St Lucia: SLP to resolve landownership issue if wins July 26 elections

As the general elections of St Lucia are approaching, the leading opposition St Lucia Labour Party have fastened their campaigning. On Wednesday evening, a public meeting was held at the Ciceron constituency office, where the party leader Philip J. Pierre and Ernest Hilarie addressed the general public.

Friday, 9th July 2021

Ernest Hilarie addressed the general public.

St Lucia: As the general elections of St Lucia are approaching, the leading opposition St Lucia Labour Party have fastened their campaigning. On Wednesday evening, a public meeting was held at the Ciceron constituency office, where the party leader Philip J. Pierre and Ernest Hilarie addressed the general public. Ernest Hilaire, who is a current Member of Parliament from Castries South constituency, slammed United Workers Party (UWP) and current Prime Minister Allen Chastanet for his incompetence during the peak days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking on the mentality of the Allen Chastanet led UWP government, SLP member Hilarie said that the current administration thinks the general public are beggars. Chastanet said that Allen Chastanet’s policies in tackling coronavirus complete failed, as the country have the highest death rates in the entire Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Member of Parliament from Castries South constituency Ernest Hilarie also stated that the St Lucia Labour Party would also resolve the land-ownership issue, which had been long delayed by the current United Workers Party. "Many people who are living in their house for more than 40 years , but still not have land rights, with those land, they could take loans for their kids for higher studies and may fulfil important deeds,” he added. Ernest Hilarie also spoke on the issues of disrupted roads and said roads are becoming more dangerous in the rainy season. He said roads play a significant role in tourism for any country. He also displayed his love for the community; he stated that in the last 5 years, despite being in opposition, he did what he could for our community people. Addressing to people of Ciceron, he said that in the upcoming year, this area would become one of the major tourist attractions after his party would come to power. He emphasized that people have to just make sure that UWP does not make government again. Additionally, during the public meeting, Ernest ensured that after coming into power SLP government would rebuild St Lucia. SLP member Earnest Hilarie with full hope, declared that after 26th July 2021, St Lucia would be in Philip J. Pierre’s hands. He added, "Philip J. Pierre is most humble man I have ever met, and he is very sincere too. " In his address, Ernest said that the Chastanet government ignores many crucial issues, including land ownership issues; he promised that the SLP government would solve this issue. Ground reporting and studies conducted by the WIC News in St Lucia revealed that a larger number of people are looking for a change as the country experienced massive devastation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both socially and economically. WIC News correspondent also talked to some local residents, a person on condition of anonymity told that he lost his job due to COVID-19 pandemic, and when approached the Prime Minister Allen Chastanet for the assistance, he was shown out.