environment,” Regrello said.
Last September, the aged-building was closed and the Judiciary announced that its services were temporarily transferred to the Supreme Court Building, across the road, until November 13, 2017.
The relocation was necessary to facilitate urgent repairs to the roof of the building and it was expected to be completed by November 06, 2017. There were other minor repairs and maintenance to be done inside the building as well. An invitation for tender was the advertised for the removal of existing roof and construction of a new roof with a closing date of July 05, 2018. However, the date was extended to July 19.
Completion of the project is expected within three months from the date work begins, the Judiciary said.
The Judiciary said there had been “various challenges” during the project as electrical upgrades had to be done to support the new air-conditioning system, infrastructural upgrades, new courtrooms, including video conferencing facilities and court recording systems.
Yesterday, the tarpaulins that cover the old building were flung around leaving open spaces on the roof exposed.
On Wednesday, Court Information and Protocol Manager at the Judiciary Carl Francis, when asked about the length of time it was taking for work to be completed, said that the availability of funds was an issue among other things.