Opposition leader says forensics lab is a years-old promise, but believes China might be funding upcoming project
The United Progressive Party (UPP) is not at all impressed with the
attorney-general’s announcement that the Government is finally
moving to construct a forensics lab.
Reportedly, Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin told his Cabinet
colleagues on Wednesday, November 29, that the construction of the
forensics facility should commence in the new year, 2024; however,
a precise date was not given.
Pringle says this appears to be another broken promise, since he has
been hearing about this project for over five years.
He adds that such announcements are among the Government’s
gimmicks, pulled out ahead of the Throne and Budget Speeches, to
make it appear that the Government is actually working.
He expects that when some other issue arises, the matter of the
forensics lab will be pushed into the background while the
Administration focuses on another issue.
Pringle says the Gaston Browne Administration needs to set an
agenda for its remaining time in office, letting the people know what
to expect going forward.
He says this way of administering the government – by doing things
“on the fly” – and making promises that are not honoured cannot
continue.
According to the Opposition leader, this is not the way a sensible
government functions.
Meanwhile, Sir Steadroy says that a team of Chinese experts will
arrive in Antigua before Christmas 2023 to complete the first steps
in the construction process, and that land has been assigned for the
facility.
Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica have been performing DNA analysis,
among other tests, for Antigua and Barbuda and several other
countries for decades.
Accordingly, Pringle was asked why the Government is looking to
China for expertise in constructing the lab – instead of right here
within CARICOM.
In response, he says he believes the Chinese Government has
provided a grant for the construction of the facility.
However, he says, we will have to wait and see where the funding is
coming from, since the Government complains of being broke.
