Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Sherod Duncan, says the proposed $6.5 billion Lethem Regional Hospital remains at an early stage of construction more than a year after its sod-turning ceremony, while preparations for interschool sports at St. Ignatius Secondary School were rushed just days before the event.
Duncan made the disclosures following a series of parliamentary oversight visits across Region Nine on January 19, 2026. He was accompanied by fellow APNU Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes, who shadows Tourism and Amerindian Affairs, along with members of their team.
According to Duncan, the visits formed part of APNU’s ongoing scrutiny of public investments in hinterland infrastructure, with a focus on verifying whether projects that have been publicly announced and funded are being delivered as fully functional facilities, rather than remaining incomplete, delayed, or symbolic.
At the site of the proposed Lethem Regional Hospital, Duncan reported that more than a year after the sod-turning ceremony in October 2024, the project has not advanced beyond its initial phase. He said foundations have been laid in sections, steel columns are visible in parts of the site, and construction materials are stockpiled across a cleared footprint. However, he noted that there is no visible superstructure or enclosure work underway.
The hospital, estimated to cost $6.5 billion and financed in part through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank, is intended to significantly upgrade healthcare delivery in Region Nine. It is expected to expand access to inpatient care, emergency services and specialised treatment, while reducing reliance on medevac transfers to coastal facilities.
Duncan stressed that, given the scale of the investment and the region it is meant to serve, progress on the project must be assessed by clear construction timelines and demonstrable movement toward operational readiness, rather than ceremonial milestones. He also pointed out that because the project is supported by concessional external financing, it carries defined obligations relating to procurement standards, disbursement schedules and performance benchmarks.
The New Lethem Hospital – 15 months after construction commenced.
APNU, he said, is calling for the timely completion of the hospital, which is critical to healthcare delivery in Region Nine. Duncan added that the project’s execution, financing and progress will be fully scrutinised during APNU’s interrogation of Budget 2026 to ensure that borrowed funds translate into a fully functional regional hospital delivering real improvements in care.
On the same day, the MPs also visited the sports ground at St. Ignatius Secondary School, where Interschool Sports are scheduled to commence on January 21. Duncan said that visit raised serious concerns about preparedness and safety just days before the event.
He reported that key facilities, including spectator stands and washroom accommodations intended for students from across the hinterland, remain incomplete, raising questions about sanitation, safety and overall readiness. He also highlighted concerns about the condition of the track, where students were observed demarcating race lanes using waste oil, an unsafe practice that presents both health and environmental risks.
While the event is reportedly being managed by the Office of the Regional Executive Officer through the Region Nine Department of Education, Duncan said the conditions observed point to deficiencies in planning and oversight. He noted that these findings will inform follow-up engagement and formal questions in the National Assembly, particularly as Parliament examines whether allocations for education and sports infrastructure in hinterland regions are resulting in facilities that are safe, functional and fit for purpose.
