“My biggest concern now, what causes me to stay up at night, is the effect that rising oil prices may have on the economy of this country. The government has instructed the Ministry of Finance to take immediate steps to see how the impact will affect our country. As you know we are in the process of budget preparation, so we have to rethink now,” says Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
The Prime Minister was speaking at Monday’s Press Briefing where a number of issues were addressed. The Prime Minister explained that while the government is doing everything in its power to soften the blow of the ongoing US/Isreal/Iran war, St. Lucians must understand that there is little that can be affected by St. Lucia in this situation in the far east. Pierre was adamant that St. Lucia needs to be considerably more concerned with those issues that are within purview.
The impending water crisis and the new UK visa requirement also formed a major part of the Prime Minister’s presentation.
On the new UK visa requirements, the Prime Minister explained that while he was disappointed with the new UK position, explained to him in a letter handed to him personally by the British High Commissioner, he understood that the UK has the right to install foreign policy to safeguard their borders. He went on to explain that St. Lucia and every other country is charged with that same responsibility. He reminded that there are visa requirements for citizens of certain countries wishing to enter St. Lucia. Some 49 countries are on the list of territories whose citizens require an entry visa to access St. Lucia. Prime Minister Pierre went on to condemn individuals he says appeared to have found pleasure in St. Lucia’s visa plight with the UK.
Meanwhile, St. Lucia will be importing water from the neighbouring island of Dominica. A meeting between the government, The Water and Sewerage Company {WASCO}, The Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Public Utilities and other agencies resulted in the formation of an inter-agency unit charged with the responsibility of identifying possible solutions. A private led initiative spearheaded by The St. Lucia Hotels and Tourism Association and the Alia Hotel Group will welcome the first barge of water from Dominica on March 19th, according to Prime Minister Philip Pierre. At the same time, the Prime Minister confirmed other initiatives unfolding including a $5 – 7 million pipeline which is scheduled to start in two weeks and ongoing discussions about the installation and use of the desalination option. While the pipeline is set to go, the desalination option is a long-term affair.
Prime Minister Pierre reiterated his call for St. Lucians to engage in water harvesting, an option which he is convinced will aid the water crisis. The government, he said, will take the lead and ensure that all government departments are harvesting and using their harvested gallons. He indicated that the cabinet was actively looking into making it easier for individuals to secure water storage tanks.