A Nation Betrayed

John Steinbeck, the renowned writer, “a giant of American letters”, and the 1962 Nobel Prize winner for Literature promulgated. “ I know now why confusion in government is not only tolerated but encouraged. I have learned. A confused people can make no clear demands.”

The shocking truth behind the Minister of Housing three-year deception has finally been revealed, exposing his earlier pronouncement on the Fresh Start housing projects in Tavern and Choc as nothing more than a carefully crafted lie. Why did the Minister of Housing inform the nation that Fresh Start did not have approval from the Development Control Authority (DCA) when the approved plans were sitting in his ministry even before he was appointed the Minister?

The Minister’s deliberate concealment of planning approval raises grave questions about his motives and the true extent of his deception. Equally perplexing and disappointing is that the Chairman and the members of the board of the St. Lucia Housing Corporation knew that the project had the requisite approval yet they chose to say nothing. The consequences of this betrayal are staggering, with the nation suffering significant economic losses and stagnation. The lost income from workers would have contributed substantially to the economy through taxes and NIC contributions, benefiting local businesses and stimulating growth. Instead, the Minister’s deceit has led to a devastating loss of revenue, crippling the economy and undermining public trust.

The Minister’s pattern of deception continued unabated, with promises of condominiums in Cul De Sac and five structures at Cas En Bas, despite knowing that financing was nonexistent. Fabricated stories such as these were repeated during the last elections, deliberately misleading the public and perpetuating a culture of dishonesty in this administration. The latest announcement by the Prime Minister of sixty-four homes to be constructed at Rock Hall appears to be yet another empty promise, echoing the failed projects of the past. It seems the administration is now forced to rely on incomplete UWP projects, a desperate attempt to salvage their tarnished reputation.

The Prime Minister’s lack of leadership skills has led to these failures, and it’s time for the administration to take responsibility for their actions. The nation demands transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.