Minister for Infrastructure, Ports Services and Energy, Shawn Edward, conducted a working tour of the Vieux Fort North and Choiseul constituencies recently, accompanied by the constituencies’ parliamentary representatives and engineers from Nationwide Construction Ltd.
The visit focused on two critical road sections earmarked for full rehabilitation: the Canelles–Vigé stretch in Vieux Fort North and the road in Cedars, Choiseul, in the area commonly known as Chu Tigre.
Vieux Fort North MP Moses “Musa” Jn Baptiste described the Vigé Road as a vital link connecting several communities. He noted that longstanding challenges along the route will finally be addressed through a phased rehabilitation programme.
“The first phase will be from the Vigé Primary School to the approach to Canelles. Another section in Canelles will be done in concrete. A second phase is expected from the Pierrot Junction to the Desruisseaux Junction,” Jn Baptiste explained.
Resident engineer at Nationwide Construction Ltd., Edward Khan, said the company’s presence in both constituencies was to begin establishing a clear roadmap for the rehabilitation works in Vigé and Chu Tigre.
Minister Edward said his visit was intended to provide a first-hand assessment of the condition of the roads. He noted that the Vigé Road has been a longstanding priority for the parliamentary representative.
“Finally, we have been able to finalise the resources to give the green light for that road to be rehabilitated,” Minister Edward said, adding that the same applies to the stretch of road in Chu Tigre, Choiseul.
He confirmed that Nationwide Construction Ltd. has been selected to undertake the works, which form part of a broader national programme aimed at rehabilitating roads across communities and constituencies throughout Saint Lucia.
“We are not in a position where we can do all the roads at once, but we go into constituencies where the situation is particularly dire and the need is very apparent, to make that kind of intervention,” Minister Edward said.