The Government of Saint Lucia has received a $5.09 million grant from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to support strategic development projects.
An Office of the Prime Minister release said the projects will benefit people and the local environment by strengthening capacity, improving climate resilience, and supporting economic development.
$1,358,450 million will go towards Climate Resilient Enhancement of Early Childhood Education in Saint Lucia, including rehabilitating strategic spaces to facilitate pre-kindergarten programmes.
The Taiwanese funding will also support the National Northern Cemetery Project.
In this regard, the Department of Housing and Local Government will receive $1,500,000 to address the existing shortage of burial space in the north of the island.
Approximately 40 acres of land at Deglos, Castries, has been vested to the Castries Constituencies Council (CCC) to construct the new National Northern Cemetery.
Upon completion, the National Northern Cemetery will have the capacity for up to 800 tombs.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism will receive $1,358,450 to construct the new Reduit Beach facilities in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet and upgrade existing facilities at Vigie Beach in Castries.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister release, the National Conservation Authority Project will cater to the needs of beachgoers and enthusiasts while creating economic activity and livelihood opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners.
The Ministry of Education will use $679,225 of the Taiwanese funds to improve school security, including installing CCTVs and alarm systems at various schools.
And $200,000 will support the planning, production, and execution of the 2025 Independence celebrations.
Prime Minister Pierre, on behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia, extended thanks to the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Ambassador Peter Chia-yen Chen for supporting Saint Lucia’s development goals.
Why do these useless politicians keep accepting money from the Taiwanese -Chinese? There is a saying which says ‘Be careful with Asians who come bearing gifts’. Asians will not give you money without wanting something back in return. There is no such thing as a free lunch or dinner. Taiwan have been giving St Lucia monies for a long time now. Our politicians have no compunction in accepting their largesse. Why can’t we create our own means of funding for projects on the island? Why does St Lucia have to keep whoring itself to these people who don’t like black folks?
Taiwan will not give you money for nothing. They expect our diplomatic support when it matters most. China wants to take back Taiwan and so our diplomatic support will be crucial at the UN. The more votes the Taiwanese have, the more support they will have garnered to stop this from happening. They are using St Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean to stop the Chinese in their tracks. The Taiwanese is not silly and so they keep patronising the island and keep treating St Lucia like a charity case. When will our leaders wake up and smell the coffee? Both political parties are guilty of allowing foreigners to meddle in our domestic affairs. These leaders don’t have a clue about running a country.
They found over a million dollars to give to Julien Alfred and now they are begging the Chinese-Taiwanese for money to offset projects in the country. Why did they have to give Julien so much money when she has sponsors assisting her financially? Last week I saw the tourism minister and his side kick at the World Travel market in London with Julien. Who is paying for this trip? I bet this must have cost an arm and a leg — This government needs to get it’s priorities right. The hospital needs to be fixed,,, People need food to eat and houses to live in. That should be priority. I hope they put the Taiwanese funds to good use. The Late Sir Arthur Lewis, who helped put an economic plan in place for Ghana back in 1956 after independence once declared ‘ We must not allow our politicians to go round the World begging for help’ These are very sapient words indeed. Let us do like the other countries and to develop a tax and service industry to help set up an economy that benefits all and to stop the begging — Stop going round with a begging bowl— St Lucia can do better than that…Stop being indolent and get off your behinds and do something meaningful for the island. I am appealing to all the politicians and the other powers that be.
While I must agree with some of the comments expressed above ,we must concur with the saying that ‘Beggers are not choosers !’ We can only enjoy the pleasure of self reliance ‘when we become self sufficient . That position on the world stage is laughable as we have not been able to engage in activities that enhance such . We are a people consumed by foolish pride , ignorance and laziness . We must learn to utilize the land to maximum capacity . We can grow crops to reduce the import bill, invest in the youth and ensure that they engage in meaningful activities to abate crime. I hate the political platform where REDS hate YELLOWS and nothing one party does appeals to the other . Where ever praise is due ,shower praise ! WE ARE ALL LUCIANS .WHERE ONE FAILS WE ALL FAIL .WHERE ONE WINS WE ALL WIN .. SO I END WITH THIS . I SALUTE PRIME MINISTER PHILIP J.PIERRE FOR ALL THE WORK HE HAS DONE FOR THE YOUTH AND THE POOR/DEPRIVED .HE IS NOT GOD .ONLY GOD IS ABLE TO MOVE MOUNTAINS . PRAY FOR 758.LUCIAN PRIDE !!!
Haha, this is why this guy wants to be back in power. Had he the one who received this money all will disappear just so.
Who is the geezer or bloke with the Prime Minister holding on to the Cheque? What is the Chinese man doing and what is his purpose in the picture? Should he not be the one handing the cheque over to the PM? But wait! Something ain’t adding up in this picture. Is this a personal cheque that the Taiwanese have given to these two? We need answers. The Taiwanese geezer is hardly being featured in this photo opportunity. It’s his government’s money after all and should be featured handing the cheque over.
St Lucia needs to stop depending on Taiwanese and Chinese largesse. These people are not going to give you a free lunch or brunch. They will want something in return and that is a fact. Year after year we have people coming in power promising to do things for the people and they continue to fail us miserably. I am sick to my back teeth of these revolving door politicians. They come in then they go out and do nothing to help the country. To say that they are useless would be an understatement. I don’t see what they are doing with the money. Some politicians use the aid money to fund their kid’s education abroad only for the kids to disappoint them after graduation and not return to St Lucia to help the country. Most of them stay abroad doing nothing and still have to depend on the politicians who send them there in the first place to fund their lifestyle in these foreign places.
I am imploring the government of St Lucia to stop depending on crumbs that falls off other countries tables. Cut the dependency and try to build an economy that is sound and fit for purpose. Stop depending on others to do for you what you should be doing for yourselves. Nuff said!!!!
Stop The Crap, it shows how immature you are. Had you been there in the time of Sir John you would never utter these nonsense. Compton uses to get grants and aids from donor agencies to build roads, schools, and other things and we all qwre happy. Now you don’t want help for the same island, how dummy you are.
Just an observation: Why is the Taiwanese ambassador so far off from the PM and his sidekick? Shouldn’t they all be together holding the cheque? The have left the poor man out after he gave them the cheque.. This picture is not doing justice to him at all. If I give you money I should be in the forefront as a mark of respect. He is almost shunned and shafted out of the picture. It is like saying thank you very much Mr Taiwanese, now go away we don’t want you anymore. Give the poor Chinese man some credit in this photo opportunity. He gave you the money please don’t get rid of him in a hurry.