Deputy Chairman of the Saint Lucia National Housing Corporation Samuel Bowers, an advocate for affordable housing in Saint Lucia, is no longer on the Board of the Corporation. His appointment was terminated Monday of this week via a letter to him from Dr. Cadelia Lane Ambrose, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
“Acting on the direction of the Minister with responsibility for Housing, I write to inform you that your appointment to the Board of the Saint Lucia national Housing Corporation (NHC) is hereby revoked with immediate effect,” stated the first paragraph of Ambrose letter to Bowers.
The rest of the letter stated as follows: “Your actions in resorting to social media in an attempt to resolve a matter regarding your formal engagement as a deputy director on the Board of the NHC is of grave concern. You proceeded to make serious uncorroborated allegations against the Minister with responsibility for Housing. In furtherance of this, questions pertaining to matters of conflict of interest have also been brought to the fore.
“This compromises the standard of integrity which you are obligated to abide by, and as such, your membership and appointment as the Deputy Chairperson on the Board of the Saint Lucia National Housing Corporation is hereby terminated.
“We take this opportunity to thank you for your service to the Government and people of Saint Lucia. We wish you well in your future endeavours.”
The letter was copied to the Chairman of the NHC Michael Pilgrim and the Minister responsible for Housing and Local Government Richard Frederick.
The VOICE did reach out to Bowers who declined comment on the matter, however we were told that his silence has to do with him still examining the letter’s content so as to frame a response.
Bowers who has attained certification up to an MBA in Public Service and Social Housing and has worked as a Financial Analyst with the Housing Corporation in the United Kingdom, has been active in Saint Lucia in seeking affordable housing for many persons needing such care.