Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development Minister Lisa Jawahir has defended the government’s decision to extend Value Added Tax relief on selected building materials, arguing that the measure will help vulnerable households strengthen their homes against the effects of climate change while encouraging more sustainable water practices.
Contributing to the debate on the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill in Parliament, Jawahir, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Castries South East, said the initiative would provide meaningful relief to Saint Lucians facing the realities of flooding, hurricanes and drought.
Drawing on her experiences as a constituency representative, the Minister described the daily struggles of residents seeking assistance for housing repairs and other pressing needs.
“On constituency day, I sometimes do my best and I get there for 7 a.m. Do you know what time I leave my office? About 10 p.m. on a Wednesday,” Jawahir said. “And some people come and they are frustrated with the fact that the line is so long they do not get to see the MP.”
She noted that the challenges faced by residents in Castries South East often stem from climate-related events that repeatedly affect the constituency.
“One colleague said to me, Minister, I said I was passing and check you, but when I see the number of people there, I say, no, I cannot stop because he too understands leaking roofs, galvanize flying,” she said. “Castries South East, a constituency that has been said to be one of the most vulnerable constituencies in Saint Lucia, feels the greatest impacts of climate change.”
Jawahir pointed to the flooding experienced in communities such as Cul De Sac and Bexon as examples of why measures to support home repairs are necessary.
“Let’s not forget what has happened,” she said. “When you see flooding, heavy rainfall, you can’t pass through Cul De Sac. You cannot pass through Bexon.”
Responding to criticism from the Opposition, the Minister argued that reducing taxes on building materials has clear social and economic value.
“But the Leader of the Opposition will say that this has no economic value,” she said. “And I am baffled, Mr. Speaker, because this is a strong case, strong justification why the government has now added guttering to that list.”
Jawahir said the inclusion of guttering among VAT-exempt materials was particularly timely as Saint Lucia enters another hurricane season while also facing warnings of prolonged dry conditions.
“In a climate where we are expecting to be in the hurricane season, Mr. Speaker, do you know what the forecasters are telling me as Minister for Agriculture? Prepare yourself for an El Nino,” she said.
The Minister said rainwater harvesting must become a greater priority for households as the country seeks to improve water security.
“Every day that I wake up, and I see it’s raining, Mr. Speaker, I give thanks and praise to the Most High because this is what my farmers want,” she said.
“But when a government comes into office last term and gave 1,000-gallon water tanks and is now coming to you this term and removing VAT on guttering, so people of Saint Lucia can engage in sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to ensure that we establish water security in this country, the Leader of the Opposition cannot understand that.”
Jawahir also criticized what she described as past failures to address losses within the national water distribution network.
“He cannot understand that because of his inefficiencies in government, we are now struggling to ensure that the people of Saint Lucia do not waste almost 50 per cent of water through our water lines,” she said.
“And whilst the Prime Minister comes before Parliament and works out the arrangements to ensure that we fix our water lines, he is saying here is a sustainable measure to reduce VAT on guttering, so Saint Lucians can collect rainwater.”
According to the Minister, the cumulative effect of VAT reductions on a range of construction materials represents significant savings for families undertaking repairs and renovations.
“If you add the 12.5 reduction from the guttering, from the galvanized, from the steel, from the cement, the lumber and the plywood, you are telling me that thousands of dollars do not go back into the pockets of the people of Saint Lucia?” she asked.
She also praised government efforts to assist citizens recovering from circumstances beyond their control.
“I have never seen so much support given to help us increase our support to people for events that we have absolutely no control over,” Jawahir said.
As Minister responsible for Sustainable Development, she urged Saint Lucians to embrace more resilient practices and take advantage of the relief measures being offered.
“I had to stand up and encourage the people of Saint Lucia to prepare, ensure we engage in sustainable water practices, make use of the government’s endeavors to ensure that we reduce VAT on this guttering,” she said.
“So I just want to share my voice and say that I fully support this, I am looking forward to it, and rest assured for the people of Saint Lucia, this is just one additional measure to show how we are cushioning the blow of the effects that we have absolutely no control over.”