CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says his administration will continue to empower the police “with all available resources” to deal with the increase in gun-related crimes, particularly among young people.
“We are committed to attacking that problem with all available resources and call on the support of the public and all social and non-government organizations,” Pierre said in his first national broadcast for the new year on Sunday night.
St. Lucia recorded 75 killings last year, with police classifying 70 of them as murders. The island recorded its first homicide for 2024 on Saturday night when a man sustained multiple gunshot wounds in Bexon, southeast of the capital.
Police said at least three gunmen kicked down the door and opened fire on the deceased, identified as Omar Francis, alias Kodak.
In his broadcast., Pierre said that his ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government “will continue to empower the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force with the technical, physical, and human resources they need to detect and solve criminal activity.”
He spoke of increased penalties for illegal possession of firearms. He urged members of society to “encourage values that will steer our youth from the false hope and gains of a life of crime to productive pursuits that will redound to the benefit of everyone.”
Pierre said that a timely dispensation of Justice would be improved with the construction of the new Hall of Justice during this fiscal year and the renovation and construction of police stations and “custody suites” for prisoners.
He also spoke of improving the timely dispensation of Justice Justice with the commencement of the construction of the new Halls of Justice during this fiscal year.
Regarding the economy, Pierre said the government would continue to grow the economy by empowering all sectors, noting, “Our tax reform and tax amnesty policies will be reviewed so that more disposable income will be placed in the hands of businesses and individuals.”
He reminded the nation that over EC$40 million (One EC dollar = 0.37 cents) in tax refunds had been processed between 2021 and 23 and that the government had removed withholding taxes on contracts of EC$40,000 and below.
“We will introduce legislation to encourage residents in the diaspora to return to open business ventures in our country,” Pierre said, adding “that legislation will include incentives and improvement in the granting of approvals and other processes.”
He said that the Minimum and Equal Wage Committee has submitted a draft report to the government and that “we expect to have further consultations with the private sector on the report.
“We expect to be able to implement a livable wage for workers across sectors in St. Lucia later this year, “Pierre said, adding, “We are very optimistic about the continued growth prospects for 2024.
“In 2024, we need to broaden our national discourse to include financial literacy, global economic events, national pride and identity, health lifestyles, reparations, and climate change, which is now viewed as an existential threat to human existence.”
But Prime Minister Pierre told the nation that “we must proceed with caution as there are some downside risks.”
He urged the population to muster the courage to put aside petty differences, recognize what binds them, show consideration for each other, and compassion for the less fortunate.
“Let us resolve in 2024 to reach out to each other with a greater sense of charity, love, understanding, and friendship. We must recognize that working together as one nation, one people, with a common purpose, is the only viable pathway for our country to attain inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable development.
“ We must resist the destructive forces of division and embrace the uplifting spirit of unity as we work together to build a more equitable and inclusive society,” Pierre said in his broadcast.
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