Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday acknowledged public frustration over intermittent electrical service and lagging internet speeds during high-traffic holiday seasons, committing his administration to closer coordination with service providers to upgrade national infrastructure.
During a town hall Q&A session in Brooklyn, a Vincentian attendee raised concerns regarding persistent service interruptions across electrical and telecommunications utilities. The attendee highlighted that network slowdowns and power disruptions become particularly severe during peak periods like Carnival and Christmas. With the vast majority of citizens now relying on cellular phones rather than traditional landlines, the attendee questioned what concrete steps the government is taking to ensure reliable utility and internet access across the country.
Responding to the query, Prime Minister Friday stated that he shares the public’s frustration and skepticism regarding promises of improved service that suffer from a lack of delivery. Relating his personal experience in his own community, Friday recalled being told that the installation of fiber optic lines would deliver “lightning” speeds. While acknowledging that streaming capabilities have improved, he noted that the actual performance fell far short of what had been promised.
Addressing the industry’s structural challenges, Friday explained that telecommunications are overseen by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in connection with a regional regulatory body. However, based on discussions with industry representatives, Friday noted that service providers face business hurdles and capital investment constraints due to the limited market size of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
To overcome these limitations, Friday emphasized that the government must actively coordinate with utility providers to identify service gaps and find collaborative ways to assist with infrastructure investment. He noted that robust digital and electrical infrastructure is vital for the entire economy, particularly for expanding online payment systems and supporting digital creators. Friday assured attendees that the government will continue pushing for infrastructure improvements to ensure consumers receive reliable service
