How Does PM Pierre Arrive At his Conclusions?

When a prime minister addresses a nation his purpose usually is to convince listeners of his government’s policies and plans by being consistent, coherent, credible, inspiring. Prime Minister Pierre’s most recent address left many worried, depressed and unmotivated at a time of economic turbulence, escalating crime, more often than not involving firearms. Saint Lucians are afraid, as much for themselves as for their children, relatives and friends, whether in their homes or out shopping.  

Prime Minister Mr. Phillip Pierre commenced his address the other Sunday by announcing what was already well known: the island is at a critical juncture, also facing global challenges including the war in Ukraine, increasing Inflation, the impacts of climate change, supply-chain challenges. Pierre further stated that his government had nevertheless achieved many successes, thanks to prudent fiscal management and “putting the people first” polices. So much so that various institutions had expressed confidence in his fiscal management. However, he neglected to provide quantifiable evidence to substantiate his claims. He did not communicate any clear polices likely to reduce the inflationary pressures. I couldn’t help wondering about the number of Saint Lucians who might say the government is keeping our country economically stable and safe?

The prime minister informed citizens that the Chamber of Commerce had conducted a survey which revealed improved business performance. While we understand the role of the Chamber in assisting business owners to overcome challenges their various challenges, one must nonetheless question the prime minister’s rationale. What comparative year(s) did the prime minister use in arriving at the conclusion that the country is on a strong economic path? Vague, ambiguous and convenient statements cannot motivate or inspire working Saint Lucians. Neither will such talk persuade the unemployed, corporate and Micro Small Medium Enterprises, that the government is on a path to economic stability. The prime minister referenced several investment projects but did not provide answers to the following questions:

• Which industries will benefit?
• How many paying jobs will be created?
• In which class of employment can we anticipate these jobs?
• What is the expected financial contribution to our GDP?
• Will any of these investments assist in achieving climate-change goals or contribute to the carbon footprint?
• Is there a focus on exports?

In consequence we are clueless about the impact that the alleged investments will have on our livelihood. Prime Minister Pierre indicated without convincing evidence (reminiscent of Donald Trump) that Saint Lucia is recording some of the best tourism arrivals figures but was in danger of losing these “gains.”

The PM spoke about the high number of homicides over “the last six years.” Mr. Prime Minister, perhaps you’d have sounded more credible had you provided relevant statistics. You indicated that your government and the preceding had to deal with crime, which is true. However, let me remind you that in 2017 your deputy prime minister, Ernest Hilaire, stated that the Allen Chastanet government failed to reduce the crime figures in 2016 and that an SLP government would place crime on its front burner. Hilaire advised the then government to purchase more motorcycles and other vehicles. It appears the current government’s front burner has a gas leak. The highest number of homicides were recorded when the government was “putting the people first”—in 2021. To date, there have been 69 homicides and sadly, by all indications, trending to surpass the figures for 2021.

In plotting the way forward, did the government conduct any research or surveys to determine the root causes of violence and various criminal activities? In which sections of the island is crime at its highest?  Did the government critically evaluate the risk factors?:

• Low income
• Inadequate housing
• Lack of education
• The impact of various traumas
• Lack of jobs

What is the plan to assist people living in our poorer neighborhoods? We have politicians, including the prime minister, who have been for several years parliamentary representatives but have done little to lower the risks of crime, let alone effectively tackle poverty in their constituencies. What people are they putting first?

The above graph indicates St Lucia’s lowest unemployment figures in 2019. What are the strategies to increase employment opportunities for all St Lucians irrespective of political affiliation? Noting that scientifically, unemployment leads to a rise in social and health issues (including mental instability). Simply giving handouts to party supporters is not a solution. Decreasing the number of poor St Lucians will reduce income distribution inequality. This means finding gainful employment should be the number one priority, not simply beefing up the police force, and giving poorly trained members to go after the criminals. Surely better policing is needed, but as the Prime Minister would have it, instituting this declaration of war between police and criminals, will not end well, as all wars inevitably do.

 As Prime Minister you condoned these threats and explicit deviant acts by taking no disciplinary action, by your silence? To use your own words, what type of citizen are you supporting, creating, and cultivating within your political and administrative circle? In an unprecedented political move, you attended court to support your Deputy Leader, Ernest? Hilaire, in a case where he was challenged by a government agency for failing to comply with local custom laws.  Again, one may be tempted to ask what type of citizen is the government’s Prime Minister, creating, enabling, and shielding?

Mr. Prime Minister, you indicated that the Police must have zero tolerance for corruption among their ranks to deal with corruption and I do agree. However, the Commissioner of Police must have the power to implement comprehensive reforms and must possess the skills, competency, and ability to perform in the role.

You articulated that your government would “intensify efforts to eliminate corruption in the Police Force,”. Is there going to be legislation reform? What about corruption within government and the public service? While we are on topic, may I also inquire as to whether your government intends to pursue the recommendations for constitutional reform? I rather suspect that this will take care of much of the root cause of corruption that oozes into the societal mainstream. Will we finally see the implementation of (deceased) Justice D ’Auvergne’s recommendations?

Purchasing 19 vehicles to assist the Police Force without providing targeted and complimentary training in critical areas does not advance a crime reduction strategy. You indicated that police will be trained but failed to provide any details about such training-of what will it consist, will there be a committee made up of trusted citizens to conduct such training? In the absence of such information, we are left with your aspirational verbiage. We particularly note that the United States Law Enforcement is not an option, due to the IMPACS report, and that further efforts to resuscitate this relationship, and reinstate such training by the United States seems to have fallen flat. Increased penalties for unlicensed firearm holders while permitting persons found with unlicensed guns to be granted bail and returned to the streets seems counterproductive and contrary to your zero-tolerance slogan, especially when nearly all our homicides are gun crimes. Getting rid of the K-9 unit which effectively detects guns, drugs, and other illicit items (island wide) does not assist your government to achieve zero crime tolerance especially when port scanners meant to detect these items, mysteriously malfunction. Such lapses on the part of your administration will bolster, not lessen crime. Obtaining scanners that can also be utilized for containers must also become a priority for the government in this zero-crime tolerance pursuit.  

You indicated that your government would reduce the backlog of cases without indicating precisely what actions the government will pursue to make this a reality.

The Prime Minister articulated that his government will “intensify efforts to eliminate corruption in the Police Force.  Is there going to be legislation reform? What about corruption within government and the public service? While we are on topic, may I also inquire as to whether your government intends to pursue the recommendations for constitutional reform? Will we finally see the implementation of deceased Justice D ’Auvergne’s recommendations?

Concerning the forensic lab, Mr. Prime Minister perhaps you should indicate that you are continuing the work of the UWP Government who reopened the forensic lab which had been closed in 2015. Also, in 2017 the government invested XCD$700K to address security issues, leaks, and structural issues. And commenced the initial process to achieve accreditation of the forensic lab.  

You highlighted that government borrowed US$5M or EC$13.4M to assist some 8000 vulnerable St Lucians. While this is a good idea, assistance is needed for this class of citizens, besides food and gas aid and the utilization of George Charles Secondary School to assist in rehabilitating prisoners. You did not identify various social protection programs and the commencement date.

What about seeking grants from international agencies to fund such projects and assist in reducing poverty as opposed to getting a loan where you must repay interest?  

 St Lucia requires an immediate review of our justice system. We need to reduce areas of vulnerability throughout the island. We need an audit of our education system. We must incorporate the following soft skills into every syllabus from infant level, and we must teach conflict resolution.

• Social Skills,
•  Emotional awareness
• Self-control,
•  Problem solving,
• Decision making
• Creativity

We need a national youth forum to discuss youth violence. We must restore St Lucia to a country of love, compassion, kindness, and it must include our political leaders. They must go beyond rhetoric-talking and make every effort to also walk the talk.