Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire has mounted a strong defence of Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), calling it an important development tool while accusing the opposition of seeking to weaken public confidence for political gain.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, Hilaire, who oversees the CIP, rejected suggestions that the programme was responsible for Britain’s recent decision to impose visa requirements on Saint Lucian nationals.
He told the House that there is no evidence linking the CIP to an increase in asylum seekers or illegal workers in the UK.
“It is wrong to leave the impression that Saint Lucia’s CIP is responsible for this problem,” Hilaire said, noting that the government has repeatedly requested data from international partners to identify whether any individuals who obtained citizenship through the programme have been involved in such cases.
“If there are CIP citizens using Saint Lucia passports to claim asylum or to work illegally in the United Kingdom, then share the data with us. Tell us how many. Tell us who they are. Give us the information necessary to act,” he said.
According to Hilaire, the information needed to establish such claims has not been shared with the government, making it impossible to respond with precision to any alleged abuse.
Hilaire stressed that the programme plays a vital role in financing national development, particularly as traditional sources of development funding become increasingly scarce for small island states.
“CIP is not some political gimmick. It is not a vanity project,” he told the House. “It is a developmental tool.”
He said revenues generated by the programme help fund infrastructure and community projects that might otherwise be beyond a country like Saint Lucia’s means.
“No country is providing the grants we need. No country is building the infrastructure we need in this country of ours,” Hilaire said.
He pointed to roads, bridges, water supply projects, community facilities, small business grants, youth initiatives and housing programmes as examples of national development supported by funds from the programme.
“When you attack this programme irresponsibly, you are not attacking a line item on paper,” he said. “You are attacking a source of opportunity for the people of Saint Lucia.”
Hilaire also delivered a pointed rebuke to the opposition United Workers Party, accusing it of spreading misinformation and attempting to damage the country’s reputation abroad.
“At a time when Saint Lucia required seriousness, patriotism and maturity, the party opposite has once again chosen sabotage,” he said.
He accused opposition figures of using the issue to score political points rather than supporting efforts to strengthen the programme and protect the country’s international standing.
“They continue to put party before country,” Hilaire said. “They continue to applaud when Saint Lucia faces difficulty and treat global challenges for our people as an opening for political advantage.”
Despite the criticism, the minister said the government remains focused on cooperation with international partners to ensure the integrity of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and to address any potential concerns.
“We will continue to work with our international partners to strengthen our programme and ensure that it remains a benefit to the people of Saint Lucia,” Hilaire said.
To be honest, I don’t really believe that a person planned to be an asylum seeker in the UK or other country would first invest at least USD100k and now USD240k in Saint Lucia. Is it sounds rationale? That amount of money can do a lot more or even consider better alternative methods.
And I don’t think then it would be an easy way to solve the problem, if it is “local” Saint Lucians applying for the refugee status in the UK. It means the government may got more things need to tackle locally.
God bless Saint Lucia, and her sons and daughters.
Politicians would destroy the entire planet for their own selfish agendas.
Many are cares where money is concerned, but up to this day there is no connecting flight via Martinique to st lucia or
How’s that an opportunity for the ppl of St. Lucia when they don’t even know how much money is being raked in? The ppl of Dominica could say that because there are so many projects being developed thru this program, however in St. Lucia that’s NOT the case.
Hillaire who is the lawyer for the CIP? please answer that
There have been accusations of discounting in the CIP program. One company in particular was accused and had it’s contract ‘suspended’ before having to face a court case. There have been cases worldwide of criminals surfacing with Caribbean passports. These charachters cannot get on a plane to the UK without a passport. With a St. Lucian one they could get to a port of entry and then claim assylum. In the world of gambling, drugs, human trafficking and stolen luxury cars, paying US $50,000 to $100000 for a passport is small change. Even immigrants illegally crossing the English Channel are paying US$10,000 to get into the UK to claim asylum, from safe France, sometimes just to link up with family.
Take every thing from me and let me live in st lucia the safest place under the wings of GOD, a refugee means (exilé),means you have deprived of going back to your country, LORD i want to die sweet with you (JESUS so that my bones may burried in st lucia