Government kept all promises, claims St Lucian PM Allen Chastanet

Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet listed down the achievements of his government in five years since 2016. He stated that when the United Workers Party (UWP) took over the country, unemployment was the highest ever. He stated that healthcare was also unacceptable; the schools were crumbling, the roads were in a deplorable state, and Saint Lucians were feeling an increased sense of hopelessness and frustration.

"Upon assuming office, we immediately sprang into action to reverse these negative trends and indicators. Some of the key initiatives which we implemented to significantly improve the lives of Saint Lucians" stated Allen Chastanet.

He claimed that the government fulfilled its promises and reduced VAT from 15% to 12.5%. He said his administration promised to forgive outstanding Hospital bills and to the tune of $12 Million.

Chastanet stated that UWP promised to reduce vehicle license fee and reduced the increase by 50%. He stated that his government doubled the budget for the school feeding and school transportation Programme.

"We promised to freeze personal property tax for 3 years. We’ve done so for our entire 5 year term. We found a yearly budget on school repairs of $1 Million. We increased it to $10 Million." stated Allen Chastanet.

Furthermore, he stated that his government upgraded 17 health Centres, opened OKEU Hospital, Transformed Victoria Hospital into a Respiratory Hospital, built new health Centres in Micoud and Anse la Raye and commenced the process for implementing National Health Insurance.

"We promised to inject $10 Million into SLDB to assist Saint Lucians who want to own land, their own home, start a business or to further their education. We injected $20 Million," stated St Lucian Prime Minister.

He added that his government reduced unemployment to 17% and youth unemployment to 33% before the COVID-19 pandemic, and unemployment even during the pandemic remains lower than it was at this point in 2016one-third missed we would c,reate new jobs. We’ve created over 2000 new jobs in the ICT Sector. We promised that we would repair our roads. We’ve fixed 30% or one third of all the roads and we aim to do even more." stated Chastanet on Sunday.

Prime Minister stated that the work on the international airport is undergoing and the new Hewanorra International Airport will be built hundreds to benefit from employment during and after construction.

"We have created the Saint Lucia Sports Academy, upgraded playing fields in Dennery, Micoud, Desruisseaux and Soufriere. Major work has also been done on upgrading other playing fields such in Balata, Jacmel, Canaries, La Fargue and Forestierre," stated Chastanet.

He said the government in five years had opened the new National Diagnostic Facility, a new Boxing Plant in Odsan, a new Ripening facility in Dennery, a Honey processing facility in Dennery, the new Livestock Station in Volet and Agroprocessing facilities in Anse Ger, Fond Assond, Soufriere and Dennery.

"We promised to support local manufacturers. We deferred VAT on their imported inputs to help improve their cash flow. We also created the entity “Export Saint Lucia” to provide support to local manufacturers." added St Lucian Prime Minister.