UWP Scathing Letter to Pierre Highlights Massive CIP Mismanagement and Rising Costs
CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The United Workers Party (UWP) has issued a blistering letter to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, accusing his administration of gross mismanagement of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), spiraling living costs, and a collapsing healthcare system. The letter, underscoring growing public dissatisfaction, demands immediate corrective action to address what the opposition United Workers Party calls the government’s failure to prioritize the well-being of Saint Lucians.
In the UWP scathing letter to Pierre, dated November 25th 2024, the opposition United Workers Party expressed frustration with what they described as “reckless governance” by the Pierre administration. “Chief among these are the soaring cost of living, the deteriorating healthcare system, the out-of-control crime situation, and the gross mismanagement of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), all of which reflect the reckless governance of your administration,” the letter states, calling for urgent intervention to restore public trust and accountability.
Cost of Living and Fuel Prices Under Fire
The UWP criticized the government for maintaining what they called unjustifiably high gas prices, even as global oil prices hover around $70 per barrel. While the price of gas was recently reduced from $17.95 to $16.50 per gallon, the opposition argued that the cost remains inflated and has had a ripple effect on bus fares, bread prices, and the overall cost of living for households and small businesses.
“This decision has had a cascading effect on bus fares, bread prices, and the overall cost of living for households and small businesses,” the letter reads. “We demand that you take the necessary steps to reduce the cost of gas to reflect global market realities and ease the financial burden on the people of Saint Lucia.”
The 2.5% levy imposed by the government was also a key focus of the letter. The United Workers Party (UWP) accused the administration of unfairly burdening citizens while selectively waiving the levy for specific projects, such as a businessman’s development. “If such exemptions can be made for one individual, they must be extended to the public. We demand the suspension of the 2.5% levy to restore equity and provide relief to the people,” the letter states.
Scandals Emerge in CIP Mismanagement
The letter alleged serious CIP mismanagement within the citizenship by investment program, citing leaked contracts that reveal over 5,000 Saint Lucian passports, valued at US$1 billion, were allocated under the Galaxy arrangement. Alarmingly, the UWP claimed that US$600 million of this amount remains unaccounted for, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Additionally, the United Workers Party (UWP) flagged concerns about Bemax, a company contracted to construct 66 low-income houses for US$62 million. According to the letter, Bemax’s principal was recently arrested in connection with a major organized crime investigation, further tarnishing the CIP program’s credibility.
Healthcare System in Crisis
The United Workers Party (UWP) also highlighted the dire state of Saint Lucia’s healthcare system, describing it as being in its worst condition in history. The letter cited widespread resignations of medical professionals, shortages of essential medications, inadequate medical equipment, and the ongoing delay in relocating St. Jude Hospital from the national stadium, where it has remained for over three years under the Pierre administration.
“Our current health system has been labeled the worst it has ever been by members of the Medical and Dental Association,” the letter charges. “We are disappointed that your administration continues to put the lives of Saint Lucians at risk due to the lack of urgency or a strategic plan to address these issues.”
The Full Text of the Letter
The UWP scathing letter to Pierre in its entirety reads:
Dear Prime Minister Pierre,
We write to you yet again to express our growing concerns over several pressing issues that continue to undermine the stability and well-being of our nation. Chief among these are the soaring cost of living, the deteriorating healthcare system, the out-of-control crime situation, and the gross mismanagement of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), all of which reflect the reckless governance of your administration.
Despite repeated warnings, your government allowed the price of gas to surge to $17.95 per gallon, and while it has been marginally reduced to $16.50, it remains unjustifiably high. This decision has had a cascading effect on bus fares, bread prices, and the overall cost of living for households and small businesses. With the global price of oil now at approximately $70 per barrel, there is no rational justification for maintaining these inflated prices at the pump. We demand that you take the necessary steps to reduce the cost of gas to reflect global market realities and ease the financial burden on the people of Saint Lucia.
Similarly, the imposition of the 2.5% levy continues to deal severe blows to struggling households and small businesses. Despite your public assurances that this levy would not affect food prices, the reality is starkly different. The revelation on 12th June 2024 that your Cabinet granted concessions to a businessman by waiving this levy on his project is not only patently unfair but also deeply offensive to the citizens who bear the brunt of your policies. If such exemptions can be made for one individual, they must be extended to the public. We demand the suspension of the 2.5% levy to restore equity and provide relief to the people.
The situation with the CIP is particularly egregious. Newly leaked contracts reveal that over 5,000 Saint Lucian passports, valued at US$1 billion, have been allocated under the Galaxy arrangement. Alarmingly, US$600 million of this amount remains unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. Additionally, Bemax—a company contracted to construct 66 low-income houses for US$62 million—has been linked to criminal activity, with its principal recently arrested as part of a major organized crime investigation.
Prime Minister, we also remain very concerned about the crumbling healthcare situation. As you are aware, our current health system has been labeled the worst it has ever been by members of the Medical and Dental Association. This is due to nurses and doctors resigning en masse, persistent shortages of vital medication, a lack of basic medical equipment, the closure of multiple health centers around the island, and the fact that St. Jude Hospital remains housed in the national stadium 3.5 years into your tenure. We are disappointed that your administration continues to put the lives of Saint Lucians at risk due to the lack of urgency or a strategic plan to address these issues.
In light of these developments, we reaffirm calls for the following immediate actions:
- Dismissal of the CEO of the CIP program for failing to uphold the integrity of the program.
- Replacement of the CIP Board to restore public confidence.
- Removal of the Minister responsible for the CIP portfolio to ensure impartial oversight moving forward.
- An independent investigation, spearheaded by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Auditor General, to uncover the full extent of the mismanagement.
- Suspension of any further issuance of citizenships related to Galaxy and infrastructure investment until the investigation is completed.
- Resume the process to establish a National Health Insurance Program, which you stopped. This will help create a dedicated revenue stream to finance and address many of the issues that currently plague the system and our people.
These actions are non-negotiable if your administration is serious about addressing the public’s growing distrust.
The cumulative impact of these financial impositions and governance failures has eroded the trust and confidence of the people of Saint Lucia in your administration. The evidence of mismanagement, inconsistency, and lack of accountability is overwhelming. As the Opposition, we will not stand idly by while this betrayal of public trust continues. We will persist in holding your government accountable and demanding immediate corrective measures that prioritize the interests of the people of Saint Lucia.
Opposition Demands Action
The UWP called for immediate action, including the dismissal of the CIP CEO, replacement of the CIP Board, and an independent investigation. The opposition also urged the government to suspend all citizenships issued under the Galaxy arrangement until a full investigation is completed and to resume efforts to establish a National Health Insurance Program.
“These actions are non-negotiable if your administration is serious about addressing the public’s growing distrust,” the letter concludes.
As public outcry over these issues grows louder, the Pierre administration has yet to respond to the allegations or demands outlined by the UWP.
