When will Ngawha prison cost too much?
Tuesday, 5 November 2002, 2:22 pm
Press Release: Green Party
When will Ngawha prison cost too much?
Green Justice
Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos today questioned when the
Corrections Minister would pull the plug on the
controversial new prison at Ngawha, in light of news of yet
another budget blowout.
"In 1999 then Corrections Minister
Clem Simich said constructing the prison would cost around
$40 million. By October 1999 that sum had doubled to between
$60 and $80 million. By March 2001 the cost had reached $92
million and today we learn that the estimated cost is now
$105 million," said Nandor.
"The cost of this prison,
which the local community continue to actively oppose, has
more than doubled in cost. They are still doing the ground
work for this prison and the budget blowout won't end
here."
Nandor asked Corrections Minister Mark Gosche at
what point the prison would become too expensive to continue
with.
"I understand that the Government is concerned at
how much they have already spent on this, but why throw more
money after bad?
"The Ngawha site is geologically active
and was never suitable for major construction. Once the
buildings are up they will cost a fortune to maintain
because of the corrosive gases and the local community will
continue to be aggrieved.
"When is the Government going to
say enough is enough and ditch this lose-lose project?"
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