A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has raised concerns over the apparent sloth in the construction of the $6.5 billion Lethem Regional Hospital.
The party said that the project remains in its early construction phase more than a year after its sod-turning ceremony.
Visits were conducted on January 19 by Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan, accompanied by MP Juretha Fernandes, who shadows Tourism and Amerindian Affairs, and members of their team. The exercise, Duncan said, formed part of ongoing scrutiny of public investments in hinterland regions, with a focus on verifying whether announced and funded projects are progressing toward full functionality.
At the site of the proposed Lethem Regional Hospital, officials observed that while sections of the foundation have been laid and steel columns erected in parts of the cleared area, the project has not advanced beyond its initial phase. There was no visible superstructure or enclosure work underway, despite the sod-turning having taken place in October 2024.
The hospital, which is partly financed through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank, is intended to significantly enhance healthcare delivery in Region Nine by expanding access to inpatient care, emergency services and specialised treatment, while reducing reliance on medical evacuations to coastal facilities.
According to Duncan, progress on the project must be measured by construction timelines and movement toward operational readiness, rather than ceremonial milestones. He noted that projects supported by concessional external financing carry obligations related to procurement, disbursement schedules and performance benchmarks.
APNU has indicated that the execution, financing and pace of the hospital’s construction will be closely examined during deliberations on Budget 2026 to ensure that borrowed funds result in a fully operational regional hospital delivering tangible improvements in healthcare.
During the same visit, the parliamentary team also inspected the sports ground at St. Ignatius Secondary School, where Interschool Sports are scheduled to begin on January 21. That visit raised concerns about preparedness and safety just days before the event.
Several key facilities, including spectator stands and washroom accommodations intended for students arriving from across the hinterland, were observed to be incomplete. Questions were also raised about sanitation, safety and overall readiness for the multi-day event.
Particular concern was expressed over the condition of the track, where students were seen marking race lanes using waste oil — a practice described as unsafe and posing both health and environmental risks.
He indicated that the findings from the visits will inform follow-up engagement and formal questions in the National Assembly.
