Dear Sir,

Jaché Adams, when speaking about the work going on at Government House, stated: “it reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the responsible stewardship of public assets.”

Who is the Minister of Public Works and Environment trying to kid?

What about Montpelier? What about the former home provided to the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Botanical Gardens — just recently being saved and restored by a private foundation after decades of government neglect?

What about Teucer House? What about Camden? What about the Botanical Gardens themselves? What about all the under-maintained bridges and ferries? What about the rust stains running down the outside of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse? What about the disgusting state of the beach concession facilities at Horseshoe Bay?

As Beverley Connell recorded in January 2024 when discussing the terrible state of the historical home in the Botanical Gardens: “Once the home of the former director of agriculture, this house sits on the edge of Botanical Gardens. Add this building to the long list of government-owned structures which are abandoned, in disrepair around the island.”

It was a long list 18 months ago; it is even longer now. How can Mr Adams make such a statement without feeling like a compete hypocrite? Or does he just read out from the blurb provided by a Progressive Labour Party loyalist civil servant without realising how ridiculous he sounds?

I wager every reader of this newspaper could name without hesitation at least a half-dozen public buildings that are crumbling because of lack of adequate “stewardship”.

It’s not a joke; it’s a national disgrace.

ELSPETH WEISBERG

Warwick