EARMARKED last year as the new office for the commissioner of police, the old Jamintel building, located at the corner of North and Duke streets, central Kingston, may have occupants before the police high command takes up residence.
The Gleaner has been reliably informed by highly-placed police officials that the building will be used as a security command post for Cricket World Cup 2007, which is 249 days away.
FURNISHING
Sources say it will cost approximately $8 million to furnish the building. However, they could not say whether this furnishing is for Cricket World Cup alone, or if it is a part of the wider plan of relocating the commissioner's office from Hope Road, St. Andrew.
Cricket and ministry officials, meanwhile, have denied knowledge of the move.
"I know about no such thing," was how Gilbert Scott, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, responded when contacted via telephone yesterday. Robert Bryan, C.E.O. at Jamaica Cricket 2007, the body responsible for ensuring the country honour its hosting obligations, was off the island and could not be reached for comment.
However, The Gleaner was told by Jamaica Cricket 2007 that all security matters are dealt with by the local security committee. This committee is headed by Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington.
Efforts to contact Ellington yesterday proved futile, as The Gleaner was told that he was off the island.
The Jamintel building is located five minutes away by car, from Sabina Park.
