Gros Islet MP and Minister, Hon. Kenson Casimir, has issued an urgent call for the realignment of electricity poles along the Norbert Road Rehabilitation Project, warning that continued delays are creating unacceptable risks to public safety.
Speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Casimir said the matter has dragged on for far too long and now demands decisive action. “This needs to get done — and it needed to get done yesterday,” Casimir said, stressing that while differing views remain on how the work should be executed and funded, safety must override all other considerations.
The minister revealed that the cost of properly relocating the electrical infrastructure exceeds $500,000, explaining that the figure reflects the technical complexity and scope of the work involved. Still, he made it clear that the price tag cannot justify inaction. “As a parliamentary representative, I will be making calls this week to ensure this happens,” Casimir said. “I would not want anything to occur and then have regrets after.”
Casimir noted that he has listened to all sides of the dispute but believes the risk to motorists and residents has reached a point where delay is no longer an option. The issue has unfolded publicly amid an exchange between St Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and contractor Rayneau Gajadhar, whose firm is responsible for the road rehabilitation works.
In a statement responding to Gajadhar’s claims, LUCELEC Managing Director Gilroy Pultie reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to public safety while defending the integrity of its cost estimates. He said the company relies on standardized procedures and established unit rates for materials and labour, applied consistently across all projects.
LUCELEC, he added, must also manage its expenses prudently, warning that absorbing such costs could ultimately impact electricity tariffs. “While one can always argue that LUCELEC can absorb these costs, if we were to do so, those costs would be passed on to consumers,” Pultie said.
He further explained that the relocation of electrical infrastructure during road works should be treated as part of the overall project cost and borne by the relevant government agency or contractor. According to Pultie, the estimate submitted covers the relocation of approximately 21 to 25 electrical poles and sections of the distribution network.
Gajadhar, however, has disputed LUCELEC’s approach, insisting that his firm requested a detailed breakdown of the $554,878.86 estimate on four separate occasions, without success. “It’s impossible for us to be paying all that money and not know what we’re paying for or what work is being done,” Gajadhar said.
Despite the unresolved disagreement, construction on Norbert Road has continued around the existing poles, pushing the project into what contractors describe as its final phase. As a temporary measure, reflectors have been installed on the poles to improve nighttime visibility.
Casimir acknowledged the ongoing discussions over cost and responsibility but reiterated that they cannot be allowed to overshadow the primary concern. “I’ve heard everyone,” he said. “But we cannot allow this to linger. Safety must come first.”
