[www.inewsguyana.com] – Prominent Attorney and Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes has revealed details about an electrical fire which reportedly occurred on March 17 at Guyana’s National Scientific Forensic Laboratory, located in Turkeyen.
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 overseas consultants have repeatedly advised the Government that the air flow quality is unacceptable as it circulates and recirculates toxic air in the building.
“The government to date has failed to effect any changes to the air flow operations. Staff members have been falling ill since they were allowed into the facility in July 2014,” the Attorney said.
He revealed that the construction of the laboratory is poor with loose tiles scattered throughout the building and staff members who have been relocated to another facility at Ogle “have been forbidden to speak with the press and as a consequence the matter has escaped media attention.”
“Almost $1 billion and counting, we can’t even get the air flow and electrical system right while there is no DNA capacity at the facility. Better must come,” Hughes stated.
On July 14, 2014 the $900M facility was officially commissioned by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.
Rohee had said then that the purpose of the lab is not only to generate funds for Government but will be used as an instrument to deter criminal activities and reduce crime.
The facility is also scheduled to provide DNA testing, but to date this has not been done.
