Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre denied knowledge of dissent among Customs & Excise officers in an interview with reporters Tuesday on the sidelines of a House of Assembly meeting.
“I don’t know of any dissent. In fact, Customs is performing very well. I am very happy with what they are doing. Their revenue intake is very good,” the Prime Minister said.
Pierre spoke in response to a question regarding the situation at the Customs & Excise Department after a Customs Officer was shot on July 11, 2023.
One day after the incident at Monchy, Pierre, and Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Phillip met with Customs and Excise employees to assure them of commitment to their safety.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister explained that everyone was concerned after the shooting.
However, Pierre, responsible for National Security, disclosed that certain steps had been taken to improve Customs Officers’ security.
“In fact, the Customs Officers themselves have applauded what we have done. But of course, there’s a lot more to do. I’d like to do a lot more for Customs Officers and we are doing a lot more,” he asserted.
The Saint Lucia Prime Minister explained that addressing the needs of the Customs Department was a work in progress.
He recalled that for a long time, Customs Officers wanted duty-free vehicles.
“They’re getting it now,” he told reporters.
In addition, Pierre acknowledged concern over physical arrangements in Vieux Fort, declaring that the concerns are being addressed.
He also spoke of concerns regarding an Acting Comptroller.
“That has been handled,” Pierre told reporters, adding that the issues of concern were not recent and addressing them was a work in progress.
What!!!!!! customs officers dont deserve duty free vehicles, if anything give them a discount but not duty free aa chewps tan
I know in certain countries when a civil servant served the public for five years they are entitled to one duty free vehicle, some will differ. St. lucia the law is an ass so lets move on.
Among a thousand,may be an honest one, but have you ever have regards to their accounts and does you been there when their familles are receiving barrels to open shops,how does the firearms,guns,etc,etc,is entering the island ❓
Yet the poor man is begging and pleading for mercy, yet,charging them for a Gift ❗
There was one whom, the lady told,
“This will be the last person you will do that”.
Not rejoicîng, but, the following day was found lifeless on the washing machine,not remembering,if he had seize the lady’s washing machine…
GOD IS ALIVE ❗‼️
So wait! How come public servants getting duty free and other tax payers not getting that? During COVID no civil servants lost their jobs or suffered any salary cuts. They had no issues financially while the rest of us suffered. What BS is this? And the least productive workers in the country to boot. This is a country run by clowns with everyone trying to grab what they can before the ship sinks.
I’m trying to understand the duty free concession on vehicles for Customs Officers. Maybe I’m missing something here, smh.