TWO communities on the east coast of Saint Lucia namely, Praslin in Micoud North and Savannes in Vieux Fort North will each receive a new modernized jetty to help boost the economic activity.
This, according to Minister responsible for Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development, Moses Jn Baptiste, is in keeping with a promise made by his government to help develop fishing infrastructure in coastal communities.
Last Thursday, sod turning ceremonies and a cheque handing over were held to commence construction of the two jetties. During the ceremony, a sum of EC$824,922.56 was handed over to Jn Baptiste, who is also the MP for Vieux Fort North by Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia James Chang as the second disbursment of funds towards the project.
An initial amount had previously been donated to the Minister in January of 2014, adding to a total of approximately EC$1.1 million.
Ambassador Chang expressed his government’s pleasure in facilitating the landing of marine products by users in the fishing industry in Saint Lucia.
Jn Baptiste said that the jetties, when completed, will improve the living conditions of fishers and their families operating in the two coastal communities. These areas, he said, were known to provide livelihood opportunities for residents of surrounding communities in the areas of mariculture (sea moss cultivation) and fish landing.
The new infrastructure will also provide opportunities for residents in the area of tourism.
Users of the resource are excited with the latest development. Fishers are hopeful that the jetties will assist them in securing their vessels and will help attract more economic activities to these locations in mariculture, fish landing and tourism.
When completed Savannes will for the first time enjoy the use of a jetty while Praslin will benefit from the erection of a sound and modern structure.
Construction on the two structures is expected to commence in February and should be completed within a four month period.
‘This, according to Minister responsible for Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development, Moses Jn Baptiste, is in keeping with a promise made by his government to help develop fishing infrastructure in coastal communities.’
How embarrassing – more foreign money to pay for promises made by someone who can’t even afford them. It’s like inviting someone out for a drink, then getting someone else to pay. Real dishonesty on show there.
The Debra Tobiere jetties – what a TRUE VALUE.