Providenciales, TCI, December 5, 2016 -The Ministry of Border Control and Employment officially commissioned a new extension to the Coastal Radar Station in Five Cays, Providenciales which added an additional 500 square feet to the original 528 square feet station. The expansion to the facility is providing separate office accommodation, bathroom, kitchenette, water tank and storage facilities for supplies and equipment.
Hon. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner, Minister with responsibility for Border Control in his comments said; “I am pleased that my Government exercised the foresight it did in 2006 under the ministerial leadership of Hon. Galmo Williams to conceive and provide resources for this important tool which is a critical component in our strategy to protect our borders.
“I am even prouder of the fact that under my stewardship, my government and I have provided resources for 24 hour operations, 365 days per year which has resulted in preventing 33 successful landing, comprising of nearly three thousand persons from entering our country illegally over the past four years. This is three thousand less persons living and working illegally here.”
Minister Gardiner added that the primary objective of the improvement is to ensure safer and better working conditions for staff and to protect the facility from environmental damage through the construction of a sea wall that was constructed a few years ago. He further noted that under the next term, his government will be investing heavily in a software upgrade of the radar station’s operating system and strengthening its collaborative relations with local and regional partner agencies.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Mrs. Clara Gardiner, joined the Minister in commending the radar officers for the good work they do on a daily basis and expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Infrastructure Housing and Planning as well as the contractor for partnering with them to bring this phase of the Radar Improvement Project to conclusion.
This brings the Government’s total capital investment in the radar station to date to $2,225,000. The Coastal Radar Station commenced operations on August 6, 2012 and has an annual operating budget of $393,000.
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