[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday afternoon confirmed that the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory suffered an electrical fire on March 17 but that the incident was not publicized.
News of the fired surfaced on social media by prominent politician, Nigel Hughes, who said that there was an attempt to cover up the incident at the facility.
In a Facebook Post, Hughes noted that the fire started at an electrical outlet in the office of the Head of the Technical department and was so intense that it blew out the glass wall which separated the room from the rest of the floor.
According to Hughes, the fire also destroyed the electrical outlets on the rest of the floor.
“The fire started in the socket and spread from the socket to a chair which was next to the socket,” Hughes stated in his post.According to him, government was advised prior to the fire that the electrical installation and air circulation in the building was faulty and poor.
The statement from the Ministry noted that there was a “minor electrical fire…but the facts are being exaggerated by Mr. Hughes. Additionally, contrary to Mr. Hughes’ claims that the fire “burnt all the electrical outlets on the rest of the floor”, it should be noted that only a small fraction of electrical outlets were actually affected and these are being replaced.”
It was noted that the fire itself was caused due to the close proximity of a chair to an outlet when the outlet itself burned due to an electrical surge and a problem which developed in a phase in one of the main cables.
“Contrary to Mr. Hughes’ assertions, the Ministry was not advised prior to the fire that the electrical installation in the building was faulty and poor. Moreover, upon prior to the fire that the electrical installation and air circulation in the building was faulty and poorprior to the fire that the electrical installation and air circulation in the building was faulty and poorprior to the fire that the electrical installation and air circulation in the building was faulty and poorcompletion of the electrical installation at the GFSL, the Contractor produced a Certificate of Inspection,” the statement noted.
Concerns were also raised by Hughes about workers falling ill due to a faulty ventilation system but the Ministry noted that “these issues, while regrettable, cannot be attributed to negligence on the part of the Ministry and by extension the Government of Guyana, thus the Ministry rejects the allegations made in the release by Mr. Hughes. “
The Ministry further noted that it is not unusual for teething problems to be discovered when such a highly technical and complex structure is built and put into operation.
hughes is now a fireman wow..no ends to this criminal lawyer..u hear me say criminal hahahaha
Nigel Hughes do not want a Forensic Laboratory because it will unearth evidence that will expose his underworld/criminal activities. This guy is a PNC thug parading in AFC clothing just waiting to seize power even if it means death to innocent people.
The usual comments from Hughes, lots of talk and criticism with no solutions because he has none. These empty headed goons will destroy Guyana.
The Forensic Lab is here to stay.