A critical infrastructure project in Saint Lucia has reached an impasse due to a financial disagreement between the contracted construction firm and the national electricity provider, raising significant safety concerns for northern commuters.
The Norbert Road rehabilitation project, designed to alleviate traffic congestion on the Sir Julian R Hunte Highway, has advanced to its final phase with construction occurring around existing electricity poles. Rayneau Gajadhar, owner of Rayneau Construction & Industrial Products Ltd., revealed his team proceeded with work after four formal requests for a detailed cost breakdown from Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) were denied. The utility company had provided an estimated quote of $554,878.86 for relocating electrical infrastructure.
“It’s impossible for us to be paying all those monies out and not know what you’re going to do and what we’re paying for,” Gajadhar stated in a social media video addressing the situation. His company has since installed reflective markers on the poles to enhance nighttime visibility as an interim safety measure.
LUCELEC Managing Director Gilroy Pultie confirmed in an official statement that the company received the contractor’s request and has been engaged in discussions with both the contractor and overseeing government ministry over the past fortnight. “We have subsequently provided further breakdown of the cost. It is under discussion,” Pultie stated, expressing expectation that the ministry would provide feedback within days.
The electricity provider defended its pricing methodology, explaining that it employs standard unit rates for materials and labor. Pultie emphasized the company’s responsibility to manage costs prudently to avoid passing unnecessary expenses to consumers through tariff adjustments. “Costs like the relocation of lines associated with roadworks should be treated and passed on to the government, or the agency or the contractor as part of the project,” he asserted.
The managing director called for more responsible planning of future infrastructure projects, stressing the need for improved coordination among all stakeholders to prevent similar situations where utility infrastructure becomes public hazards.
Meanwhile, northern residents and daily commuters who regularly use Norbert Road to avoid highway gridlock have expressed growing concerns about safety prioritization. One Bonneterre Gardens resident told local media that the apparent disregard for pedestrian and motorist safety represents “really bad optics for both companies” amidst their financial dispute.
With approximately 21-25 electrical poles and sections of the distribution network requiring relocation, further delays now appear inevitable for the government’s congestion-reduction initiative.