Former Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has raised sharp concerns over administrative governance and regulatory double standards, revealing that a state agency recently awarded a major cleaning contract to a private firm whose corporate filings at the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) have reportedly been non-compliant for five years.
Speaking during a national radio address, Gonsalves contrasted the government’s permissive approach toward the newly contracted firm with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) aggressive cease-and-desist action against local radio station STAR FM over minor CIPO administrative document delays.
According to Gonsalves, checking CIPO records would reveal that the contracted cleaning firm had failed to maintain updated corporate filings, financial disclosures, or director records dating back to 2020. He questioned how a state entity could bypass basic corporate standing requirements during its procurement process while simultaneously attempting to shut down an active local broadcaster.
“You throw out one who had all the facilities and everything in good standing, and take aboard one which is not in good standing to clean the place,” Gonsalves stated, emphasizing that proper procurement procedures require state agencies to inspect financial records and corporate status certificates prior to awarding public contracts.
Gonsalves further highlighted policy inconsistencies within the administration, citing recent legislation passed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) government that granted foreign companies a six-month grace period and penalty waivers to rectify CIPO registration defects.
He argued that while foreign commercial entities are afforded legislative leniency and statutory grace periods, local operations such as STAR FM face immediate regulatory threats despite having already provided CIPO certificates confirming valid corporate existence and ongoing operation.
Gonsalves called on regulatory bodies and procurement authorities to apply administrative rules fairly and consistently across all corporate entities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He urged officials to cease selective enforcement and prioritize genuine socio-economic challenges, including economic stagnation, rising crime, and public sector payment delays.
