The Briefing Room (September 21st 2026)

Heat. Heat. everyone and welcome to the live stream of our pre cabinet press briefing today Monday the 21st of September. My name is Ky and our first speaker this morning is the minister with responsibility for physical development and public utilities the honorable Good morning colleagues >> and um please allow me to thank you for your patience um thus far since taking office. I think this is the first time I'm having an interaction with you all lovely people and um I really appreciate that you all have been patient with me as I learned my new portfolios understood the offices that um are within my purview. Um I want to assure you all that this is the beginning of um a relationship within the media and myself. Um we will not be able to discuss all what's happening within such exciting portfolios in one press briefing. So today I think um I want to give you all that assurance that I will make myself available more frequently that we'll have discussions and we can be updated on what's happening within ministries. Okay. So last week Thursday you all would have um probably been some of you may have been at the ceremony for the launching of the ninth water project and um it's a very important project. It's a project that is going to change a lot of things for Wasco and that n project it deals specifically with the raw water pipeline coming from the John Compton dam and we know we have heard that that pipeline has been leaking quite a bit of water and like I said at the ceremony we have patched it and we've patched it and we've patched the patches. All right. So it's a welcome initiative and if we understand the water situation of Wasco, people are not happy when we have a water shortage and Wasco recognizes that. But the level of investment that has been put in there is going to take a while to be achieved, to be realized. So this raw water pipeline essentially is going to preserve a lot more water. So we'll be moving a lot more water from from the John Compton dam and into the table treatment plant. Now that Tibles treatment plant is down for renovation and rehabitation as well because we have just about four filters working at that plant. So you could imagine I just want you all to envision that when we move all of this water near 50% of that water going into the ground non-revenue water that's going into the ground that will now be coming to the treatment plants and then we're going to improve the capacity of the plants get all 10 filters working so then we can have more water processed more water treated more water available to the general public or specifically to the people within the north where this this um pipe serves So we're going to see an improvement there. At the same time you all would have realized that we started work on the northern um pipeline. That northern pipeline people spoke about diesel. A lot of people have spoken stop me and say minister what are you doing about dal in the north? We can do dal and improve the situation. But if the water that we presently put in the system is coming from our rivers. It's called surface water. It's the cheapest source that you can get. When you're going to tackle diesel now, you will be tackling a a water that you get at a more expensive cost. Your raw material is becoming more expensive. So, do you move from a cheaper water source and put a more expensive commodity into a leaking pipeline? I don't think that's the best way for us to move forward. So, what we did, we tackled the northern pipeline project and it's ongoing. as you drive past on that road going to Gasilla, you'll see there's large blue pipes laid along the um along the road there. So, when we get this pipeline replaced, right now terms of reference are being looked into, being developed so we could um move forward with requests for proposals at some point. So, then we'll do request for proposals for the diesel that people speak of. You understand? But I don't think it would have been wise for us to start moving with dalination or any other source that's more expensive than what we currently have and put it into a leaking pipeline because we had over 43% of that water in the northern pipeline being leaked out. So if we repair this pipeline and the water is secure, it's there to be used now. We could put a more expensive resource into that pipeline. So I hope that clarifies that. Um um okay. So what what what are the what what what else are we doing for water in in St. Lucia? We're doing the raw water John Compton raw water line. We're doing the tables treatment plant. We're doing the northern pipeline. But as we speak, we have the Pacas project ongoing as well. Now Pacas is an area. It's not that they're missing water, you know, the water is there, but the water, you see, when it rains, it becomes very very murky. It's not it's not really usable because there was no treatment plant. So, we have now Wasco has secured a treatment plant. The treatment plant has been brought down. It's on site. Looseleg has put in the electrical infrastructure. And right now, WASCO is doing the plumbing, doing the necessary installation that is required. And we are hoping that we can give our friends in Mikud a better water supply, better quality of water before Christmas. So the people of Pasian should get a nice Christmas gift with with better water quality. So that when you put all these projects together, you'll notice that I don't speak about my constituency. And I want people to understand Wasco. We cannot look at any pocket of Wasco in isolation. In recent years, Wasco has done um improvements in Denry to the facility there at um Bosu in View for which serves the south a large part of the south and the Delair treatment plant is not a bad plant. It serves quite a bit of of um Shiselle. So Wasco needs to increase its revenue and Wasco is looking at that in a manner that they need to do their best to stop the non revenue water stop the leakages that I have to make you all understand them my colleagues when we talk about the tariff what people will say the bills I want to remind you all that prime minister in his wisdom made sure that Wasco doesn't regulate its own self. So Wasco cannot determine what the water rates are supposed to be. That's entrusted to the National Utilities Regulatory Commission. And oversight for this resides with the Minister, the senior minister, Minister for the Public Service and Utilities Regulation. So he would be best placed to discuss this to tell you where they're at because WASCO has applied for a tariff review. But um an update can always be provided by uh my colleague minister on that. A similar thing has happened with when we look at public utilities in the in much the same way the electricity bill for instance which is under electricity policy that resides with minister Edward who is um minister with responsibility for infrastructure ports and energy. So he deals with the energy policy parts of things. So for me I deal with the projects and the operations of the utilities. So, I just wanted to guide you all so you all understand very well where we're at and how how it's um um the responsibilities are shared. But I know I know that the people in St. Lucia, the people in the north are concerned about water, rightly so. And we want to reinforce our efforts about urging people to do rainwater harvesting. And rainwater harvesting, we we we sometimes think rainwater harvesting has to just be a blue drum outside of your house, you know, with something dropping, not controlled or anything of that sort. Rainwater harvesting can be so much more. Rainwater harvesting can be done properly. It can develop a people with more hygiene, better hygiene, ensuring that your roof is always clean and you know you have no debris coming down into your gutters and things of that sort. And rainwater harvesting is not it doesn't have to be just non-putable water. We need to get that out of our minds. We need to start thinking of systems that we can put in place that can do some level of water treatment after we harvest that water and we can look at developing systems where we can incorporate the rainwater with the Wasco water complement each other. as we speak within the Ministry of Physical Development. You all may not know, but our legal minds down there have already drafted um policy that will make it a requirement that moving forward at some point for you to get approval for house house plants that you would have to have a rainwater harvesting system. And that is because it's not just about complimenting Wasco. Yes, it will augment. It can. But it's to develop a different culture, a culture of sustainability and the world over water problems are not only facing St. Lucia. Water has become scarce around the globe. So we need to understand that we need to change our mindset how we use water. We need to use water more efficiently and we have to understand the benefits of rainwater harvesting. As a government, we preach it because we know the value that can come from it. People living on in a slope or on a slope. Sometimes you see that the runoff from the roof it's not managed. Water is not channeled properly. And this is the same water when you have 10 roofs coming together. That water is what causes the soil to get destabilized. So rainwater harvesting can actually contribute to soil stabilization because we have a lot of areas where developments have happened that has that have not been planned in the best way. So we want to encourage a culture where people will be more responsible, people will use things more efficiently and people don't have to depend on a utility. people can be more self- sustainable that is not just in water but that can be across various sectors. So I wanted to share with you um this with your colleagues because I know that the water situation is of great concern to residents and businesses and and the whole of St. Lucia. So when we do the improvements at Wasco with the raw water pipeline, John Compton dam, northern pipeline, more water into our systems, it means that our meters are spinning more frequently, more availability for people, the revenue stream will increase. When the revenue stream increases, there's nothing saying that because 58% of the of the population is benefiting from the raw water pipeline that the revenue is only for this 58% of St. Lucia. When Wasco has revenue, Wasco can now undertake improvements in shel and view for all around the island. So we have to stop looking at it in isolation. We have to realize that Wasco is trying to get into a better place into a better place. We are looking at the terms of reference for the request for proposals for the DSAL. We are also exploring drilling, looking at underground water harvesting. All of this is being looked at because we are not closing our minds. We are opening our minds to every possibility. Every aquifer we could tap into and we can help serve the people of St. solution a little better. We are exploring that. So I wanted to give you all that reassurance when it comes to water. Okay. So having said that about water, I don't know how interested you all are in what you call renewable energy or if you all are not interested in that at all. No comments. something that your question. >> No. Well, well um let me just tell you a bit because you see geothermal exploration is now ongoing in the saltus forjac and bell plane area and it's quite advanced the team have they've been able to procure people to develop an entire project team right so we have a project implementation unit and um there's pairhead in the program so They have actually done quite a bit of consultation with the people at the various locations and you may not even know that um this project it's a World Bank um project and World Bank funded project and there are so many requirements by the World Bank that has to be met and um farmers who are on the lands that have been identified for exploration. these farmers sometimes have to be displaced and when these farmers have to be displaced there is a process. So it's not just about putting someone out of their property and um moving forward with the project. So so far there are two families that have been displaced and homes are being built for them that's under construction as we speak. One in Saltus and one in Belelfy there. So we have the project coming on and it's going to be a project that um will have some level of civil works. You will have roads being built, roads being expanded to provide access to the different places where we have to develop what you call well pads. So well pads have to be put in place and that is what the the rig the drilling rig will sit on for for the drilling to happen and to see what type of resource that we're going to have down underneath because we really don't know. We look at the volatility in fuel prices. Fuel prices are changing all of the time and we are victim to it. So what do we do? Do we just stay there and do nothing about it? No, we are doing the exploration in geothermal because if we can harness a good resource, we can actually stabilize the cost of electricity moving forward. It may not mean that electricity comes down to be dirt cheap but when you know that you're going to pay a price consistently because last year at this time many people did not know they would be paying the rate they're paying for electricity right now. Now when you cannot budget, you have a business, you have a family, you cannot budget, you have a lot of of problems as you navigate forward. If we get a good resource for the geothermal exploration, what is going to do for us? It's going to allow us to have less volatility. So we're going to have basically a fixed price. If we have renewable energy penetration, even if it's photovoltaic, even if it's wind, whatever form that presents, whatever form that we can use, we can utilize and get a good resource for people, we going to explore it. But geothermal is ongoing. So there's the civil works component, there's the well pad installation component. And in that drilling, they're also going to be drilling for water as well. Because in the drilling, you need water in the whole process. Right. And you you I I would really like for us to take um a field trip at some point for you to see what's happening on the ground because we've in collaboration with UI, we have had several seismic monitoring systems installed in the area and that's what is what it's doing. Even houses that are 300 m plus or or 300 m or less to a proposed drill site, these houses are being assessed. So when the drilling happens, if someone were to make a report that you know X Y and Zed has happened to my house, at least you've done an assessment and then you can look at it versus what exists currently and say well make a determination as to if this is substantiated or not. In the very same way, the seismic monitor is there. So if there's any activity or if there's any complaint by a resident, you could review the data there and see if there's any activity that corresponds with the reports from the seismic monitoring system. So it's it's been done with a lot of um collaboration, a lot of consultation. I believe on Thursday um there will be a consultation in the Sufra region and that has been ongoing. The people can tell you the farmers who have been displaced um these persons some of them have gotten compensated already. These are requirements that are there in the process. So it's not left um for choice. When I say choice I don't mean choice. Yeah. So there are guidelines that govern the whole the whole um undertaking and I am really excited the team down there I know they're trying their best. They've done the procurements. Um actually the bidding process is just getting closed right now. They have put out those beads and they're looking at bringing people on board so work can really start soon enough. Soon enough. So I just wanted to let you all know that the government of St. solution is seriously exploring the geothermal potential and we need to know what resource we have there because we don't know until we do the drilling and that is the the thinking behind it is that that can be an alternative to the fossil fuels and the the volatility that it brings. So I hope you could understand that. >> Yes. >> Good. Good morning minister. Just about three questions from me. you said quite a bit um this morning, >> but with regards to water reliability, I know that you alluded to um all of the projects or some of the projects that uh your ministry has undertaken with regards to addressing, you know, the water supply shortages, but there is always this concern that these avenues are not merely sustainable. For instance, um the pipelines, we'd want to be assured that these are durable and there is longevity in whatever it is that we're undertaking. So, what assurances can you give St. Illusions that the investments that we are making um with regards to um improving the water supply in St. Lucia is really a tangible investment and it is durable and sustainable. >> What's your name again? >> Kishana Smith from Troy. >> Miss Smith. M you know the the one of the things that that amazes me most about St. Lucia is our technical ability. You understand we have some of the best engineers in this world you know >> not withstanding with 248 square miles and our teams really put the effort in to make sure that they get it right. the pipeline that raw water pipeline that's laying down there even the northern pipeline but the raw water pipeline has been down there for over 40 years over 40 years and it has served us well we are not just putting in the same pipeline it's been upgraded and all of the technical specifications would have been looked at to ensure that it is industry standard we need to maintain the industry standard so whatever quality standards have to be maintained that is taken into consideration. We have done the land acquisition to ensure that where we're going to put in these pipes, it becomes Wasco's property or government's property. And there is no reason why any private entity supposed to develop or tamper with this land in that area. So we have minimized our exposure for third party damages to happen, >> right? We have ensured that we keep to the industry standards as we move forward. And I will tell you I I was a bit shocked when I learned about these pipes and the cost because if you go down to Sufra Bhuton, you always see a blue pipe running along the along the road. It's surface. It's above ground and that is called a duct ion pipe. But if you see the cost of the project versus putting laying PVC into a trench, it's astronomical. It really changes the cost of a project. But Wasco is saying that when we go and do work in these areas, especially around the John Compton dam in that area, it's a snake infested area and it's kind of cross country. They don't want to put in an inferior pipe there because it doesn't serve them well. So they have argued and they have proposed the best solution to go in this area because they want to lay down and they want to lay down for quite a few generations to benefit from. So you can rest assured Miss Smith that the pipe that's going there are going to leave you and I and probably our grandchildren. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, with regards to rainwater harvesting, your government has really advocated for rainwater harvesting, but is your ministry prepared to really drive that message across, be it through, you know, awareness campaigns and really showing people, you know, the merit in water harvesting and perhaps the most effective avenues or ways that we can go about pursuing rainwater harvesting. >> Good question. And not just the ministry, you know, Wasco, if you if you look at the social media and the television advertisements, you've seen that Wasco has been advertising and doing that advocacy for rainwater harvesting because Wasco understands that they need people to have some level of reliability with their water supply at home and the coverage is not 100% everywhere. It will take some time to get there. So, Wasco has supported um they had a tank initiative a few years back where they actually provided payment plans to people that they could have gotten tanks. So, Wasco is all for rainwater harvesting like I told you to show as a ministry that we are serious about rainwater harvesting. We have the policy drafters downstairs, our legal minds, and they have drafted a policy. It's under review right now and we hope that it can take effect that when you're applying for approvals into your homes or other buildings that the rainwater harvesting will become a requirement moving forward. >> Wonderful. >> That's how serious we are. >> Nice. And finally for me it's perhaps our first interaction since you assumed office back in December. Um what has it been like? You know I know that you carried the portfolio for um physical development and public utilities. What has been perhaps your biggest accomplishment between December and now? Well, I would say that um it has really been encouraging to see the support that I've received from the teams both at physical development and at public utilities. I mean, I came into this coming from um Lucille electrical background, nothing to do with land. And um at another press briefing, I hope that we can speak a lot more on physical development itself, but um it's been a a steep learning curve. There's been a lot to learn and that's why I'm very thankful for your patience as we as I adjusted um to the new portfolio but the teams have worked with me and they have shared information they have helped me understand the industry at Wasco well lucid not so much because I had been there so I understand it quite well and probably that's the reason why I have this passion for the renewable energy and um I wanted to mention the geothermal exploration that's going on down there because I think it's a real opportunity to change things around for St. Lucia. So the team experience has been the primary thing for me. Um my cabinet colleagues have also been very very supportive. Prime Minister has been um almost like um I would not say a father but you know doing some handholding to ensure that you navigate the corridors of government quite well. coming from the private sector into the public public sector, you have to learn the structure of government and there's quite a bit that I had to learn. But I am excited to be able to deliver for the people of St. Lucia. People look at Wasco as a challenge, as a problem. I look at Wasco as my single best opportunity to turn things around. I'm very optimistic about it. Um, I look at the geothermal project and the renewable energy projects that we come in on stream with as we move forward as opportunities to stabilize the cost of energy on island. That would be a great accomplishment if we can tick away the volatility every time something goes wrong in some other part of the world. But it's been it's been um um I've been most grateful for the team effort that exists within the utilities and within the ministry. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Morning >> minister. >> Morning Kim. >> Yes. Good morning. >> Yes. It's good to see somebody from Chroelle part of the team. >> Likewise. Um so my publication solution times we've been visiting um a series of communities for um the past year and it's one thing to say that there are water challenges and it's a completely different thing to actually go in there and see >> what the everyday life looks like for um some of those people and some of them have even tried to utilize the rainwater harvesting um but even that is presenting its own set of challenges. So to people that look at last week's announcement on Thursday and look at maybe another five to six years down the line for a reliable source of water. Um what do you say to them and what they're going through and looking at that that timeline? >> Yes. You see the government of um St. Lucia Karim and thanks for that. The government of St. Lucia we could only do so much through policy interventions. we can help, we can assist people. So, we have removed the VAT, we have removed, you know, um a lot of the the overheads that were there on tanks, on guttering, the taxes, we have removed that because we understand that if we can lower the cost to the average person, we can get more penetration, more persons actually buy into the program, buy into the philosophy of rainwater harvesting. We are also looking at a program to assist even more people. A draft was done and then the figures that were that were looked at there the number of persons that it would have reached we felt that it was it was not adequate. So we wanted that to be reworked that the cost of installation and things of that sort could have gone down so we could have had more people benefiting. And I understand the reality of the of the some of the persons and I want to assure them that we are not going to fix Wasco overnight. We implore their patience. We ask that they're patient with us, but we asking them seriously to do what they can. Do what they can. The rainwater harvesting is probably one of the cheapest ways that they can have water on site. It doesn't have to be portable water but it can be water that you use for washing for use for other services than drinking. A lot of persons right now don't even use Wasco for drinking. Many many persons you understand they use treated water and bottled water. And at some point, Karim, I'm going to show people. I'm going to visualize it because you know, you know, Wasco applied for a a tariff review, a rate review, and that is for the nook to decide, but have you all ever looked at you hold a five gallon um bottle of water? Several companies put them together and it I think it's in the region of $25 thereabouts $25 five gallons retails a,000 gallons of water at less than $25 you know now a thousand gallons of water I wish I could have held a tank a thousand gallon tank next to a five gallon >> water bottle and we we can start to put things in context and see the amount we pay in Wasco for water. If we can pay $25 for five gallons, is it right that we're paying less than $25 for a,000 gallons? You understand? So, there are some interventions that are needed there. There is a lot that um that we can do individually. The rainwater harvesting is one. Efficiency is another one. Let's not waste in in electricity, in energy. It does not help you when you waste. If you're going to put a PV system on your house, for instance, and then the installer comes and he tells you that that PV system is going to cost you $50,000, the installer is telling you that based on your energy audit, you would have done an energy audit for you and see how much energy using in that house. Now, if you were to target energy efficiency and make your home a lot more energy efficient, it means that your energy demands would lessen. Your energy demands lessen, it means you need a lower capital investment to operate, to function. So, we need to develop a culture where we are self- sustainable and where we're efficient. So, I ask the people to be patient. We are working towards making a better utility. Um, and just my final question, um, I know you spoke, well, you've spoken about the projects and the expectation is that once they're done, we could see a little bit more of a reliable, um, >> water supply. >> Water supply, >> but also looking at um, even the data provided by Wasco, >> we're starting to see a production level. So, we're not collecting as much water as we used to. some systems who that would have collected water in the past actually some of them collecting no water for for periods of time >> so how do we tackle that particular issue because I mean if you fix the system and then >> there's way less water um what happens what happens there >> so you see at at some locations around St. Wasco does what you call chlorination basic treatment very very um easy treatment of water at Passians for instance you would get poor availability when it rains because of turbidity but we have acquired a treatment plant that will go in there that can do the processing and even when it rains even if it comes in turbid you will be able to bring the water out at a quality that you can provide provide it all the time. We are also now I need to also mention something I me I mentioned utilities regulation but I need to mention that people have to understand Wasco's mandates has a responsibility to distribute and manage the water supply provide portable water however is not the one that's just going to tap into a water source if we are going to open up a new water source has to get authorization from the um water resource management authority what they call the WMA that resides with ministry of agriculture and sustainable development. So sometimes people think that Wasco can just go to the Zeno River and just take water and provide to people. That's not the way it works. The source has to be opened by the WMA. And the same way the source is open by the can say I have reason to close a source X Y and Z reason. So what are we doing? We are helping identify other sources of water. Just over the weekend I was speaking to a gentleman who was pointing me to a very big aquifer on island. now if his information is right and we're going to look into it. We're going to speak to our friends at the WMA so they can do some level of verification to see if there's actually that resource how we could tap into it and how we can serve the people of St. Lucia better. We also mentioned that we put out working on the terms of reference soon to open up um for proposals for the dalination. That's another source that we we're looking at. So if we do rainwater harvesting on an individual level, we do exploration um with our aquifers, we are able to get underground water. We also trying to protect our waterersheds as much as possible. There was a program just recently where they planting they're going to be planting around the wersheds because we we and you are right Karim where we've gotten to today is a lot of a lot of the problems we have to take personal responsibility you know a lot of the we saw the Maki River dry people would that's unheard of because it's the same water sources serving an expanding nation a developing ing nation, a growing nation. It's the same waterersheds we're trying to protect that you get sometimes farmers going and they deforest to do gardens and then they wonder why the waterersheds are not as productive. So as a government we have to look at protecting these waterersheds and policy will will help us achieve that. So I think if we look at every other option diesel, underground water, rainwater harvesting, we protect our waterersheds, we look at efficiency in using water, I think we can position ourselves to move forward in a more sustainable manner. >> Okay. One question for me, the diling of the John Compton dam, wouldn't that solve all of our issues? And where are we with the diling? >> No. So we have what you call a PPP that we're working with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to look at and that PPP is to to see if it's the best option for Wasco to move forward. Right in that proposal, we'll be looking at a more comprehensive undertaking that will involve a study of the John Compton dam as well. There were se several persons coming forth with ideas but it has been tackled before. It apparently did not go very well and we want to ensure that when we going to create another project we're going to do it right because a lot of persons are not very happy with what went on with the John Compton dam before. Now I'm not going to go down the John Compton dam right now to be quite honest and the reason why is because I want to speak about a proposal and move forward with one. So I don't want to say that this was not done well without proposing a way to move forward better. So I know that that that's within the scope the terms of reference for the PPP. They're looking at that as well. So we will get to that point at some point. But if you go to the joint comandom right now, I don't think I don't know that we have so much of a problem with the availability, you know, and the capacity that's there. Even if you need some some um cleaning and distilling, but when you have all of the water, 50% of the water just leaking out, you you get what I'm saying? It doesn't matter if you put more storage there, you'll still get half of it leaking out. So we need to address the leaks that we can contain our resource into the system that we have to distribute around the the island. You understand? At the same time we are also working with different um private sector partners who want to develop systems that they can they can kind of um take on their own water production. Some companies are looking at that and in certain areas if that happens it's going to offload the Wasco system heavily and the residential um aspect of of of distribution can be served a lot better or a lot better. So we are looking at every every aspect of it my friend. Okay. >> Thank you very much. Have a blessed week. >> Okay. All right. Remains unresolved for years. Victims wait for closure. Accused persons remain in legal uncertainty and pressure on the justice system increases. Parliament has passed the plea bargaining bill to provide another legal route for suitable criminal cases to be resolved sooner. So how will it work? Plea bargaining is a formal process. The accused person accepts responsibility and agrees to plead guilty. The prosecution may then withdraw a charge, recommend a lesser offense, or make a recommendation about sentencing. However, a guilty plea does not automatically guarantee a lighter sentence. There are three important safeguards. First, the agreement must be voluntary. The accused person must understand the charge, the terms of the agreement, and the consequences. written authorization from the director of public prosecutions is also required. Second, the victim or an authorized representative must be given an opportunity to express their views before an agreement is reached. And third, every agreement must go before a judge or magistrate. The court may accept it, reject it, or impose a different sentence in accordance with the law. Plea bargaining will not replace criminal trials and it will not apply automatically to every case. It provides another regulated route to timely justice. The accused must accept responsibility. Victims must be heard. The courts have the final say. A judge or magistrate must be satisfied that the accused person understands the charge, the agreement, and its consequences. The court can accept or reject the agreement and is not bound by a sentencing recommendation. Plea bargaining will not replace criminal trials or solve every challenge facing the courts. It provides another regulated route through which suitable cases may be resolved sooner while protecting the rights of the accused, recognizing the voice of victims and keeping the final decision in the hands of the court. When a criminal covers approved solar components, including panels, inverters, and batteries, as well as The cost of installing the system zero rated means VAT is charged at 0%. It does not mean the equipment or installation is free. St. Lucia imports the fuel it uses. When fuel prices rise overseas, the effects are felt here at home. Government continues to provide fuel relief, but that cannot be the only response. Removing VAT from solar equipment and installation can lower the cost of getting started and give more households and businesses an opportunity to consider solar energy. The 5-year period also gives you time to plan, save, and explore financing options. Government is helping St. Lucian manage fuel cost today while making it easier to consider another energy option for the future. thinking about >> solar energy less costly for households and businesses as part of a wider push to reduce St. Lucia's dependence on imported fuel. When fuel prices rise overseas, we fill it here at home. So, increasing our use of solar and other renewable energy sources can help reduce the vulnerability over time. government has been helping to soften the impact of higher international energy prices by subsidizing cooking gas and collecting less tax on fuel. So far this fiscal year, those interventions have had an estimated of 44.9 million EC dollar impact on the public finances. Those measures help to cushion the impact when prices rise. But government is also tackling the problem from another direction. Helping St. Lucia rely less on imported fuel over time. During Tuesday's sitting of the House of Assembly, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Honorable Philip G. Pierre secured approval for a 5-year extension of VAT relief on specified solar photovoltaic system components and installation services. The VAT relief is only one part of the approach. Government is advancing measures on three fronts. The electricity act enacted in July provides a new framework for households and businesses to generate solar energy. The 5-year VAT extension reduces the tax burden on specified solar photovoltaic system components and installation services. Government is also advancing changes to the income tax act to extend deductions for qualifying expenditure on the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic systems through 2031. Together the three measures work on different sides of the same challenge. The electricity act creates the framework to participate. The VAT relief reduces the upfront tax cost and the proposed income tax changes provide further relief on the investment. >> There's a movement in the entire world particularly countries that do not produce fossil fuels to look for alternative means of energy. Mr. speaker and these two alternative means are usually the sun, solar or the wind. Mr. Speaker, St. Lucia spends a tremendous amount of foreign exchange on the import of fossil fuels. And Mr. Speaker, anytime there are changes in the oil in the price of oil, the people of St. Lucia suffer, Mr. Speaker. Fact is, Mr. Speaker, St. Lucia has absolutely no control over the price of fuel. No control over the cost of fuel, Mr. Speaker, and by extension, no control over the price of fuel. So, every time there is any instability in the world, the people of St. Lucia suffer. For households, the measures are intended to reduce some of the costs associated with investing in solar energy. For businesses, lower energy costs can leave more resources for investment and expansion. Greater use of solar energy can also create opportunities for electricians, installers, technicians, and local businesses providing solar energy services. And I want to say to the people of this country that we will always in our transition to solar energy, we will always protect the lower income people in this country who can't afford solar panels etc. We will always protect them. Mr. Speaker, it's our singular duty that we are proud of. The same way we are going to we are going to support all the institutions that deal with the people in this country who are underserved, who have low income or who do not enjoy the quality of life that we all want to enjoy. >> The move also has a regional dimension. As chairman of Caraccom, Prime Minister Pier is also championing greater resilience as Caribbean economies face many of the same pressures from imported energy and the rise in global prices. For St. Lucia, the goal is to become less vulnerable each time global fuel prices rise by making it easier and less costly for households and businesses to generate energy from a source. The country has in abundance the sun. The government and welcome back. And our next speaker this afternoon is the minister with responsibility for economic development and the youth economy, the honorable William. Minister, >> good afternoon. >> How are we today? >> Give us your hand. You happy that I'm here? >> I'm happy to be here, too. I was invited last week before by one of the cameramen standing behind there. So, I'm simply honoring my uh my my commitment to him. But I I thought this morning would be important to just remind the parents and guardians of the young people of St. Lucia and indeed the young people of St. Lucia that the youth economy is alive and well and kicking. As a matter of fact, um so far we've issued probably about 3,000 um grants totaling probably about 14.2 million. We've also trained uh just over,200 young people of St. Lucia and and we believe that the youth economy is such a significant um tool in our economic arsenal. The truth of the matter is when we are to have a very serious conversation, we're not making any more children in St. Lucia, we have an aging population. If we don't get the relationship and that situation of the young people of St. Lucia correct, we are going to be in significant trouble. This is not just politics creating a space for young people to to turn their hobbies into entrepreneurial skills. It's also a line of defense for the future of this country. If we do not get this situation right, we as a country, not just the politicians, as a country will be in a very difficult situation going forward. So I urge every young person in St. Lucia, forget the politics, forget what you're hearing on social media. If you approach the Youth Economy Agency with an idea, with an initiative, you will get the assistance. And it has nothing to do with politics. Simply us recognizing the importance of making sure that every young person in St. Lucia is um as productive as possible. So I thought this is important because a few weeks ago the prime minister was here and you would have asked him the latest on the youth economy. So he would have insisted that I I come and I attend to some of those questions. So if there's anything in particular that you want to discuss with regards to that, I'm open to any any questions. >> Just short little question before I get into my >> actual question. When you say 3,000 grants, you mean that's in its entire existence or for stipulated? >> We've not been we've not been in existence for that long. So thus far. >> Okay. >> Thus far and and and counting. Um um these are what we've actually done. It doesn't actually include what's actually in the process at the moment. >> Okay. Um you you say the youth economy agency is alive and kicking and I don't doubt that but um it seemed that at some point in the year uh that institution would have undergone a lot of changes. Um especially with I think the staffing compliment correct >> um so what what h what really happened there? Um because it wasn't just one individual it was many individuals. Um is it a change in direction philosophy what's happening at the youth economy agency? I think it was a is a problem matter of circumstance. We we did not send anybody away. Um uh the situation with regards to the CEO, he decided to to part ways with the youth economy. We now have a new CEO in place. We are now recruiting for a um communication specialist. So that that issue that you would have raised previously in terms of hearing from the youth economy, hopefully that will be resolved. And I think we are just about to recruit a procurement officer. Um the issues at the youth economy are uh simply what would happen in any other organization. Some people believe that they the grass is green on the other side and they would have simply made that move. Um but I could assure you the business of the youth economy is taken very seriously because it is as I was making the point previously a very significant part um of the future of this country going forward. >> Okay. Um in terms of the the distribution of grants or application um is there have you guys sought to um look at in terms of revising how persons apply for those grants or does it still stand the same from when it initially began? >> I know it's a work in progress. So you know as you as you develop and build an organization you realize certain things are not suited for who you're trying to attract. So previously um if it's a situation of you coming into the youth economy to drop off an interest you could now do that online. So as we as we progress and as we develop the agency we expect that things will change in terms of how we reach out to young people. Some people may not like the idea of having to dress up to come to an office because they're young and they they're free. They carefree. Um so we said to them you're welcome to come in if you're short pants. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to come in dressed like me. Um what we are concerned about is you coming with an idea and our ability to be able to support that because at the end of the day what would speak the loudest for us in this country is if we could create a a class of citizens a cadger of young people with the ability to be able to run this country in the future. Not just um from a business point of view but from any aspect of life. We need to encourage young people to continue to believe in themselves, believe in the youth economy, and believe that this government when we say we take something very seriously, we mean what we say. And that is that is fundamentally what it is. Um, you know, when you're in the forest, when trees are growing, you don't hear the noise of growth. Um, it's only the noise when it comes when you when you cut down the tree. And the youth economy is doing everything we can to ensure that we not only ready for today, but we we're also ready for for the future and for tomorrow. >> Okay. My final question before I move on to my colleagues around this time last year, you told us we'd be seeing you more. >> Yes. >> And then from that time I haven't >> Well, the truth of the matter is I I it's it's it's not it's not a situation of not wanting to appear before the press because I have quite a bit of things to say. But the truth of the matter is um we have a serious responsibility in government and I think whenever we approach the media um it should not be based on any sensationalism. It should be based on what the situation is and the response of the government. If at any point in time any media person askked me a question about anything, I have no issue in responding. But the truth of the matter is we have a lot going on and I I just never really felt the need to always appear before you. But if somebody makes a request and says we want to hear something specifically about youth economy in this instance, I could come and address you. If you want to know what's happening in economic development, I could say to you over the last few months, we've recognized um in this country that we are we we are approaching development in a particular manner. For us to be able to deliver for the people of Central, we need to reconsider the way we deliver, the way we grow and the way we redistribute that redistribute that income that we generate for the state. Um so I have no issue in speaking to the media. As a matter of fact, whenever I come here, I'm treated very well. I have no I have no reason to to not want to show. It's just simply a matter of a preoccupation of making sure when I do address you, I could deliver on what we committed to just a few months ago in December. >> Okay. Um last week we saw some unemployment um figures come out um in your capacity handling that um portfolio. I think you'd have a little bit of a more intimate understanding of what happened there. >> Correct. >> Um what do you attribute those um figures to? the leadership of the prime minister and the minister of finance um we are we are growing um as a country and the young people of this country are finding means of employment. So when you see a reduction in you employment it's a good news it's good news for us not only for the prime minister and for the government but actually it's good news for the country. um we are in a situation where there's a gap between us making a decision and the implementation and it is not something that's just come up um between the last few years. It is a real issue we have in the country in terms of how do we deliver and implement projects so that the country could benefit the people could benefit. So yes we are happy and satisfied with the 10.1% but um some years ago the prime minister did say his intention is to get it to single digits. So that's what we're working on and not manipulating single users because I I heard um from the other side someone intermitted as if we playing around with the figures. There is no civil servant um as as far as I'm aware that will deliberately uh manipulate figures um for any political diretory. Um I'm not too sure if it happened in the past but certainly under this administration it it will never be asked and it will never be tolerated. The prime minister is very clear. We have nothing to hide. If there's an issue in the country, we should address it. Face it. I don't think there's any reason for us to hide or play games or play politics with it. This is a serious serious job that we have. We are deciding the lives of the people of this country, their lives and their livelihoods. So when we go to parliament and we raise our hands and we take an oath to say we are going to do x y and z, it is something that the prime minister insists that we do. So every Monday morning we get this this reminder that we're in business of helping people. We don't go to cabinet to say who we going to play around with or we going to mess up with. Our single simple singular focus is delivering for the people of St. Lucia. >> Good afternoon minister Smith from Choice TV. I am aware that the um youth economy agency fell under the purview of prime minister before. Now it's an independent ministry which you now bear the responsibility for. What has that transition been like and what measurable improvements we've made since that transition? >> Well, I was the minister in the ministry of finance before. So it's not it's it's really a the only difference is the economic development ministry has been separated. Um but I was all I was always I was the minister and the ministry of finance at the time economic development of the youth economy. So I would have been around when all of when most of the the setting up was taking place. The singular focus for us uh in the space of the youth economy is to ensure that we don't play politics with it. I mean, we just recruited a new CEO and I would have addressed the board and said to them, we're not asking anyone to play politics for us. We're the politicians. We will do that. What we want you to do is if a young person comes to the youth economy and says, I have an idea in a particular area that is not existing at the moment, you bring it to our attention and we see how we could carve it into the broader space. But um it's really been a matter of of uh focusing on the on the economic development aspect of things which been different. But the youth economy has pretty much um grown from strength to strength. >> Wonderful. And are you satisfied with the reception or the positive reception coming from our young people? And if you are, what measures are in place to really sustain that interest so that people can capitalize and maximize on the offerings made by the youth economy. >> We we we in a good space u but we're not perfect. Um and whatever we could do to continue to improve the reception, the response, the support that we give to the people of the young people of St. We would welcome any advice in that regard, but we're not we're not we're not simply saying now that we've created the youth economy agency to create that economic space, our job is done. There's quite a bit of stuff for us to do still. Um and we look forward to to that work ahead actually. >> Nice. And what are the challenges or limitations that perhaps >> the the the challenges is is not enough for funding to be quite honest with you. Um we we the prime minister has has made a point to put in initial funding. He's going to double it. But as you could well imagine a lot of young people in St. Lucia have have ideas um beyond the initial scope of the youth economy. So that is why it is important for us to ensure that we strengthen Stutia Development Bank because in our minds it's a pipeline. You may start off at the youth economy agency get the skills get the training get the grants and then move on to for example the social development bank and then perhaps gravitate into the real commercial space commercial banks. So it's a work in progress. It's not it's not as if we've done this and that's the end of the story. It's it's really a work in progress and how we create that pipeline for them to move from youth economy to SLDB and then to the commercial banks. >> Nice. And finally from me shifting focus to your constituency. What would you see are the pressing needs of your constituents right now >> at the moment. Um so I have a I have a a view and a vision for my constituency. I have never believed and accepted any of the misfortunal shortcomings that has been attributed to us over the last few years. If you drive down there today, you would see a vastly different constituency. For me, it is how do we create that economic viability within the constituency so we don't necessarily have to rely entirely on central government. And we've embarked upon doing several of the basic infrastructure work that is required so we could bring in the businesses, bring in the visitors to spend time and enjoy an answer. As a matter of fact, more recently, we are about to launch the the underwater sculpture park. Again, another initiative to be able to drive the volume and the traffic to the constituency. 98% of the tourists who come to Sanraia go down to Sufre. They pass through my constituency by road and by sea. How do I get them to stop to spend money and spend time in my constituency? So there are some things that we had to repair that we've done quite a bit over the last five years to be quite honest with you and I'm looking forward to to doing a lot more um for the constituency. We have a mangrove project which is about to start in an um we obviously the underwater sculpture back we've repaired all of our medical facilities because it's one thing to ask people to come to your constituency and if there's an an incident how do you treat them? So every single health facility in my constituency has been repaired. Um, so we we are we are approaching this thing from a holistic point of view, not simply about fixing roads and bridges, but how do we encourage economic activity within the constituency? >> Okay. Um, Chelsea Austin, NBC Prime, I have a few questions for you. The first one, we're still in your constituency. >> Um, there were plans to build a BO in Ansler. What is the latest on that? >> Correct. So there there was um there still it is still on the agenda to be done in Otabo. There was some redesign um in terms of the height. Um apparently they had to reduce the the floor space. So I think they had to come down one story. Um so we are awaiting the redesign of the building but I could assure you the BO is going to take place in an >> okay great. Um whilst we're still on your constituency, you mentioned medical facilities being upgraded and up to date. Um we know that there is a high concentration of the footillas in your constituency. >> Um in terms of securing antivenenom and >> housing it at the facilities in ancillary canaries, what are you guys trying to do to get it in your constituency as opposed to having it at the two locations where they are stationed? We we following the medical advice on that. For me um and growing up in the constituency, the priest would have administered the antivenenom many many many years ago. But in this particular instance, the medical um professionals are suggesting that is not safe to administer it outside of having access to particular technology and um various other um medical equipment in the event something happens while it's administering the antivenenom. For me, I would prefer if it's in my constituency to be honest with you because how do I encourage people to take part in community tourism agency or the activities of community tourism and not be able to attend to a matter um like that. So we would like for it to happen but the medical advice is it it should be it should be at the central facilities OKU and central hospital. >> Given that advice, don't you think the facilities should be upgraded to that standard then? Well, yes. Um, we we all want a lot of things from the government of St. Lucia. Um, I I would like to have an operating theater um in the constituency of an economist. I would like to have more medical equipment in the constituenc but it's it's it's it's one step at a time um and and the event so and the beauty of having the fire station in canes um between Anser and Can is the response time. So what we need to ensure is when somebody encounters a fertilas the response time to ensure that they get to the medic medical facility within that hour 45 minutes within that hour and and that is really the critical point because at the moment there's no point arguing with the medical fraternity to put it in answer. What we need to be able to do is to determine once the encounter takes place how do we ensure that we get that person to the medical facility within a a specific time. >> Okay. Thank you. And finally from me, the sovereign wealth fund. Yes. Has a board been appointed and how much has been transferred from CIP to the fund? >> And and I would have heard I would have heard a a a a particular comment on that and I want to assure St. Lucians. There is the the board has been appointed and and the names will be provided. It's not a secret. But to give the impression as if something untoward has happened, this solving wealth fund is something significant for the people of St. Lucia. we are having issues um planning out our future resilience. We need to have a system in place where we could put aside money for evangelism of the future. It is not a game. Um and I would have heard some comments about identifying who the board members are. There's no secret in that. That will be done. As a matter of fact, it should be published in the gusset very shortly. We also told about the initial sums that were transferred. What was transferred to the sovereign wealth fund was only for the operational aspects of the sovereign wealth fund. We've not capitalized the sovereign wealth fund as yet. The intention is to do so but we've not done so as yet. There is no secret in the sovereign wealth fund. This belongs to the people of senator not to a politician. So in the future 20 years time when a new government comes into office they too will have the opportunity to make changes that they would like to make. But as of now I think all of St. Russia um including the politicians should see the benefit of having it and support it and not try to give the impression as if there's something untoward taking place to this elephant. I I have no intention of getting involved in politics um to sell the good name that my family has temporarily borrowed me because it is a name that they gave me that I have to pass on. I have no intention none whatsoever of disappointing my family my extended family or my immediate family. my my my surname and my name means a lot to me and having said that we have a prime minister we all know and accept will not accept any foolishness from any of his ministers or or indeed from the government that he leads. So there's nothing on toward happening in the sovereign wealth fund. We believe it's a very significant initiative. It is really about um trying to reimagine how we develop this country. I'm not too sure if any of you would have been reading the the the comments coming out of the central bank. They're essentially saying to us in the Caribbean region, we need to change our economic model. We can't simply be in a situation where we have tourism as our main driver and in the event something happens with tourism, we in a very difficult situation. We need to be able to generate uh other potential aspects of of enterprise in this country and one of the fundamental things to deliver that is the cost of electricity. So all of those are conversations we having at the moment. Um, in the next few weeks, we will be traveling around the country as we get ready to to um finalize the national development plan and the medium-term development strategy. So, every constituency of this country will be visited to get an idea as to what are their thoughts about how we're going to lead this country going forward. This is very serious business and I'm not sure um that every politician on the other sides recognizes that it's not simply about saying things to affect the prime minister, affect cabinet, it also affects the way people view St. Lucia. So when you speak loosely about certain things and not even recognizing the damage that you're causing to the reputition of the country, not the prime minister. The prime minister will be there today. He may not be there in a few. It's not the prime minister. There's not any of us in cabinet. You are affecting the country on a whole. So anybody in St. Lucia that have a that has any interest in this country should be very very serious about what we accept from opposition in so far as their criticisms. It's okay to criticize. I don't think there's any reason for us to be afraid of the of the opposition. We've done quite a bit over the last the first term and certainly um in this term we will do quite a bit. What we should all be concerned about is the future of this country. we'll have enough time to play the politics. Um, but when it comes to the lives and livelihoods of the people of this country, I I make no no excuse for for accepting some of the comments I hear coming out of the opposition. It's just unacceptable. >> Yes. Um, a major road project which cuts into your constituency was the West Coast um road project. >> Yes. I want to know is that project complete? Are you satisfied with where it's at? Um I know about the road. I have to traverse that road. So I'm not asking it from a point of not knowing about the road. >> So I just want to know your thoughts on on on that particular project. Well, you see, if you're asking me as the member of parliament, I wish it was completed already, but as a minister in the government, I recognize that challenges um arise. We would like it to be completed sooner rather than later. I would have been the member of parliament at the time when the when the road had no um when it was clarified and there was lots of dust and I came under significant pressure for that. So, that part is over. A lot of work has been done between Ansler and and Canaries, but there's still some areas that need completing. I could assure you every Monday when we sit in cabinet, the minister of infrastructure is is reminded um by myself and and the minister respond to member of parliament for Sufre of the importance of completing that road. It is significant for us um not simply for the commute of tourists but our own residents, our own constituents to ensure that they could get to work um back home in a very safe and comfortable environment. When I came into government also the road that links VA to to the rest of Millet was in a deplorable condition. If you were pregnant or farmer, you would have very great difficulty traversing that road. And I saw it as something important. And immediately when I got into government, we repaired that road. So I could say to you I want only the best for my constituency always. I don't compromise on on what my constituency deserve what my constituency deserves. So um we satisfied with what's happened so far but certainly if you ask me if more could be done quicker I would immediately agree with you. I would like to see completed entirely. Um but but what has the minister told you in regards to that piece of >> various issues because because you you need the the contractor will need to get approval from the consultant. There are conversations that take place outside of the member of parliament in so far as when it comes to construction. I could I could assure you there's not a single member of parliament who would not want to see something started and completed in quick time. But there are issues that come up. Um the supervisor or the the supervising agency or may decide to test something and ensure that what is going down is is is of superior strength. So it's not for me to criticize um the engineers on the project is for them to just remember that we we would rather have it sooner rather than later. >> When was the year CEO um when did he come in? um 1st of September. So very shortly you we will once we have the complete team um um arranged in terms of communications procurement the CEO as a matter of fact we had a business mixer about two weeks ago and he was there and he addressed the young people of St. Lucia and anytime there's a business mixer of the young people of St. I would encourage every single media house to go cuz I went a few weeks ago. It was at point ser and I was amazed the talent of the young people of this country what they've been able to achieve put together. Um it's nothing short of miraculous. So um I I imagine in time you will be able to have that conversation with the youth economy CEO and indeed um the communication specialist who we are about to recruit to ensure that um no one is under the impression as if the youth economy is is closed down for business. It's serious work. It's a serious responsibility and we intend to do what we have to do to ensure the young people of this country has an option going forward. as you close. Um, >> how do you resonate with a a perspective, a view, a a notion >> that an economies as a constituency is the poorest constituency in in in our in our island? How do you how do you address that? >> So, I don't agree. I think there are bigger houses in Ansere than they are in Cap State. Um, there there are some parts of an area. If you go, you'll see two, three, four car garages. I I have never accepted the view that we are poor constituency. We may have shortcomings. We may have certain misfortunes. We may have issues that originated from historical historical matters. But to accept that we power anyone else, I I won't accept it. I will never accept it and I will never accept it. I'm from Jack Mill. Um I've I've never gone to school as a child hungry or without what I needed to go to school. So for for the easy for the easy for the easy for the easy sort of uh conversation um to say that we were the poorest constituency um I look forward to the day where we move into a constituency development index where we stop addressing constituencies based on their shortcomings but we create uh a metric and say how are you doing in health, education, crime, security and measure constituencies like that rather than saying that they poor and they're rich because the young people love that constituency when they go convent or college or comprehensive the difficulty that they have at school when people refer to them in a particular way. It prevents them from learning the truth of the matter is. So I I wish we would just like ban that from our vocabulary of referring to constituencies as the porest and the second porest. We should move into how are we going to be developing those constituencies for the future. I love the constituency and I represent it because I love it. Um so um no I I will never accept that um when you see my fire station you don't say it's a fire station of a poor community. When you see our sidewalks when you see what's happening in the constituency you don't see it as a poor community. When you realize the the three to four health facilities in the constituency I upgraded. You don't see it's a poor constituency. When you see the way we've developed our spotting facility and will continue to it doesn't give you the impression that we are poor constituency. So, I will not accept that at all. Um, but yes, I recognize that that has been um a stigma attached to my constituency. Um, but it's not something that we we accept and we're working very hard to change that. Um, very hard to change that. So, thank you. So, I I I imagine you you will you'll see me again next Monday if you ask. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cuz a lot there's a lot. No, he says he says, "Minister, the press would like to see you." And then I be like, "Sure." Because the truth of the matter is we have nothing to hide in this government, you know, absolutely nothing. We go to cabinet on a Monday morning and we stay there sometimes 9 10:00 in the night simply discussing the business of the people of St. Lucia. We start off with prayers and then the prime minister says this is a temporary job and you are here to make people's lives better. And then we start the agenda and at the end of the agenda he reminds us that this is what we here for. We don't plan to destroy people's lives. We don't plan to uh make life difficult for anyone. Um we simply come every Monday to attend to the people the business of the people of St. Lucia. So thank you very much for the time and I look forward to having more conversations with you whenever you so desire. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Illusian farmers face storms and unprecedented rainfall with no protection at all. When crops were destroyed, so were the livelihoods of farmers. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Honorable Philip Gp Pierre, that has changed. St. Touchia is now the first country in the OECS to activate the regional economical agricultural insurance program or RAMP. It's a $1 million government fund designed to safeguard banana and plantain farmers against storm damage. By investing in agriculture insurance, the government is helping farmers recover faster, stay productive, and secure the nation's food supply. Your government is working for you. >> Four years >> solar at your home or business. For the next 5 years, you will pay 0% back on approved solar equipment and installation. Government has extended the zero rating of photovoltaic systems commonly called solar power systems. The measure applies from August 2nd, 2026 to August 1st, 2031. It covers approved solar components, including panels, inverters, and batteries, as well as the cost of installing the system. Zeror rated means VAT is charged at 0%. It does not mean the equipment or installation is free. St. Lucia imports the fuel it uses. When fuel prices rise overseas, the effects are felt here at home. Government continues to provide fuel relief. But that cannot be the only response. Removing VAT from solar equipment and installation can lower the cost of getting started and give more households and businesses an opportunity to consider solar energy. The 5-year period also gives you time to plan, save, and explore financing options. government is helping St. Lucian manage fuel cost today while making it easier to consider another energy option for the future. >> Thinking about criminal case remains unresolved for years. Victims wait for closure. Accused persons remain in legal uncertainty and pressure on the justice system. Welcome back. And now our uh third speaker for the afternoon is the honorable minister with responsibility for public service, transport, information and utilities regulation, senior minister, honorable Stevenson King. >> Thank you very much, Kirby. And thanks to all of you from the media who are present here today. I'm sure you would recall that a few weeks ago leading up to the 27th of August, I was appointed to act in the capacity of minister responsible for local local government. On the 28th of of that same month, the day after, I was asked to continue my acting until further notice. Uh during that period of time, apart from orienting myself with the department of local government and meeting with those engaged in the department and also the various local councils. One of the issues we needed to deal with is a commitment made by the prime minister. Two vendors who occupied the vendor's arcade which has been more or less um disrupted to facilitate the reconstruction of a new facility by global ports holding. The prime minister a few months ago indicated that he would have paid all the vendors a sort of a exgratia award uh considering the disruption which took place. So we are now in a position where the resources have been obtained and we are ready to make those payments to 95 vendors who occupied the vendors arcade. Notwithstanding the promise to make the payment, we have found it necessary considering the fact that there was some reprieve granted to vendors in 2021 that we have undertaken to agree on an allocation or rather individual payments but at the same time to address the issue of outstanding balances. And this is a problem that we have been encountering particularly where it pertains to the market and vendors arcade where vendors are always in a res. So tomorrow morning at 9:00 at the cast city hall the prime minister will be making those payments to some 95 or 96 vendors who have qualified for the exgratia award as I call it. There are about six to 10 vendors who will not receive anything but the award will be going towards offsetting the outstanding balance in every case. Those who are receiving the except for what the council calls low balance vendors, those persons will receive a full amount each of 5,236.16 each vendor. They're about 64 to actually 73 of those vendors will receive the full exgratia payment. Then there is a medium balance um category who will receive the amount minus outstanding amounts and the high balance vendors will be the amount less whatever is outstanding. Out of that number of high balance vendors, there are about six vendors who will not receive anything but will still be indebted to the council of an amount of money. So that will take place tomorrow morning at 9:00 and the media is invited. I'll end here if there any questions um available. >> Good afternoon, Minister. >> Good afternoon. Um, interestingly enough, can you provide well there was conversation I'll start there that there was conversation that the government of St. um was mandated to um provide some sort of economic relief for the vendors irrespective of the idea that you know there may have been outstanding arrays what save you >> that has not brought been brought to my attention what what I have been informed and based on the records available to me is that the prime minister made a commitment a commitment that he will make an exgratia amount available to each vendor Uh I thought that out of a need to ensure that we do not create a culture where persons believe that they can incur debt and that and the government will um more or less um wipe it out. I thought that we need to bring persons in line to make it available and to encourage individuals in future to be able to meet and maintain their their commitments. >> Okay. Wonderful. Prime Minister P did indicate that a criteria was being established um to really um guide the dispersement of funds. Are you in a position to provide any insight into what the criteria was? >> Well, the criteria was first established by the council by creating what you call the low balance vendors, the medium balance vendors and the high balance vendors. There were two recommendations made as to determine first to determine a base how much money is available and how much money can we disperse and if it was felt that if you had $400 plus,000 that if you go for an equitable distribution the amount would have been 5,263 and out of that those who owe um who those who are in arrest is we then deduct that from whatever is being granted because let's face it what we need to encourage in this country is really discipline and proper management of businesses even your own affairs. So if in case you're going to get a an exg gracia payment which is a co a payment of good gesture to say hey we want to help you want to give you something something considering the fact that you have been displaced we want to give you something at least to show appreciation for the service you have been providing but there but you also need to meet your commitments and whereas there are some individuals who were able to bring the balances down to zero and some who had paid in advance, two months in advance, 3 months in advance. We could not discourage those who are others who deliberately did not pay and you'd be amazed who didn't pay at all. Nothing. >> Shifting focus to um mass transportation. I think it we've had several discussions about that. Where are we at now? It seems to be getting worse particularly during the peak hours. I remember that you said that there was some discussions. I think there was also a study conducted with the CDB um some time ago. But so where are we at now? >> What what are the discussions like with regards to transportation? >> Okay, so the discussions are ongoing. We are now at the phase of recruiting someone who will then look at all of the proposals, all of the options being made and to begin to see how we can implement them. So we are speaking to the um GIS and such organizations the CDB etc. All of those organizations are involved and what we really need now need to do is to bring all of this together and to determine the best way forward. So that that's where we are. I do not believe we'll be able to implement some of those in this financial year because it calls for extra budgetary um requirements. But in the preparation certainly put it into the new financial year to get it to to get it going. Of course the cast Gley highway John um Julian Arant highway that of the minister for infrastructure has indicated is likely to commence early next year in the first phase there about three packages and um so once that goes in we'll see an improvement in the the the the um the efficiency of that road. In fact, last week on two or three occasions, I had reason to go to the north and I made it to Gile into Rodney Bay in 15 minutes at quarter to 10:00 in the morning. So there is some improvement and I believe um it is because um persons are using the alternative routes the secondary road vibe into Corinth and Granier and of course the roads are fairly okay moving forward. >> Okay. Wonderful. And as part of this um these discussions um is the idea of um I remember we spoke about mass transportation but is there any consideration for mass transportation on a school level? >> On what level? >> A school level. >> School level. >> Mhm. >> We haven't zoomed in on on this one specifically. What we have um what we have done we have moved to the next level where we are now talking to the NCOP. the NCOP in terms of their involvement because what we do not want to do is to alienate them. Two weeks ago, week before last rather, we had a meeting with the NCOP and the whole idea was for us to sit down and to agree and synchronize on the different ideas. The NCOP has its own idea. The government has one idea, but we believe that we we can get those uh we can get some symbiosis in place to have this merge and to have a hybrid in what what we're looking forward to. >> Wonderful. And I know that we say that we name it or branded public transportation, but it's not entirely public transport. >> No, it's run by private sector. >> So, are there any considerations for government to really take full control of the >> No, not not full control. What we're looking at is to see if we can get a hybrid system where government can commit to providing and I keep saying providing the mass movement of people for major major um points. So you you take Gley to castries, castries through Sufreet to view View for on the east coast and if we can then um get the smaller buses to operate on the arterial roads the the secondary roads we believe that we'll be removing quite a few vehicles off the main highway and putting them into the communities. >> Nice. Yes. And finally from you minister there has been conversation that perhaps you've been very dominant in your constituency at Cashri North. What say you and what assurances can you give to >> I'm in my constituency every Wednesday and I see a lot of people attending to their affairs. >> Okay. >> Okay. And and and being in a constituency is not just being on the ground. Being on the ground is one but being able to respond to the needs of the people. That relationship is is very important. Domeny I don't know what you mean by docy. I'm I'm a bit of lost as to what is docy. >> What assurances can you give to your constituents that you are working in their best interest? >> My constituents have all of the confidence that you can think of. Okay. It's more than 30 years of service and they cannot complain about the service that I give them. >> Wonderful. And what would you see are the most pressing needs of your constituents right now as it stand >> at this at this time? Well, if you were to drive in Llair right now, there's road expansion taking place there. When last you visited, >> it travers the road very frequently. >> Very frequently. So, there's work going there. There's community projects going on throughout the constituency. We are now working on the um active hill uh 30-year allocation of land that is ongoing. There's a lot of work that continues to happen, but you don't see it up front. while you're in the planning and designing stages, you don't see those things when they unfold. We're now re rehabilitating theclary what we used to call the llair square. Okay. We are still working on the on the town center. Still trying to zoom in an agreement with a prospective developer. We've just recently acquired a piece of land in um in Sunbuilt where the young people have said they want to have a community um development um small business um startup project. We have we have acquired that land. We have just also concluded the acquisition of the lower court of the St. Joseph's Convent to establish a community to to take it over as a community multi-purpose court while we provided a new court for the St. Joseph's Convent. all within Castri's North and I can continue with project after project. If you go down into Agad, you'll see about four new roads being built in Agard. We've just done surveys in in in um Odam City and Guapat to build some new roads in that area to connect Buat upat with Odam city and then back into Mondino. So quite a bit is happening. Some in planning stages, others are actually happening and others are happening. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Uh good afternoon minister. Um I know you just uh received the portfolio as it pertains to local government. Um but even following this particular issue, do you think it's time for maybe the council to maybe augment its lease arrangement when it comes to the vending situation because time and time again as you right as you mentioned there was once government had already given reprievement. >> Now we're in a situation where we have to be giving out this money again and there are persons who are still not paying. So, is it every time that persons are not paying and we're just going to send our hands in the sky and say that's just what it is or are we actually going to put something down and try to create some sort of framework to encourage um payment in that regard? >> Very good. In fact, it is because of that sensitivity that we have we have formulated the the exgratia payment which is a payment that is that that is not an entitlement. It is out of the goodwill of the government, the prime minister who made the the the the recommendation. But we have also taken into consideration that we must not encourage people to incur debt and to believe that the government will always wave it. Hence the reason why there are people who are receiving a full exgratia payment for having brought down the balances to zero and everybody else must the the outstanding balances are being deducted from that amount and where the outstanding balances have not been deducted um entirely. We are saying you have to pay the you have to pay the difference and here's a picture of what it looks like. There are um there are about seven 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 vendors who are still in arrest after we do the necessary deduction. It ranges from $31 to be paid to the council and up to $1,931. So in other words, we the the the what I would call the structured approach to rental rental and rental payments is being established as of now. That yes, we can give a reprieve but no one should expect a reprieve every time. So that you will relax and say well government will clear it off for me otherwise everybody would want it to be cleared off. We are saying meet your commitments and as responsible citizens we have to be prepared to meet our commitments and not hope that we can just incur debt and walk away and get it free while others are really making an effort when you see the number of individuals who are making an effort. Some are paying ahead of time. So your point is a very good point and I believe that based on what I've seen from the onset there's no established um um if I should framework that we have come up with as yet but this in itself gives us the opportunity to review to review the framework to look at the whole system I mean in some instances even when preparing this the difficulty we encountered in that there were persons who operate in three booths Okay, operate in three booths and in each case in a res and there are persons who are operating under one name but when you ask for the ID card it's a different name. This cannot happen. That's why in the in the public service we have introduced the NAF so that everybody under this national authentication framework would have one name one number one ID card and once you've got this you cannot be going in and giving suda names and for government office to accept it without saying where's your ID card where is your authenticated um number >> um I'll go further a little bit on the uh the lining of question. >> So, do you think that persons who have continually showed a history of non-payment be allowed to still occupy that space or the new space? >> If you ask me for my personal view, I'll tell you no. We need to set the framework in terms of what are the guiding principles for occupation of premises. If you don't pay your premises, your landlord throw you out. And if the government is a landlord, the government must adhere to the law. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. We all as politicians love to try and help our people in difficulty. Uh the government has demonstrated time and time again to assist, give reprieves here and there. And I mean the whole issue of the land the land um subscription matter okay it is one where government is saying listen we have recognized that you've been in occupation of land for 30 years we we're going to give it to you because the year the 30-year um prescription does not apply to government. It applies to the private se sector. If an individual sits um is living on a piece of property for 30 or more years and nobody claims it, then the law says you can come to the courts and claim it and you get it 30 years. Nobody has claimed it. Nobody said it's theirs. The register doesn't say whose land it is. Government is saying we'll not wait for the court to decide. We are saying you have lived on a portion of land for 30 years. We out of goodwill, out of compassion, out of a commitment to serve and to make life better for those of you who live on it, we believe once you have the evidence that we will allow you to have the land. And so the same thing applies to every other sector. >> Yes sir. So from a more specific um perspective um what is the the latest with regards projects such as say the military field um and of course right next to it the the basketball court and Carly Park and you know just >> very good very good questions. I hope you did ask the minister for sports about the nuclear field. That's an ongoing project. So we've just been able to complete the lighting system and let me just say this thatlary happened to be happens to be the community which has benefited on three occasions with lighting starting from 2011 and later on uh a second set of lights were put in between 2016 and 21 and now the set the new lighting system which was put in. So the llair that that has been put in. The project is to continue. The Ministry of Sports has taken over from here and we're looking at um seating, a complete design has been done, seating, change room facilities, etc. The cleric court is a private court and and I need to establish that many people seem to believe it's a public court. It's a private court built by the VBCC. It has been renovated on a number of occasions by government. On every occasion it has been renovated. The government returned and renovated renovated it. The whole fencing of the club was done by government. Okay. All part of the the goodwill of the government. Uh we are looking at the the possibility of doing over the court. We have just done the St. Mary's College Court just about completing and the same arrangement for St. Mary's College will be applied to Llair the the VBCC court I I should say the VBCC we're looking at the Boatat court uh the Chase Gardens court has been done the Karoli court will soon be completed in terms of the surface and um the lighting the the Koli um uh the Carly Park the the Kolique Park that one is we us completing what I call the total or the final phase of that park. We had challenges with the park because notwithstanding we commenced the project there were some objections from neighbors themselves. There are several objections made in fact one of them landed in the in the court courthouse in terms of object an objection to the park being developed. We have got clearance now. So we've just got to complete what is in there already. The children's playground more or less has most of the equipment required and the other aspects amphitheater gazebo etc. All of those are being completed now in terms of the final design and costings by the department of physical development. So those are I can say more or less an update on those projects you've mentioned. >> But um what do you stand on um Yeah. Final question. >> Where do you stand on I see a lot of the constituency offices have been announcing their councils and of that sort. Um where do you stand on local elections for mayors, counselors and these alike? >> I think I think the time has come for us to consider it. I I know the pre the the minister um who is now on leave made an announcement some time ago of having local government elections. I believe local government elections must come after a comprehensive assessment and analysis of this the the the environment for local government. Uh I believe what local councils should be is an opportunity to have young aspiring representatives, leaders and others who want to make a contribution towards the development of the community participate. as it is now they are nominated or or or selected by the two political organizations to have representatives on those councils. Uh I would hope the day will come when the maturity will prevail within our society and our system to allow for local government elections and to be able to have what I call mature elections and to allow anybody who wants to contest an election to participate. not necessarily as a member of any political party. It is to allow persons who believe that they have a contribution to make and I believe in many communities in mine included there are persons who are very vibrant community leaders who are making contributions to the development of their community. They don't just sit in a community and ask for things but they actually stand up and make things happen within their community. And these are the people who we have to see and um identify and allow them to come in and participate in such activities. >> Minister, just one question for me the minister for information. What is your assessment on the media landscape in St. Lucia, you have younger journalists entering the room, the fruit of AI, citizens now want to be part of, you know, um journalism. Just your assessment of the landscape as it stands right now. Well, I haven't been able to assess the association bringing journalists together. I'm not even too sure whether there's a media media association or body of media personalities who meet regularly to at least give an assessment and to even to come to like the NCOP would request meetings with the minister. uh the task that I have ahead of me as as minister responsible for information is to first strengthen government information reach out to creating a landscape for for information and broadcasting within the St. solution environment, a a framework that would allow everybody to understand how we operate and to be able to bring a strong a strong a strong body of of personalities within the sector. I see Mr. Daisy's smiling. >> Nowhere in your presentation it said that you had responsibility for local media. >> Oh, you didn't say I have responsibility for local media. >> No, that that's what you're saying. >> What's that? >> That's what you're saying. That's what I'm hearing. >> No, no. I'm not saying I'm not saying that. I'm saying I have not assessed >> been able to assess if if I should put put it better. I have not been able to assess the vibrancy of the media, the local media. Let's put it that way. I've not been able to assess the vibrancy of the local media because the local media is not just only about covering news and putting it out there into the me into the into the um in out there in the me in the community. But it's about training. I I I'm not too sure maybe I'm out of it. I'm not too sure that um there is any dedicated um system of training young journalists who want to come in. Uh so for me it is about what are we doing and I'm prepared as minister to facilitate you if in case you need government's assistance in making your organization a vibrant organization that just doesn't just simply attend press briefings and run around and cover events. And I'm not criticizing you. I'm just saying that you need to be even more vibrant. How do you what is your relationship with regional and international broadcasts agencies and and and how can you utilize even I mean there are international agencies. So for me it is really I would like to encourage you as um media personalities to begin to come together and see how can we put together formidable and re um recognized um body uh here representing media personalities. I hope I answer your question. >> You can start actually there was actually a $12,000 subvention >> dedicated to media training that has since disappeared. It has disappeared. >> Yes, that's supposed to stop. >> Okay. I would like you to write me on this matter. Let me investigate it and address it. >> Speaking. >> Yeah, man. >> Okay. >> Good. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. Nearly 3,000 people went to work under the latest cycle of the short-term employment program, STEPP. >> We're going to be getting a a cleanup program for St. Lucia. uh step program will commence in the first week of August to help um unemployed people to help them to get some sort of revenue to be able to send the help their children education. We continue and we will continue giving um education subsidies to thousands of people in throughout the island for the incoming school year. Now approximately 2 million EC is being paid out for this work. The government of St. Lucia deliberately undertook this cycle ahead of the new school year to give participants an opportunity to work and earn income to assist with back to school expenses. >> A lot of people benefit in the the step program. I just going out and um give them the check so they can buy their little groceries and little things now. >> Well, so far it's good. It helped. It block a hole. It helped most of the young people that in it right now. I appreciate it. >> For many households, the timing of that payment matters. Uniforms, books, school supplies, transportation, and other expenses all add up. >> This check in particular will go a very long way for the people with the back to school, those that haven't got back to school. Some people do. is not only used for back to school. It's used to pay rent. It's used to pay outstanding bills. This check will go a long way. I would like to say thank you to my PM and every Ban that is involved that is making this occasion. >> I would like to say thank you to the prime minister for helping us with a blockage as school reopen and helping our community of Marsha. and STEPPP is not the only intervention aimed at helping families with the cost of preparing children for school. This month, dispersements will also begin under the education assistance program, providing further help to vulnerable families with back-toschool expenses through STEP. Nearly 3,000 St. solutions had an opportunity to work and earn while necessary work was completed in communities across the country. And with the education assistance disbursements beginning this month, the government is providing additional support to help families meet their added expenses that come with the start of a new school year. >> Thank you, MR. God bless, sir. We did it. We did it. 16 years ago in the early hours of September 9, 2009, a fire ravaged through St. Jude. Three of our own Menace Viji, Claudia Sudin, and Joseph Jabatis lost their lives. three souls whose memory we honor today. It is about the duty we owe one another the shared promise that no solution in any corner of our island will ever be abandoned in this moment of need. Today we stand on sacred ground, a place that tested our faith and our patience. and now a place reborn and rebuilt through perseverance, unity and love of country. The conscience of this government, my government, could not allow this situation to continue. This new St. Jude Hospital is not just a building. It's a promise fulfilled. It's a modern, safe, and equipped to serve the needs of a growing nation. But beyond the bricks and technology, what stands before us is a symbol of what happens when government puts people first. So it's a a feeling of gratitude, a feeling of love for the people of Bufort and the people of St. Lucia. I want to thank those who were on the committee led by St. John Peters and other members who were under tremendous pressure for writing the truth and all the contractors who worked before and all the contractors who will continue to work. Thank you very much. Let this day remind us that government is at its best when it listens, when it serves, and when it keeps its word. Let us remind us that no community, no constituency, no person should ever be left behind. I end with gratitude and thanks and a quotation from Desmond Tutu. Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness. I thank you. And now finally this afternoon we have the prime minister, the honorable prime minister. He is the minister with responsibility for finance uh constituency development, national security, justice. Prime Minister, thank you Kobe. I just want to make three short short announcements. Um, number one, I'll be traveling tomorrow to New York where I will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly at on Friday afternoon. Um, I'll be delivering St. Lucia's contribution to the annual debate and I will be doing that on Friday afternoon. Secondly, I want to tell you that out of the six returning nationals, third country nationals, out of the six third country nationals accepted by St. Lucia, one of them has been repatriated from the 15th of September. He has left the island. two of them another asked to leave arrangements are being made for him to leave. So as we speak there are only four third country nationals in St. Lucia who arrangements have not been made for them. So there are five presently but four arrangements have not been made for them to leave but one has already left. I want to repeat one has left repatriuated on the 15th of September. Secondly, the gentleman who was a deport, a criminal deport was arrested by the police and questioned. As to what is the outcome, I have not been briefed, but I know he's been arrested by the police and questioned. And let me make it abundantly clear. He was not a third country national. He was a St. Lucian who was deported in the year either 22 or 23. He is from Labber and he was deported. He was deported after he served a sentence of a jail sentence in the US. He was not a third country national. and deportes have been arriving in St. Lucia for a very long time. You may recall sometime in 2016 it was said it was corrected that there were 800 deportes until it was corrected. So I want to tell you that deportes have been arriving solution from that time even though the number was was exaggerated. Thirdly, as I mentioned the last time, I've been seeking an opinion from the attorney general because contrary to what many people may think, I seek opinions from professionals because the decisions I take have farreaching effects. So before I take any decision, I always seek opinions. I'd sought an opinion from the attorney general about the request by Joyce by the family of the late John Joy Santoma for commission of inquiry. And this is what I told you the last time I was here. attorney general. On Thursday, the report came back and I was told that under certain conditions a commission inquiry can be held under certain conditions and these conditions are going to be reflected in the terms of reference. So the attorney general is preparing the terms of reference and the cabinet will advise the governor general to call the commission of inquiry into the joy santober incident but somebody has been arrested and somebody is in custody awaiting trial. So I've got that opinion from the attorney general and I hold I make no excuses for taking my time. I make no excuses for waiting to get expert opinion. I make no excuses for anybody who has the opinion that I'm slow. I make no excuses for that. My decisions are deliberate. They are farreaching and I must take time because I answer to the people of St. Lucia and I must try my best to answer them correctly. Thirdly, you must have heard about the spate of road accidents in the country over the weekend. And I want to make I want to say again make a special a special appeal to the drivers. Please drive carefully. There was a car overturned on Waterbox Road. And if you see where it overturned, you say to yourself, why? How could a car possibly overturn there? How how is that possible? The only possibility, you know what? >> So I want to make an appeal to you. Please, please, the public of St. It is cause causing us too much pain. The last accident a young boy he had good athletic ability lost his leg. A young a young man at school lost his leg. That can be avoided. These are things we can change. Please, please, there is no need for that recklessness on the road. There's no need for that recklessness on our roads. Our roads are not built for that level of recklessness. If you travel to the US where there are highways, four lane highways, the speed limit is 55 mph. Please exercise some personal responsibility and let us stop making excuses for recklessness. And finally, you must you have I want to tell you that the price of fuel in the world market is increasing. Oil is increasing rapidly. Worrisome is worrisome. The price of diesel in the US has gone up to over $6. Well, it diesel and you know what that means. So we have to brace ourselves and take the necessary precautions or the necessary steps early. I want to talk about car pooling. I want to talk about people saving electricity in terms of using LED lighting etc. and hoping because the there seems it seems that the price of of oil doesn't seem to be decreasing in the short run. I hope I'm wrong, but what's what came out of this morning from the US market uh the a US gallon average EC $14.52 the cost US gallon the cost of of of of gasoline and the cost of diesel the US national average was equivalent to $211 per imperial gallon. That's about six something US. So this is a very worrisome situation and as minister of finance I am very concerned at the spiraling costs of oil and fuel on in the world in the world market. Um so this is basically what I wanted to tell you. this morning and I um you notice that my ministers have been coming to speak to you. >> Huh? >> Yes. I hope that you have not you've not >> No, you've accepted the fact that we not a government that's afraid to speak to the to to the press. I'm not afraid to the press. Okay. You have any questions? I can go. >> Yes, we do. We appreciate that your ministers are coming in. We appreciate that. >> They are coming in. >> Um, in regards to the third country nationals, um, the accommodation. >> Okay. I I forgot to mention. Yes. Sorry. >> So, we know for a certain period, it's going to be handled by the IMO, but after that time is up, who is now responsible for handling that accommodation for these individuals? Should they stay rather than >> Thanks for that question. We've appointed a we've appointed a coordinator. A person has been employed by the government to coordinate the program and that person's job is to be in constant contact with these people to be in constant contact if the embassies from where these people come from and also to assist them in the in the quest for housing even in the quest for employment. if if they need employment. So somebody there there is a point person employed for the ministry of equity that take that's taking care of these needs. As we speak now they are they reside in a guest house. Hopefully as it evolves they'll probably move into other accommodation for now. But there is employed somebody is employed to coordinate the activities because as you know these people are not have not been accused of any crime and it's very important that that that is said constantly these people have not been accused of any crime and we must be empathetic because there are many St. Lucians there are many St. Lucians who may have these issues in the US. So you cannot gloat about it because it's a real situation crime. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um my next question I know the press office actually issued the clarity on the maternal grant the one time maternal grant but >> what is your opinion on basically what transpired and >> I don't I don't want to condemn anybody >> I think a lot of administrative enthusiasm >> and I think everybody is well intentioned I I think it's going to work out you understand you see people are human now um politicians like me accept accept criticism accept this kind that's part of my my job and I mean what makes me what keeps me going is always keep my conscience intact. I never go against my conscience. So when I get criticized and and misinterpreted and deliberately misinformed, it doesn't I just ensure I try to do the best for the people of St. Lucia. But not everyone is like that. I mean a lot of civil servants get very nervous on about these things. So that that so the $1,000 grant it got some some people who administer it um tried to tried to do the right thing you understand because everybody should be registered at the NIS should be I mean we have condemned that but you know we just in our quest to attack the government we try and I always tell people it is no use trying to burn the house to kill rat. There's no use trying to do that because when you burn the house, it's ashes. You have to build the ashes back. You know, the ashes will just come up like that, you know. So, so the some so the NIC thing that was not a part of regulation, but some administrative person that's the is actually the right thing. So, you should register for the NIC because the NIC is what keeps you will keep you going in in in in the future. But that was not part of the government's intention. Right? So right now I think everything is clear and I think we should be going through it very smoothly from now. But I would to apologize to anybody who mis misinterpreted it and who got um wrongly they blamed the government wrongly. And let me say you again it is not an incentive >> it's support. >> Okay. Um, my next question, with growing disruptions and uncertainty along major global shipping routes, um, how vulnerable is St. Lucia's economy to a major disruption in global trade? And how prepared are we to absorb that impact if those disruptions reach our shores? >> Well, first of all, we, as I said last week, we must take control of things that we can control. Right. And you may have noticed that the museum agriculture started uh a a hobby farming. Now the most cynical among us will try their best to >> minimize it. But I want to make it clear, hobby farming is not taking the place of regular farming. St. Lucia has only has met about 35% or even less of its commitments to carryom as far as food is concerned. So there is 65% of the market available for St. Lucian farmers. What hobby farming is is saying to every person to be to have as a part-time as a hobby grow something in your backyard as a hobby but is not to replace farmers farmers will not lose their income because of hobby farming. To answer your question, if as supply roots tighten tighten, not only apart from food security, our construction industry will get under pressure. Everything get under pressure. Everything everything because most of the things we import come through most of it from the sea for for freight, shipping lines. So we be under some pressure. What we have to do is that we have to plan individually and plan collectively. Each one of us should have a family plan for these emergencies. So we should try to without panicking we should try to make some small simple plans. So things that we need we will continue to to we will have because we have no control of what's happening abroad as far as that war is concerned. They have no control and if anybody tells you they tell you they have a a control they either misleading you or they insane. >> Shifting just going back to the speed of accidents on the road. >> Yes. Um, is the government and I suppose by extension the police doing enough to try to to quail the situation to to dissuade from from what is what is happening? um from the perspective that numerous times I suppose people see a horrendous accident and the perpetrators if you will of those accidents are actually on the road next week. Um somebody has died but they they have a second vehicle or a vehicle that they can use and they're back on the road. So I I suppose people are asking whether the government and by extension the police if if we doing everything that that is possible to stop that from happening. You see, it's it's a sad real. You must you may have heard my colleague, Prime Minister Gaston Brown, the battle he's dealing with now, right? Or the the battle he's in now, right? You you understand? Now I'm not making any excuses for for the the the police, but when an accident happens and somebody dies, the police have certain processes and procedures to go through. You see, because our system says that you're innocent until proven guilty. That is a very difficult pill to swallow when when emotions comes in, you know, and and then and then you must understand that when a crime happens, emotions, but the police must always keep a calm and a composed because these things go on law, not on justice. Now you know I mean it's a very it's a very deep statement that my father taught me. He says to me say son a court is a court of law and sometimes it's a court of both law and justice but it's a court of law and I think it's called technicalities and you can't make these errors. That's why we have to train the police in scenes of crimes in in so I'm making no excuse for for for the police. I'm telling you sometimes the police get a uh get some criticisms that not really fair. Not really fair because there are processes. So a man kills a man on the road. The police can't just go and arrest him and and just throw him in jail. He can't do it. He might have liked to but he can't. He has processes. He has to collect evidence. They have to go to court. Then they have they have the case. Then they have lawyers. Then so people it's easy to like even the ticketing system people challenge tickets and you have to go to court now. So I just want to tell you that the first thing Ran the first thing and I want you to help in that message is personal responsibility. I mean, where a guy turn over to you, you you supposed to know that that that road. Well, you you you think a man can turn a car there? Face it. And and and and listen to the excuse. Listen to the excuse. That's a well-known excuse that's used. There was a pothole. That's excuse he used a pothole. A portal making him flick it flick like that. A pothole. So he was driving decently. He was driving at 20 mph and oh lo and behold P left a pothole and the port make him turn his car. These are the excuses that that that that make we make for people you know. I mean that's it a pothole make it turn your car you know please in one lock. Um >> so so your answer to you is yes the police can do more but the police are limited by the law because the law is not only for the for the you know again emotion the law is not the law is not only for the for the victim you know the law is for the for the person who yes it's a very hard pill to swallow you know and that is why sometimes very important that's why I was so I mean I got lambas by the usual press for for um for the Joy Santo the usual colors they were on. But I had to seek proper legal advice because that whole thing could could have been could have been gone down the the the the drain. The whole thing could have been done down down the drain and evidence has shown these things have happened. Somebody is clear but mistakes in the law, mistakes in in in in in collecting crime. You I mean these days we into DNA, we into a lot of things. I mean know you you know so I had to be careful. I had to be careful. So I just have to listen to the usual daily blast and do what I have to do. I I carry low I I don't carry any hatred or because doing their job for their reasons. What can I say? Yes sir. >> Yeah. I just have a few pointed questions um related to the um third country nationals program. I was listening to you on um what makes you mad last week. >> No, she wrote an article too. >> Yeah, I wrote one. Um >> wasn't a bad article. It was >> it was a >> it was kind of balanced. Yeah, I think so. >> Are you normally balanced? >> Very okay. >> Very. >> So, um, with regards to, um, when we've been saying for the past couple weeks now that the first seven days would be handled by the International Organization for Migration >> and those first seven days have elapsed. So, is government right now paying for? >> Yeah, government is. >> And what does that look like for government? Well, as I said, we've appointed a coordinator and we're looking for cabinet gum some guidelines and we're looking the Americans have agreed to give us some assistance. I wouldn't tell you how much he had now because we need we we negotiated. >> Yeah. >> And it's not fair to be negotiating until the Americans are giving us some assistance but right the government is made. >> Yeah. Also in that interview you said the US had given something already. What what did you mean by they have given something? >> They've given a some money. a a couple dollars, you know, >> but then we're still seeking a for >> we seeking we are discussing to see how we can we negotiating. >> Okay. >> For what for the money we can get. We negotiated. >> Okay, that's it for me. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> Good afternoon again, Prime Minister. >> Good afternoon. >> Um you spoke well you alluded to reckless driving. >> Reckless driving. >> Reckless driving, right? I mean, you would have seen I'm not sure if you would have seen what transpired over the weekend. Um, but is your government prepared to really revise the existing laws or traffic laws specifically, particularly those that you know are in relation to reckless and drunken driving? >> Yeah. Um, I somebody an ex policeman sent me a message and he said to me that we had began to look at beerizers and and and speed guns, right? We have to we have to seriously think of bring that back. But he reminded me of something that was that was very thing. He said to me that part of the criticism came from the drivers them from the from the people themselves who were saying that that's a social thing when you have your you drive from viewfort to cash you want to stop and drink and be on the road it's economic activity. Now you know now you know I mean when when you hear people gibly speak about these things when they want to attack when they want to attack politicians they gly speak about these things the the the problem with us when is we have to take we have to take decisions and decisions they cover you have to they have to be holistic so here's a man telling me yeah we what about people coming from viewfort just take a man has a container there another container of A cooler. >> Yeah. Selling a bear. Then the next bear. I seen bear again. I like bear. >> Zero. >> I only drink zero. Yeah. So I mean people say that. So we we are thinking of in fact we speak up to bring it back. But as I said these are in smile these have serious implications. But we are thinking about it. We have to we can't continue this carnage on the road. We cannot I asked the police about the motorcycles. I've seen a few of them have started back. I hope they can have started. I hope they can increase it. But we have to stop that. And it means changing the law to be draconian. But again, you speak about people's human rights. So you can't tell a man you put him in jail for over speeding like like a ticket. You can't do that. Yes. And so it's very very it's a very very very complex situation. But we are looking because I tell you something we are very concerned. The government is really that loss of life that loss of of time and the health costs the health costs are tremendous. The cost of these accidents in terms of healthcare you know. So what happens to that young young young man? Let's just just envisage it. Somebody must see about him. Can't go anywhere. Then he misses school. So his education gets back. Just think about it. >> Then he has to get apostic. Just think about it. So he's lost about five years of his life. It's heart heartbreaking. Heartbreaking, very sad. >> Minister, there has been casual conversation and we spoke about it last week. We spoke about the death penalty, but equally of concern is the the reintroduction of operation restore confidence. What say you as the Minister for National Security? >> The what the reopening of it? reintroduction >> of operation restore confidence >> um >> as a viable means to continue crime. >> I will not I will not venture advice to the police in that matter. I will not um the death penalty. Um, I understand that there's what was supposed to be a cryptic response to the death penalty about the use of ropes. You were the P government. >> Oh, you were not. Okay. You there? Nobody was there. Ryan, you were there >> at the press conference last week about the the use of ropes. I think somebody asked >> No, there last week. >> Oh, we weren't there. Okay. Somebody asked about hanging. And there's something that was supposed to be cryptic about the use of ropes. And if I was supposed to say so, I would never go into the rope business. That is not good. Advice, free advice. Stay away from these things. These things have too many connotations that ropes and plugging and things. So these things have too many connotations you know. So I would have not gone into rope business at all at all. Hanging is as I said hanging is on the books. That's what I said. >> And neither would you opine on you know the idea of operation restore confidence? >> No I can't. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But I I want the police should do whatever they can within the law to stop that that lawlessness. But by the way, nothing to boast about, but you know, the murder, the murder, the homicide, the homicide rates has gone down this year. Nothing to nothing to boast about, nothing to to to shout about you on cry, but statistically that the numbers of deaths has decreased by I think some 10, but nothing to shout about. I'm going to say what I mean. One more one death is too much. It's a small country but the fact is it has so that police should continue to keep it keep that on that downward trend. >> Safe to say that you sort of brought me to my next question. So we have perhaps noted a decrease in homicides but equally an uptick in robberies and burglaries and that >> we have. >> Yes we have. >> Okay. >> And that should be of you know >> of concern um and young people again. >> Yes. >> Yeah. But despite all of this, Prime Minister, what is your your assessment of the um state of affairs where crime or national security is concerned? Do you believe that Cushia as it stands is safe? >> I think it's very safe. I think it's very safe. I think there are incidents of violence that can be avoided. But I will never say that the country is not safe. I think there can be a decrease in the level in the violent in the violent incidents in the country. But to say the country is not safe, I would not think so. I think the country is is you can still enjoy a pretty a pretty good quality of life in in in Tusia. I think that as everywhere in the world that there's room for improvement. There's never been a perfect society. St. Lucia has is room for improvement in but I will not ventilate the country is not safe. I would not. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. >> So I will see you. >> Yes. >> Oh you you wanted you wanted to go public the questions on the public. No questions. >> All right. Take care. Byebye. Heat. Heat. And our final speaker for this afternoon, we have the minister with responsibility for education, uh, youth development and sports and digital transformation, the honorable Ken Casm. >> Thank you very much, members of the press. Um I am indeed very very very excited of some of about some of the developments we have in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and of course in education. Uh you would have noted that in education we did uh leave up to our promise and we delivered $3,000 to each early childhood center um in St. Lucia. Um this is a promise that the government of St. has made and we're happy that we've delivered the $3,000. In addition to that, um we've also uh instructed each early childhood center to provide us a list of their students and we will be making a contribution of $100 per child towards their tuition. So certainly the $3,000 would be used by the institutions for some of their operational expenses. And so we know these schools have been trying their best to uh have as many students be present at early childhood centers. And of course, a little relief to every single parent. I'm excited to announce that the Julian Alfred Highway um the I'm so excited the statue, the promise that was made by this government in terms of honoring Julian Alfred and all that she's done. uh we've lived up to most of what we said we were going to do and as a government we have been working assiduously with uh some architects, some designers and some other individuals from the ministry of planning of course ministry of infrastructure, ministry of tourism and of course the ministry of sports. We have been collaborating and um we are at the final stages in terms of the design for the Julian Alfred um statue. um we had to do some acquisition of land in that particular area because we wanted to ensure that this is truly an historic event that when tourists come to St. Lucia they can stand next to uh the statue of Julian Alfred and take their pictures. Parents can bring their children on a short sightseeing mission and um very very happy. I'm excited about some of the designs I've seen as Minister of Sport. I believe Julian Alfred absolutely deserves it. Uh we are government that um ensured that we provided uh in terms of a transition from uh prof from school into becoming a profession professional. We ensured that we provided as much financial support almost to the tune of $250,000 a quarter of a million dollars for that year in preparation for the Olympics. And she made us proud and so we're very excited that um this is coming on stream and I look forward uh to seeing the the final implementation. the the road looks good. We've been working the Ministry of Infrastructure have been working to ensure that the road is as moable and fitting to who Julian Alfred is. That being said, I'll continue to caution drivers uh to use our roads uh considerably, be considerate to other commuters, to other users. Um road safety is something I spoke about last week and I'm certainly hoping that we can do better. Uh that being said, I'd like to send my best wishes to the family of the individuals in the Kazaba area that was injured, some severely injured in the accident on the weekend. Um earlier on Monday, I did make a request to uh road users uh to be more responsible. I'm going to continue to ask for more responsibility as we go around implementing some of the road safety measures um with the transport board in terms of um more signage and of course speed bumps in various communities. >> What is the cost of the the statue and where will be erected? >> All right. So the final decision on where it will be erected is still part of what's being sort of discussed. We've seen as the prime minister has been asking for individuals to be uh safe on roads, especially on highways, especially in inner communities. Uh we've been looking at um whether or not we should use the roundabout for that statue simply because we've seen how people have been using our roads. Um some have said that it may cause a further distraction. Some believe that we need to just encourage people to be more responsible drivers. Um so that final decision has not been made quite yet. I know my preference. Um but certainly um the design that we are seeing it looks it looks very good whether we put it on the roundabout itself or the area that we've already acquired in terms of the land to put um that statue. The the cost is not final. We cannot give an exact figure. Um simply because when we finally get into the installation uh phase which we are very close to um we will decide whether or not we use just one statue or whether we use a design that have multiple statues. Uh one of the designs I saw I can let you know uh is one where she's at the starting block, one where she's into a fool's stride and one where she's actually won the race. So um that for some individuals may prove a bit distracting if you put it around a roundabout while some believe that we should be responsible drivers and not allow it to distract us or uh some also believe you can pull over and therefore do what you need to do. So um it is a very exciting discussion that we're having uh based on everything that we've seen so far. Uh but very very soon you will be seeing the remnants of all this discussion >> on your preference. Kensson Kazib's preference. >> I wish I wish Juju was from Galile to be very honest. I am I'm really excited about, you know, just just picture driving in. You come from Ancillary Canaries. You enjoyed the beauty of, you know, our underwater sculpture park. You saw all the history. You came from Sufra. You saw the PTOS. And then you're coming down from that area. And then I mean from uh the supermarket the massive supermarket in that area you could see this this this towering figure of Julian Alfred if you're coming from the Mourn you pass good and you're going down from um from Goodlands and you come down and you see this on the roundabout and similarly you're coming from Beexaw you passing through that area I mean for me my preference is definitely uh definitely in the roundabout itself but we have a lot of individuals that believe do something comprehensive on the side. Let people enjoy it and enjoy it responsibly. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> That would mean the parents would now pay $100 less. >> Yes. So, a lot of people have been asking about that. Um you have some schools with 50 students. Um so that would work out to be an extra 5,000 so that every student um that that tuition is added towards that. So it's less. Um there are schools with way larger populations. So that would be just withdrawn from the amount they'd have to pay per child >> and that is per term. >> Per term. Per term. Perm. So >> per term. >> Mhm. >> Per child. >> Per child. Yes. >> I can go to the school and pay $100 less. >> Less. You would not more than likely you would not have to go to the school because the government of India have already worked it out that it would be $100 less based on the register that they've already sent of the students accepted and enrolled in the school. So, it would be $100 less. >> Do we have a published list of those schools? >> Um, every single private private institution, early childhood institution in St. Lucia, we they've already received that financing. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you all. All the best. >> All right. >> That's we really have done that. Heat. Heat.