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While the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government celebrated its third anniversary in power with much fanfare, boasting a list of achievements that seemed to impress only themselves, the majority of Saint Lucians faced a stark reality. These were years of economic hardship, with a few enriching themselves at the expense of the many and a shrinking middle class. The government’s response to the country’s challenges was endless celebration and revelry, a reckless abdication of responsibility that has left the country in its lurch. Behind the celebrations and self-aggrandizement, the truth is that this government has fundamentally failed the people of Saint Lucia.
The value of human life is paramount, and I believe the effectiveness of a government should be measured by its impact on the health, well-being, and socioeconomic status of its citizens. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Human life is a precious gift, and it is our duty to preserve and protect it.”
Today marks the third anniversary of the landslide election victory of the Saint Lucia Labour Government led by Philip J. Pierre. As politicians, analysts and supporters from both sides of the political spectrum debate the national debt, alleged mismanagement of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), unemployment, tourism growth, the decline of the agricultural sector (particularly bananas), the poor state of the road network, the sub-standard healthcare system, the lucrative cruise port leased to a foreign entity for 40 years, the protracted St. Jude Hospital project, the stalled Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment project, the onerous 2.5% Health and Safety Levy and the multitude of other socio-economic challenges plaguing Saint Lucia, one key issue that seems to be overlooked is the number of deaths from COVID-19 and the homicide rate since this government took office three years ago.
On July 27, 2021, when Prime Minister Philippe J. Pierre took office, Saint Lucia had recorded 88 deaths from COVID-19. By September 2022, just 14 months later, that number had risen to 302. According to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center, the number of Saint Lucians who have lost their lives to COVID-19 now stands at 409. In comparison, during the 14 months of the United Workers Party (UWP) under Alan Chastanet, 88 people died from COVID-19. Shockingly, during the same 14 months of Philippe J. Pierre SLP’s administration, the number of deaths from the virus increased by nearly 220. This raises questions about the government’s ability to respond to the pandemic. Did the easing of restrictions and changes to the COVID-19 Protection and Control Act 2020 made by the SLP government after coming to power lead to a significant increase in COVID-19 related deaths?
The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. The loss of life is more than a statistic; it represents a devastating impact on families and loved ones who can only grieve and suffer. In a small country like Saint Lucia, with a population of approximately 180,000, the impact of this tragedy is deep and wide-ranging. The pain and suffering of losing loved ones to the pandemic is immeasurable, and the scars will linger for years to come. If it can be proven that the actions or inactions of a government have contributed to the tragic increase in COVID-19 related deaths, then the government must be held accountable. The value of life is priceless, and no apology or compensation can make up for the pain of losing a loved one. Governments are charged with protecting and serving their citizens, and they must be held to the highest standards of accountability. The people of Saint Lucia deserve no less.
Furthermore, the alarming increase in violent crime is another critical issue that cannot be ignored. Since this government came to power three years ago, this country has seen an unprecedented increase in homicides, with the majority of victims being young men. This is an appalling loss of life. Young men, the future of our country, are being killed in our streets, and the government’s response is woefully inadequate.
The question that must be asked is why has the number of homicides increased exponentially under this government? Interestingly, one of the initial actions taken by the government was to quash charges and convictions of all individuals who had violated the COVID-19 protection laws. Does this decision send the message that the rule of law will not be enforced and that individuals can act with impunity? The people of Saint Lucia deserve answers and the government has a responsibility to provide them.
The value of life is not just a slogan, but a fundamental human right that must be protected and respected. The government has failed to address these critical issues and must be held accountable for its actions.
As we move forward, we must remember the value of life and the government’s responsibility to protect it. Any failure to do so is unacceptable. The people of Saint Lucia deserve a government that puts their lives, safety and well-being first. Any failure to do so is a betrayal of their trust.
I give the Philip J. Pierre SLP government an unequivocal resounding F, and if the grading scale allows, I would venture to introduce a new category – F-, or even F- failing, to fully express the sense of disappointment and disillusionment with their performance after three years in office. Their governance over the past three years has been nothing short of appalling. It is a testament to the government’s manifest incompetence that they have squandered the trust and confidence of their constituents, leaving behind a trail of unfulfilled promises, broken dreams, and dashed expectations. The Pierre government’s tenure has been a catastrophic mismanagement marked by a clear lack of vision, lack of effective policy implementation, and a glaring disregard for the welfare of the people they were elected to serve.
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