Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has reaffirmed his deep connection with the people of Castries East, telling residents of Bagatelle that “the relationship between me and the people of my constituency is a supreme relationship”.
During a public community meeting on November 18, he said many “do not understand what you mean to me and what I mean to you”, emphasising that his work as both Prime Minister and parliamentary representative directly improves their daily lives.
During his address, Pierre revealed the impact of government programmes designed to ease financial burdens on families.
Pierre noted that no one in the community pays facility fees, explaining that “the government of Saint Lucia pays facility fees for everybody, including people from Marchand, including people from Castries East.”
He added that CXC exam fees, previously a major concern for parents, are now covered.
“Before you would have to come and say, help me pay [for] CXC. Now we pay CXC for children,”, with four subjects funded and plans to expand to five or more.
Pierre also highlighted improvements in healthcare access, urging men to get screened for prostate cancer and pointing out that “you must get your Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test” and that the blood test is available “free of charge because of the Saint Lucia Labour Party”.
He echoed the same message to women, encouraging them to access cervical cancer screening, saying, “go and get a pap smear. Because of labour, you can get it free”.
The Prime Minister reminded residents of the major infrastructure work completed under his tenure, stating that “every major project in Castries East was done by me”. Among these, he referenced the construction of the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) and the Marchand Police Station.
He also announced what he described as a highly anticipated project for Bagatelle, a modern multipurpose court and community centre valued at nearly $4 million.
“I’m the one who will give you what you always wanted, the court at Bagatelle,” he said, noting that it will be “one of the most modern courts in Saint Lucia”, supporting netball, basketball, volleyball, and lawn tennis.
Pierre stressed his continued investment in the community, telling residents that he has “never deserted the people of Bagatelle” and that ongoing developments are designed to make life “more comfortable in Bagatelle.”
He assured them that improvements would continue as part of his long-term vision for Castries East.
