The 2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure has garnered a scathing review from the opposition, United Workers Party, especially in the area of infrastructure. 2024 had been dubbed the Year of Infrastructure by the Philip j Pierre regime, with the Ministry of Infrastructure announcing the formulation of a long-term developmental plan for the island. However, a perusal of the budget reveals a drastic reduction in the allocation of funds for that ministry.
Despite 2024 being designated as the year of infrastructure, 48million dollars less has been allocated to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport in the 2024 budget. Deputy leader of the UWP Guy Joseph has opined that this is another instance of the Phillip j Pierre regime reneging on their commitments to the people of St Lucia. Joseph also criticized the list of projects outlined as a justification for the fiscal allocation. In his opinion, most of these undertakings do not qualify as capital projects and should not have been considered as worthy of the ministry’s attention.
He believes that the reduction in revenue is reflective of a rift within the government. According to Joseph, it speaks to the prime minister’s lack of confidence in the current minister’s ability to get the job done.
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