LUCEA, Hanover — ROBERT Montague, the minister of state in the department of local government, says he will make an announcement today concerning the future of the ramshackle Lucea Infirmary which has been a source of embarrassment to the Hanover Parish Council for several years.

“I would not want to preempt what I will say when I go there,” Montague told the Observer West on Tuesday, when asked if he will announce that a new facility is to be erected there.

The state minister, as well as mayor of Lucea Lloyd Hill and other government officials will tour the more than 100-year-old facility before the disclosure is made.

Just over two months ago, councillors from both sides of the political divide of the council, in an unusual show of unity, staged a peaceful protest on the grounds of the Infirmary to highlight the need for the construction of a new facility.

At that time, Hill argued that despite the CHASE Fund committing $20 million more than a year ago towards the construction of the infirmary, and inspite of extensive dialogue with the Department of Local Government, a date is yet to be set for the work to begin.

The conditions under which the more than 50 residents are being kept at the infirmary have been a source of concern for more than 20 years.

The buildings on the property have been characterised by rotting boards, huge cracks in the walls, large holes in the ceilings, and rusty zinc sheets, particularly in the male ward.

Other buildings on the seafront property, including the matron's quarters, dining areas and administrative offices are also a disgrace.

Hill yesterday expressed delight at Montague’s decision to again visit the facility.

“ We hope that he will see how much worse the facility has become since last year when he visited it, and will use his office to establish a new infirmary,” he said.

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