St Lucians don't trust the government, says opposition

Leader of the opposition in St Lucia Philip J Pierre has weighed in on the direct award contracts controversy, asserting that it is clear from all of the discussion on the issue that the people of St Lucia have no trust in the current government.

“That’s the issue – it’s an issue of trust,” Pierre told a news conference on Friday.

He spoke against the backdrop of reports that Guy Joseph appeared to have taken the opportunity when acting as prime minister and minister of finance during the absence of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet to award EC$12,620,623.18 in 30 “direct purchase”, or no-bid, contracts.

“First of all, the people are doubting – why thirty in one day?” Pierre stated.

He told reporters that what was most important was the person who signed the direct awards.

“That’s the same minister, the same man who led a police search to people’s private residences and their private business premises, when he knew very well that the goods were there and he knew very well why the goods were there," the St Lucia Labour Party leader said.

"But he led the police – armed police to search people’s residences."

He declared that people do not trust the person who signed the direct award contracts.

“The main thing is that the people do not have the confidence that when this gentleman says anything or signs anything, it is true and it is transparent."

Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King, a former prime minister, had declared that there was no wrongdoing or illegality in the award of direct award contracts.

Questioned by reporters on King’s remarks, Pierre observed that he has never spoken about illegality in connection with the direct awards.

“What I have told you is the trust, the morality of the person who signed it,” the opposition leader explained.

“A country works on legality, but a country works on trust and on values – that’s what a country works on and the people must have confidence and trust in its leaders,” Pierre told reporters.