If my memory serves me right, some twenty-five to thirty years ago, the then Prime Minister, Sir John Compton, mentioned turning Vieux Fort and the surrounding area into the New Frontier.
The objective then I suppose was to decentralise the economic dominance that Castries and the northern zone had acquired over time, but regardless of the reason that dream concept of change never became a reality.
Fast forward about six years ago, another sitting prime minister proposed to build an administration building to facilitate the growing needs of that area as it relates to obtaining key documents that seem to only be available in Castries and the northern zone, but with the change of government that idea was also shelved and again the southern region was deprived.
Then came another prime minister who brightened the hopes of the Southern people in expecting mass economic development as he promised to transform Vieux Fort into the Pearl of the Caribbean with grand resorts new shipping ports and a more economic activity, but they are still waiting.
To this end a new horse race track was built, the promise of a new airport terminal second to none in the Caribbean, also a helipad hospital, as well as all the additions to create a thriving community, but again, for whatever reason, the people of the South were given a six for a nine.
Instead of the additional growth, the little that they had such as a brand-new meat processing plant as well as a renowned offshore medical school and most recently the only car racing track on the island, all seemed to have vanished into thin air. Thirty years of hopes and dreams dashed against the wall. The reverse happened: The Southern town became notorious for criminality. And despite all the planned good, nothing good has come out of all these promises.
Now, if persons from that area need meaningful employment or economic support, they still have to migrate to the north to obtain satisfaction.
Why the political bluff through the years? In fact, the Southern people are still keeping their fingers crossed and living in hope that the so-called hospital that was to be rebuilt or replaced by the last disaster through fire will come to a reality before this government’s term of office is ended.
In my opinion, plenty has to be done to see positive development in the South. To start with, the so-called ‘box’ there is so much controversy about should be converted into an industrial College, to give a new lease of life to the South.
The South should also become the sporting capital of the island, considering the flat land and sporting history that it has if the lands that were sold for peanuts can be recovered.
Soufriere is known as the breadbasket and a major tourism hub, Castries and the Northern zone have evolved as a zone of prosperity, and the west coast has visible growth, but it is the South and surrounding communities that are lagging behind and needs to be brought to the front burner as it relates to future development.
I say to all leaders regardless of party that you can fool some people sometimes but you can’t fool the people all the time.
Development ought not to be selective or earmarked for only one sector of the society. All of us as Lucians need to feel that the authorities care about our welfare. Some deals made in the past on behalf of us are non-productive and not in our national interest. I welcome external support, but charity should begin at home and the bluffing must stop, or the time will come when the people will revolt.
There are examples of rebellion all over the world, so, my wise word to the wild is to lead us not into destruction, because your gains will vanish with the wind, as nothing is forever.