- Gang warfare, adult entertainment, multiple homicides and vehicle collisions overshadowed St Lucia’s 44th independence celebration.
- Independence message fell on deaf ears.
- Parliament to amend the Constitution of Saint Lucia, Cap. 1.01 – Tuesday.
- Parliament to borrow from CDB US$5.2 Million – Tuesday.
- Fiscal stability and budget support require productive capacity for growth.
By Caribbean News Global 
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Business as usual in Saint Lucia celebrating 44 years of Independence recording four homicides, [including one RSLPF shooting, the second recorded police-involved fatal shooting for the year] one death by vehicular accident, stabbings, robbery and outdoor adult entertainment, amid the tagline: Douvan Ansanm: One People. Shaping Our Destiny.
These events are a trajectory to Tuesday’s sitting of parliament to amend the Constitution of Saint Lucia, Cap, 1.01 “the Act” to modify provisions that allow for appeals to Her Majesty in Council and to provide for appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice.” Likewise, “Criminal Code (Detention of Suspects During Police Investigations) (Other Indictable Offence) notice.”
Related: Documents for House of Assembly Sitting scheduled for February 28, 2023
Of note for Tuesday’s sitting of parliament:
“The minister of finance considers it necessary to borrow from the Caribbean Development Bank the sum of USD 5,220,000 to finance the Building Capacity and Resilience in the Health Sector to Respond to the Coronavirus – 2019 Project.”
“Of great interest is the justification for the borrowing,” said a renowned economist. “Is the government currently responding to Covid-19? It should be fascinating, listening to the explanation.”
Other amendments include:
Money Laundering (Prevention) (Amendment) bill. This one is interesting with the insertion – “Section 2 of the Act (Interpretation) is amended by clause 3 of the Bill to substitute the definition for the term “beneficial owner” and to introduce new definitions for “close associate” and “virtual asset business.”
In addition to:
- Money Laundering (Prevention)(Amendment) Bill:
- Money services Business (Amendment) Bill:
- Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill:
- Fisheries (Amendment) Bill.
Weak law enforcement
Saint Lucia’s 44th independence celebration witnessed reckless and undiscerning activities – last Wednesday, despite the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force [RSLPF] advice to citizens to obey lawful commands and observe set parameters.
The notable outcome was a bloody 44th Independence celebration. Of concern, neither the RSLPF nor the responsible ministry for national security has seen it appropriate to report to the people of Saint Lucia in a national dimension – in the hope of restoring public trust, confidence, peace and stability.
In the interest of transparency and accountability from leaders, silence breeds approval and endorsement, seemingly, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the people and the reputation of Saint Lucia.
“What was supposed to be a day of celebration for the people of Saint Lucia became a very traumatic day for the island with a series of unfortunate events,” said communications officer, Saint Lucia Fire Service, Stacy Joseph.
Crime and lawlessness have taken over the country. The RSLPF is clueless on response mechanisms. The government is unconvincing governing in a squall.
As previously established, Saint Lucia has gathered an international reputation that “ … Crime is big business in Saint Lucia and it is driven by people who are way up in the hierarchy of this country …”
Operation Restore Confidence (ORC) suggests that “the crime problem in Saint Lucia is facilitated by corrupt politicians/government officials, business persons and police officers.” Kenny Anthony added, “We cannot continue in a situation where we, are viewed as a pariah state by our partners in the fight against crime and lawlessness.”
These manifest obstacles, with the best intentions of the prime minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, must be reversed to attain a resolution.
Saint Lucia and the future of its young democracy are in peril. A small country 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, is lawless, corruptible, a hub for drug trafficking, human trafficking and a crime haven.
Independence message fell on deaf ears
Despite Saint Lucia’s 44th Independence celebrations Douvan Ansanm: One People. Shaping Our Destiny, featuring activities islandwide that were expected to bring home the message of community spirit and togetherness – that was not to be.
The domestic message of Saint Lucia’s 44th Independence celebrations featured violence and a lawless country. A far cry from distinguished external guests, and the government’s intention to “signal the commencement of what is hoped to be an enduring alliance with an acclaimed global leader and also lays the foundation to pursue a new strategic partnership with Nigeria and the African Union on matters of trade and developmental finance.”
Moreover, the independence lecture, ‘pure class’ and ‘political sophistication’.
Meanwhile, prime minister Pierre encouraged members of the diaspora to join the Independence celebrations, he highlighted the importance of tapping into the skills of Saint Lucians living overseas.
“We would like for them to share their talents. There are doctors, scientists, and people who have a wealth of experience and knowledge. We need them to come and share their experiences with Saint Lucia,” he declared.
Fiscal stability
Against the backdrop of domestic challenges, prime minister Pierre in his capacity as chair of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) who presided over the 104th meeting of the monetary council, last week, alluded to a strategic, people-focused agenda over the ensuing 12 months of his chairmanship:
Priority focus:
-
- Tackling Inflation;
- Resilient and Inclusive Growth;
- Financial Stability and Financial Inclusion;
- Payments Modernisation and Digital Transformation.
– 104th meeting of the monetary council
Saint Lucia’s economy is not isolated and accordingly, its productive capacity going forward is vital.
Section 2.0 of the communiqué of the 104th meeting of the monetary council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, reads:
“In furtherance of the Council’s expressed support for uniform financial legislation in the ECCU, the Monetary Council urged:
“(B) Enactment of the proposed amendments to the Banking Act, 2015 in Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and Saint Lucia; and (C) Enactment of the harmonised Credit Reporting Bill in Anguilla and Saint Lucia, to allow for the operation of the credit bureau regionally.”
2023/24 budget expectations for growth
The economy is documented and underpinned by tourism, however, the underground economy is the mainstay of the country. Supplementing this are allies and international monetary institutions offering budgetary support, and economic assistance in the form of loans, grants and donations.
The Pierre administration’s budget proposal will be unveiled within 60 days, amid raising debt, inflation and requirements for infrastructure spending, in particular, the island road network.
Other matters include security, healthcare, economic growth, prioritizing and funding public services and keeping the government running.
Substantial deficit reduction is a major priority. Accomplishing that is the discernment to put a national development plan on the table with adequate financing and national consensus.
Already, completing many ongoing projects is an ongoing challenge – St Jude hospital, Castries-Gros-islet carriageway, and the Millennium Highway, to name a few.
‘Constitutional democracy’ set aside
The attempt by the government of Saint Lucia to overhaul democracy and the recycling of some like-minded ‘crooketers’ on domestic statutory boards and overseas’ appointments, eludes the logic of the discerning strategy of checks and balances.
The much talked about “substance of governance” seems set aside to the fancy of conflicting ideology in the restoration of silo governance, the protection of minority rights and privileges.
The ‘constitutional democracy’ that governs Saint Lucia is disastrously inadequate, compromised and accompanied with behavior, semantics and politicians unbecoming of the national office they cuddle.
– Nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothing!
Saint Lucia must move swiftly towards mitigating significant headwinds to nullify worrisome influences. The signs are quite visible.
