By Caribbean News Global 
CASTRIES, St Lucia – The Parastatal Monitoring Department (PMD), which operates under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), reaffirmed its commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability through the launch of a newly developed website.
“This initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing public education and engagement drive,” said a press release from the OPM-PDM, October 1. “The core mandate of the PMD is to oversee the effective governance, operational performance and regulatory compliance of Saint Lucia’s parastatal entities. Also known as statutory bodies, parastatals are government-established organisations created by an Act of Parliament or other legal instruments to carry out specific functions on behalf of the government.”
According to the PDM, these entities may operate for profit or be non-profit in nature and are tasked with delivering essential services, implementing national policies, and promoting socio-economic development.
To date, over 90 parastatal organisations have been established in Saint Lucia. These include, but are not limited to, the National Insurance Corporation, Castries City Council, Youth Economy Agency, Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) and the National Conservation Authority (NCA).
The new PMD website serves as a centralised platform offering a wealth of information to the public. The platform features detailed overviews of the department’s functions and responsibilities, profiles of key parastatal entities, major milestones and achievements, key legislation, frequently asked questions and updates on ongoing initiatives. It also provides insight into the department’s team and its engagement with parastatals across various sectors.
According to Josette Maxwell-Dalsou, permanent secretary in the parastatal monitoring department, the launch of the website marks a significant step toward increased accessibility and transparency.
“This website empowers citizens and stakeholders with reliable, up-to-date information on the operations and mandates of Saint Lucia’s parastatal bodies. It reflects our continued efforts to foster a culture of transparency, strengthen oversight and support the delivery of public services in an efficient and accountable manner,” said Maxwell-Dalsou.
The PMD was officially established on 11 June 2012, by Cabinet Conclusion 332(a)-350 of 2012. Since its inception, it has played a key role in enhancing governance practices within the parastatal sector and ensuring that statutory bodies operate in alignment with national priorities.
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