During his budget presentation, Prime Minister Hon Phillip J Pierre listed the completion cost of St Jude Hospital as $265 million EC dollars. This figure has baffled many who recall previous pronouncements made by the SLP administration on this contentious subject. Among those raising questions is Deputy Leader of the UWP, Guy Joseph. During a recent discussion on the budget, Joseph called on the Prime Minister to explain the basis for the exorbitant cost.
The reconstruction of St Jude Hospital has been a hot button issue for many years, with successive governments making failed attempts to deliver the much needed medical facility. The former Kenny Anthony administration commenced the rehabilitation of the original structure, yet failed to complete the project.
During his tenure, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet chose to construct a modern facility despite heavy criticism from the then opposition. At the time, it was deemed that refurbishing the original structure would have been quicker and more cost effective, a course of action pursued by the current administration. Hence the raised eyebrows at the $265 million dollar project price tag.
While there has been no announcement that any contracts were awarded in relation to St Jude Hospital, it is common knowledge that remedial works had commenced on the site. In this vein, Joseph speculated as to whether the cost of these works, factored into the price quoted by Prime Minister Pierre.
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