CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA — Deputy Political Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Guy Joseph, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a deeply flawed and opaque agreement between the Government of Saint Lucia and Global Port Holdings (GPH) for the redevelopment and management of the Castries and Soufriere ports.
Speaking as guest on a local talk show Wednesday night, Joseph outlined a series of concerns, asserting that although the full concession agreement has not been disclosed to the public, the information gleaned from official documents and internal reports paints a troubling picture of economic disadvantage and potential social dislocation for Saint Lucians over the next four decades.
“This is not just about truckers or vendors,” Joseph said, referencing last week’s truckers’ strike that stranded cargo at the Castries port. “You see what’s happening with GPH and Bannanes Bay is just the tip of the iceberg of what we are going to face with GPH over the next 40 years in Saint Lucia. And the Prime Minister as he well indicated by the time the ports will return to the ownership of Saint Lucia, he will no longer be around because that’s 40 years from now.”
He revealed that a Cabinet-appointed technical committee initially recommended the rejection of GPH’s proposal as early as January 2022, noting it did not represent “the best economic and financial option for the country over the next 40 years.” That committee included officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), among others.
According to Joseph, despite this expert advice, the government continued negotiations with GPH and accepted a revised proposal in April 2022—one that still failed to address critical issues such as a viable concession fee and long-term revenue protection for SLASPA.
He also drew attention to the relocation of residents from Bannanes Bay, which he views as the first wave of displacement resulting from the GPH deal. “So is it SLASPA paying that money or is it GPH paying that money now if the persons agree to leave?”
Under the current relocation arrangement, residents of Bannanes Bay are being offered a compensation package of $35,000 XCD, disbursed in two tranches: an initial payment of $17,500 XCD upon demolition of their homes, and the remaining $17,500 XCD after they vacate the area. Residents are required to cover the cost of dismantling their own homes, a condition that has drawn criticism for transferring financial and logistical burdens onto already displaced individuals.
Joseph added that Soufriere residents and vendors near the port could soon face similar displacement under the GPH model, which he says places terminal services, water supply, retail spaces, taxis, concierge services, and even public Wi-Fi under the full control of the private operator. “Restaurant and cafes under their control. Taxi services under their control. Concierge, City Map—all of these are under their control. Advertising, Wi-Fi, car rental, parking, bus and transfers, retail sales and shore excursions. The one that should concern all our boat owners and our taxi drivers are the shore excursions.” Joseph said as he read from a document detailing GPH’s business model.
The UWP Deputy Leader also questioned the government’s silence on port maintenance responsibilities, noting that the agreement mandates SLASPA to carry out all maintenance and dredging while receiving only $1 USD per cruise passenger for the first seven years, rising to $1.50 thereafter. “As part of the concession agreement, Global Port Holdings Limited will pay the Government of Saint Lucia, first SLASPA, a concession of one U.S. dollar per person for the first seven years of the agreement, and then $1.50 per person thereafter. So…we will begin to get $1.50 per passenger when we were already getting $6.50 per passenger.”
He further pointed out that the head tax is set to increase to $10 USD, not for the benefit of Saint Lucians, but as a mechanism to help GPH recoup its investments. “The proposal to increase the head tax to $10U.S. is a mechanism to recoup the increased expenditure for GPH.”
Joseph also questioned logistical challenges that may arise, especially during high-demand seasons. “What is going to happen when you start work on Berth Four? What is going to happen when the cruise season opens and you have work going on on the port at the same time?” he asked, referencing confusion around the proposed barge relocation of imported vehicles to Vieux Fort.
“This is not a development model; this is a handover,” Joseph concluded. “Saint Lucians must take time to understand. How can an agreement lease our port for 40 years with an option to renew for 10 years—and nobody knows what the agreement is?”
The UWP has renewed calls for full disclosure of the concession agreement with GPH. When quizzed on how the United Workers Party would handle the GPH matter if voted into office, Joseph indicated that the party would revisit the terms of the agreement, engage all affected stakeholders, and explore both legal and legislative options to protect Saint Lucia’s national interests. He added that a UWP government is prepared to challenge the current terms and anticipates that the matter could ultimately lead both parties to court.
