Government sources have revealed that the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) is the legal and undisputed owner of the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG).
On Monday, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre disputed that recently, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet has attempted “to denigrate” and cause “undue harm” to Saint Lucian citizens by spreading “malicious and false propaganda” about the country’s financial management and its investment profile.
He informed that the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) owns the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds [DSCG] and the adjoining lands in the vicinity of this facility.
“He (Chastanet) recently wrote the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank with complete falsity,” PM Pierre told reporters, at a weekly cabinet meeting.
The prime minister disclosed that the NLA have recently “completed payment of the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground … (and) it’s a complete government asset.”
He noted that the NLA obtains funds from gate receipts of activities held at the facility.
PM Pierre recalled that, in July 2021, prior to the general elections, the opposition leader had signed onto a document granting concessions to the provider, “so that fees could be paid to the NLA”.
Contrarily, he stressed, the opposition leader’s statements seeking to prove otherwise are “completely false”, and cannot be substantiated, since its mere “speculation, misinformation and innuendo.”
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet was scheduled to attend the 2024 Global Parliamentary Forum (GPF) in Washington, D.C., on April 15 and 16.
As a result, the United Workers Party (UWP) leader wrote on Facebook that he would be out of state from April 14th to 20th.
The GPF, jointly organised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is held ahead of the 2024 Spring Meetings.
The Forum brings together legislators worldwide and senior leadership from the World Bank and IMF to share knowledge and best practices in development.
This year, participants gathered under the theme: “Multiple Global Challenges: Action for Impact.”
GPF participants were due to discuss challenges that put prosperity out of the reach of millions globally, and topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, debt, gender, and governance.
Asked to comment on Chastanet’ s trip within the context of this discourse, PM Pierre said, “I am very proud of him …and I hope he has a good presentation.”
Nonetheless, Pierre was quick to note that he was not aware of the GPF grouping. “None of my members have been invited, but any Saint Lucian who is going out to represent Saint Lucia I applaud it, I support it and I encourage it.”
– By VOICE Reporter