On Monday, Minister of Infrastructure Stephenson King spoke to reporters, highlighting the critical need for road repairs taking place nationwide.
He conveyed significant discontent regarding the sluggish advancement of the Millennium Road project and the neighbouring West Coast Road development.
“The pace at which that project has been moving is unacceptable,” he remarked.
Participants in the project are required to assume accountability and offer a transparent public report on the ongoing work. Minister King clarified that the project is not funded directly by the government.
“The British Government granted Saint Lucia approximately USD 42 million to construct the Millennium / West Coast Highway,” he said.
“The grant was channelled through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which set specific conditions for its operation,” King remarked.
He clarified that the government regarded the agreement as a gift, with the CDB overseeing transactions to ensure compliance.
Furthermore, a Consulting Engineer is tasked with executing the project’s methodologies and designs. The initiative encompasses a Coordinating Office aimed at facilitating collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure.
“The Project Office and the consulting engineer, under the supervision of the Caribbean Development Bank, are managing much of the what is happening,” the minister clarified.
Nevertheless, Minister King emphasized, “The pace at which this project is progressing is frustrating. We must apply pressure to ensure its timely completion.”
He stated, “The most frustrating aspect is witnessing signs of progress on the Millennium Highway, only to observe regression regarding what has been laid down and whether it meets the specifications set by the consulting engineering firm.”
King stated, “We expect a commitment to getting this project completed once and for all. It has dragged on for over four years now, alongside the delays on the West Coast Road with the other contractor.”