A major political controversy has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the newly installed New Democratic Party (NDP) administration launches an investigation into alleged financial misconduct within the previous government’s housing initiative. The scrutiny centers on the ‘Lives to Live’ program, established under former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration.
Housing Minister Andrew John ignited the debate during parliamentary discussions on the 2026 national budget, questioning the allocation of millions toward a program that demonstrated insufficient results relative to its substantial funding. The minister specifically highlighted the Diamond Estate community within his South Windward constituency as a case study of systematic failures.
The Lives to Live program, designed to assist marginalized populations including indigent citizens, persons with disabilities, and those displaced by development projects, operated under the Ministry of Housing with significant expenditures on construction materials and essential household fixtures.
Minister John presented compelling evidence of irregularities, noting that despite the previous administration’s reported expenditure of US$9 million (EC$24.3 million) from the Saudi Fund for Development specifically allocated to this program, numerous communities still lack basic sanitation infrastructure. ‘One might wonder if St. Vincent and the Grenadines has become the pit-latrine capital of the world,’ John remarked during his parliamentary address.
The government has designated Diamond Estate as a pilot project for informal settlement upgrades, allocating EC$150,000 initially for essential services including electricity, potable water, and proper bathroom facilities. ‘This transcends mere infrastructure—it concerns human dignity,’ Minister John emphasized, outlining plans for comprehensive community rehabilitation including proper road systems.
The investigation has revealed substantial financial transactions with Jamaica-based Tankweld Ltd., totaling tens of millions of dollars over multiple administrations for construction materials, particularly following natural disasters including Hurricane Beryl’s devastation in July 2024.