THE Leadership and members of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) have expressed “tremendous sorrow and sadness” after “learning of the death of Farmers’ leader and patriotic Saint Lucian, Mr. Abel Wilson.
In a press release, the party said that “Saint Lucia, the farming fraternity and the Mon Repos (Micoud North) community have lost a humble but truly great son who always put his farmers and his people first.”
According to the statement, “Wilson was one of the most conscientious and productive farmers in the heyday of the banana industry and this won him the favour of banana farmers, who repeatedly elected him to serve on the Board of Directors of the Saint Lucia Banana Growers Association (SLBGA).”
Wilson was part of the SLP Team which won the 1997 General elections by an unprecedented 16-1 margin, but he narrowly lost the Micoud North UWP stronghold by 216 votes.
Abel’s son, Silas, also succeeded his father and took-up the mantle of elective politics, also unsuccessfully contesting the Micoud North seat for the Party on two occasions ( in 2006 and 2008).
According to the SLP, “Until his untimely death, Abel remained a devoted farmer, faithfully supplying a variety of food crops to his loyal customers at his Hospital Road, Castries depot, every Saturday.
“It is therefore fitting that his final hours were spent on his farm and he died doing what he loved.”
SLP Political Leader and Leader of the Opposition Philip J. Pierre also paid special tribute to Wilson.
Mr. Pierre recalled: “Brother Abel Wilson was a simple but extra-ordinary Saint Lucian, a dedicated farmer, a loving father and a loyal friend who loved his country dearly.”
He said the SLP “will forever be grateful for his contribution to farming in Saint Lucia and the cause of Labour in Micoud North.
“We owe him and his family a debt gratitude and we commiserate with them during this difficult period.”
Mr. Pierre believes that the contribution of Abel Wilson must be recognized by farmers and SLP members, who he called upon to “celebrate Abel’s life and perpetuate his legacy. ”