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Home Politics

SLASPA Fires OECC: Another Damaging Blow to Vieux Fort Development

SLASPA Fires OECC sparks controversy as the SLP government faces backlash over delays and rising costs in HIA redevelopment.

Unitedpac by Unitedpac
December 6, 2024
in Local News, Business, Politics
Reading Time: 6 mins read
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SLASPA General Manager Daren Cenac discusses the HIA redevelopment as SLASPA Fires OECC amid controversy over project delays

SLASPA General Manager Daren Cenac discusses the HIA redevelopment as SLASPA Fires OECC amid controversy over project delays

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Table of Contents

  • 1. A Pattern of Political Retaliation
  • 2. Daren Cenac and Stephenson King’s Roles in the Crisis
  • 3. Vieux Fort Left Behind
  • 4. Double Standards in Development
  • 5. A Call for Accountability
  • 6. The Way Forward

SLASPA Fires OECC as SLP Government’s decision sparks concerns over delays and rising costs for Vieux Fort’s redevelopment.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia —In what many are calling yet another politically motivated attack on Saint Lucia’s development, the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) has made headlines as SLASPA Fires OECC, terminating its contract with Taiwanese construction firm Overseas Engineering & Construction Co. (OECC). This decision, announced on November 30, 2024, has sparked outrage, particularly in the southern region of Vieux Fort, where the stalled Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) redevelopment project remains a glaring symbol of stagnation under Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s administration.

Allen Chastanet administration meets with OECC representatives and Taiwanese ambassador amid SLASPA Fires OECC controversy.
Allen Chastanet administration meets with OECC representatives and Taiwanese ambassador

OECC, a globally recognized firm with an impressive track record, was contracted to construct the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) under the HIA redevelopment. Now, with the contract terminated over alleged breaches in performance, health, and safety, critics are pointing fingers at the Pierre administration for sabotaging yet another crucial project initiated by the previous United Workers Party (UWP) government led by Allen Chastanet.

01
of 06
A Pattern of Political Retaliation

The termination of OECC’s contract is viewed by many as part of a broader campaign by the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) to systematically dismantle the development agenda set in motion by the Chastanet administration. From the onset of its tenure, the Pierre administration has been accused of halting or delaying projects critical to Saint Lucia’s growth, particularly in the south, where Vieux Fort was poised to emerge as a hub of economic and infrastructural activity.

Stephenson King and then Prime Minister Allen Chastanet at the groundbreaking ceremony for HIA redevelopment amid SLASPA Fires OECC controversy.
Stephenson King and then Prime Minister Allen Chastanet at the groundbreaking ceremony for HIA redevelopment

Under Chastanet, the HIA redevelopment was positioned as a transformative project to bolster tourism and economic activity. The airport expansion, along with complementary initiatives in the south, aimed to uplift Vieux Fort, which has long been overshadowed by developments in the north of the island. However, upon assuming office, Pierre’s government quickly moved to “review” these projects, citing financial concerns. The result has been a series of delays and now, with the termination of OECC, a significant escalation in the crisis.

02
of 06
Daren Cenac and Stephenson King’s Roles in the Crisis

Daren Cenac, SLASPA’s General Manager, has been accused of playing politics in his handling of the OECC contract. Cenac, who was involved in negotiations with OECC, has been described as a “puppet” of the Pierre administration, allegedly acting to fulfill its politically motivated agenda.

SLASPA Terminates Contract With Taiwanese Construction Firm, Delaying Airport Project Until 2025

Observers claim that the seeds of this crisis were planted during the Chastanet administration, with Cenac and others deliberately delaying progress on the HIA redevelopment. The situation was further exacerbated by Stephenson King’s defection from the UWP to the SLP—a move that many see as a betrayal to the south of the island and a calculated maneuver to dismantle Chastanet’s ambitious vision for Saint Lucia.

03
of 06
Vieux Fort Left Behind

The termination of the OECC contract adds to a growing list of decisions by the Pierre administration that have left Vieux Fort residents feeling abandoned and disillusioned. The government’s recent agreement with Global Ports Holding (GPH), which critics argue guarantees no significant development in Vieux Fort for the next 30 years, has compounded fears that the region is being deliberately sidelined.

Construction workers at Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment project during Allen Chastanet administration, tied to SLASPA Fires OECC controversy.
Construction workers at Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment project during Allen Chastanet administration

This latest action by SLASPA is expected to lead to legal repercussions, with OECC likely to mount a strong response. Such a development could further delay the airport project, potentially stagnating Vieux Fort’s redevelopment for years. What was once envisioned as a vibrant economic hub now risks becoming a “derelict ghost town,” as some have described.

04
of 06
Double Standards in Development

Adding insult to injury, OECC continues to secure high-profile contracts in neighboring islands, such as St. Vincent, where it is spearheading major modernization projects. This stark contrast highlights the missed opportunities for Saint Lucia under Pierre’s administration. While other nations leverage OECC’s expertise to advance their infrastructure, Saint Lucia remains mired in controversy, delays, and a lack of visionary leadership.

OECC team in Belize discusses progress on the Corozal-Sarteneja Road Upgrading Project amid SLASPA Fires OECC controversy.
OECC team in Belize discusses progress on the Corozal-Sarteneja Road Upgrading Project

Critics argue that SLASPA’s decision, while couched in claims of maintaining “high standards,” is reflective of the broader incompetence and short-sightedness of the current administration. The estimated cost of the HIA redevelopment, initially set at $145 million, has already ballooned to $175 million. With $35-$40 million spent to date and no clear resolution in sight, the Pierre administration appears unable—or unwilling—to steer the project to completion.

05
of 06
A Call for Accountability

The termination of the OECC contract underscores the urgent need for greater accountability within the Pierre administration. What should have been a milestone in Saint Lucia’s development has instead become a cautionary tale of political vendettas and poor governance.

SLASPA General Manager Darren Cenac’s assurances that the termination will not incur additional costs ring hollow for many. Even if legal battles are avoided, the delays alone represent a significant cost to the nation in terms of lost opportunities and diminished confidence in Saint Lucia’s ability to execute large-scale projects.

06
of 06
The Way Forward

As SLASPA prepares to launch a new tender process in 2025, there is little optimism among the public that the Pierre administration will deliver on its promises. The HIA redevelopment, once a beacon of hope for the south, now stands as a symbol of the political gamesmanship and developmental decay that have come to define the current government.

The people of Saint Lucia deserve better. They deserve a government that prioritizes progress over politics, that uplifts rather than undermines, and that delivers on its commitments to the entire nation—not just the north. As the legal and financial fallout from this latest debacle unfolds, one thing is clear: the blame lies squarely at the feet of Philip J. Pierre and his administration’s assault on development in Saint Lucia.


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Tags: Allen Chastanet projectsHewanorra International Airport redevelopmentOECC contract terminationSaint Lucia political newsSLASPA Fires OECCSLASPA updates 2024SLP government controversiesSt. Lucia development issuesSt. Lucia infrastructure delaysVieux Fort stagnation

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