In a move that may sit well with many Saint Lucians, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre yesterday told reporters that his government is seriously looking at abolishing all ambulance fees.
“Very shortly we are going to be waiving all ambulance fees for the people of Saint Lucia,” Pierre said prior to yesterday’s Sitting of the House of Assembly, adding that it’s “going to be free.”
According to government, this move is one in several that will make health care more accessible to Saint Lucians who are struggling to make ends meet.
Pierre yesterday went to parliament to seek authorization to borrow USD 9,971,000.00 from the Special Funds Resources of the Bank’s Special Development Fund to enhance the resilience of the Saint Lucia Fire Service, which he said needed assistance, pointing to an airport fire appliance being in a bad state, as it was outdated and inadequate for today’s point of entry.
This loan, which is repayable in consecutive quarterly installments, will be partly used to purchase new fire appliances, upgrade existing equipment under control of the fire service, and improve its ability to respond effectively when called to an emergency.
The loan payments commence on the first day of January, 1st of April, 1st of July and 1st of October of each year after a grace period of three years following the date of the loan or such later date as the Bank specifies in writing.
Further, interest on that loan is payable at a rate of zero point seven five per cent per annum on the amount of the loan disbursed and outstanding.
Prime Minister Pierre, as Finance Minister, sought authorization from parliament to borrow an amount of USD 6,276,000.00 from the Special Funds Resources of the Bank’s Special Development Fund to support the Youth Economy Project.
The loan is repayable in consecutive quarterly installments, with payments to commence on the first day of January, 1st of April, 1st of July and 1st of October of each year after a grace period of two years following the date of the loan or such later date as the Bank may specify in writing.
Interest is payable at a rate of zero point seven five per cent per annum on the amount of the loan disbursed and outstanding.
Also down for consideration at yesterday’s House of Assembly meeting were bills having to do with Insolvency, Public Debt Management and Tourism Development.