Minister Ernest Hilaire’s Incompetence and Questionable Integrity: A Recipe for Disaster

By James Stanislaus

Minister Ernest Hilaire, responsible for the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), has been vocal in his criticism of the opposition’s condemnation of the program’s current state. However, his cries of foul play ring hollow in light of his own gross incompetence and questionable integrity in managing the CIP.

Minister Hilaire’s integrity has been called into question due to his involvement in several high-profile scandals, including the Juffali affair, Rovergate, irregular financial management at the British High Commission, allegations of missing funds at the St. Lucia Tourism Authority, and the Global Ports Holding affair. These incidents have raised serious concerns about his ability to manage the CIP with transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, his management of the CIP has been marked by a lack of transparency and accountability. For two years, the CIP has failed to table a report to Parliament, a clear violation of the CIP Act. This egregious oversight is a stark reminder of Minister Hilaire’s inability to fulfill his basic responsibilities. Additionally, he has refused to disclose critical information regarding the Infrastructure program, including the number of passports allocated for the company Galaxy, the accounting mechanisms for funds from the sale of passports under this program, and the total revenue generated by the CIP since he took office nearly three years ago.

Instead of being transparent and accountable, Minister Hilaire has chosen to operate in secrecy, keeping the nation in the dark about the inner workings of the CIP. His lack of transparency has raised serious concerns about the program’s integrity and has undermined public trust. It is rich for Minister Hilaire to accuse the opposition of tarnishing the country’s reputation when he himself has been derelict in his duties and has a history of questionable integrity.

Rather than crying and behaving like a spoiled brat, Minister Hilaire should focus on doing his job and providing the necessary transparency and accountability that the people of St. Lucia deserve. His incompetence and questionable integrity have brought the CIP into disrepute, and it is time for him to take responsibility for his actions and step down as Minister responsible for the CIP. The people of St. Lucia deserve better.