Barrel Concessions – A Better Approach

The Advocacy Group – The declaration of Barrel Concessions by Government ahead of the Christmas season has become a tradition that many St Lucians on island and in the Diaspora eagerly look forward to. The barrel concessions was initiated to facilitate the spirit of goodwill which is accentuated through increased remittances and general support during the Christmas season.

Whereas the barrel concession regime is usually applied during the period November to February each year, we are of the view that an exception should have been applied by extending the concession period due to prevailing hardships.

The recently announced introduction of barrel concessions by the Phillip J Pierre Government falls flat as being grossly insensitive and uncaring by a Government which claims to be “Putting People First”. One would have thought that with the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impact that it has had on many households: women, children, the poor and the ability of many to earn a living to survive, that the Phillip J Pierre Government would have granted an extended barrel concession period.

This is another glaring example where the campaign rhetoric and mantra of “Putting People First” does not match up with this Government’s policies and actions. Our nation is now having its worse ever national crisis that is manifested in: erosion of personal income, job loss and social dislocation – that has left many hopeless and impoverished. Governments are expected in such situations to respond by providing necessary relief and support.

To date, this current Government has failed miserably in responding to the predicament faced by many St Lucians. Our barbers, fishers, bus drivers, small business owners, farmers and many others have more or less been left to fend for themselves as the Government has not been forthcoming with relief measures. But the failure of the Phillip J Pierre Government to provide a “COVID sensitive” barrel concession is an unconscionable and unpardonable sin.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Allen Chastanet Government rolled out an eight month barrel concession program from June 2nd, 2020 to January 31st, 2021. That concession was extended by a further month to March, 2021. In addition the number of barrels per household was increased during that extended period from the usual two to three. For a Government which claims to be “Putting People First”, the Phillip J Pierre Government failed miserably in the recently announced barrel concession program.

The Government’s barrel concession program reflected no awareness of the current reality brought about because of the current pandemic. This reality would undoubtedly place certain constraints on beneficiaries and sponsors of barrel shipments. These would include but not limited to:

– Availability of goods due to shortages and supply issues.

– Delays in transportation due to human resource limitations because of the impact of COVID-19.

– Significant increase in the price of many commodities as a result of market dynamics. – Delays caused by current congestions in shipping and transportation routes generally.

– General increase in cost of support services.

– Reduction in purchasing power due to shortfall in personal income. These realities outlined above mean that many would find it extremely difficult to benefit from the concessions.

Indeed many may not be able to even ship or receive barrels within the stipulated three month time frame due to the constraints cited above. Why didn’t the current Phillip J Pierre Government not reflect an understanding of the negative covid-19 “underlying impacts” of the factors registered above? Is it because the Government is preoccupied in extending political patronage?

TAG calls on the current Administration to settle down to the serious business of government responsibility, which involves understanding and analysing global developments and responding with necessary policy decisions and adjustments.  

Had the Phillip J Pierre Government subjected reintroduction of the traditional barrel concession to proper analysis, it would have seen the need to announce a barrel concession program which reflects Government sensitivity. This was absolutely necessary in this instance considering the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Saint Lucians at home and in the Diaspora. The Advocacy Group views the failures in the recently announced barrel concession program as a sad and painful reality of a Government which is preoccupied with patronage and not quality representation.

The Advocacy Group calls on the Government of St Lucia to exercise good conscience and to rescind the recently announced barrel concessions, which will be in place for three months and replace it with a six (6) month barrel concession program in the first instance.