By Caribbean News Global 
CASTRIES, St Lucia – The United Workers Party (UWP) is calling on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and the Integrity Commission to provide full clarity regarding the financial disclosures of Senator Lisa Jawahir, following a press conference Tuesday.
The UWP cites a legal letter dated March 21, 2024, addressed to senator Jawahir, describing “ information circulating in the public domain, senator Jawahir is said to have an outstanding debt of approximately XCD$100,000.”
The UWP St Lucia press release stated:
“This raises serious questions as to whether she declared this liability to the Integrity Commission, as required under Section 118 of the Saint Lucia Constitution, which mandates all public officials to make full and truthful declarations of their assets, income and liabilities.”
Just to be clear, the Constitution of Saint Lucia, CHAPTER X – 119 Declaration of assets, reads:
“(1) The Integrity Commission shall obtain declarations in writing from time to time of their assets, liabilities and income from Senators and members of the House (including Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) and from the holders of such other offices as Parliament may prescribe.
“(2) There shall be such provision as may be made by Parliament in relation to the due performance by the Commission of its functions under this section, including its powers, privileges, immunities and procedure and the security and confidentiality of the information it receives.”
The UWP press release continued its “justification,” saying:
“Further questions whether this situation contributed to the Pierre administration’s failure to appoint an Integrity Commission for more than a year, leaving a critical accountability institution non-functional during that time,” pointing to the following:
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- Why was there such a prolonged delay in reconstituting the Commission?
- Was the prime minister aware of any potential conflicts of interest or undeclared liabilities among members of his government or senate appointees?
New Commission
118. The Integrity Commission – (4) Subject to the provisions of this section, the office of a member of the Commission shall become vacant —
(a) at the expiration of 3 years from the date of his or her appointment or (b) if any circumstances arise that, if he or she were not a member of the Commission, would cause him or her to be disqualified to be appointed as such under subsection (2).
The record, however, points to UWP St Lucia, “ truth is what you believe it to be,” and, therefore, is not in compliance with transparency, honesty, and accountability.
Appointments to the Integrity Commission illustrate:
- Effective April 2018 – April 2021, chairman, pastor Sherwin Griffith;
- Effective April 2021 – April 2024, chairman, pastor Sherwin Griffith (resigned 7 September 2021);
- Effective January 2022 – January 2025, chairman, Peter Fevrier;
- Effective 31 January 2025 – January 2028, chairman, reverend deacon David Popo.
In furtherance of accountability and governance, the UWP said:
“It firmly believes that transparency, honesty, and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance. Saint Lucians deserve to know whether their leaders are upholding the highest ethical standards or hiding behind administrative delays for political protection,” and “calls on prime minister Pierre to immediately clarify these matters and to assure the public that the Integrity Commission is functioning independently and without political interference.”
Pandora’s box
The UWP press release has opened a Pandora’s box that spans many administrations, not unfamiliar in the politics of Saint Lucia relative to fraud, waste, abuse and rags to riches politicians and government officials, in a country not known for 500 Fortune companies and stock trading.
The nearest to instant wealth in Saint Lucia is gambling and underworld activities. Meanwhile, throughout the years, matters of credibility, manipulation and character traits have persisted with little to no resolution.
PM Pierre is the equaliser
Prime Minister Pierre is well-known for skillfully counterbalancing, reducing distortion and setting the record straight.
No sitting member of parliament and/or the senate should take lightly matters that cast aspersion and/or discredit the institution of state and subsequently the Constitution of Saint Lucia.
The matter, as “stated by the UWP, and if correct, and true,” has conceivably enormous repercussions in the local political environment and the US, to the extent that a US bank (ing) institution is said to be involved.
“The Pierre administration has offered and demonstrated prudence on its legislative agenda and matters of local and international law,” said a senior government official. “In time, this matter will be addressed.”
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