Building materials sent to Union Island to repair one of the primary schools that were damaged by Hurricane Beryl “disappeared” less than a day after they arrived there, Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel says.
Daniel, who is also the minister of works, said on NBC Radio that the electrical mains at the Mary Hutchinson Primary School were also damaged days before an inspection was to have taken place.
Daniel, who was acting as prime minister while Ralph Gonsalves was overseas, said that a team of government officials visited the southern Grenadine island on Aug. 21, ahead of the reopening of schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines later on Monday.
He said that BRAGSA, the state agency responsible for the maintenance of public infrastructure, subcontracted the work on the school.
“… BRAGSA … sent materials down for work to be done on Monday (Aug. 18). The materials arrived and went on site on Monday, and by midday on Tuesday, some of the materials disappeared.”
Daniel said BRAGSA had to reorder the materials and send to Union Island again.
“And the materials arrived on Friday last (Aug. 22) … (and) the contractor continued to do a lot of his work,” he said.
Daniel condemned the disappearance of the material, saying, “When these things happen, … it slows the work down and creates problems for all of us”.
He said the Electrical Inspectorate was scheduled to visit the school on Aug. 22, one day after his team visited.
“But, unfortunately, that could not have been done on the Friday. On Monday, they turned up to do their inspection, and on Monday, I got a call indicating that the mains in the building had been tampered with,” Daniel said.
“It’s unfortunate when you have a civilised society that these things happen. And so, I could only urge our people for letting good sense prevail.
“We, as a people –and that’s why I always reflect on our history — we as a people, we have to fashion our future.
“And, do not think that as an individual and to strive to make the lives of other people unhappy, and yours will not be unhappy.”
Daniel said he reported the development to the police, having received the report about the mains being tampered with.
“… I called the police to get involved into the investigations into the matter and for them to proceed with their work. I can’t do the police work, so I await the report of the police,” he said.
Daniel noted the devastation caused by the category 4 cyclone when it moved across the country on July 1, 2024.
“And of course, there is still some level of uneasiness, but we all have to work together as a civilised people to help to develop this country of ours,” the acting prime minister said.
“If you have your grouse, let’s sit down and talk about it. But one can only hope for the best, and it only means, therefore, that the work will be intensified and that the workers would have to have the work done to ensure that the school is ready for Monday, the first of September 2025,” he said.
If what you’re saying true. It shouldn’t be too hard in finding the culprits.
International surveillance!! SO SAD.
Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel, “What can US do”???
This response is ridiculous. Just how big is Union Island? The Deputy PM should have been reporting that after thieves removed the items there were summarily arrested. Come on.
This why I said that no politician can change the mindset of Vincentians, one politician sum it up nicely by saying we are a nation having breadfruit mentality, a free for all. Last year I took a trip to vincy and reminded of the calypso Jean and Dinah. I could have bought the prettiest women in Vincy for a few dollars or nothing. Just my American accent.
Why would someone wants to steal from.the school inventory that that whatbwas meant for community development? It’s a symptoms of mental retardation brought about by the economic situation which is good enough to ensure 6 in a row. Say you hear it from me .