The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Education was closed yesterday because of malfunctioning air conditioning units that were reportedly damaged by a lightning strike.

In a press statement released by the ministry yesterday, it announced that “all departments, divisions and sections” of its Thompson Boulevard headquarters will be closed until National Insurance Board officials “rectify the problem”.

“The National Insurance Board is working feverishly to correct an air conditioning malfunction and technicians are working aggressively to rectify the problem,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, any calls to the ministry will go unanswered. We hope to resume normal business (today) and thank the public for its patience and understanding.”

On Monday, Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson attributed the ongoing air conditioning malfunctions to a “lightning strike” of the ministry’s two Chiller units.

“Both of them are down right now,” Mr Gibson said.

“We are Fedexing some parts in, which I think one of them should be restored hopefully by (Tuesday). The other one will be restored shortly thereafter.

“So there (may) be some interruption of service at the building simply because ventilation is very poor, and putting fans in the building with hot air can’t help,” he said.

“They may have minimal staff working there simply because the conditions are not bearable at this time.”