St Lucia’s Prime Minister Makes Renewed Call for Unity During 2023 New Year Address
by Karen Rollins Jan 9, 2023
St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has made a plea for “unity and kindness”, in his 2023 New Year speech to the nation.
Speaking on Sunday 8 January, Mr Pierre outlined some of the challenges the island faced during 2022, including the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing impact on the economy, but maintained that he is hopeful about the future.
Mr Pierre stated: “The year 2022 continued to pose economic and social challenges locally, regionally, and globally. However, collectively, we have faced every challenge, matched every adversity, and assisted the more deserving and marginalized citizens in our country.”
The Prime Minister went into further detail about the effect COVID-19 has had on individuals and communities in St Lucia and thanked everyone for “their support and cooperation in our battle with the pandemic.”
While addressing concerns about the economy and the rise in violent crime, Mr Pierre insisted that the government would do what it can with “limited resources” to battle the effect of global inflation, and then called on every St Lucian to “come together to defeat this crime pandemic.”
He added: “I truly believe that if we can agree to set aside our differences and work in unity toward a common goal. If we can permit ourselves to see that, where crime thrives, all of us become victims of our own devices, that there can be no rampant crime if not supported by tacit public approval, we’ll be well on our way to reducing, if not eliminating the problem.”
Mr Pierre said he was optimistic about the country’s future because he believes in “the resourcefulness and resilience of the people of Saint Lucia.”
In conclusion, he added: “I believe that the majority of citizens understand that there are challenges and that together, with the help of God, we will overcome them and make our island one of the best places in the world to live and visit.
“This is the time for all of us to unite and renew our faith in each other as we strive for a better future.”
