Philip J. Pierre

The facility also exists to assist existing home owners with financing for home repairs, extensions, renovations, drainage, retaining walls and the implementation of renewable energy solutions and rain water harvesting.

So it’s a very difficult proposition that we have. But we’re going to work with them to see if we can come to a solution.

It’s a programme that we would not like to lose because it has done quite a bit for our country. But we are going to try to protect it.

But our programme benefits the people of Saint Lucia.

The position is we’re going to protect the people of Saint Lucia…We’re going to protect our financial system.

In accordance with their right to self-determination and UN resolutions, in particular Resolution 3236 of 1974, the people of Palestine should be allowed their own State and full membership of the UN, alongside the state of Israel.

Saint Lucia laments the continued conflicts and human suffering across the globe, including Ukraine, Sudan and the wider Middle East, including Gaza, and calls for renewed efforts towards peace, stability and respect for international law.

Saint Lucia did not walk out.

The decisions I take have far-reaching effects; before I take any decision, I always seek opinions.

“You are never too old to learn,” he said.

“Sales are not profit… When you have a good day, and you see things looking nice, don’t push your hand in it. You have to pay rent, you have to pay for the goods that you sell… You must treat it [vending] as a business,”

We’ve created much better conditions for them to work, but it’s not perfect. There is work to do.

It is not our responsibility, but we should make it happen.

In terms of political policies, CARICOM member states make their own decisions. There was discussion; people discussed the agreement, but it was left to individual governments to take the decisions that they felt were right and proper.

“A housing development helps many people. It helps many sectors of the economy,” he said, describing the facility as “a massive injection”.

“If you have land already, begin to ensure that you have your papers, because there are certain things that you need when you get the bank loan,” he said.

“I’ve been knocking at the door saying to the bank that they have to expedite it,” he said. “The bank must get these processes in place … because it’s very important.”

In the Supreme Court there are pro-Trump judges, so we can’t dance and sing about that decision as yet.

The revenue loss will not stop the government from keeping its promises or supporting households.

Even if fuel has gone up past $100 last week… as you know, there’s a lag effect.

Describing the situation as “not good news”, Pierre pointed to external events that have driven up global oil prices.

We can emancipate ourselves from carelessness on the roads… the accidents on the roads [are] at an unacceptable level.

We must move forward from resilience to renewal and revival.

My goal is to help build a CARICOM that is more united, more inclusive, more resilient, and more prepared for the future.