St Lucia Galaxy CIP Contract Sparks Debate Over Transparency and Accountability
Castries, Saint Lucia – A leaked St Lucia Galaxy CIP Contract amendment has exposed a dramatic expansion of privileges granted under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration. The revelations have sparked outrage, with the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) raising serious concerns about mismanagement, corruption, and the erosion of public trust in the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).
The original St Lucia Galaxy CIP Contract, signed in 2018 under the UWP, permitted Galaxy to sell citizenships valued at a maximum of US$300 million. However, amendments made in December 2022 under the SLP administration increased Galaxy’s allocation to an unprecedented US$1 billion, fueling widespread criticism and questions over the motivations behind these decisions.
In a hard-hitting statement accompanied by detailed graphics, the UWP has outlined eight critical concerns stemming from the leaked document. These questions have intensified public scrutiny of the government’s actions:
- Who authorized the jump from US$300 million to US$1 billion in allocations, and why?
- Why was Galaxy given an additional US$600 million in passport money when the hotel project remains valued at US$400 million?
- Why was the CIP real estate investment threshold reduced from US$300,000 to US$200,000, effectively devaluing Saint Lucian citizenship?
- What justification is there for granting Galaxy exclusive developer rights for two years?
- How can the CIP justify paying Galaxy commissions exceeding US$100 million?
- Why has the scale of the project not increased despite the massive funding hike?
- Who is holding Galaxy accountable to deliver results, and where are the oversight mechanisms?
- How does guaranteeing Galaxy 200 successful citizenships per month impact the integrity of the CIP’s due diligence process?
“These are questions that every Saint Lucian should be demanding answers to,” said a UWP spokesperson. “This isn’t just about bad governance; it’s about a deliberate and calculated effort to squander our national patrimony while enriching a select few.”
US$1 Billion in Passports for a US$400 Million Hotel
Under the amended contract, Galaxy’s allocation was increased to 5,000 citizenship files, worth an estimated US$1 billion (EC$2.7 billion). This is more than triple the original allocation, despite the cost of the proposed hotel project remaining fixed at US$400 million, as announced in Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s 2024 budget presentation.
“Why are we giving Galaxy an additional US$600 million in passport money for a project that hasn’t grown in scale or size?” the UWP asked in its statement. “This is a blatant betrayal of trust.”
Lowering Standards, Raising Commissions
The contract amendment also reduced the cost of the CIP real estate investment option from US$300,000 to US$200,000. Critics, including the UWP, argue that this move significantly devalues Saint Lucian citizenship and undermines the nation’s competitive standing in the global CIP market.
To add insult to injury, Galaxy will also earn over US$100 million in commissions from the sale of these citizenships. The contract further grants Galaxy exclusive developer status under the real estate option for two years, effectively monopolizing the program during this period.
“This deal is a blatant giveaway,” said Allen Chastanet, leader of the UWP. “Not only are we selling our passports at a discount, but we are also handing Galaxy a monopoly and paying them exorbitant commissions. Who approved this madness?”
Unrealistic Quotas and Questionable Intentions
The amended contract mandates that Galaxy sell at least 200 citizenships per month for two years. Critics, including the UWP, argue that such quotas place undue pressure on the CIP unit and risk prioritizing sales volume over rigorous due diligence, leaving the program vulnerable to exploitation by bad actors.
“This is not just reckless; it’s dangerous,” said a UWP representative. “When you prioritize quotas over quality, you open the floodgates to fraud and compromise our nation’s reputation.”
Where is the Accountability?
The UWP has called for a full investigation into the Galaxy contract and the actions of Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire, who oversees the CIP. Chastanet has repeatedly demanded Hilaire’s resignation, citing what he calls a “pattern of corruption and deceit.”
“This is yet another example of Ernest Hilaire’s failed leadership and blatant disregard for transparency,” Chastanet said. “The people of Saint Lucia deserve to know why their passports are being undersold, why one company is being given such a sweetheart deal, and where this money is actually going.”
A Pattern of Corruption?
The Galaxy contract controversy is the latest in a string of scandals tied to Hilaire and the CIP. From allegations of underselling passports to inadequate due diligence processes, the program has come under increasing scrutiny. The UWP has pointed to what it calls a “systematic erosion of integrity” under the SLP administration.
“This is not just about one contract,” said a political commentator aligned with the UWP. “It’s about a pattern of mismanagement and greed that has plagued the CIP for years. Saint Lucians deserve better.”
Public Outcry Grows
The revelations have ignited outrage across Saint Lucia. Social media platforms have been flooded with calls for Hilaire’s resignation and demands for an independent audit of the CIP. The UWP’s exposé has further galvanized public sentiment, with citizens expressing anger and frustration over what they see as a betrayal of trust.
“The CIP is supposed to benefit the people of Saint Lucia,” said one activist. “Instead, it’s being used to line the pockets of a select few. This is unacceptable.”
As the scandal unfolds, the government remains largely silent, leaving many Saint Lucians to wonder: how much longer will their passports—and their trust—be sold off to the highest bidder?
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