PM Says: Time To Clear Smoke Around Suspect Projects!

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]erhaps it had something to do with the widely reported most recent unrefereed lunch-break war of words between the honorable gentlemen from Castries East and Southeast—both evidently long overburdened with irreconcilable differences. Maybe it was last weekend’s provocative challenge by the South Castries MP that triggered the prime minister’s ire. It could also have been his way of reassuring his United Workers Party base that he had not forgotten his election pledges—the main one being that under his watch it would be business unusual.

As for salted-to-taste suggestions that because his 2018-19 budget address may not have started as per the old template some might consider it “political,” the prime minister had repeatedly underscored the difference, as he saw it, between that and “partisan.” In much the same way that John Compton had always known the difference between “opponent” and “enemy.” Besides, Allen Chastanet had repeatedly promised from his campaign platforms that his would be “a government of all the people.” Then again, perhaps the prime minister simply intended on Tuesday to remind the nation that while his predecessors may have chosen purposefully to walk the safe road, his government was more than ever determined boldly to go where earlier prime ministers feared to tread!

On Tuersday afternoon he kicked off his budget presentation with a hard truth: some of his election-time pledges were proving particularly difficult, “but mainly because there are no quick fixes.” Nevertheless, his government remained undeterred, impediments be damned, whether or not deliberately placed.

Referring to the much abused transparency and accountability mantra, the prime minister said: “Mr. Speaker, previous administrations have made similar promises but it soon became clear their promises were just words, words and more words.” As for the business-as-usual syndrome and its killing effects on the nation, the prime minister said his government would do all in its power to end it—or die trying.

“You cannot get a broken vehicle moving again,” he noted, “until you have discovered precisely what caused it to stall in the first place. A doctor cannot usefully prescribe for an ailing patient until he has meticulously examined that patient. Random remedies, like random government policies, are doomed to deliver unpredictable consequences from which, often, there is no recovery.” He said his government fully intended to get to the bottom of “a number of suspicious  undertakings that were never transparent nor accounted for.” Having amended the Crown Proceedings Act last year, he said, there will be no statute of limitations to prevent the recovery of government funds. No dark rabbit holes to duck into.

“There is still much blinding smoke to be cleared from a number of public concerns,” the prime minister said, “including how Saint Lucia became embroiled in the marital affairs of a Saudi billionaire, and what induced a prime minister to form a secret partnership with an American oil speculator internationally notorious for his business history. We must clear the suffocating smoke that conceals the truth about Walid Juffali, Jack Grynberg, Robert Lindquest, the St. Jude Hospital, and the so-called ‘Minister’s Account.’ ”

He said good governance was not only about attracting investments, building roads, schools, hospitals and police stations; it was also, first and foremost, about improving the lives of all Saint Lucians. Referencing his government’s reduction of VAT upon taking office, the prime minister said it was not done merely to fulfill an election promise.

“We had confidence in the people and businesses of this country, that they would create the economic activity required to get us back on track. Despite all the carping and criticism about the loss of revenue, to the tune of $55 million, the outturn is an estimated $27 million. We also made the conscious decision to restructure the tax burden. The result is that the fuel tax and its deployment to road maintenance has directly benefitted those who pay the tax. Similarly, with the airport tax. Those who use the airport will benefit from improved facilities.”

The prime minister reported a drop in unemployment and under-employment figures. He also pointed to the restoration of investor and business confidence. His government was nevertheless concerned about youth unemployment, which the prime minister described as “a stubborn challenge at 38.5 percent.” The government is planning a major assault in this financial year aimed at “creating new jobs for our young people.” He was especially heartened that “people are finding more sustainable, better paid work.”

Perhaps with transparency and accountability in mind, he announced that the government could no longer subsidize all sections of the society “under the guise of protecting the poor. This is unsustainable.” While the transformation of the bureaucracy to meet the expectations of the business community, and Saint Lucians generally, remained a challenge, his government was determined to accomplish the task. The prime minister seemed especially happy to announce the police had recently received fifteen new vehicles and six motorcycles.

He had more good news in relation to a geothermal project completed last December. An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report for drilling sites was submitted to government in January this year. On-going are talks concerning a power purchase agreement between a developer and LUCELEC; also with the government.

Still more reason to crow: “The International Monetary Fund has revised its focus for global growth upwards to 3.9 percent for 2018-19. The growth momentum in our major source markets and trading partners in the U.S. and Europe are expected to have beneficial spill-over effects on our own economy . . . The U.S. remains our largest source both as stay-over and cruise arrivals. It is imperative that we position to take advantage of this global expansion and put the necessary systems in place to capitalize on the spin-off opportunities that will arise. Of critical importance is our ability as a country to work assiduously and urgently to remove the barriers to growth under our control.”

By the measure of the prime minister and minister of finance, the economy has started to grow again. However, it was “imperative that we remove the impediments to further growth.”

Considering that other prime ministers had bemoaned the fact that the majority of Saint Lucia’s our work force could not access available jobs, it was hardly a surprise when Mr. Chastanet said it was “an open secret  that our education system has over time fallen short of providing our young people with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.” He confirmed his government had inherited school buildings “in an alarming state of decay and a moribund curriculum unsuited to the demands of a service economy.” His government had set about correcting the deficiencies.

Additionally: “Both our teachers and students must be technology compliant, adaptable and ready to take advantage of the opportunities of the 21st Century. Curriculum development and the use of technology appropriate for teaching and learning will be high on the education agenda in the coming year and beyond. The start of the new year will see the establishment of two centers of excellence in what were earlier considered leisure or part-time activities but today can be the basis of lucrative careers.” He said the centers, relating to sports and to the creative arts and culture, will be established in Gros Islet and Anse Ger. As for the relentless headache that healthcare represents in Saint Lucia, the prime minister offered a new prescription: “We could’ve raised taxes to improve the quality of health care but that would not benefit those who cannot afford it. We believe the best option is to institute a National Health Insurance Scheme that does not discriminate.” His government hoped—before the end of this fiscal year—to institute the scheme. Also in this financial year the OK-EU hospital will be fully operational. Already the dialysis center has moved and is functioning well in its new location. So has the physiotherapy
department.

“It was tempting to take the easy way out and continue the construction of St. Jude Hospital,” the prime minister suggested. “But a technical audit uncovered several construction deficiencies.” To properly complete the hospital would cost an estimated $100 million. The government faced two choices, said the prime minister. Complete the project with all its shortcomings—or build a new hospital. Regardless of the option adopted, completion would take two years. While the government contemplated “this vexing, painful issue,” the prime minister said, the George Odlum stadium, even while repairs are underway, will continue to serve the medical needs of the island’s south.

The House is scheduled to sit again tomorrow (I’m writing this on Tuesday evening) Thursday, when honorable members on both sides will debate the pros and cons of the 2018-19 budget.