 Good morning members of the press. Good morning to St. Lucien's listening Both here in St. Lucien abroad. We would like to welcome you to our first press conference For the year and we wish you from the office of the Prime Minister a very happy new year Good health and strength and mooses from our God. I Will now like to call on the Prime Minister to deliver some remarks as you know We will be having this press conference Prime Minister will be interacting with members of the media any Questions queries that you may have can be directed to the Prime Minister and I'm hopefully you will try to take some Questions from the audience via our Facebook and YouTube pages But cognizant of the fact that today is cabinet so we will only be with you for a limited amount of time So I now would like to call on the Prime Minister honourable Philip J. Pierre to address you Thank you. Good morning Ladies and gentlemen of the press. Good morning Thank you for joining me this morning. I want to discuss with you the distressing economic and social conditions We met in St. Lucia when our party came into government six months ago The gravity makes it incumbent upon me To remind the people of them Not because we are daunted by them for we are not But because the people of St. Lucia must never forget That these are consequences of the injustices that are rigged upon our country by the male Administration of the last you the AP government under the leadership of the now leader of the opposition In an introduction message in the 2021 SLP general election manifesto I had made the following statements Since June 6 2016 The country has gone through a very trying time of mismanagement under a UWP administration Sadly this mix mismanagement has been ex-azubatel by the COVID-19 pandemic Today we are left with a huge challenge of rescuing our country from an economic and financial disaster following a five-year period of reckless borrowing and spending and an unprecedented level of corruption However On assuming office. We have discovered that the fiscal and economic situation of the country was far worse And its economic development far more badly retarded than we had imagined when we crafted the manifesto the stark reality is that we are dealing with disastrous public finances and economy damage by incompetent management and pushed into further decline by the COVID-19 pandemic a huge suffering deaths of Unpresidential levels and the enormous mess of an unfinished St. Jude Hospital and the UNO international airport redevelopment projects But we are not intimidated by the magnitude of the tasks that the people of Saint Lucia entrusted us with We're not afraid for we in this government are up to the challenge in the 2021 manifesto We said My task together if my team of able men and women is to restore St. Lucia to a level of financial stability and to create an enabling environment for wealth creation and employment particularly among the youth Therefore, we are confident in our ability to accomplish our mission We will overcome the challenges that five years of bungling and irresponsible UWP governance bequeathed us Like most patriotic and caring solutions. My government is sensitive concerned and worried about the COVID pandemic raging St. Lucia the region and the world No one can predict the future. No one is perfect This was a case before the pandemic and it will continue to be the case after the pandemic Our economy is suffering from COVID fatigue The United Workers Party government maximized the concessionary borrowing for COVID-related spending Why callously leaving behind an unfinished St. Jude Hospital and an under-resourced OKEU hospital Scientists have used the most sophisticated techniques to try predicting the behavior of the COVID-19 virus Still, they have come of short 10 weeks ago. There was no American variant only no American now American is driving of infection rates around the world at a rate not seen with any previous variant of the COVID-19 virus in In the United States nearly 800,000 cases are being reported each day double what it was two weeks ago In our region record levels of infections are being reported every day in practically every country testing resources are being challenged Even if the soaring daily infection rates Scientists believed that because most American cases are mild and not sent as many people to hospital as the Delta variant That the world might be witnessing the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic but a week ago a new variant was discovered in France that Scientists believe would be more infectious and American While the WHO has not yet declared this as a variant of concern It's an indication of how quickly things can change in our COVID-19 world With these swift and frequent changes in the behavior of the COVID-19 virus It's no surprise that our governments are struggling All governments in fact are struggling to come up with effective policies to deal with the social and economic impacts of the pandemic For governments like ours who carefully monitor the public health policies of the USA and the UK Which account for most of our visit arrivals It's impossible to keep up with the almost daily changes in these countries One day we have a change in in Isolation in the isolation period the next day it's a change in the testing window changes every day Only on Saturday even after a rise in daily infections The UK government scrapped all pre-departure and post arrival tests for fully vaccinated travelers From July the Delta variant was detected in Celusia and Immediate policy measures are implemented using evidence-based information This resulted in the transmission rates in early in early December being 0.8 and the rate of positivity 2.7 Although these statistics in December were trending in the right direction It was always anticipated globally that a fifth wave would arrive after the high risk of the December month festivities The ministry of health carried out an evaluation of the management of the fourth wave If a few to strengthen the response measures in the fifth wave However, the fifth wave was accompanied by a new variant american The following additional response measures were put in place in anticipation of the increase in infections strengthening of the public health measures Updated public service announcements were prepared to encourage the use of face masks physical distancing hand washing and living a healthy lifestyle Appeals encouraging vaccination were intensified There was a strengthening of the immunization program island-wide introduction of the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in addition to AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines already available Plans to put in place for community-based vaccination Enhanced testing capacity to manage increasing cases By increasing procurement of reagents and test kits The capacity of the azure lab laboratory was strengthened with the Engagement of more human resource and new capacity to run 2000 samples for testing daily A new testing site was set up at VG multipurpose complex There were respiratory hospital improvements were made there Employment of 14 patient welfare systems Setting up of a functioning telecommunication system both internet and landline increasing of ancillary staff The setting up of a central monitoring system For 24 hour monitoring of patients in the high dependency units Improvement at the radiology units by the installation of a new portable x-ray machine and repairs to the malfunctioning x-ray machines in the emergency room There was increased procurement of equipment and supplies The welfare of our frontline workers was prioritized by the procurement of personal protective equipment to ensure At least three months supplies were available on the island at any time And I want to give you take the opportunity to say that these frontline workers doctors nurses All all the staff porters firemen All those involved in the in the frontline or the battle against COVID The intensive care unit was restocked with needed supplies and medication Confinement hours were reviewed In spite of these measures, we encouraging sent solutions to get vaccinated And it has been proven that in most cases Vaccinated people without pre-existing conditions, even if they get infected will experience less hospitalization And the lower risk of death I believe and I continue to believe That the majority of solutions are responsible But we ask that our citizens follow the proven public health methods That will mitigate against the spread of the COVID virus and to get vaccinated COVID is a global problem And calls for shared sacrifice Discipline and cooperation from everyone I remain deeply troubled by the high incident of crime in particular violent murders We are beginning to look like a country consumed with anger and rage We already have for the month of January two murders As a country we must return quickly to having respect for life That respect comes with recognizing the rights of others And giving to every citizen what is their due Our young people cannot be setting the differences with the power of the gun There are just too many guns in the hands of citizens Who should not be carrying them My government is committed to supporting the police in the fight against crime We continue even in a time of very limited fiscal space To provide the police with the resources in that fight While the root cause of serious crime Missed them from dysfunctional social conditions There are measures that can be taken in the short term to alleviate the scourge of violent crime I am calling on the management of the police to do more And to take control of our streets and communities When crime appears to be flourishing There are legal means by which we can do that We need to get those unlicensed firearms off our streets In the coming weeks I'm expecting to see some police initiatives to bring the level of crime under control We cannot have another year of so many homicides In the meantime, my government will continue with its plans To change the social structures that drive our young people Into antisocial behavior and criminality I call on all citizens to learn support to the police in the efforts to fight in crime We all stand to gain from if violent crime is brought under control The social and economic cost of crime is becoming a heavy burden on our country We can do more The government, the police, and the citizens to correct this growing problem of violent crime To bring the crime situation under control My government will provide the resources And the police are expected to make effective use of these resources And the rest of us must learn support to the work of the police As Minister of Finance, together with the Cabinet and officials of the Ministry of Finance I am now engaged in the preparation of the 2022-2023 estimates Of expenditure and appropriation bill Constitutionally due to be laid in parliament by April 2022 These documents will chart the way towards the following Maintainance of an adequate macroeconomic policy framework Implementation of an overall economic and reform program A policy mix of revenue enhancing and expenditure containment measures To positively impact and improve fiscal and debt sustainability Policies to improve the business environment Is in doing business and increase local and foreign investment Good governance, transparency, and accountability In the management of the financing of the country Outlawing of the reckless practices of the former Minister of Finance When he sanctioned nine months ago An advance of $7 million of taxpayers' funds for vaccines That have not been received by the people of St. Lucia Education and social enhancement projects for the people of St. Lucia Implementation of the youth economy And creation of an enabling environment for the growth And expansion of small and medium-sized businesses Adoption and mitigation methods to deal with climate change The budget will seek to transform our economy and citizens In preparation for the change in global environment We are focused on improving the lives of the people of St. Lucia We are focused on restoring good governance in the management of the country affairs And we will put constitutional and other mechanisms in place To make it unthinkable for future governments To engage in the corruption and malfeasance Of the last five years of Udaipirol We will bring discipline and transparency in the unfinished Government infrastructure projects So that they do not become milestones of debt on the country And conduit for the personal gains of some members Of the former United Locust Party governments In the meantime, my government is unmoved By the shameless, provocative, and seditious utterances Of those who refuse to accept the democratic will of the people When they were voted out of office by a landslide Only six months ago Even if their bad behaviour in government Made our island a laughing stock of the world The men and women in the government of the social labour party Are undertaking their responsibilities with unfazed determination On resolved enthusiasm and unflinching commitment To put our people first As we prepare to observe the food for the food and the wish of independence Under the film Duva Assam, Celebrating Our People I call on all solutions at home and in the diaspora To join us in the exciting journey of inclusion, tolerance, Compassion, and wealth creation That will lead to transformative change for our people As we battle with the COVID pandemic As a strong determination I am confident that with the help of God, we will prevail I thank you Thank you to the media We will open the floor to any questions that you may have Based on the statement And then, perhaps, if the time permits, we can venture into other things Karim Nelson, hot 7 With regards to the radical investment vaccine issue You mentioned that EC2 million dollars had been recouped out of the 7 million My question is, why only 2 million thus far? Is that part of the arrangement with radical investment? And which agency is acting on behalf of the government In trying to recoup that money? And what efforts are being made to recoup the total balance? First of all, the first question you must ask Is why were the procurement laws in the country broken By the foreign minister of finance When he sanctioned these payments If that behavior was not that reckless There would be no reason to do that Because the procurement law states clearly In the public procurement act The percentage of money that must be spent In any emergency procurement That this percentage of money that must be given in advance The foreign minister of finance was reckless When he put the people of taxpayers Put the taxpayers of the country at risk When he spent 7 million dollars Money that could be used for computers For the young people of St. Lucia Money that could be used to buy medication in the hospitals Money that could be used to improve To extend the welfare To extend the welfare payments to the people of the country Money that could be used for the distressed fund When in his reckless behavior He spent 7 million dollars He ordered that 7 million dollars be spent for vaccines That have never arrived in St. Lucia The government is using its best efforts To return For the person who was given the money To return it to the people of St. Lucia To return it to the Treasury But our issue is first of all That behavior was uncalled for And the people of St. Lucia must never forget This act of recklessness And immaturity by the minister By the foreign minister of finance When he knew he should have known Everything he should have known That you cannot break the procurement rules And advance money So much money in a country that was in a pandemic What I can answer you is that We are using our best efforts To get that money returned to us As soon as possible Time opportunity Is it a follow-up question? Well, it's about COVID management Okay So we continue to see that the numbers In terms of vaccinated people Not increasing significantly Even at the latest press conference We realize there's an overall decline In people getting vaccinated What new methods does the government Intend on pursuing to drive those numbers up And has there been any consideration For the mandation of vaccines for the public sector As in some cases in our neighboring islands? First of all, there are only two measures You can take to create an uptake in vaccinations One, moral persuasion You can tell people for the benefits Look at the pros and look at the cons Look at the evidence And decide where they get vaccinated Or you can mandate vaccinations And make them compulsory These are only two measures you can take Mandate or tell people to be To understand their responsibility The government of St. Lucia Has not yet taken a position To mandate vaccinations But what we say is that If we find That there is no other way Where people refuse to get vaccinated We have to consider all the options available to us Riani Isidore, NBC Prime Mr Prime Minister, you've alluded just now to Instances of supposed malfeasance On the part of the former administration Former finance minister I know your government is looking into these situations But has any of them met the threshold That could trigger, say for example, a criminal probe And given the fact that you say the former finance minister Has broken procurement laws or procurement rules What options are available to your administration To sort of bring in some accountability Well, you see, Riani, all options are open The legislation for special persecutor Is not being prepared And the special persecutor will look into all matters That deserve to be looked at I am not going to make any pronouncements If I do not have, if I am not sure If I am not certain the next steps All I can tell you is the government is actively pursuing Actively pursuing these acts Where we believe that the money of the taxpayers Was incorrectly used We'll leave no stone unturned We'll use legal methods Not threats or intimidation We'll use legal methods to ensure First of all, that it never happens again And secondly, the people of Seleucia Must get some satisfaction If the money was put into either personal use Or if the money was managed by the minister I wanted to segue into something I think you touched on In your address with some sedition And even its violent rhetoric Being sort of spewed on a certain radio station Who your administration has already flagged For operating illegally My first question is one, are you surprised that That kind of rhetoric, that kind of narrative Is being promoted there? And again, this is a question That you would have been confronted with before Why is that station? And any other station who is found wanting of the laws here Are still operating in our space? First of all, the people of Seleucia must realize The desperation of the former prime minister And his party and his acolytes The desperation July the 26th is going to be six months Since the government, since the party Was elected into office, six months Out of the six months, the former prime minister Spent four and a half months out of the island He's returned and he's forgotten That he's no longer the prime minister His first action was to increase The expenses for his office His second action was to make demands On the treasury of the country For things that he did not make available To the present leader of the opposition at the time And now his desperation has led him Not to condemn seditious statements Made on a radio station That himself has been a frequent personality And up to this morning, you heard on that station The calls to bone the country Any responsible leader would have immediately Made a statement disassociating himself From these utterances But in his desperation, in the lust and the greed for power In the lack of understanding that the democracy has prevailed And the people have elected a new government They will say nothing about it But I'll tell you something We are a government of laws A government that believes in the rule of law We believe that legal methods are the way to cause change Legal and democratic methods The session that you speak of It's been clear that it is acting illegally It's clear that it's on the airways illegally But we got generously the freedom of speech Of people in the country So we are living, we are taking all the steps They've been warned, they've been written, they've disobeyed If that continues, the full force of the law Will have to be brought upon anyone who breaks the law There is no reason why a station that is operating illegally Even when they are told that they are operating illegally to continue So something will happen But as I said before We are exercising caution and patience Before I go to my colleague, I wanted to go back to the pandemic response We are in the fifth wave It's well established And the cases are sort of higher than expected And school has reopened So is there any decision or considerations Perhaps to review the decision to allow schools to reopen? That's my last one Yeah, thanks First of all, Riyani, I want to reiterate That the decisions that we take regarding COVID Are driven by medical advice There's a press conference today Where the situation regarding schools will be properly ventilated But we understand the concern of the public But as I said, these decisions are moved These decisions are moved by scientific evidence And today there will be some announcement on the future of the opening of schools Yeah, just one small question for me The opposition leader recently made a claim that The opposition has not been involved in the COVID-19 decisions I would just like to ask how true is that statement? The opposition leader usually makes these claims The public is invited to join in the COVID response There is a COVID management committee Where we invite everyone to get involved To give advice, to give counsel What the opposition leader is busy doing? He's busy playing politics with the COVID response He's busy spreading propaganda lies and rumors about the COVID response The opposition leader must respect the will of the people of St. Lucia He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Microsoft And not Prime Minister He must understand that and continue his role as leader of his two-man opposition And stop the lies, the rumors and the propaganda that he is spreading We have COVID-19, which is the biggest problem in St. Lucia But the situation in St. Lucia is not the same as it was in the last agricultural development We have Minister Mr Prospect We have to work hard to build the development of the agriculture but we have to develop the agriculture because the situation of Covid is very difficult for us to build the country. What is the quality of the land to keep it? Mainly the agriculture development and we know the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Embassy with the Minister of Agriculture he to build a alternative to construct a internships and thank you. Thank you. For more Hilfe's, people have helped give them some other money. I have no issue with chicken finding, I have no concerns about the farmer, because I have to find a place to found and up pueblo. Because government has entrusted have given enormous amounts to help with this market crisis. I'm going to go and think. Go and move from a boy to a win fresh. Go win fresh, see Plasler kicker, gain fig. You'll get a win fresh collapse. You're not going to hear about that. So farmers, they're going to do cool disabotment from flamboyant. You want fig, fig party, matinig, go for a fig farmer. You want to make a farmer, you want to make a fig matinig, and matinig a quince, and a day's a man win fresh. So farmers, say farmers, say you can gain, you depress. So we do this. We want to start a fruits market under market length. We don't want farmers to go to the agricultural ministries because they're already doing this. So that's why we do this. We want to get figs original, about a kurz past, original. We have to clean it. The pan is in the house. So we have to clean it. So that's how it's done. We have to do it. We have to do it. We have to do it. We have to do it. We have to do it. That's how we can do it. No, I'm not ready. No, I'm ready. So by saying that, we want to bring the land back. We can't do more than this. So the government has to push this. We have to push it. We have to do it to export. Cocoa, chocolate, the government has to push it again. We have to diversify. We have to do this. We have to diversify to plant in older countries to eat more local produce. The best for the health and the best for the old Israel because it's bad to eat. That's agriculture. Cream we drink, we drink, we drink, we drink. But we are Bravoque. We have a good food. For you. But by privilegizing people to eat again. We do. But we cannot others. We cannot I'm sure it's not the right thing to do. Insight is what's inside the moon. It's the right thing to do. You can't see it because it's not good. You're a veteran. You can't see it because it's not good. If you're a realizationist, you can't do it. A person is a person who doesn't want to do it. It's not the right thing to do. It's inside the moon because it's not good. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do. How can we do it? We must do it in the face of the police. To do it on the team and within the law We've been the law, and we've been the law means we live with the police, the police who serves at your café as your shema, the police patrols as your shema. We don't have the police as the law, but we don't have the police as a police law. We don't have the police patrols, we don't have the police who serve at your café as a shema. We don't have the police as a shema. We don't have the police as a police patrol, we don't have the police as a shema. We don't have the police as a shema. We don't have the police as a shema. We don't have the police as a shema. We don't have the police as a shema. We have an issue with being able to keep persons when they are arrested. The custody suits was destroyed by the last government without any foresight or without any idea where would prisoners be held when they are arrested. The bodily, the remand population of bodily is greater than the convicted population, so bodily is overpacked. So the question is, where do we place people when they are arrested in this COVID environment? Again, because of the lack of foresight and the hiss of the United Workers' Party, they destroyed the custody suits with no idea as to what are the next steps. We are going to build, even within the serious, first fiscal constraints that we have. As a matter of urgency, we started a process. Only last week, Thursday, I received from the Ministry of Planning the plans for the new custody suits. And hopefully very soon, construction on these custody suits, is an emergency, is an emergency, will begin next month, February. Hopefully, if all goes as planned. Thank you everyone for joining us. And I'm just to let you know, this week we continue our budget policy preparations as Prime Minister stated. We will be having the estimates in March. And Saint Lucia is going to look forward to the amelioration of the conditions of citizens in this country. When Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre presents his first budget to Saint Lucia in March, April. I was just informed by the Ministry of Education that they will be hosting their press conference here. So the media is invited to stay back and Saint Lucia's to also tune in as the Ministry of Education addresses the country on the way forward for school. Thank you everyone for joining us.