By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Last week, opposition leader Philip J Pierre, wrote to minister of economic development, Guy Joseph, seeking clearance for a delegation from the opposition, ‘to visit the site of the St Jude Hospital Reconstruction Project.’
“In view of recent reports concerning disturbing developments in relation to the St Jude Hospital Reconstruction Project (SJHRP),” said the opposition leader, “the visit has been proposed for Thursday, April 8, 2021.
According to the opposition’s leader communique to minister Joseph: “The Reconstruction Project had commenced in 2010 under the previous United Workers Party (UWP) administration and was continued by the last SLP government. However, in 2016, it was abandoned by the current UWP government, which embarked upon a new building for the hospital. This decision has been heavily criticised by the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and a number of experts as totally unnecessary, as the unfinished new complex of buildings, constructed for the hospital, could have been completed within six to 12 months enabling patients and staff to work in more conducive surroundings.”
Prime minister Allen Chastanet was questioned by a favourable media outpost on the opposition leader request for ‘clearance’ to visit SJHRP. In the usual manner, Chastanet dismissed and chastised the opposition, in the natural forte of an inflated sense of own importance.
“To go and do a site inspection without taking into what has happened, I think there needs to be a meeting to discuss from the time St Jude burnt down to where we are now and how we got there,” Chastanet added. “I think it’s a good thing for them to get together. We are always interested in having a discussion and certainly, if the opposition wants to bring technical people then I think we should bring all the technical people and let’s go back to discuss it from the beginning so we clearly understand what is happening.”
Nevertheless, in the swamp culture of favouritism, dysfunctional government and the psychology of Machiavellianism, the prime minister invited parrot affiliates of the government to visit the SJHRP, in a concealed tour.
Conversely, no social media postings, dramatic footage and pictures were made available, up to this publication. This is ironic, of a government with a flair for drama, and expressively, with a lack of substance.
In a letter dated April 7, 2021, apparently signed by minister Joseph, said: “I am very pleased to see the renewed interest by the opposition in this project, albeit rather late, and I wish to assure you of my commitment to accede to your request.” The letter continued with the following demands. “ In order to make this site visit as meaningful and productive as possible, I would suggest that we first schedule a technical meeting to review all activities on the sites (both old and new) since the commencement of construction after the fire to the present day. […] ”
The architect of the letter, wittingly or unwittingly in a slippery way, thinking from ones’ butt, left out that, in 2009, the UWP was in office and commenced the SJHRP. The SLP administration continued the project, and unable to complete the project formed part of the equation to losing the general elections. Moreover, in 2016, upon resuming office, the UWP stopped the project and appointed FDL Construction to undertake a technical audit of SJHRP at a cost of $980,000.
Equipped with an unrevealed/unpublished technical audit of SJHRP paid for by the taxpayers of Saint Lucia, and a hand over report at the disposal of the UWP government (unable to understand the findings) – there are more questions than answers.
Disgracefully, minister Joseph’s incredulous letter reveled that, “in spite of our most earnest efforts, no government staff at the Development Control Authority (DCA), the ministry of planning or the ministry of economic development has been able to obtain the planning approval for the old project, final architectural and engineering drawings, a budget or a detailed list of expenditure.”
In essence, a tongue in cheek thrashing of the Stephenson King/ UWP administration that commenced the project in 2009, of which minister Joseph was inherently involved.
Unsurprisingly, the ineptitude of the government apparatus and minister Joseph continued, per his assigned letter: “We know that these documents must exist as it is unimaginable that your administration would have undertaken a project of this magnitude and financial cost without them. Therefore, it would be enormously helpful if you could bring these critical documents to our meeting in order that we can get an accurate historical account of the construction and the events that transpired.”
Minister Joseph’s risk and compliance to SJHRP, concluded: “Our ministry and our government are incredibly proud of this project and hope that it represents for all Saint Lucians who have waited far too long, for a world-class medical facility.”
St Lucia government is broke: Former PM calls for update on St Jude redevelopment project
