General

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has assured the public that essential Environmental Health services remain available despite the recent fire at the Environmental Health Division office in Bois D’Orange.

In a public notice, the Ministry informed residents that the Division continues to provide several important public health services from its other offices across the island.

“The public is informed that, notwithstanding the recent fire at the Environmental Health Division Office at Bois D’Orange, the Division continues to provide several important Public Health Services without interruptions at the other locations,” the Ministry stated.

Members of the public requiring Environmental Health services are advised that these services are currently available at the Soufrière and Vieux Fort offices.

The Ministry said the services include “applications for licenses for all licensable premises,” such as water trucks and water conveyances, food establishments, water bottling plants, and alternative accommodation facilities, including guesthouses and villas.

Other services available at these locations include the issuance of health cards and health certificates, the submission of development plans for environmental health review, the lodging of public health complaints, and applications for mass crowd events.

“These services can be accessed at the following offices and can be contacted via telephone,” the Ministry noted, listing the Soufrière office at 459-7329 and the Vieux Fort office at 468-6958.

Authorities also confirmed that Port Health Services at the island’s various ports of entry remain operational, along with vector control services provided island-wide.

The Ministry indicated that additional information will soon be provided regarding arrangements for services in the north of the island.

“Please note that, in the coming days, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition will provide additional information on the temporary relocation of the northern offices to ensure continuity of other services in the northern part of the island,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has dismissed suggestions that divisions among Caribbean leaders signal weakness within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), stressing that the region’s key institutions continue to function effectively.

Pierre made the remarks while addressing concerns that recent public statements by some Caribbean leaders on foreign policy matters reflect growing fragmentation within the regional bloc.

According to the Prime Minister, the core institutions of CARICOM remain intact and continue to serve the region.

“The CARICOM institutions, they still hold,” Pierre said. “The CXC still holds. The CDEMA still holds. The Secretariat still holds. The RSS still holds.”

He explained that the public perception of division largely stems from the fact that some regional leaders have been expressing their foreign policy positions more openly than in the past.

“What’s happening now is certain Prime Ministers are expressing their foreign policy in the open. That’s all,” Pierre stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that CARICOM was never designed to operate as a unified political entity and therefore differences among member states should not be viewed as unusual.

“I want to make it clear, CARICOM is not a political union,” he said. “It’s very important. CARICOM is not a political union.”

Pierre noted that national political realities often shape the positions taken by individual leaders within the regional grouping.

“I told you before, this morning again, all politics is local,” he explained. “So, the CARICOM leaders are looking at their individual local political situation and expressing it to the public.”

He added that leaders within the bloc are entitled to hold and express their own views on international issues.

“Whether I agree or not agree is my prerogative,” Pierre said. “But what’s happening is not new. It’s just being expressed more in public.”

Pierre also pointed out that variations in diplomatic relationships among CARICOM states have always existed.

“There are some countries who are better than other nations with other countries,” he said.

He suggested that the increased public attention given to these differences may be creating a perception that the region is more divided than it actually is.

“Right now, because of the issue that is ventilated in the public, it appears now to be more, but it was not,” Pierre said.

The Prime Minister reiterated that diversity of views has always been part of CARICOM’s structure.

“CARICOM has never been a homogeneous body,” he added.

His remarks come amid wider regional discussions about foreign policy coordination and the role of Caribbean states in responding to global political and economic developments.

Infrastructure Minister Hon. Shawn Edward has defended the government’s decision to seek financing for the expansion of the Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway, describing the project as both necessary and timely given the growing number of vehicles on Saint Lucia’s roads.

The government is proposing two loans to support the expansion of the northern highway corridor.

The first loan involves US$20,000,000 from the OPEC Fund for International Development to finance the section between Choc Bridge and Marisule Junction. That loan amounts to approximately EC$54,000,000.

A second loan of 4,000,000 Kuwaiti dinars from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development will support the expansion between Monchy Junction and the Gros Islet Town Junction. At current exchange rates, the loan is valued at roughly EC$35,392,000.

Speaking in Parliament during debate on the motions, Edward argued that the investment in road infrastructure is long overdue.

“Mr. Speaker, I believe this is money well spent. I believe it is necessary. And I believe, given the increases we’ve seen in the volume of vehicles we have on our roads, we could not have found a better time to embark on such a project,” the minister said.

Edward highlighted the rapid growth in vehicle imports as one of the key pressures on the country’s road network.

“Mr. Speaker, in the past three years, Saint Lucia has imported approximately 9,298 motor vehicles. An average of 3,000 annually. And you must ask yourself, where is the road infrastructure to accommodate all those vehicles?” he said.

The minister also described how traffic congestion has significantly increased travel times for motorists.

Minister Edward added that congestion has become so severe that short trips in the capital now take longer than journeys from rural communities.

He explained that the highway expansion project will be implemented in three phases.

“The Ministry of Infrastructure has decided to approach this project in three sections,” he said. “Section one, the Choc Bridge to the Marisule intersection. Section two, the Marisule intersection to the Monchy junction. And the third section, from the Monchy intersection to the Gros Islet Police Station.”

According to the minister, the completed project will significantly transform transportation in the northern part of the island.

“We are talking of a consistent four-lane carriageway from the Choc Bridge all the way up to the entrance of Gros Islet Town,” Edward said.

The development will also incorporate safety and traffic management features designed to benefit motorists and pedestrians alike.

“With roundabouts, pedestrian walkovers, and we will have a solid median in the road to ensure safety and to ensure that all road users benefit tremendously from that particular intervention,” he explained.

Edward also stressed the importance of coordination with utility companies before construction begins, warning that delays could occur if essential infrastructure works are not completed beforehand.

“We have to ensure that the utility companies complete all the projects and assignments that they’re going to embark on before we begin construction of the road,” he said.

“There is nothing more disconcerting for a parliamentary representative or for a minister of infrastructure than days after you have given a tabletop surface to a community for the utility company to come in and begin to dig to repair lines.”

The minister revealed that discussions have already taken place with utility providers regarding water infrastructure upgrades in the north of the island.

“We’ve been given a commitment that there is a need for a 20-inch water main in the north. Monchy to Bonne Terre is already completed, and so that section of the road we anticipate will not be affected by any works to be undertaken by the utility company,” Edward said.

However, he cautioned that full cooperation from service providers will be essential to the project’s success.

“If the utility companies do not cooperate with the Ministry of Infrastructure, this can potentially delay the completion of this particular project,” Edward warned.

The Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway expansion forms part of the government’s broader effort to address traffic congestion and modernize road infrastructure in the rapidly developing northern corridor.

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has defended the government’s decision to guarantee a loan of EC$121 million for the Saint Lucia Air and Seaport Authority, arguing that the investment is necessary to repair critical port infrastructure and modernise the country’s maritime sector.

Speaking during the sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, Pierre said the government’s support for the port authority extends beyond the loan guarantee and includes a range of financial concessions that have facilitated development projects.

“So apart from the guarantee, the government also supported the construction,” the Prime Minister said. “There were waivers of duties, waivers of taxes for the construction. There were waivers of corporate profit, and we helped them in their withholding fees. We waived that.”

According to Pierre, these measures demonstrate that the government has consistently provided support to the Saint Lucia Air and Seaport Authority, particularly for projects considered vital to the country’s economic development.

“So SLASPA is supported by the government, not only in the guarantee, but also supported in other ways,” he told Parliament.

The Prime Minister also signalled that broader changes may be on the horizon for the authority’s governance structure and operational model.

He revealed that a consultant has been appointed to examine the future direction of SLASPA and to consider possible reforms.

“We think it is time that SLASPA looks to new horizons,” Pierre said. “That is why we have appointed a consultant to look at SLASPA.”

Currently, the port authority operates under a governance structure that involves oversight from both the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Finance.

“SLASPA has a hybrid management of the Minister of Infrastructure and the Finance Minister,” Pierre explained.

He suggested that reforms may be necessary to modernise the institution and better position it for future growth.

“We think that the time is coming when we must look at a complete reconstruction of the governance of SLASPA so it can be attuned to modern times,” he said.

Among the ideas being explored is the possibility of transforming the authority into a public company that would allow broader participation in its ownership.

“There is nothing wrong in saying that SLASPA can’t be a public company, with people being able to buy shares in it,” Pierre stated. “Modernising our situation so locals can buy shares in SLASPA. The private sector can buy shares in SLASPA.”

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has joined the international community in commemorating the twentieth anniversary of World Kidney Day, urging Saint Lucians to take greater steps to protect kidney health and prevent chronic disease.

Observed under the theme “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” the initiative highlights the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles while safeguarding the environment that supports human wellbeing.

Senior Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr Shana Cyr-Philbert, said the annual observance is intended to raise awareness about kidney disease and the crucial role the organs play in overall health.

“World Kidney Day is a global call to action to raise awareness of the burden of kidney disease and the importance of our kidneys to overall health,” Dr Cyr-Philbert explained.

She noted that this year’s theme underscores the connection between environmental health and human wellbeing.

“We must preserve our natural environments by avoiding practices like air and water pollution to ensure that we can breathe clean air, have access to safe water and healthy food sources.”

Dr Cyr-Philbert emphasised the vital functions carried out by the kidneys within the human body.

“The kidneys are extremely important organs which are responsible for very key functions in the body,” she explained. “These include eliminating waste and toxins, controlling the excretion of water and electrolytes, regulating blood pressure and stimulating blood production.”

Despite their importance, kidney disease often develops silently, leaving many people unaware that their health is at risk. According to the International Society of Nephrology, approximately 850 million people worldwide are living with some form of kidney disease.

“Unfortunately, kidney disease often shows no symptoms at first, so most people are not aware that there is a problem,” Dr Cyr-Philbert noted.

Global estimates indicate that about ten percent of the population suffers from chronic kidney disease, commonly known as CKD. If left untreated, chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage renal disease, which requires dialysis to sustain life.

“The burden of end-stage renal disease is a major challenge and financial burden for individuals, families and healthcare systems, especially in countries like ours,” Dr Cyr-Philbert explained.

Local data also highlights the impact of kidney disease within Saint Lucia.

“Data from the National Epidemiology Unit for 2023 shows that chronic kidney disease accounted for 0.4 percent of the 1,529 total recorded deaths for that year,” she stated.

Health officials say prevention remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing the incidence of kidney disease.

Dr Cyr-Philbert encouraged the public to understand the major risk factors associated with the condition.

“The most common risk factors for kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity and a family history of kidney disease,” she said. “Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Stay hydrated. Drink water,” Dr Cyr-Philbert advised.

“Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but low in processed foods. Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five days a week,” she said.

She further urged individuals to avoid harmful substances.

“Avoid harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.”

Monitoring key health indicators can also help with early detection.

“Check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels regularly. Know your weight,” she explained.

Dr Cyr-Philbert encouraged the public to visit healthcare providers for routine testing.

“Visit your nearest community wellness centre or healthcare provider for regular blood and urine tests which can check kidney function.”

She also advised individuals to pay attention to warning signs that may indicate kidney problems.

“Changes in urine frequency, colour, back pain or swelling should be checked with your healthcare provider,” she said.

The Ministry of Health says activities surrounding World Kidney Day are intended to encourage greater awareness and preventive action, ensuring that more Saint Lucians understand the importance of protecting kidney health while adopting habits that support both personal wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

Minister responsible for Investment and the Citizenship by Investment Programme, Dr Ernest Hilaire, has defended the integrity of Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme while addressing the United Kingdom’s recent decision to impose visa requirements on Saint Lucian nationals.

Speaking during the sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Dr Hilaire acknowledged that some members of the public have attempted to link the visa restrictions to the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme but insisted that no evidence has been presented to support that claim.

“Mr Speaker, I can understand why some would believe that the two are linked. That it is the CIP that is causing the increase in asylum seekers and illegal workers,” Hilaire said.

“Some would genuinely establish that cause was linked and others would, out of political malice, accentuate the words of the Home Office to serve their political purpose.”

However, the minister stressed that it would be inaccurate to conclude that the programme was responsible for the United Kingdom’s decision.

“It is wrong to leave the impression that Saint Lucia’s CIP is responsible for this problem when to date the data needed to establish that claim has not been shared with us,” he told Parliament.

Hilaire revealed that during discussions with international partners, Saint Lucia had repeatedly requested evidence that could help authorities address any potential misuse of the programme.

“Ever since discussions began with our international partners, Saint Lucia has been consistent. We have asked repeatedly for the relevant information on any concern with the CIP,” he said. “We have said if there are CIP citizens using Saint Lucia passports to claim asylum or to work illegally in the United Kingdom then share the data with us.”

According to the minister, that information has not been provided.

“We have been told repeatedly that such data cannot be shared and so the obvious question remains. How is any government expected to respond effectively to any abuse if the evidence is not available to address it?” Hilaire asked.

He reiterated that the government has been given assurances that the programme itself is not responsible for the UK’s action.

“I want to make the point. There is no evidence to suggest that our CIP is responsible for any increase in persons seeking asylum or working illegally in the United Kingdom. There is no such evidence.”

Hilaire noted that the government has previously taken action when concerns were raised about applicants linked to activities in other jurisdictions.

“When we became aware that action taken elsewhere in the region against certain applicants may have been linked to part of that problem, we moved immediately and barred applications from these nationals,” he said. “That is what responsible government looks like. It does not grandstand on social media or talk shows. It does not gossip. It does not speculate. It acts.”

The minister also emphasised that Saint Lucia will continue to collaborate with international partners to strengthen the programme’s oversight and safeguards.

“We will continue to work with all international partners to strengthen our programme and ensure that it is not a threat to anyone and remains a benefit to us,” he said.

At the same time, Hilaire noted that the introduction of a visa requirement ultimately places entry decisions in the hands of British authorities.

“With a visa regime in place, the decision to allow any Saint Lucia passport holder into the United Kingdom rests solely with the authorities in the United Kingdom,” he explained.

He also questioned the logic behind claims that the Citizenship by Investment Programme was the primary issue.

Turning directly to the role of the programme in national development, the minister argued that the Citizenship by Investment Programme has become an important economic tool for the country.

“Let us be honest, CIP is not some political gimmick. It is not a vanity project. It is not and has never been an end in itself,” he said. “It is a developmental tool.”

According to Hilaire, the programme helps provide financing for projects that might otherwise be difficult for a small island state to fund.

“It is one of the means by which a small island developing state like ours can fund roads, hospitals, schools, water security, jobs, climate resilience and wider national development in an era when traditional sources of development finance are shrinking and global pressures are growing.”

He argued that international funding options for infrastructure and development have become increasingly limited.

“No country is providing the grants we need. No country is providing the concessionary loans that we need. No country is building the infrastructure that we need in this country of ours,” Hilaire said.

“The roads, the bridges, the water supply, the fields, the community centres, the grants for small businesses, for youth projects, for creative industries, for housing. No one is providing that to us.”

For that reason, he warned against attempts to undermine public confidence in the programme.

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has addressed public concern following the United Kingdom’s decision to introduce visa requirements for Saint Lucian nationals travelling to the UK.

Speaking on Monday, March 9, Pierre confirmed that the government had received formal correspondence from British authorities outlining the new policy, which will require Saint Lucians to obtain a visitor visa when travelling to the United Kingdom and a direct airside transit visa when passing through British airports to other destinations.

Quoting directly from the communication received, the Prime Minister explained the rationale provided by UK officials.

“Therefore, after careful consideration, the United Kingdom has decided to introduce a visit visa requirement for nationals of Saint Lucia travelling to the UK, along with a direct airside transit visa requirement for those transiting through the UK to other destinations,” Pierre read.

Pierre said he chose to read directly from the letter to ensure transparency and avoid speculation.

“You will also be aware, and I’m being very transparent with you, I’m quoting from the letter because, as I was saying, my interest is the people of Saint Lucia, not sensation,” he said.

Addressing wider debate about the decision, the Prime Minister stressed that sovereign states ultimately determine their own immigration policies.

“There is no one who can tell me what you have to do to avoid these things,” Pierre stated. “Anything you do, it’s only a straight case of these countries seeing about their domestic situation and in that case their migration policies.”

He added that decisions taken by larger nations are often driven by their own internal concerns.

“They don’t care what revenue it brings to us. That’s not their affair. Their affair is to see that their migration policies and their policies as regards to financials and personal income are not affected.”

Pierre also addressed concerns raised about the Citizenship by Investment Programme, defending its role in supporting national development.

“We have a population that is in need of things. They need to improve the quality of life,” he said. “I want to educate people. I want to pay the CXC fees. I want to retool them. I want to re-engineer.”

He also pointed to the need to address housing challenges and improve economic opportunities.

“I have a housing problem which I want to solve, and you’re going to hear some very serious steps about housing in the budget,” the Prime Minister said. “I have a population that’s aspiring. They want to do better.”

According to Pierre, the Citizenship by Investment Programme remains one of the mechanisms the government uses to generate resources without placing additional burdens on citizens.

“The CIP is one of the ways that I can help them do better,” he explained. “The other option is taxes and loans.”

He noted that the government must also manage borrowing carefully to remain within established fiscal limits.

“We have what is called a prudential limit. We’re trying to get to 60 percent by 2035. So, we have to expand the economy. We have to expand it by creating employment for our young people.”

“But the CIP is an economic thing that we’re using to help us do that.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that Saint Lucia respects the right of countries such as the United Kingdom and members of the European Union to establish their own migration policies.

The Parliament of Saint Lucia is scheduled to convene at 10:00 a.m. today, March 10, with the government expected to seek approval for a series of major loans and guarantees to finance water infrastructure, highway expansion, education reform, and other national development initiatives.

According to the Order Paper for the sitting of the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia, several resolutions will be brought by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honorable Philip J. Pierre, authorizing borrowing from regional and international financial institutions.

One of the largest proposed borrowings is US$22,829,181 from the Caribbean Development Bank to finance the John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project.

This loan is equivalent to approximately EC$61,638,789.

The resolution states Parliament is asked to approve borrowing “an amount of twenty-two million eight hundred and twenty-nine thousand one hundred and eighty-one United States dollars… to finance the John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Replacement Project.”

The government also intends to borrow US$4,233,750 from the CARICOM Development Fund to rehabilitate and upgrade the Theobalds Water Supply System.

That sum amounts to approximately EC$11,431,125.

An amendment to an existing loan agreement would allow the government to borrow an additional US$781,493 from the CARICOM Development Fund for the Patience Community Water Supply Project, equivalent to about EC$2,110,031.

Two loans are proposed to support the expansion of the Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway.

The first involves US$20,000,000 from the OPEC Fund for International Development to finance the section from Choc Bridge to Marisule Junction.

That loan would amount to approximately EC$54,000,000.

The second loan is $4,000,000 Kuwaiti dinars from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for the expansion between Monchy Junction and Gros Islet Town Junction.

At current exchange rates, this equals roughly EC$35,392,000.

Another resolution seeks approval for a US$94,871,706 loan from the Export-Import Bank of China to finance national development initiatives and COVID-19 mitigation measures.

This represents approximately EC$256,153,606.

Parliament will also debate borrowing US$17,105,127 from the Caribbean Development Bank to finance the Programme for Education Realignment and Transformation Project.

That loan equals roughly EC$46,183,843.

In addition to borrowing, the government will be asked to guarantee a loan of EC$121,500,000 borrowed by the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority from a syndicate of banks led by the Bank of Saint Lucia Limited.

The financing will support the reconstruction of Berth No. 4 at Port Castries, with the loan repayable over fifteen years.

The government also intends to invest US$356,000, or approximately EC$961,200, to purchase shares in the International Finance Corporation.

If all measures are approved, the sitting could authorize approximately EC$589 million in new borrowing and loan guarantees.

Forest Officer Karl Gustave is urging greater attention to the protection and management of Saint Lucia’s wetlands and forest ecosystems, warning that several environmental pressures are contributing to visible signs of ecological stress.

Speaking on the talk show Agriculture on the Move, Gustave outlined a number of natural and human-related factors affecting wetlands across the island, including sea level rise, land development, and water diversion.

“Things like sea level rise, which is a natural threat, are affecting our wetlands,” Gustave said.

He added that additional pressures are emerging which may be contributing to the dieback of mangroves and other wetland vegetation.

“We also have an emerging threat which, in some instances, may be causing some of the dieback that we are seeing. It’s a serious issue.”

According to Gustave, development activity within watersheds can alter natural water flow patterns that wetlands rely on for survival.

“Since we are constructing high up in the watersheds, we are changing the natural drainage patterns of the land,” he explained. “So, in some instances we may not be getting the level of recharge flowing to those wetlands that used to happen.”

He noted that infrastructure such as concrete drains and buildings can divert water away from ecosystems that depend on regular freshwater inflows.

“You also have the situation where you have abstraction for agricultural production where you may have too much abstraction beyond the point of the resource, beyond what is needed for the basic ecological services to be maintained,” he said.

“So, it’s affecting everything downstream.”

Gustave further explained that some wetlands depend on periodic interaction between freshwater systems and the sea. Natural barriers formed along beaches can sometimes prevent this exchange from taking place.

“In some instances, there has to be a natural recharge also from the sea,” he said. “If you have a berm created on the beaches and because you have less flow of the river the river cannot naturally burst that berm and allow the seawater to enter, then through management we may have to intervene.”

He suggested that controlled intervention may occasionally be necessary to restore natural water movement.

Addressing the problem will require coordinated management and collaboration among several government agencies responsible for land, water, and environmental protection.

“Because you have multiple agencies responsible for different things and no one overarching person or agency in charge to say okay we are doing this, it becomes difficult,” Gustave said.

He argued that stronger management frameworks and clear institutional responsibility are needed to protect the country’s remaining mangrove systems.

“To mitigate we would definitely have to rehabilitate and bring our remaining mangroves under better management,” he stated. “That requires a clear mandate as to who is responsible and empowering that person.”

Adequate funding will also be critical for long-term conservation efforts.

“There will also be the need for budgetary support as well,” Gustave said. “Sometimes we say management but then we give no budget. So, we now depend only on grants or attracting a project.”

Gustave emphasized that rehabilitation of degraded wetlands and expansion of mangrove areas where they historically existed should be part of the strategy going forward.

“Rehabilitate where needed and try to expand on the existing wetlands into areas that they used to historically occupy,” he said.

He also stressed that public education remains essential in protecting these sensitive ecosystems.

“Education is one of the key components in making people understand that you cannot go and clear cut the wetland just because you want to make some charcoal,” Gustave said.

Environmental experts note that wetlands play a crucial role in protecting coastlines, filtering water, supporting biodiversity, and reducing the impact of flooding, making their protection an important part of Saint Lucia’s broader environmental resilience efforts.

On the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026, the Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) responded to a high-priority distress call involving a structural fire at the Computer World Building in Marisule, Gros Islet. 

The Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS), in a statement on March 7th, reported that units from the Gros Islet Fire Station were immediately dispatched, with additional assistance provided by crews from the Babonneau Fire Station, George Charles Fire Hall, and Fire Service Headquarters.

According to the SLFS, “Firefighting efforts were complicated by restricted access to the building and the presence of hazardous materials, including chemical storage and energy storage equipment and batteries. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, crews initiated a multi-point attack to bring the blaze under control.” 

By late Saturday, March 7th, the fire had been contained. However, the building has sustained extensive damage. 

The building housed the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health, the northern branch of the New India Insurance Company, tech store, and Computer World, among other businesses. 

In a recorded statement released on March 7th, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sharon Belmar-Geroge, expressed the Ministry’s sadness at the turn of events and requested the public remain patient as the Ministry seeks to continue providing services. 

“We are completely heartbroken by this unfortunate event, and we shame the pain and devastation felt by everyone affected by this incident,” she said. 

“The Environmental Health Division provides critical health services including food safety monitoring, environmental inspections, sanitation oversight, and public health surveillance. As a result of this incident, normal operations at this location have been disrupted. The Ministry is currently conducting an assessment of the damage and working to activate a plan to ensure the continuity of services.”