On the 17th anniversary of the St. Jude Hospital fire in the south of the island, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet has profited the opportunity to call for accountability from the Pierre Administration on at least three fronts.
The southern medical facility was completely destroyed in a devastating blaze on September 9the 2009, which registered the death of three individuals.
Since that fatal night, the facility reestablishment has spanned four different administrations, one of which was led by Chastanet himself.
In a video message reportedly sent out by the United Workers Party Strategic Communications Unit, the opposition leader called for a complete audit of the St. Jude Rehabilitation Project which he says is critical, particularly after expenditure nearing 600 million dollars. The original commissioned structured was stopped by the Chastanet administration and then abandoned in favour of a completely new structure on the same site. Following his departure from office in 2021, the Philip Pierre led administration recommenced work on the original structure and has since began operations of a few departments, a gain Chastanet has applauded. He however contends that “physical construction is not clinical commissioning and partial commissioning is not fully functioning hospital.” Chastanet took a swipe the island’s health minister, who a few months ago was confident that the full commissioning of St. Jude was not far away. Chastanet insist that the promised deadline has come and gone pointing to a promise not kept.
The leader of the opposition then took sharp aim at The St. Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF ) and reported abuse of the entity’s finances and reported involvement of government ministers. He highlighted that Richard Frederick has been placed on administrative leave while an SSDF review is underway. The issue had previously been addressed by Prime Minister Pierre who stressed that Frederick’s absence was not a suggestion of guilt by rather an effort to ensure that the review process was not seen as tainted. Chastanet also suggested that administrative leave, and an undisclosed review, does not equate to transparency or accountability. He indicated that forensic audit and its findings laid before parliament is the only solution.
The leader of the opposition also addressed the proposed Joy St. Omer inquiry to look into a possible systemic failure in adequately addressing her concerns by relevant authorities. St. Omer was brutally gunned down in May while sitting in her vehicle.
Chastanet reported that these issues formed part of letters to the government for which he has received no response to date. He warned that the government refuses to adequately respond, then questions will be raised in parliament and action will be sought through the Public Accounts Committee and the Director of Audit. He threatened to publish every unanswered question and any unanswered letter.