CASTRIES, St Lucia --
Leader of the Lucian People's Movement (LPM), Therold Prudent, has
questioned the decision of Saint Lucia’s prime minister, Dr Kenny
Anthony, to appoint Calixte George Jr. as his administrative attaché.
This position is in addition to that of press secretary.
"At a time when Dr Anthony is pleading with the nation to understand
the financial predicament we are in and facing questions about waste
and inefficiency in government, coupled with persistent criticisms about
his inability to create new jobs in the country, it may not have been
a wise decision to appoint Mr George, a trained engineer by profession,
as a political attaché in his office," Prudent said.
Prudent acknowledged the authority of a prime minister to select a team
that he deems best qualified to help him carry out the responsibilities
of governing the nation is a right that no one should question.
“However, the judgment that a prime minister exercises in the selection
of these individuals, including his understanding of whether an appointment
is a priority and whether it will contribute to the good of our nation,
should be questioned by the citizens of this country,” he added.
Prudent went on to say that, while the LPM refuses to engage in what
he referred to as the futile blame game regarding what party is most
responsible for inflating successive governments with political appointees,
it will never shy away from having a more substantive debate on whether
appointments are warranted and add value to the efforts of government
to deliver on its promises to the people of Saint Lucia.
"The LPM would have been very supportive of Dr Anthony had he
demonstrated the foresight to make better use of Mr George's training
and skills as an electrical and computer engineer by employing him within
the ministry of public service, sustainable development, energy, science
and technology,” Prudent said.
“Perhaps he could have even been given the responsibility of heading
a special unit within that ministry specifically devoted to uncovering
advances in geothermal and solar energy technologies that could lower
the cost of powering government offices, private homes and businesses,
playgrounds, and streets, thus revolutionizing an energy brand on the
island, that would generate thousands of new and sustainable jobs,”
he added.
According to Prudent, not only would this have signalled to young people
that their government was serious about investing in their skills to
advance the development of the country, but it could also have been
a political appointment that Anthony would not have to justify in terms
of it being of net value to the country.
“Here you have a young man who graduated from The University of the
West Indies at St Augustine, Trinidad, and served as a past secretary
of the Guilds of Students (Engineering Students Society); however, our
prime minster, who professes to have a vision for the development of
the country, neglected to embrace the mission statement of Mr George's
alma mater, which is to produce engineers who are trained in supporting
Caribbean business, industry and infrastructure and to help propel innovation
in the region,” he said.
The LPM leader also lamented the inability of the Anthony administration
to prioritize tackling the challenges in science and technology that
will benefit the country in the near future.
“Good governance includes having the vision and ability to inspire
your citizens to greatness,” Prudent concluded.