A Master of Hate, Deceit and Fabrication

The axiom “you can take a man out of the gutter, but you can’t take the gutter out of the man” is a stark reminder of the Minister of Housing’s dubious character, forged in the depths of corruption and deceit. His meteoric rise to power, marred by repeated run-ins with the law, has left an indelible stain on his reputation. Despite his limited legal expertise, he has managed to bulldoze his way to the top, becoming a formidable force in our society, but one that is driven by a toxic mix of hatred, jealousy, and a complete disregard for the truth.

For over a decade, he has waged a vicious campaign of lies and fabrication against Allen Chastanet, who has fearlessly exposed his wrongdoings, and has vilified many St. Lucians who have dared to confront him. This Minister’s fixation on the Chastanet family, particularly Allen and Michael, is a manifestation of a deep-seated jealousy that he cannot reconcile, despite his lofty position in government.

His actions have brought shame and ignominy to the SLP administration and, by extension, our beloved island. At a time when St. Lucia is grappling with unprecedented levels of crime, his behavior sends a disturbing message to our youth, implying that laws can be broken with impunity, and that corruption is the norm. As a nation, we must recognize the dangers that threaten our very fabric and exercise our democratic rights to hold our leaders accountable.

The sale of state lands at Bannanes, the questionable transaction involving the purchase of an inferior building, and the closure of two housing projects, which were halted under the false pretense of lacking planning permission from the Development Control Authority (DCA), only to be exposed as a blatant lie, as the projects had, in fact, received full approval from the DCA, are just a few examples of the impunity that has become rampant under his watch.

Furthermore, he has abused his position by using his talk show on a national television and radio company to threaten, bully, and peddle half-truths, blatant lies, and propaganda, further eroding the trust of the St. Lucian people in their government. This is a gross abuse of power and a clear conflict of interest, as he uses his platform to settle personal scores and advance his own agenda, rather than serving the interests of the people. This Minister’s history of deceit and fabrication is well-documented, having been expelled from the United Workers Party for similar reasons.

The UWP administration, under Allen Chastanet’s leadership, was making progress, but his lies and fabrications on his TV program swayed public opinion. The electorate made their choice, and now, after three years, we are witnessing the devastating consequences of that decision. We must not remain silent in the face of such blatant corruption and deception.

The recent fabrication about Allen Chastanet organizing thirteen rentals for his father is a stark example of this Minister’s dishonesty. The truth, as we have discovered, is that Michael Chastanet has been renting office space to the Government of St. Lucia since 1992, a total of approximately nine properties, with the last rental contract signed in 2020. Both SLP and UWP administrations have consistently chosen to rent office space from Michael Chastanet’s firm, a testament to the exceptional value and quality of his properties.

SLP and UWP administrations decision to rent from him is a deliberate one, driven by the unbeatable combination of competitive pricing and superior amenities. With rental rates significantly below the market average, Michael Chastanet’s properties offer a cost- effective solution for the government. Moreover, his properties boast an impressive array of amenities, including ample parking and modern facilities, providing a safe, reliable, and comfortable working environment for government employees. The fact that both administrations have repeatedly opted to rent from Michael Chastanet’s firm is a resounding endorsement of his commitment to providing top-notch services and facilities, making him the go-to choice for government offices.

We implore the St. Lucian public to recognize the true nature of this individual, who has brought shame and disgrace to our nation. It is our duty to defend our country and ensure that such characters are not given the opportunity to further tarnish our reputation. We must exercise our democratic rights and hold our leaders accountable for their actions, lest we suffer the consequences of our inaction.