St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday on Friday defended the EC$1.5 million (US$554,000) allocated in the national budget for repairs to the official residence of the prime minister, insisting the building poses serious safety risks, including fire hazards.
Wrapping up debate on the EC$1.9 billion (US$701.6 million) Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, Friday — whose New Democratic Party (NDP) returned to office following the November 27 general election after nearly 25 years in opposition — said the residence’s roof, electrical system and guardrails were in a dangerous state.
Former Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves challenged the scale of the allocation, warning that the cost “is going to balloon.”
“I’m saying to the people of this country, when I left that house, it was liveable. It needed some repairs, but liveable,” Gonsalves told legislators.
Under the previous administration, EC$75,000 was allocated in 2022 for the “Enhancement of the Prime Minister’s Residence,” matching an allocation approved a year earlier. In 2023, a further EC$250,000 was set aside to undertake minor works and procure furniture, fittings and equipment, followed by allocations of EC$75,000 in 2024 and EC$65,000 in 2025. The project was expected to be completed in 2023 at an estimated total cost of EC$437,661.
Gonsalves also criticised the EC$600,000 allocated for the purchase of motor vehicles for the prime minister’s use, noting the vehicles would be imported duty-free but would cost approximately EC$1.3 million if duties were applied. He said the vehicles he used while in office were “perfectly functioning” and had “another couple of years going for them.”
In response, Friday said his predecessor was quick to criticise the residence repairs and the “so-called fleet of vehicles,” maintaining that the official residence was in a “horrible condition” and uninhabitable.
He said that shortly after winning the election, he visited the residence expecting only minor cosmetic work.
“I went there thinking that we’re going to do just some cosmetic work — to paint a little bit here and put some curtains and so forth, and change some linen and some upholstery,” Friday said. “But it’s quite clear that the place is not in a state to move in.”
Friday said a provisional budget was initially prepared for cosmetic repairs, but once the extent of the deterioration became clear, the state agency BRAGSA was called in to assess the property.
“I’m hearing now that all the galvanised sheeting on the roof has to be replaced because it is corroded, and in some places, it may actually be leaking,” he told lawmakers.
He added that the electrical system was deemed a fire hazard and would need to be fully replaced, and that the guardrails surrounding the building were rotting and dangerous.
Friday said while upgrades and remodelling could be considered, decisions were constrained by the building’s heritage status.
“This building is a heritage building,” he said. “This is something that the country should preserve and be proud of.”
He also raised concerns about a separate structure on the grounds used to house members of the prime minister’s security detail, saying conditions there were unacceptable. Friday said National Security Minister St Clair Leacock had observed similar conditions during visits to police stations across the country.
“They’re sleeping in bunks, four to a room,” Friday said. “I would not be comfortable sleeping in the prime minister’s residence knowing that the people who are supposed to be guarding the prime minister are sleeping in those conditions.”
As finance minister, Friday said limited time to prepare the budget contributed to the EC$1.5 million allocation.
“They put $1.5 million there. Initially, it was less than that. But I hope that it can be done for that. I hope it can be done for less,” he said, noting the extensive work required.
Friday stressed that responsibility for the project rests with BRAGSA and that the funds are not intended for personal benefit.
“This is ensuring that the building stays erect and that it’s safe,” he said, suggesting that long-term maintenance of the prime minister’s residence and Government House should fall under a dedicated institution rather than individual occupants.
