A Mansion Fit for Royalty – What the ECCB Scandal Reveals About Caribbean Governance

When news broke that the official residence for the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) cost a staggering $22 million, the first reaction from many across the region was disbelief. How does a house for a central banker, even one of the most senior in the region, carry a price tag more fitting for a luxury palace? But disbelief quickly turned to anger when Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines publicly denounced the project, calling for the mansion to be sold. What we are witnessing is not simply a case of overspending — it is a glaring example of a deeper governance crisis within the region’s financial institutions.

The Mansion that Exposed a Culture of Excess

The ECCB, established to safeguard the economic stability of the Eastern Caribbean, is supposed to be a model of prudent fiscal management. Its primary responsibility is protecting the financial future of eight member states, including Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Yet, in the heart of St. Kitts, the very institution tasked with financial discipline decided to build a house that costs more than some development projects.

Ralph Gonsalves’ letter to ECCB Chairman Timothy Antoine pulls no punches — he openly questioned how such expenditure could ever be justified, especially in a region still recovering from Hurricane Maria, COVID-19 economic shocks, and mounting debt burdens. The ECCB residence was initially estimated to cost around $7 million, but through poor oversight, weak financial controls, or sheer indulgence, it spiraled to $22 million.

Silence from Dominica – Complicity or Neglect?

Perhaps what’s most striking is the silence from Dominica’s government on the issue. As a member of the ECCB’s Monetary Council, Dominica’s representatives would have had visibility into this project. Current Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre and his predecessor, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, cannot feign ignorance. If Gonsalves knew and objected, so did they — yet they said nothing.

This silence speaks volumes. It suggests either willful complicity or complete negligence in fulfilling their duty to protect public resources. Worse still, this is not the first time Dominica’s government has faced scrutiny over luxury spending. From Skerrit’s Mercury Properties residence scandal to murky spending in CBI-funded projects, there is a clear pattern: lavish spending at the expense of public trust.

A Pattern of Lavish Spending in Public Office

This incident is not unique to the ECCB. Across the Caribbean, there has been a disturbing trend where officials—both elected and appointed—seem to believe that holding high office entitles them to luxury lifestyles funded by taxpayers. From government leaders living in high-end properties to state-funded “official residences” that resemble private estates, the culture of entitlement runs deep.

The justification, as always, is “it’s part of the job”—diplomatic receptions, hosting dignitaries, maintaining a certain image. But in small economies like Dominica and St. Vincent, where many citizens struggle to afford basic healthcare or send their children to school, such extravagance is an insult.

The Role of the Monetary Council – Sleeping Watchdogs?

The ECCB Monetary Council, made up of finance ministers from all member states, is meant to provide oversight on bank policies, including major capital projects. Yet this council, which includes Dominica, rubber-stamped a project that ballooned far beyond its initial budget. If this isn’t a failure of governance, what is?

Gonsalves’ letter essentially asked the questions Dominicans should have been asking their own government: Who approved this project? Why was there no public explanation? Why were alternative, more modest accommodations not considered? And critically — who benefits from this opulence?

Lessons Ignored – A Region That Keeps Repeating Mistakes

This is not the first time regional institutions have come under fire for wasteful spending. From the Caribbean Development Bank’s expensive project delays to regional airline LIAT’s history of financial mismanagement, the Caribbean’s record on public finance is troubling. Each time a scandal breaks, there are promises of reviews, audits, and reforms, but they rarely translate into meaningful change.

The ECCB mansion fiasco fits neatly into this pattern — another prestige project that serves no practical purpose beyond inflating the egos of those who commissioned it. The message to ordinary citizens is clear: while you tighten your belts, those in power loosen theirs.

What This Means for Dominica’s Reputation

For Dominica, this incident is especially damning. As a country heavily reliant on external financing, including World Bank loans and CBI revenue, we cannot afford to be seen as complicit in reckless regional spending. Our credibility in negotiations with international donors rests heavily on demonstrating responsible fiscal management. By staying silent on the ECCB mansion, Dominica risks eroding trust not just at home, but with international partners.

Time to Rebuild Trust and Demand Accountability

The solution is not simply selling the mansion, though that would be a logical start. The broader lesson is about creating a culture where financial prudence is valued above personal comfort, and where oversight bodies actually perform their roles.

Dominica’s opposition parties, particularly the United Workers Party (UWP), must seize this opportunity to demand greater transparency in how Dominica engages with regional institutions. This is not about partisan politics — this is about whether taxpayers across the region are paying for palaces while struggling to afford basic services.

Ralph Gonsalves has thrown down the gauntlet. Now, the people of Dominica must ask — why did our leaders stay silent? And more importantly, what other excesses are they hiding?

Final Thoughts – Accountability is the Real Test of Leadership

A real leader does not wait until a scandal explodes to act — they demand accountability from the start. In this case, Dominica’s leaders failed. They sat in the same council meetings as Gonsalves, saw the same documents, and yet, remained quiet. Why? Because speaking out would have required standing up to a culture they themselves have nurtured — a culture of indulgence at the public’s expense.

Dominica deserves better — and it’s time for its people to demand it. The ECCB mansion may sit in St. Kitts, but its shadow falls directly over Roseau.

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