THE Prime Minister and members of his government are pressing hard on the ‘Pedals of Success’ in the governance of our beautiful country. And the government has ensured that its people have a Joyous Christmas, 2023.
The Prime Minister is a well-trained, imaginative, discerning economist. And he is well supported by a collegial, collaborative team of ministers.
The government has been able to pay off 50% or half of the outstanding debt which it found after taking up government in July 2021. This is very good news during Christmas. The government would then be able meet the needs of its people in the New Year 2024.
Amidst the inflation rate gripping our country, the government has been able to pay its Civil Servants $11.5 Million owed in backpay to its civil servants. Added to that, government paid $600 to each of their retired public servants in time for Christmas.
Indeed, I need to mention that I had spent more than four decades in the teaching service, and teachers have always had to agitate to receive what was due to them as it relates to money to be paid by government.
Now, LPG gas is an item that is in great demand, particularly at Christmas when our people have to do their cooking and baking. Well, government is subsidising $15 on every 20 pounds cylinder of LPG gas. The meaning of LPG means Liquified Petroleum Gas. Generally, government is subsidising LPG gas by $11Million, instead of allowing its people to pay the full cost of the gas.
Additionally, the 6% which had been placed on Price Controlled food items, has been removed. It means therefore that there will be more food in the homes of our people.
It must also be noted that government is subsidising some consumables such as flour, rice and sugar, which we call staples.
Indeed, many St. Lucians repair their homes during the Christmas season. A vat amnesty is presently in force for consumable items such as lumber, cement, steel, galvanize and solar PV system is now 12.5% cheaper. That is the 12.5% vat has been removed.
Now there has been public outcry on the cost of medication and medical equipment which are essential consumer item. Government has been listening has suspended VAT on select medical equipment until 2025. That is, no VAT for the next two years.
Indeed, the Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to waive 100% penalties and fines on taxes owed to government until May, 2024. That’s going to be money in your pockets!
National Insurance Corporation pensioners have received an increase of 4.2% on their pension. The government is looking everywhere the people are, in an effort to help them. This is a first for a St. Lucia government!
Now, contractors will no longer have to pay withholding tax on government contracts in the sum of $10,000 or less. Again, that’s savings for contractors. It’s certainly a Merry Christmas gift to contractors.
Government has allocated a sum of $40 Million to be paid in refunds to St. Lucian workers. Some $10 Million is to be paid in December 2023 alone. Again, that’s Christmas money in your pockets!
Indeed, government has not left out the private sector. Some $80 Million have been paid to Private Sector Service Providers. Again that’s putting money in the coffers of the private sector and their workers.
Government has intentionally and deliberately provided job opportunities to indigenous entrepreneurs young and old through the Youth Entrepreneur Programme and the MSME loan grant programme. MSME means Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. That programme is being offered to St. Lucians who are between 31 and 60 years.
Indeed, it must be pointed out that the St. Lucian economy is growing very rapidly. There was sound economic growth in the St. Lucian economy in 2022. This has prompted several investors to the rush to the shores of our beloved country. Frankly speaking, investor confidence is at an all-time high.
As I write, government has facilitated $2.5 Billion in Private Sector Investments. This means therefore that the citizenry will have access to innovative ventures or job opportunities; involvement in the economic progress of their country, and very importantly put money in their businesses and in their pockets, by extension.
Now as it relates to constituency or community activities, many activities are presently being implemented in the various constituencies.
In the Castries East Constituency where I provided voluntary service, some 1200 children in that constituency were embraced by the parliamentary Representative and Prime Minster Hon. Phillip J. Pierre in children’s Christmas Parties at the Leon Hess and Bocage Secondary Schools.
Now, these Christmas parties have been organized and implemented in that constituency for more than 20 years, and the children of that constituency look forward to that party where they thoroughly enjoy themselves. Their Parliamentary Representative himself always look forward to meeting his young constituents. The parties are never short of delicacies and toys.
In conclusion I wish to point out that the Prime Minister and his government is steadfast in holding on to the Mantra: “Putting People First”. All of the policies and actions of the government points to putting our people first.
Have a Merry Christmas knowing that your government is actively leading the way to economic prosperity for all its people now and in the New Year and beyond.