WHILE remediation work to cure mould is underway in the Supreme Court in Freeport, judiciary staff are concerned about the spread of the infestation through the air-conditioning system.

The Tribune has learned that a number of workers gathered outside the Supreme Court building around 10am yesterday until they were satisfied that their fears of possible mould exposure had been addressed.

Stephana Saunders, Deputy Registrar at the Supreme Court, explained that the building is going through a mould remediation process to address the issue. She said that staff had been advised during a meeting on March 4 about what would happen.

According to Ms. Saunders, clean-up crews started on Friday and barricades have been erected in the area where work is being carried out.

“So coming into work this morning was their (staff) first view of how the process is going to happen. As you can see, there is an orange barricade where Supreme Court Two is being serviced now, and they were concerned that if there were mould, it would have been circulating in the building in the air-conditioning system,” she explained.

“However, they were advised that each area has its own AC system and it (the mould) is being contained to Supreme Court Two and would not affect other areas of the office.”

Ms Saunders said that after the staff leaves at 4pm, the cleaning company will come in and start its clean-up process throughout the night.

The run down condition of the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre – which houses the two Supreme Courts and three Magistrate’s Courts – has also been a major concern for some time. The building, which sits on the main thoroughfare in Freeport, is in dire need of repairs and repainting. Sections of the gigantic wooden post columns have also rotted out and needs repair.

The problems were highlighted last May in the Senate by FNM Senator Kwasi Thompson and there was also much public outcry by union representatives in Grand Bahama.

When asked about repairs to the building, Ms. Saunders told The Tribune that they had started last year, but were now suspended. “They will be resuming (repair work) soon when they would address the columns and other concerns and the roof,” she said.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

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