BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – QUICK response by the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministries of Public Works, Utilities and Energy, Lenrick Lake, has ensured that measures are taken to address expressed concerns in relation to the old electoral office on East Independence Square Street, Basseterre.
Late last week, Father Bernard Latus of the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral complained of the unkempt state of the building which once housed the Electoral Office. It has been relocated to Central Street adjacent to the Development Bank compound.
His main complaints were: the unsightly collection of garbage on the outer corridor of the building – which he explained is a breeding ground for rats; the fact that the signage naming the building as the Electoral Office was still attached to it; and the apparent switching on and off of one of the air conditioning units in the building – which interferes with the electricity supply to the Catholic Church’s presbytery.
On Friday afternoon (July. 1), SKNVibes spoke with the PS, who explained that he would make contact with relevant individuals at the Public Works Department (PWD), Solid Waste Management Corporation and the Electricity Department to have these issues addressed.
True to his word, PS Lake contacted SKNVibes yesterday (Jun. 4) and indicated that a team from Electricity Department would be looking at the wiring at the old Electoral Office with a view to resolving that issue.
He said that would be done by the end of this week.
PS Lake also said that the garbage has since been removed and he committed that the situation would have to be “closely monitored”, because stock-piling of the garbage is done by a homeless man who has made the verandah of the old Electoral Office his place of abode.
Regarding the signage, Lake told this publication that he has yet to make contact with the Electoral Commission to ascertain the course of action it wishes to take.
The PS informed that the PWD has indicated its willingness to assist in the removal of the sign if that were the desired course of action.
