New police station – without telephone or computer access

A new police station has reached completion in Ghent. But one small problem prevents the opening of the two-storey state-of-the-art building: there is no telephone line or computer connection. The federal police conceded – with delicious understatement – this was “a mistake”, but pointed the finger at the Buildings Authority. “We have water and electricity,” local police officers said, “but that’s about it, really.” The building is meant for 40 officers and houses a lab and a medical department, and the opening was planned for early next year, but this now appears unlikely. It gets worse: the cost of installing all the required lines and connections is estimated at €300,000.