Costly 'Dudus' chase

The government is faced with a bill of $500 million to cover the cost of the west Kingston incursion in May, and the total cost is not yet finalised.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw yesterday said state agencies were still tallying the bill based on the economic fallout, plus the human and infrastructural damage, during the almost week-long clash between members of the security forces and gunmen in Tivoli Gardens and adjoining communities.

"There is the question of some immediate costs associated with assistance for burial, the work of the public defender and there are additional security-related costs," Shaw told journalists during a media briefing at his Heroes Circle offices yesterday.

"I don't want to give you a figure now, but what has been tabulated so far is over $500 million; but it isn't finished yet," Shaw added.

More than 70 persons were killed and several buildings damaged as police and soldiers swarmed sections of west Kingston in search of then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

The Coronation Market, the Hannah Town and Darling Street police stations were among the buildings extensively damaged during the operation.

Members of the private sector has offered financial assistance to the government to repair the market and at least one of the damaged stations.