![Image: Minister for Economic Development, Guy Joseph. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]](https://www.thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/guy-joseph.jpg)
His request was first denied by staff at the business place however they relented sometime later after he produced a search warrant.
The Minister, who was accompanied by police officers, customs officers and officials from the Ministry of Economic Development, among others on Thursday said that an ongoing audit of the works conducted at the hospital found 21 containers of supplies belonging to the hospital but documentation could only account for ten of them.
“In this warehouse there’s supposed to be some flooring and tiles the government purchased a few years ago in relation to the St. Jude project. We came in to collect the goods that were paid for by the government, they were duty free. We have to account for everything we are doing,” Joseph said.
But his sudden appearance at White Rock drew the ire of Thomas Eugene, owner of the business who is out of the island, but was informed of the situation via a staff member.
Eugene wasted no time in using social media to get his views across and explain how he managed to be in possession of materials belonging to the hospital project. He admitted that the supplies had been in his warehouse since July 2011 costing him $10,000 a year in insurance.
He said it was always his desire to have the materials removed from his building to the point where when the government changed hands last June he informed the Ministry in writing of the situation.
Said Eugene: “To my surprise they didn’t know I was holding their material”. He also sought repayment for the money he had spent on insurance and rent.
“ Two days ago I got a letter via email advising they will be coming to collect their material,” Eugene said. “I made it clear nothing leaves my premises without a written confirmation of my payment by the authorities. Well, their response today was two vans loaded with armed police, converging on my premises to remove their material. Wasn’t long before they realized nothing will happen without a court order….
“What have I got to gain by detaining your property? Have you forgotten I’m the one who told you I’m holding the material?” Eugene asked of Minister Joseph.
Eugene vowed to get the money owed to him by the government.
The gestapo is on the prowl ……
Sieg Heil!
Oh , I pray thee St. Jude, do us in St.Lucia a special miracle. Five years ago
a consignment of 21 containers of materials deposited at a Warehouse for
the hospital, and now it is said, only ten (10) is accounted for. What happened.
Please, let us know, Amen.
…….Eugene, …..your explanation sucks!……the containers were getting too hot to handle;……..So!…….you made that call……
WHY WOULD THE SUPPLIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC HOSPITAL NEED TO BE HELD AT PRIVATE PREMISES? INSTEAD OF GOING TO CONFISCATE, SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT NOT ASK HOW DID THE SUPPLIES GET THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE KICKED OUT OF OFFICE IN 2006, AND NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO YOUR NAME AND THEN YOU FIGHT A NEVER ENDING CAMPAIGN FOR FIVE YEARS, FINALLY GET TRY YOUR DARNDEST TO ATLEAST LEAVE WITH SOMETHING. KEEP DIGGING GUY, THEY CALLED YOU A THIEF WITH NO EVIDENCE FOR FIVE YEARS. HAND THE EVIDENCE TO THE PEOPLE! GET YOUR SEARCH WARRANTS, ARM YOU POLICE OFFICERS AND EXACT JUSTICE FOR THE SAINT LUCIAN PEOPLE OF MULTI ETHNIC DECENT.
HUH?……..T. T. B……… what do you mean by…….” EXACT JUSTICE FOR THE SAINT LUCIA PEOPLE
OF MULTI ETHNIC DECENT.” I do not quite understand that statement. Can you please explain?
What has “multi ethnic” got to do with the case?
When I was growing up on St. Lucia, you paid your bills FIRST, and then you gain your property. My, my, see how things have changed. Evidently, it’s okay to force yourself into property. If I were to try that little stunt in my town, I would be charged with criminal mischief or theft.