For this Prime Minister, his is a “government of action”. According to him, his two-year-old administration has implemented many of the policies promised in the 2021 electoral manifesto. Unlike the former administration, Pierre says, citizens are not simply given “drawings and renderings”.
“What tangible steps did the [last government] take for health insurance? Plans, talk - somebody said everybody would have a card with a hundred thousand dollars, another person said something different,” said the Prime Minister to the press.
In 2021, under the UWP’s electoral manifesto, $75,000 was promised to Saint Lucians in health insurance. “This will provide every Saint Lucian with $75,000 in medical support annually. This will include doctor visits, hospital stays, access to medication and medical tests,” Allen Chastanet said in 2021 ahead of the general elections.
At present, the government’s phased Universal Health Coverage approach provides free health services to expecting and nursing mothers, elderly folk 80 years and older, and hypertension and diabetes patients. The government has also announced an expansion of the UHC in the coming months. “You know what we did for healthcare? We have already begun to implement it. That’s the difference,” Pierre stressed.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the development projects which have commenced under his administration. PM Pierre says the former administration had conceptualised many projects, however, did not commence them.
“We implement, we don’t talk about it, we don’t criticise or call people’s names, we implement. As we speak, hotels are being built. Hotels are not being planned, they are being built. Go on the site, and you’ll see workmen, but you’ll not be seeing pictures. What tangible steps are being taken towards DSH?” Pierre stated.
On October 31, 2023, the government of Saint Lucia released the full list of foreign investment projects currently underway, valued at EC $2.16 Billion. The full list of projects is GPH Cruise Port, Marriott Hotel, Dreams and Zoetry, Sandals La Toc Expansion, Hyatt Hotel, Cabot Residences, and Cas-en-bas Beach Resort.
“What did you see on the ground before COVID? Vision is important, but the vision must also come with action,” Pierre said, taking a jab at the UWP’s assertion that the labour government has “no vision”.