By James Stanislaus
It has been almost a year since the government of St. Lucia signed a contract with a Trinidad and Tobago-based company for the construction of the Halls of Justice. The project, which carries a staggering price tag of EC$143.1 million for the base construction and a total investment cost of EC$164.7 million, has been shrouded in controversy since its inception. Despite the project’s progression, unresolved concerns persist regarding the government’s management and its potential impacts on the local economy and community.
One of the primary concerns with the government’s decision is the economic leakage that will result from awarding the contract to a foreign company. The profits earned by the Trinidadian company will leave St. Lucia rather than being reinvested in the local economy. The people of St. Lucia will miss out on a significant opportunity for economic growth and development. Furthermore, the choice of a foreign company will also lead to the outsourcing of building materials, heavy equipment and expertise. The project will be a windfall for Trinidad and Tobago’s economy but a loss for St. Lucia’s, as local suppliers, professionals in project management and construction and manufacturers will be bypassed in favour of their Trinidadian counterparts.
Additionally, the repayment conditions for the project are alarmingly costly, with the total cost to taxpayers over 12 years amounting to EC$292,903,555.20. That is a staggering $128 million more than the total amount invested in the project by the contractor. This translates to an interest rate of approximately 12.5% per annum, which is exorbitant and unnecessary.
Given that more competitive interest rates are available to the government, it is perplexing that the government accepted such a high interest rate. If the government had awarded the project to NIPRO, the profits from the interest rate would have accrued to the pensioners of St. Lucia rather than lining the pockets of a foreign company. This prompts critical analysis of the government’s priorities and its dedication to the welfare of the people.
In contrast, NIPRO, a subsidiary of the National Insurance Corporation, would have kept profits in St. Lucia to bolster pension funds for local retirees while also leveraging local materials and labour to invigorate the local economy. NIPRO has a proven track record of completing several police and fire stations across the island, including the Marchand Police Station, Anse La Raye Police Station, and Gros Islet Fire Station, among others. More recently, in October 2023, NIPRO was awarded the contract by the Government of St. Lucia for the construction of the new Northern Divisional Police Headquarters in Massade, Gros Islet, with an approved budget of $35,925,822 under a BOLT arrangement. This project, which is currently underway, validates NIPRO’s ability to handle
complex construction projects, making it clear that claims about St. Lucia’s lack of expertise and capacity to deliver this project are dishonest and unfounded.
The government’s handling of the project has been marred by poor consultation with stakeholders, resulting in significant costs, delays, and complexities. A crucial question arises: Did the government conduct a thorough Social and Environmental Impact Assessment before embarking on the construction phase? Furthermore, was the project approved by the Development Control Authority? The lack of adequate consultation with stakeholders, particularly the Catholic Church, has not only led to delays but also damaged the government’s relationships with the community, potentially sparking further opposition to the project.
The government’s choice to acquire a new site for the project has sparked further concerns, as it will require a redesign. This will increase the project costs by an additional $15 to $20 million. The government’s failure to consider alternative sites and options is a significant concern, as it may have resulted in a more cost-effective and efficient solution for the Halls of Justice project. The new site, which is located in proximity to the Cathedral, may still be subject to the same concerns that led to the abandonment of the original site. This raises serious questions about the government’s decision-making process and the adequacy of the analysis conducted prior to the selection of the site.
Inexplicably, the government did not consider the site on Upper Bridge Street in Castries, which was identified by the former administration for a similar project. This site, being
state-owned, would have saved the government millions of dollars in land acquisition costs. Additionally, its location away from the city centre and the cathedral may have alleviated the concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the original location.
While alternative locations like the Upper Bridge Street site may offer cost savings and alleviate concerns, the ultimate goal of the Halls of Justice project is to address the growing need for a centralised and efficient judiciary. The Halls of Justice is a necessary project for St. Lucia, particularly in an era where crime, especially violent crime, is spiralling out of control, and the judiciary is inundated with a mounting backlog of cases. Centralising the courts into one location will indeed save the government millions of dollars in rent, but at what cost? The government should evaluate the long-term effects of this project to guarantee that its implementation serves the nation and its citizens as a whole rather than benefiting only a select few.
To ensure that the Halls of Justice project serves the best interests of the people of St. Lucia, the government should adopt a more prudent and transparent approach to project planning and implementation. This includes conducting thorough feasibility studies to determine the project’s viability, developing a clear project plan and budget, and ensuring transparency and public consultation throughout the project. The government should also evaluate alternative options and bidders, establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and consider phased implementation to test and refine the project’s design and implementation. By following these principles, the government can ensure that the project is implemented responsibly and sustainably, mitigating costs, delays, and community concerns, and ultimately serving the best interests of the people of St. Lucia.
In the final analysis, the fate of the Halls of Justice project hangs in the balance, and it is imperative that the government takes a hard look at its decision-making processes and places the needs of the people it serves at the forefront. The consequences of inaction would be severe, with the project’s flaws having far-reaching and devastating implications for the country’s future. The people of St. Lucia deserve better, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that their interests are protected and their needs are met.