Radio St Lucia closure 'puts people second to profits'

The government has been accused of “putting profits over people” by a former manager of Radio St Lucia.

Winston Springer made the comments following the decision to close the station, as well as a number of state-owned organisations.

The move was a “colossal mistake”, Springer told a news conference at the St Lucia Labour Party headquarters in Castries.

The prime minister, Allen Chastanet, is failing to consider the jobs lost and the wider affect on the population.

The former general manager accused the administration of frequently interfering in the radio station’s day-to-day business for political reasons, which meant employees struggled to remain impartial.

‘Why?’

The government’s decision appears to be in response to recommendations by the Caribbean Development Bank.

But Springer believes this isn’t a good enough reason.

“Why have the government of St Lucia chosen to go down this path when virtually all other governments have rejected similar advice from both the CDB and those who have signed on to the IMF structural adjustment programs?” Springer said.