Chastanet Slams Government, Demands Gas Price Reduction in Open Letter
In a scathing open letter dated September 30, 2024, Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet Slams Government over soaring gas prices, calling on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to take immediate action on several critical issues affecting Saint Lucia, from the soaring cost of living to concerns about the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP). The letter outlines a range of grievances, particularly the government’s inaction regarding gas prices and the alleged mismanagement of the Saint Lucia CIP. Chastanet urges corrective measures by November 1, 2024, to alleviate the financial burden on households and businesses.
Allen Chastanet begins by criticizing the government’s handling of soaring gas prices, pointing out that despite a significant drop in global oil prices, Saint Lucians are still paying $16.50 per gallon at the pump. The letter emphasizes that bus fares have risen alongside the cost of essential goods like bread, further straining citizens’ financial resources. “We warned against allowing the price of gas to exceed $14.00 per gallon, yet you allowed the price of gas to rise to $17.95 per gallon,” Chastanet states, calling the situation unjustifiable given the current price of oil at $70 per barrel. He demands that the government act to lower gas prices by November 1, 2024.
Allen Chastanet also raises concerns over the implementation of the 2.5% levy, which was intended not to affect food prices. However, he claims the levy has worsened the financial situation for many, particularly households and small businesses. In a bold revelation, Allen Chastanet accuses the government of selectively waiving the levy for a businessman while leaving the general public to bear the burden. He insists that this “blatant inconsistency” is unfair, demanding the suspension of the 2.5% levy for everyone, effective on November 1.
The most severe part of Chastanet’s letter addresses the CIP, a program he believes is riddled with issues of transparency and accountability. He points to the recent arrest of a businessman affiliated with the company Bemax, who is now accused of being part of a major organized crime syndicate. This revelation, according to Chastanet, demands immediate action.
Allen Chastanet lays out five key demands regarding the Saint Lucia CIP:
- The immediate dismissal of the CEO of the Saint Lucia CIP program.
- The replacement of the CIP Board.
- The removal of the Minister responsible for the CIP portfolio.
- An independent investigation led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Auditor General.
- The suspension of any further issuance of citizenships tied to Galaxy and infrastructure investments until a full investigation is completed.
The Opposition Leader does not hold back in his criticism, accusing the Pierre-led government of creating an environment where the public no longer has confidence in the administration’s integrity. “Life is being made increasingly difficult by unnecessary financial impositions and the recklessness of this administration,” he argues, stressing that only the collective will of the Saint Lucian people can enact the necessary changes.
Allen Chastanet’s letter not only addresses policy failures but also highlights what he calls “overwhelming evidence of deceit and betrayal” by the current administration. He assures the public that as the leader of the opposition, he will continue to demand corrective measures and advocate for the needs of the people.
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Allen Chastanet to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre:
Open Letter from Hon. Allen Chastanet to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre
30 September, 2024
Hon. Philip J. Pierre
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
5th Floor, Greaham Louisy Administrative Building
Waterfront, Castries
Dear Prime Minister,
We write to express our deep concern over several critical issues currently affecting the nation, particularly regarding the rising cost of living and the careless actions of your government in respect of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP).
We warned against allowing the price of gas to exceed $14.00 per gallon, yet you allowed the price of gas to rise to $17.95 per gallon and is now being maintained at the high price of $16.50, with significant implications for the cost of doing business and households. Bus fares have risen, and it is clear they will not decrease. Similarly, the cost of bread has increased, and there is no expectation that this too will return to previous levels.
The rising price of oil on the world market was deemed a significant factor in the inflated cost of gas at the pump. The price of oil on the world market has now dropped to $70 a barrel, leaving no justification for maintaining inflated prices at the pump, especially given the impact on households and small businesses. By virtue of this, we demand that by 1st November 2024, you take the necessary action to reduce the cost of gas.
We also raised serious concerns about the 2.5% levy. You, Prime Minister, assured the public that the levy would not affect the price of food, yet the reality is quite different. Households are now burdened with increased costs and small businesses are struggling under the added financial load. On 12 June 2024, the public was made alarmingly aware that the Cabinet of Ministers had granted concessions to a businessman by waiving the 2.5% levy for his project.
This selective exemption is patently unfair. If you can justify this for one individual, it is only fair that you extend this relief to all the people you serve. As stated in previous correspondence on this matter, this blatant inconsistency sends a distressing and unacceptable message that the sacrifices are not to be made by all. In this instance also, we are putting you on notice that we expect the suspension of the 2.5% levy by 1st November 2024.
The situation with CIP continues to spiral out of control, largely due to a lack of transparency and accountability. The most recent revelation is the situation with Bemax. The principal of Bemax was recently arrested and accused of multiple criminal offenses as part of a major organized crime crew.
As a result, we demand the following:
- The immediate dismissal of the CEO of the CIP program.
- The replacement of the CIP Board.
- The removal of the Minister from the CIP portfolio.
- An independent investigation spearheaded by the DPP and the Auditor General, with the necessary resources to carry out the task.
- The suspension of any further issuance of citizenships related to Galaxy and infrastructure investment until a full investigation has been completed.
Life is being made increasingly difficult by unnecessary financial impositions and the recklessness of this administration. It is clear that the people of Saint Lucia have lost confidence in the integrity and trustworthiness of the government. The overwhelming evidence of deceit and betrayal by your administration has made it evident that only the will of the people can bring about the necessary changes. As a responsible Opposition, we will continue to demand immediate corrective measures that meet the expectations of the people.
Yours sincerely,
ALLEN CHASTANET
Leader of the Opposition
This bold message from the Opposition Leader sets the stage for heightened political tension in Saint Lucia, as the public waits to see how Prime Minister Pierre will respond.
