With criticisms unfolding over the proposed strategies employed to expedite the completion of construction works at the St Jude Hospital, the government says it remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a fully equipped and functional institution to the public.
Speaking to reporters, Monday, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre presented an update on the magnitude of work being undertaken at the SJH site and the prospects for completion of that project.
That at least four successive administrations have been tasked with taking on the renovations and construction works at the SJH site speaks volumes about the complications and impediments that have halted progress at the site.
Nonetheless, the prime minister is adamant about the rigidity regarding the ongoing works on the project site, while noting that an “Independent Committee” was set up to review the works at the SJH site and has provided the government with a feasible framework moving forward.
He took umbrage with the objections emanating from opposition forces which according to him reeks of political diatribe.
“When politicians fail to deliver… they fail to do what is right even after their studies tell them to do what’s right,” declared PM Pierre, at an ‘aside’ from the weekly cabinet briefings.
“And when they fail, they and their surrogates create all sorts of unnecessary discussions about it,” he said.
To validate the trend of work currently being undertaken at the SJH site, PM Pierre put the issue into perspective:
“The government appointed a non-partisan committee to review the situation at St Jude. The non-partisan committee without any politicians, without any minister, without any member of any party decided that the best course of action was to continue work on the original site.”
Subsequently, he said, the government accepted the recommendations and the advice given. Pierre asserted that work has begun at the site and “will continue at the site.”
During the initial stages, he said, priority was given to fencing at the site, since “you cannot have a hospital …or a construction site that is not fenced, so it was fenced.”
Additionally, said Pierre, work is continuing within the interior of the structure to put in place “the internal features of the hospital.”
Noting the discrepancies associated with the previous Modus Operandi at the SJH site, the prime minister stated the current administration could not ‘in good faith’ continue with the policies that had been projected as it would incur a much too-costly economic burden on the country and its citizens.
“The government decided that we will not continue with a $70 million Direct Award that was sent to the Ministry of Economic Development to be signed at an interest rate of 1% per day …and to be paid back in 12 months,” PM Pierre contended.
He recalled the permeant secretary in that ministry decided not to sign the document and sent it to the attorney general’s office.
Citing the conciseness of the July 2021 polls, Pierre said “the people decided that they wanted a change” and so fortunately, further damages and incremental costs were averted.
He said at the time, a sum of $118 million had been spent on “The Box”, referring to the new buildings that had been constructed on the SJH site by the previous regime.
Relating to the recent USD 75 million loan acquired from the Saudi Arabian government for renovation works at the SJH site, Pierre reiterated that after consultation with the Saudi representatives, the Saudis consented to fund the reconstruction works at the SJH site which would also incorporate renovation works at the George Odlum Stadium.
According to Pierre, the technicians “determined a scope of work for the original building” to include renovations to the GOS structure.
Referring to the USD 75 million loan – equivalent to EC $275 million, he said there is a ceiling on the loan agreement while “the exact costings are being done …and the loan will expire in 2028.”
Stating that many “lies” and innuendos are being spread about the validity of the SJH project, PM Pierre stressed that “I did not say it (SJH project) would finish in 2028 …I said the loan will expire in 2028” since each loan has a life-span.
He noted the loan agreement makes allowance for a 2% interest rate, and “that’s what is important…not a Direct Award of 1% interest per day.”
Added Pierre: “It comes with a five-year grace period to be repaid after 20 years …that’s what we negotiated (for). The loan ends in 2028, not the hospital …and with that we have to refurbish the hospital, get equipment and refurbish the stadium.”