Saint Lucia: Ernest Hilaire thanks people, ministries as he counts govt’s achievements

Castries, Saint Lucia: Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and Minister of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information – Ernest Hilaire highlighted the workings of the Saint Lucia Labour Party over the last 18 months.

He shared all the achievements through his social media account on March 31, 2023 – the day on which the presentation of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial year 2023/24 was done. While informing the general public about the workings, Hilaire took the platform to thank the people of his constituency and different ministries of Saint Lucia.

The social media post by Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire read, “First of all, let me thank all of my constituents for giving me the opportunity to represent them and supporting me throughout this journey. Also, thank you to the staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Board and Staff of CIP, ISL, CDF, SLTA and ECSL.”

He further stated that as the country wraps up the debate on the Estimates of Revenue & Expenditure for 2023/24, he wants to highlight some of the achievements of the government over the last 18 months:

– Increase Back to School Support
– Immediate availability of Food Vouchers
– Paid School Fees
– Subsidise flour to maintain the price of bread
– Subsidise fuel
– Reinstated the one laptop per child
– FLOW bundles for households
– Restored the distress fund
– Started the One Scholarship per household with over 200 granted
– Launched the Community Tourism Program
– Launched the Youth Economy
– Launched the MSME Loan-Grant Facility
– Increased support to the Police
– Backpay for Civil Servants

Additionally, the Minister of Tourism of Saint Lucia shared an update regarding the introduction of the new Tourism Development Bill. Hilaire outlined, “This is only the start of many more great things to come, including the new Tourism Development Bill that will transform the tourism industry and make it more inclusive for Saint Lucians. We are putting the people of Saint Lucia first.”

The presentation of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year 2023/24 was given by the Cabinet of Saint Lucia on March 31, 2023, starting at 10 am. The presentation by Minister Hilaire was followed by the rebuttal from Philip J Pierre, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and The Youth Economy.