Force awaits station reconstruction

The Lautoka Police Station on Drasa Avenue that was damaged in 2016 in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston is undergoing ground work consultation.

This was revealed to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament yesterday by Police Chief Administration Officer ACP Itendra Nair.

ACP Nair said the force was working with the Ministry for Economy through the Construction Implementation Unit.

“There was an allocation of certain funds in this year’s budget and it is a phase-approach basis where the first phase is on consultation, seeing the area and ground work,” he said.

“Second is to see if it’s approved for demolition and thirdly for construction.

“We want to do it soon as, but this could be in the next three to four years. We are operating fine from the old FNPF building and hope that the station is built in the next three to four years.” Meanwhile, Member of Parliament opposition whip Aseri Radrodro asked ACP Nair if there was plans to improve the holding cells in facilities around the country such as the Central Police Station and Government Buildings in Suva.

ACP Nair said when issues were raised on Police cells they attended to the matter and if repairs were needed, the Police force had a budget of $250,000 a year for minor renovations.

However, he said, “As far as Government Building cells are concerned, we are customers. This is owned by the Judiciary. We work in consultation with them to bring about renovations after certain escapes were reported.”

He said for Totogo Police Station the force had been able to rectify the issue through infrastructure upgrades.