St Lucia’s ports face foreign control and $1B loss as Marcella Johnson slams GPH deal
CASTRIES, St Lucia — Marcella Johnson slams GPH deal in a sharply worded attack against the government’s cruise port agreement with Global Ports Holding (GPH), warning that the controversial arrangement jeopardizes St Lucia’s financial sovereignty, economic stability, and future job creation.
In a detailed statement released on her official Facebook page, Johnson, who is contesting the Gros Islet seat for the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), called the government’s decision reckless and damaging. She argues that while the government boasts of short-term investment, the long-term consequences will leave St Lucians paying the price for decades to come.
“The government handed over our cruise ports to Global Ports Holding for 30-40 years, but what did St Lucia gain? A $147 million investment in exchange for $1 billion in lost revenue,” Johnson wrote, framing the deal as one of the most lopsided public-private partnerships in the country’s history.
Missed opportunity: Vieux-Fort home port project abandoned
Marcella Johnson slams GPH deal for not only surrendering control of St Lucia’s ports but also derailing major national projects that could have transformed the southern part of the island. She cited the shelved Vieux-Fort home port initiative as one of the most glaring casualties of the administration’s decision.
The proposed home port would have positioned Vieux-Fort as a major embarkation hub for regional and international cruise lines, attracting more ships, creating new employment opportunities, and generating steady revenue for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and small businesses.
“Vieux-Fort’s home port project, a potential game-changer for jobs and local businesses, was shelved. Instead of empowering our communities, this deal prioritizes foreign profits over our people,” Johnson said, adding that many young St Lucians have now been denied stable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that such a project would have created.
Wider economic impact across St Lucia
According to Johnson, the ramifications of the GPH concession are being felt across the country, not just in Vieux-Fort but also in Castries, Soufriere, and her own constituency of Gros Islet. She warned that the agreement’s long-term financial structure weakens St Lucia’s ability to manage and benefit from its own tourism infrastructure.
“Castries and Soufriere face chaos, crowded ports and broken jetties, displaced families, and the government underselling our prime land in Bananes, while Vieux-Fort’s port remains neglected,” Johnson explained, painting a picture of systemic mismanagement that threatens the economic foundation of multiple sectors.
Gros Islet’s cruise sector under threat
Johnson views the GPH deal not only as a national misstep but as a direct blow to Gros Islet’s economy, which heavily depends on tourism and cruise-related activities. The cruise sector feeds hotels, marinas, craft markets, tour companies, and transportation services in the northern part of the island, all of which stand to lose as foreign-controlled port management takes hold.
“The people of Gros Islet are also victims of this terrible deal. Our economy depends on a thriving cruise industry and an efficient port in the north, and when ports are mismanaged or neglected, we all feel the impact through lost jobs and fewer opportunities,” she emphasized.
Concerns over transparency and foreign control
Beyond the financial implications, Marcella Johnson slams GPH deal for undermining national sovereignty and weakening public accountability. The lengthy concession, she argued, gives foreign investors unchecked influence over St Lucia’s cruise infrastructure, placing national assets beyond the reach of everyday citizens and their elected representatives.
“GPH’s privatization means less transparency and accountability. How can we trust a foreign-owned company to put St Lucians first? Our ports are national assets; they should fuel our economy, not drain it,” Johnson stated.
She added that proper governance demands that such critical public infrastructure remain under national oversight, particularly given the strategic importance of ports in St Lucia’s long-term economic development.
A rallying cry for leadership change
As election momentum builds, Marcella Johnson slams GPH deal to sharpen political debate on the island. She positioned herself as a champion for responsible leadership, transparent negotiations, and national interests above foreign profits.
“Gros Islet, let’s demand better. It’s time for leaders who fight for fair deals and real opportunities for ALL St Lucians,” Johnson urged.
Her criticism of the GPH concession adds to her growing list of concerns over the government’s leadership, including its handling of violent crime and public safety in Gros Islet. Johnson has previously condemned the SLP administration for its failure to address a recent surge in homicides and lawlessness in the community, as detailed in her earlier statement condemning the SLP government over Gros Islet killings.
The GPH concession has remained a deeply divisive topic since its inception.
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