Reflecting on the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration’s third year in office, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre assured the nation that the government has demonstrated strong stewardship by delivering tangible benefits to the citizens.
The Prime Minister stated that despite the challenges encountered, the administration has been able to keep the country on a steady path of socio-economic progress. He mentioned that this was evident in the confidence that citizens placed in the government to steer the country towards social equity, empowerment, and sustainable living.
“The mandate you entrusted to us was to put people first in the decisions made for this country,” said the Prime Minister. He added that the government continually strives to improve the lives of citizens and the communities in which they reside with proper representation at home and abroad.
The Castries East MP said the government remains committed “to delivering governance that is based on values, ethics, and standards in public life.” Additionally, he stated, “We have governed with compassion and a desire to unite our country once again.”
PM Pierre notes that one of the major fundamental principles governing the administration is to instill a steadfast judiciary system, which led to the government “making the Caribbean Court of Justice our final Appellate Court.”
The nation’s leader remains optimistic that, “by governing with compassion, with meritocracy, with humility, we can set the tone and example for the country as a whole, particularly for our youth.” He stressed that the government cares about the welfare of families and their offspring, with a particular focus “on our youth, our future, their hopes and dreams, and futures.”
The Prime Minister emphasized the success of the Youth Economy Agency (YEA) in helping young entrepreneurs turn their hobbies and skills into businesses. The government has also been providing significant education assistance to parents in the form of book, uniform, and school supply purchases, and a $500 bursary for every Form I student.
Furthermore, students no longer have to pay facility fees for Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) English and Math exams. The government has allocated 11,700 laptops to over 5,000 households, with a minimum payment of $20 per month, and has distributed over 1,200 MIFI devices.
The Prime Minister mentioned a $22 million investment in school premises repairs and emphasised the government’s commitment to early education, including grants for Early Childhood Centers and installation of nine new state-of-the-art Pre-K classrooms at primary schools. The government also offers free skills courses to help citizens develop lifelong skills and is providing increased access to higher education through scholarships.
Highlighting government’s focus on healthcare and domestic welfare, the prime minster stated, “Health is wealth.” He added that government is making significant progress in providing better care and prevention, with Universal Health Coverage benefiting seniors, expecting mothers, and children.
Over 1200 mothers have already received free check-ups and lab work. The government have also enhanced services at wellness clinics for people with diabetes and hypertension, and are introducing improved cervical cancer prevention and screening. Additionally, the Prime Minister anticipates that the $200 million loan agreement negotiated with the Saudi Government will enable the completion of construction works at the St Jude Hospital (SJH) site, and the reinstatement of the George Odlum Stadium into its sports facility role, as it is currently the temporary location for SJH operations.
PM Pierre said though the government has made tangible inroads into health and social care there is still much work to be done. The reintroduction of the Distress Fund, initiated “to provide relief to households who’ve lost everything from fires,” has resulted in funding of over $10 million for housing repairs in every constituency.
In the construction field, the government has removed VAT on construction materials like cement, lumber, and roofing materials. PM Pierre assured that CIP monies will also provide funding for housing projects, to provide affordable housing for hundreds of Saint Lucians.
Furthermore, the government continued the amnesty on residential property tax and ensured that mortgages under $400,000 were waived of paying stamp duties. Contractors earning $10,000 or less will pay no income tax on these earnings.
Also, public servants will benefit from a $20 million home financing facility that is soon to be rolled out at the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB).
Citing the importance of food security, the prime minister noted that initiatives like the Farm Labour Support Programme were introduced to help farmers boost their production levels. Also, fishers were given rebates on fuel and more FADS installed so they could catch fish with more ease.
Additionally, the government is redeveloping the Choiseul Fishing Port and has constructed a new Micoud Jetty, while providing farmers with fertilizers through assistance provided by the Moroccan Government. Also, the government provided the National Fair Trade Organisation (NFTO) with over $4 million to support the farmers, who also received water tanks. The support extends to honey, sea moss, cocoa, and mushroom production.
The government allocated the sum of a $1, 500 grants to thousands of households to help them better manage their allowances to mitigate against the economic impact of COVID-19 and the resultant inflationary prices. The $10 million MSME loan programme continues to help businesses and entrepreneurs grow and innovate.
In the hospitality sector, the government touts increased economic returns in the industry with record levels of visitors to the destination.
On the wider social sphere, the government has also provided pensioners with $500 and $600 one-off grants and raised government pensions to a minimum of $725.00 for government pensioners. National Insurance Council (NIC) pensioners are now entitled to a minimum of $500.00 per month.
In addition, taxpayers earning $25,000 or less pay no income tax.
And shortly, the government will enact the Minimum Wage or Livable Wage to benefit every worker in the country.
PM Pierre noted that the government has affected “continuous economic growth over the past three years,” with investments in infrastructural projects in the public and private sectors. Resources have been poured into upgrading highways, bridges, and roads, while significant investment has gone into retail plazas and malls, hotel resorts, and restaurants.
Government anticipates that more than $1 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will be rolled out in the coming years.
The prime minister said the government is cognizant of the dangers and traumas associated with crime, particularly the debilitating impact of the rampant gun violence in communities across the country. Consequently, the government is allocating more resources to the police in the fight against crime, which involves the installation of CCTV cameras, provision of equipment, and the construction of new police stations, new courthouses, and a Hall of Justice among other aspects.