More backlash for government’s plan to build on Basseterre Valley Aquifer

The more the government pushes its plans to build the proposed Basseterre High School on the Basseterre Valley Aquifer, the more it faces backlash from the general public.

Citizens have labelled the government’s plans as bad policy on all fronts.

“Bad planning policy, bad environmental policy, bad education policy, and bad allocation of financial resources,” one critic penned.

The ballooning of the estimated cost to build the school from EC$40 million to approximately EC$100 million, in less than a year has fuelled arguments of poor financial allocation.

During the town hall meeting at the Tucker Clarke Primary School, one week ago, for residents to voice their concerns with the projected plans to build on the aquifer, questions were raised about the huge financial allocations to the proposed school.

One specific question sought to understand the rationale behind emergency funding for the construction of the proposed high school.

There are also further allegations that ego and politics have impeded local authorities’ ability to think rationally.

The town hall meeting featured a number of panellists who batted on the government’s behalf but failed to erase the environmental and financial concerns clouding the project.