We the people are familiar with leaders who are always looking for a reason to blame their rivals. This is precisely what the incompetent and imbecile prime minister of St. Lucia is like. Apart from brainlessly seeking help from the enemies of humanity i.e. the US and France to resolve the issue of crime in his country, Philip J Pierre is also an expert in fleeing from accountability. Recently, he got another chance to dig dirt on the opposition and give effect to his diversionary politics.
Earlier, the government of St. Lucia announced that it has agreed with international forensic accountant to continue an incomplete probe in the awarding of a contract in 2009 to redevelop the Hewanorra International Airport. Prime Minister, Phillip j Pierre said that the decision was in line with his transparent governance and anti-corruption policies.
However, Pierre circulated falsehoods when he stated that the investigation will resume in the HIA contract case. He alleged that the probe was discontinued in 2016 by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which came into power that year. But an opposition leader named Lenard Montoute revealed that the investigation was halted since the then prime minister of St. Lucia Labour Party, Pierre’s party, announced the date of polls.
Pierre opened such a probe because he wanted to divert the attention of St. Lucians away from the failures of his regime. St. Lucia’s government has failed on the promises it made before the election. The island state is troubled by widespread crime and systemic corruption, the prime minister deliberately overlooks the mishaps in his own government.
Weak and inefficient leaders are often those who put their responsibility on their political rivals. Such a tendency is blatantly and shamelessly displayed by Pierre.
Scandal part 2
As St. Lucia is rocked by another corruption scandal. This time the controversy surrounds the St. Jude Hospital Rehabilitation Project (SJHRP). Pierre told the media that a committee, after examining the project, has alleged wastage of resources during the execution of previous works that took place at the spot.
He emphasised that around $200 million was wasted on the project. Pierre again accused the former United Workers Party regime, which conducted the reconstruction works after a fire devastated the structure in 2019 of corruption.
Read more: Philip J. Pierre’s invitation to France could begin an era of colonization in St. Lucia
As per the reports, the money spent on the SJH project increased from half a million in 2010 to $98 million at the end of 2016. In 2016, the construction was halted for three years and later the Phase 1 of the project was demolished. From 2019-2021, Phase 2 was constructed at a cost of $100 million.
In 2016, as the UWP came to power in St. Lucia, Pierre accused it of wasting taxpayers’ funds on useless projects, stating, “We are still trying to salvage part of it, but we have to throw it away …millions of dollars of equipment.” Further elaborating on the matter, Pierre added that the UWP unnecessarily spent $89.3 million on the project. He insinuated that the previous government embezzled $30 million meant for the SJH project.
Shifting blame
Not a month into 2023 and the incompetent leader of St. Lucia has already started blaming the opposition and previous regime for economic and social problems of St. Lucia. The optimistic speeches delivered by Pierre on 1st January envisioned a constructive governance which is going to be marked by nation-building and healthy participation.
However, the recent blister from Pierre dashes any hopes of a transparent government in St. Lucia. Generally, a good leader is not one who is persistently blaming the opposition for their blunders. Rather than putting the onus to reform the rotten system of St. Lucia on the UWP, Pierre should look for a solution. St. Lucians want an ultimate solution to drive their small island country out of the dark shadow of political and economic doom.
Read more: St. Lucia walks out of the shadows of monarchy. Just to become a French colony
But sadly, like other political leaders, who don’t think twice before evading responsibilities, St. Lucians are doomed with a prime minister whose foremost priority is to point the fingers at the opposition.
