Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has questioned the feasibility and clarity of several proposals outlined in the United Workers Party’s recently announced seven-point plan for youth empowerment.
Speaking at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press conference, Pierre said the Opposition’s promises appeared vague and lacked the necessary detail to be taken seriously.
“I like to get more explanation about what that is,” Pierre said in reference to the UWP’s proposal to appoint Youth Ambassadors.
“Anybody can be an ambassador. To be an ambassador, do you have to be a particular age? We have no issues with young people. We are the party again that gave a diplomatic passport to Julien Alfred. We are the party that gave a diplomatic passport to Daren Sammy. That’s the party who did that.”
Pierre added that while his government supports any measure that benefits youth, the UWP’s promises appeared poorly defined.
“We don’t understand the concept, but we would support anything, as our history has shown, that advances the young people of this country.”
He also questioned the Opposition’s proposal to create a Digital Learning Academy, noting that the government had already made significant strides in digital training and access.
“You spoke about the digital economy. You said you would create a digital economy. Again, a little explanation,” Pierre remarked.
“We announced two weeks ago cybersecurity training for everyone. There’s DigiGov. We’re the party that started One Laptop Per Child. That’s where it starts. From there we have moved to the youth economy and the development of TVET schools.”
Turning to the UWP’s Mortgage Guarantee Programme, Pierre said the plan lacked specifics.
“Again, I’d like to find out what’s the form. Does the government guarantee the mortgage? Does the bank guarantee the mortgage?” he asked.
He contrasted that with his government’s clear and accessible housing policy.
“We’ve said it, we’ve been clear on housing. We said $400,000, everybody, once you are approved by the Saint Lucia Development Bank, no stamp duty. We said no VAT on the bill of materials. Everybody. No selective. Once you qualify, you get it.”
The Prime Minister also reminded the public that many of the UWP’s current proposals echoed programs his administration had already implemented, including grants for youth entrepreneurs under the Youth Economy Agency.
“If your memory is not too short, that is the opposition that criticized the youth economy,” Pierre said. “They said it was a joke. They said what the young people needed was audio labs. But I made the point that our government started Ojo Labs, not the name, but the model of back-office operations like KM2, which we helped expand to Orange Grove Plaza.”
He noted that the government’s youth grant program had already distributed substantial support to young entrepreneurs.
“People who went in opposition are now speaking about $25,000 for youth grants. I want you to do the maths. We have given 1,900 grants. Multiply 1,900 by 25,000 and tell me what’s the sum,” he said.
Pierre also dismissed UWP criticism of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, recalling that the former administration had once claimed the event was too expensive.
“A government that said too much money was spent on the jazz festival when they were in government now wants to have another festival,” he said. “This is almost ludicrous. We have no issues with the Dennery Segment. In fact, our government has always supported musicians, dating back to the days of the NDC, when we began giving grants to artists. That started with us.”
The UWP’s Seven-Point SOS Plan, unveiled on social media on November 3rd, promises youth inclusion in policymaking, scholarships, grants, and digital training initiatives. But according to Pierre, much of what the UWP proposes has either already been implemented by his government or lacks the practical details necessary to make them credible.
“We were on the way,” he concluded. “We have begun the youth economy, cybersecurity programs, the One Laptop Per Child initiative, and the development of TVET schools. The work has already started.”