GOVERNMENT has been lambasted for failing to take over the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.

Stephen Lashley, the Democratic Labour Party's candidate for Christ Church West Central, charged that the owner of the sanctuary had submitted a proposal to Government to develop Graeme Hall into a nature park, but up to this day he had not received a response.

"He invested $24 million into Graeme Hall Sanctuary and now it is on the sale block. The owner gave Government the plans for the nature park free of cost and up to today there has been no acknowledgement of the letter from Government," he said at the Dems' public meeting in Oistins, Christ Church, Sunday night.

He claimed the only reason the sanctuary was being sold was because of Government's inefficiency to come up with an alternative plan.

Lashley added that thousands of dollars were also spent to send a technical team overseas to learn how to operate the mechanical sluice gate.

"They spent all of that money to bring the gate here and the plan has been approved in principle but up to this day there has been no response by Government to that plan."

He queried what would happen to Graeme Hall in the event a buyer was not found soon, adding it could not stand idle for very long as it would pose a health hazard.

He also charged that 43 people were in danger of losing their jobs. (MB)