by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The former Team Unity Government and its leadership is again being scrutinized by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew over the construction of the new Basseterre High School.
The latest criticism came on Wednesday (Sept. 13) during Freedom FM issues, where Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew disclosed that over EC$14 Million dollars was allegedly paid to a consultancy group for project management work for the institution.
“To date, and this was written to the Minister (Dr. Geoffrey Hanley) October 07, 2022.To date a total of $14,427,940. 00 was processed, with the last payment being 17 June 2022. Well you know, when we got in there, we got in there and we decided that we’re not going to continue with the payment unless something clearly is done,” said Prime Minister Drew.
Dr. Drew questioned, “Where is the new Basseterre High School?”
“February 2021, payment- $3,532,143.60; No school built. Project Management Services, no school built and you get 3 million dollars. “For what?” March 2021- $1, 806,760.00. April 2021, same amount-$1.08 million, May- same amount – $ 1.08 million. This is not talking about one person getting $10,000.00. This is one entity getting over a million dollars for no work done, that we see. “[Do] you see a school to manage?”
Going a bit further, the prime minister provided a monthly breakdown of the payments.
“June 2021- $1.086 million, July 2021- $1.086 million, August 2021- $1.086 million. Then in September 2021, $ 437,529.00 and they got that amount in September, October, November, December, January (2022), February, March, April, May, June. “[Do] you see a school to manage?”
Having no evidence to show for the millions paid out, Dr. Drew opined that the former Government leader must take responsibility for what transpired.
Several calls to former Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris for a comment on the allegations were unsuccessful up to news time.
In recent months, the country’s political leader has been providing information regarding the Basseterre High School, but his administration has not yet released documents regarding their findings.
The old Basseterre High School has been shrouded in controversy dating back to 2011, when concerns were raised of possible contamination of the facility. The institution was forced to close in 2013.
