Buju Banton once sang “ it’s not an easy road, and many see the glamor and the glitter and dem think a bed of rose, mi say who feels it knows” an apt description of Saint Lucia’s progress as we head into year 47 of independence
With the ever-recurrent Douvan Asnsamn as part of our annual theme it stands to question the paths before us and how best we can navigate the increasing socioeconomic and geopolitical pressures pinning us down. Let’s talk about the US strikes in our waters and WASCO.
CARICOM and its leaders often hail Cuba as a leader, a pioneer, a radical in their stance against American imperialism and hegemony, but the sad reality of the situation is that none of them have the strength or desire to want to be another Cuba. None are willing to stand for the rights of their citizens and take the heat like Cuba did, and truly do what we want them to? Are we willing to give up access to American goods and Western culture and trappings? I wouldn’t stand to be a hypocrite and say I am, but greater ideals are to be expected from myself and others and especially our leaders.
With the Americans running roughshod in our waters, with impunity, as they continue to deal with the drug problem by destroying the alleged supply chain. But are they? Have they provided evidence other than the murky, drone surveillance videos over TikTok and Facebook? None of us as CARICOM citizens or leaders would be allowed to act in such a manner in the American sphere of influence before being pulled up and facing its wrath.
Does might make right? For some it is the only argument as they are quite eager to believe that our people were engaged in nefarious activities and deserving of death without trial. This from the very people who believe in the rule of law and due process. Ah perhaps when it comes to others, they perceive it as necessary but not to themselves. We must impress upon our leaders the need to stand firm in the face of this hijacking of norms and demand evidence beyond a shadow of a doubt that the persons killed are indeed narco-smugglers or cartel affiliates before we cheer the removal of what we claim to be bad elements from our society.
Whilst many fear the potential for climate change and the possibility of us becoming climate refugees, the stark reality is that the impacts of climate change are already here. WASCO’s inability over a series of governments to provide regular, uninterrupted flow of water to all areas of the island during the dry season has become a recurrent issue.
Year after year the cry of water leakages, water turbidity, old ancient pipes and a seeming lack of awareness of the location of many of their pipes continue to be burdensome for most. The hard truth is that perhaps a consideration of increased water rates or tariffs may be the sole avenue out of the continued bedlam of water woes we experience. To ensure a fully operational WASCO that can fund capital projects, that is not a burden on the public purse and needs to engage in structural improvements, our natural aversion to paying more needs to be swallowed.
Many citizens have to rely on water storage- an alternative we should all seek- but with limited space for many to place tanks or the fact that the lengthy periods often outpace water supply is a critical spoilsport in the plan. To say nothing of those communities where WASCO does not service who often have to rely on rainwater harvesting and are left without any support during this dry period, be it standpipes or trucked in water. Imagine this in 2026. The furor over WASCO says much about our need to move together, some care not a whit because they experience no water lulls whilst others who have WASCO borne water have nary a care for those who don’t.
We are not foolish to think that independence means we will not bow to internal or external pressures. However, at near maturity we must have a firmer backbone to stand forth and demand due respect and accountability deserving of a people moving together.