During the annual Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) conference of delegates, held in Belle Vue, Vieux Fort, on Sunday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre delivered a forceful address, responding to criticism from the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) regarding his government’s handling of crime and national security.
In his speech, Pierre asserted that the SLP has provided more resources to tackle these issues than other governments. “I cannot recall any administration apart from a Labour Party administration that has provided the level of resources to address the issues of crime and security,” he stated.
Pierre outlined measures undertaken by his government to improve the country’s security infrastructure. “The construction of the Northern Divisional Police Headquarters is well underway, is to be completed on time, and at a cost of $35 million,” he noted adding, “Renovations to the Southern Divisional Police Headquarters, at $4.5 million, has been completed. [And] today, I signed for the furniture for the policemen in the Southern Police Headquarters.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the investments made in police equipment. “We have increased the [police] fleet by 40 vehicles, along with 15 motorcycles, five ATVs, and four jet skis.”
On Tuesday, the government handed over three new vehicles to the police.
In addition, Pierre also recalled equipping the police with drones, dashboard cameras, and ballistic vests.
He emphasised that police officers are also receiving enhanced training, with some attending Monroe College to earn degrees.
He reassured citizens that national security remains a top priority for his government, declaring that the government is currently working in collaboration with civil society groups and providing financial support for crime suppression initiatives. “Rest assured, national security is at the forefront of government priorities,” he affirmed.
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of overcrowding at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital, revealing that an expansion project is set to begin. “I want you to listen carefully, so that you can tell the world that your government, your government, will also commence the expansion of the OKEU hospital! We are going to build the fifth finger on the OKEU hospital, and we are going to build it with what? CIP (Citizenship by Investment Program) funds!” He announced.
In addition to hospital expansion, Pierre emphasised the administration’s investment in emergency services. “Last week we gave four brand new ambulances to the emergency services and very soon from now, we are going to give them another four so that they can do their work. We are investing over $10 million in the emergency services, and I want to thank them for their work, particularly the work that they did during COVID,” he said.
Instead of employing and keeping hospital staff, focusing on completing St. Judes and getting it staffed seeing that all our medical practitioners are running away to better paying and respected jobs and coming up with a better resolution to crime we are now speaking on expanding OKEU. What about investing in the Equipment necessary to do the job. Xray and MRI machines never working, etc
Pierre, you have been repeating the same thing over and over and there has been no different outcome. Do you know ? This is because you are not aware of the issues and you do not care to know. As usual you play the politics of the day. You only providing those assets because you want to pretend like you are doing something. Mr. Prime Minister, why don’t you hire the correct expertise to find the root cause of the issues affecting the police. Once you have that info, you can therefore apply solutions to your problem. I am sure top on you list will not be a lack of vehicles. It would have to do with the culture of the Police System. There is also a lack of motivation. These are issues which can be addressed and then all other problems will automatically be resolved. Stop your nonesense Mr. Prime Minister and do the right thing for the people. There is absolutely no reason to play petty politics at this point. The ship is currently sinking and the captain still says things are ok.
There are 10 fingers. Why not do the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th fingers also?!
This is a similar rehetoric as we have all heard for the last several years yet check the changes at hand!!! Roads disgrace, Crime is the worst it’s ever been an p******* DPP Green is still at the helm what the P**** is that? Please address Mr Verne Garde….How many doctors left last week 4 or 5? How many nurses?….? An u talking p******* extensions ……a friend was turned away from okeu hospital saying they have no beds a couple weeks ago and the person diedat Tapion this is a P******* DISGRACE!!! Yet red wants to just keep partying St Lucian’s back breaking funds into the volcano yes? Or no? S***
Mr Prime Minister, on crime I give you 1/10. The crime scourge requires more than just vehicles. It’s time to get serious and put the right tools to work to sort out this crime epidemic. You have been touting your record and bringing job figures down to almost single figures, tourism is up, implemented the minimum wage etc etc….but all this will come to nothing if the crime situation is not resolved. You must bring in technology and expertise to combat the level of crime and violence we have now. You must be strategic about this ..just providing vehicles is not going to improve the situation…
Infrastructure works always means millions in dollars of work for the chosen contractors. What do you think those contractors might do with a percentage of those, perhaps inflated’ direct awards? Might some of it find its way into campaign funding? Might some of it reach into certain PEP pockets? The tiny percentage of CIP money that will be spent should be on the basics and fundamentals first.
Prime Ministers Pierre just keep on doing and let the haters keep hating . You fund the police they hate you, you don’t fund the police they hate you even more. You plan to expand on the hospital they bawling dry tears nothing you try to accomplish positive they will still hate you pal so I implore you to just keep on doing for the people and just ignore these haters