Good governance rests on clear pillars: transparency, accountability, honesty, and integrity. These principles form the bedrock of public trust and sustained national development. Unfortunately, under the Philip J. Pierre administration of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), these pillars have crumbled. Since taking office nearly four years ago, the government has repeatedly betrayed its promises, plunging Saint Lucia into deeper crisis and endangering its future.
The Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), once a beacon of hope for economic growth, has become emblematic of the administration’s failures. Designed to attract foreign investment through citizenship sales, the CIP requires stringent due diligence to exclude criminals and protect the nation’s reputation.
Instead, under the current government, safeguards have been ignored. Deals with entities such as Beemax, linked to persons with questionable backgrounds, reveal a disturbing erosion of standards. Billions of dollars in passport sale revenues remain unaccounted for, as the government repeatedly fails to submit audited financial reports to Parliament. This absence of transparency fuels widespread suspicion of corruption and mismanagement.
Recent shocking revelations have deepened public distrust. A foreign investor boldly declared, “I bought your government,” exposing suspected collusion between government officials and foreign developers. The controversial A’ila Resort Project has sidelined local workers in favour of cheaper foreign labour, suppressing wages and confirming fears that the government prioritizes foreign interests over Saint Lucians.
Other scandals like the Juffali diplomatic controversy and Caribbean Galaxy passport debacle further expose government complicity in enriching insiders and foreign influencers while neglecting citizens.
The government’s decision to hand over control of Saint Lucia’s vital cruise ports to Global Ports Holdings (GPH) on a 30-year lease marks a betrayal of national assets.
Established in 1983, SLASPA, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, built and upgraded the cruise port in Castries, managed its debts responsibly, and effectively promoted tourism and collaboration with the St. Lucia Tourism Authority. Yet, the administration granted this crucial asset to GPH for a token rent of one dollar per year, with a lopsided revenue-sharing deal favouring the foreign owned GPH. To add insult to injury, the deal involve GPH committing a paltry $130 million in investments versus the One Billion Dollars in projected returns.
The government abandoned operational control and revenue streams to a multinational corporation, sacrificing economic sovereignty and future public revenues crucial for the people’s development.
The administration has committed over $400 million to rebuild St. Jude Hospital an 80 year old, fragile, fire-damaged structure, abandoning a brand new, purpose built, climate-resilient facility that could have been completed in 2022 for only $200 million. Doubling costs and risking technological obsolescence, this reckless decision squanders taxpayers’ money with scant regard for efficiency or public well-being.
Public institutions have deteriorated under this government’s watch. The disbanding of critical units like the K9 Police Unit has weakened crime prevention while violent crime has soared. Hospitals and clinics are plagued by staff shortages and missing supplies, jeopardizing health outcomes.
In just four years, the state’s reckless borrowing has surpassed one billion dollars, leaving taxpayers burdened with daily debt repayments exceeding one million dollars. Taxpayers face oppressive levies, including the controversial 2.5% Health and Security Levy—imposed without full transparency or justification. Soaring gas prices and rising food costs only deepen the crisis for average families.
Government handouts at the doorstep of elections are a clear sign of a desperate administration attempting to buy votes. These measures are unsustainable and do little to address structural hardships.
Saint Lucia has endured record-breaking homicides for four consecutive years. Despite escalating violence, the government has failed to resource police effectively, resulting in weakened crime-fighting capacity, unresolved cases, and widespread public fear.
The SLP’s recent sacking of incumbents and instalment of new candidates reveal a party scrambling to deflect blame for systemic failures. Ministers’ sudden unexplained wealth increases public suspicion and deepens distrust.
The Philip J. Pierre administration has fatally betrayed Saint Lucia. Rampant corruption, reckless deals selling off national assets, rising violent crime, and failing public institutions have pushed the nation into a perilous state.
Saint Lucia’s people deserve transparent, accountable leadership committed to justice, safety, and inclusive growth—not cronyism and neglect.
This government merits a resounding failing grade. The time to demand accountability is now. Saint Lucia must rebuild trust, strengthen institutions, and reclaim a future that works for all, not just the privileged few.