Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has urged Saint Lucians to take hurricane preparedness seriously, warning that a natural disaster poses the greatest threat to the country’s progress.
Speaking at Monday’s weekly Cabinet press briefing, Pierre said while the opposition United Workers Party continues to criticise his administration’s policies, his primary concern lies with the oncoming hurricane season.
“This country is on such a good trajectory… I pray to God that we have no natural disaster,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the island is “poised in a very good position”.
Pierre pointed to a slate of government initiatives, including tuition and exam fee waivers, infrastructure upgrades and scholarships, as evidence of national progress. “My fear is not the opposition. The people will deal with the opposition. My fear is a natural disaster,” he said.
Citing the devastation he witnessed firsthand in Grenada and Dominica during previous storms, Pierre urged residents to take early precautions by clearing drains, trimming overhanging trees and preparing for emergencies.
He also called on Saint Lucia’s youth to critically engage with political discourse. “I want young people in particular, because the young people are the ones who are cynical, the young people are the ones who have no fixed party affiliation; young people are the ones who vote for policy, who vote for performance; I want the young people in particular to listen to these performances. Listen to what comes out of these platforms,” he said.
The opposition has continued to press the Pierre administration on several fronts, raising questions about the use of National Lotteries Authority funds and criticising the management of unemployment, food prices and economic data. But in addition to policy critiques, some opposition figures have drawn attention for their use of personal jabs and taunts.
At a United Workers Party public meeting in Gros Islet on Sunday, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet opened his remarks with anecdotes about walking through various constituencies and hearing ministers referred to by alternate, often feminine, nicknames. “I know that in Castries North there was a ‘Stephenson Queen,’” he said, before adding, “When I was in Castries Central, the name I was hearing was ‘Fredericka!’,” an apparent reference to Minister Richard Frederick that drew laughter from the crowd.
Pierre, however, brushed off the remarks and wider criticisms as political “noise”, reiterating his administration’s initiatives in education, infrastructure and sports development.
Mr. Pierre I am in full support with what you said. Though we the Cepals were not supporters of Labor, but now most of us have a change of heart. As long as cousin Guy is at the forefront of UWP, there is no way it can win the next election. Instead they talk about new policy they will introduced if they win they are talking about bolom and lajables. Isn’t that a shame.
Pierre just keep doing…..at this critical juncture we have so much to deal with . Food is not cheap anywhere… not in America nowhere, if t.he war start up again (and it will) the whole world will be starving
@John Cepal you refer to Guy as your cousin but I smell jealousy.Keep your opinion to youself.I dont want to know who you supporting or not cause your family alone cannot determine the outcome of any election,neither whether Guy will win or lose.
The PM refuses to make a statement or comment is he does not make reference to the Opposition,check this one for example which I believe is serious.If he expects all St.Lucians to listen and take heed of what he says, he needs to stop that politricking cause he suppose to be PM to all not to some.