Stadium safe - consultant

Contrary to a statement attributed to the City's Mayor, Desmond McKenzie, in the media earlier this week, the Ministry of Sports last night issued a release stating that the National Stadium is safe.

According to the release, the engineering consultant hired to inspect the National Stadium has concluded that the facility "is as safe as it was built".

It continued: "The consultant, Hue Lyew Chin Engineering Ltd, was hired in the wake of a quote attributed to the mayor of Kingston in one of the daily newspaper that the National Stadium was 'a death trap'.

No cause for alarm

"Hue Lyew Chin Engineering Ltd, which carried out its inspection on March 24, 2010, has said in its report that 'what we have seen on our very short visit has NOT given us any cause for alarm'."

The engineers went further.

"We do NOT see any sign of structural distress in the important elements of cantilever beams and tripod columns. All are intact and the building is as safe as it was built. It does require some cosmetic repairs, but it is in good shape.

"Independence Park Ltd (IPL) which manages the National Stadium facilities, is satisfied with the report of Hue Lyew Chin Engineering Ltd," the release added.

"Safety is a top priority for the IPL. The 'cosmetic repairs' required will begin next week after the receipt of a detailed list of work to be carried out."