After two and a half years and more in office – the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) regime is highlighting some of the major infrastructural works and developmental programmes that have been carried out in the country, over that period of time.
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre utilised the occasion, at the SLP’s annual Conference of Delegates held on Sunday in Fond Assau, Babonneau, to update delegates and supporters on the works done by the government.
Despite the latest wave of political animosity and verbal barrage of insults from the opposition forces, he noted that Saint Lucians are being afforded opportunities to participate meaningfully in the socio-economic affairs of the country in an unprecedented way.
“We believe that once you have the ambition, the courage and the discipline and the honesty – this government, with its system of ‘meritocracy’, will help you regardless of your colour…we will help you to develop your own business and help you to create sustainable employment for yourselves,” declared the SLP Political Leader.
PM Pierre stated that his administration is seeking to break the shackles of ‘generational poverty’ so that parents can aspire and urge their children to aim for higher levels of success.
He said government is intent on bettering the welfare of the citizenry and have initiated programs to that effect, such as the One University Graduate per Household, the Youth Economy Agency (YEA), assistance to entrepreneurs and students are among other developments.
“We want to create generational wealth for the people of Saint Lucia,” said the Castries East MP, “And that is what Labour is all about – Moving forward together.”
Pierre reiterated that with 2024 – designated as the Year of Infrastructure, government will look to address the growing concerns about the deplorable road conditions in the island.
He noted that the country has experienced a brighter economic outlook with the transition of power, from a self-serving, corrupt government to one that serves the people.
PM Pierre disclosed that the SLP found a financial mess when it came into office.
“Our economy had contracted by 24.5 percent – the largest decline in the OECS and the fifth worst decline in the world. And I want to tell you that COVID also affected the entire world and COVID affected Saint Lucia also,” he said.
The prime minister noted that Saint Lucia had a debt of over four billion dollars and payables of 174 million owed to local business people. Pierre also cited a list of other financial issues, which, he said, the incoming SLP administration had to contend with.
Nonetheless, PM Pierre asserted, investor confidence was rising. He said, within two years, the country has experienced a steady economic recovery and the economy grew by eighteen percent in 2021 and fifteen percent in 2022.
Added Pierre: “Tourism, agriculture and manufacturing – all our sectors grew.” Noting that there has a been a ‘serious dent’ in youth unemployment, he stressed that government had reduced unemployment to the lowest since 2010.
He said, these programmes have positively impacted people’s lives across all economic sectors; with particular focus on helping the most vulnerable over the past two years with several assistance programmes implemented.
PM Pierre also defended the 2.5 Health and Security Levy and vowed that his administration would finish construction of St. Jude Hospital in the ‘shortest possible time’.
Meanwhile, in a follow up statement on his Facebook page, the SLP Leader vowed to “remain focused on the development of our nation.”
“We on this side believe in respect for the people of Saint Lucia, meritocracy, inclusiveness, good governance, and the value of trust,” said Pierre.
“Our strength lies in our ability to include everyone in the shared progress of our nation,” the Prime Minister added.