Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton, has called for works on the Marigot Hospital to commence no later than September 2018.
In his response to the 2018/2019 Budget on Thursday, Linton said the matter has been a ‘sore point’ for residents of the area.
“This new Marigot Hospital is a sore point for the residents of the North East from Crayfish River to Calibishie. We trust that nothing stands in the way of a commencement of work to no later than September 2018,” he said.
According to Linton, in last year’s budget an amount of $18.8-million was provided over two years for construction of the new Marigot Hospital – $14.1 million by way of a grant from the government and people of Mexico and $4.7 million from local funds, “$6.4-million would be spent in year one and $12.4-million in year two.”
“It didn’t happen,” he stated.
He added that in this year’s budget an amount of $20.25-million is provided: $1.5-million will be spent this year; $9.5 million next year; and $9.25-million in the final year. And that is why the matter remains a sore point, he noted.
He mentioned further that in this year’s budget, as was the case in last year’s budget an amount of $20 million is budgeted to correct the wave overtopping problem at Melville Hall that has been destroying vehicles with salt water for over a decade.
“Budgeting money to deal with this issue and not spending it has become a display of disrespect that pressures the restraint of Christian people of good conscience,” Linton stated. “We need work to commence on the resolution of the decade-old problem no later than September 2018. “
Meantime, he said some years ago, citizens with long-standing interests in land in the housing area at Melville Hall were promised that land reserved for them by the Housing Division would be officially allocated.
“This has not happened,” he remarked.
As a result, he said persons willing to build are unable to do so and in some instances, allocations agreed to are being compromised by intervening arrangements.
“Again, we are asking the government and the minister responsible to give urgent attention to what has become a particularly vexing matter,” Linton stated.
All governments should be people oriented. It is conspicuously clear that this government is all about self preservation. Every act is carefully calculated to harness votes for the next general elections. The handing out of donated monies and materials and the elusive promises of international airport, geothermal plant, new hospital and others. The electorate should demand commitments not promises. When the government makes an announcement to construct new project, demand the time and dates of commencement and the proposed finishing time of the project, named of financiers, signatures on the dotted lines, among other things. Going forward, promises are unacceptable, concrete proof is the new and only acceptable standard. Put the relevant information in the public domain. Allow the public to peruse and scrutinize the relevant documents for themselves. No more pussyfooting around.
Agree fully with you honourable Patriot Linton.Its a hospital for all of us.
Where The Wicked Rule The People Mourn
This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party!!
Look allu progress and development under Skerrit, give me a break with allu magee
It is sad to see that very little emphasis is being placed on the health sector. In as much as there’s a need for reconstruction of the Marigot Hospital and even the Portsmouth Hospital, have they forgotten PMH?
Lennox by now we all should know that Skerrit is all about propaganda, rethoric, lies, pie in the sky and corruption but unfortunately very little action. The man is a total waste of space!
If what u say true, once skeritt is there the marigot hospital will not be built the promised Windsor park stadium will be an empty promise, the rehabilitation of the PMH is an empty dream, river dredging is just idle talk, the development of jungle bay, kepinski, anachi and the morocan hotel are all pie in the sky. I wonder who the liars are? You sound like the biggest liar and propagandist
Apart from the stadium everything you named its still a dream because none of the projects is finished. Infact the Moroccan hotel will actually never finish and I guess the other hotels won’t do any better. Jungle bay is a different matter because it belongs to a private individual that detected to labour in return for government money. Ground breaking ceremony has happened for the new PMH but nothing happened since!!! You are a typical labour supporter, blind as a bat.