St Vincent’s Prime Minister Godwin Friday says constructing a new parliament building is not a priority for his administration given the country’s current financial situation.
Friday emphasized that while such a building might be “desirable,” the government must first wait until there is more “fiscal space” before pursuing large-scale monuments.
Reaffirming a position, he held while in opposition, Friday argued that funds should be directed toward relief for those suffering—particularly following the COVID-19 crisis—rather than into new construction projects.
He indicated that the government would remain in its current parliamentary location for the foreseeable future, remarking that he is happy to conduct business there as long as he has a “comfortable chair”.
Friday stated that the government’s focus should be on practical improvements to citizens’ lives, such as healthcare and economic recovery, rather than on building monuments.