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We've compiled a listing of major events and activities of importance to Saint
Lucia and Saint Lucians over the past 25 years. Take a look. If you think we got
something wrong or incomplete, please point us in the right direction.
Click here to make a submission
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
-
February 21, 2001 - Independence activities rained out. Saint Lucia’s
21st birthday, the island would not be spared another brush with
disaster. A grand ceremony and celebration that had been planned for
months would have to be postponed.
- 2000
- The Program for the Regularization of Unplanned Development (PROUD)
was introduced at the beginning of 2000.
- Lady Spice – First Female Calypso Monarch
- 1999
-
Hurricane Lenny- 1999.
- Work on the multi-million dollar Vieux
Fort Fisheries Complex has begun. In September 1999, progress on the
construction of the boat storage yard, the administration office, the
fish handling shed, the fish market, cold storage facility, work shop
and corporation retail outlet, canteen, locker room, public toilet,
shower room, ice making plant, and substation were all on schedule.
- In October 1999 the Summer Linguistics
presented a version of the New Testament in Kweyol.
- WASA - the Water and Sewage Authority was privatized in December
1999, transformed into the Water and Sewerage Company - WASCO.
- In December 1999 a 57 million-dollar
road tunnel road built at the Cul de Sac bypass was opened to traffic.
- 1998
- Nelson Mandela came to Saint Lucia in July 1998 for the 25th
Anniversary of CARICOM.
- The Saint Lucia Bananas Growers Association Act was repealed in
September 1998, paving the way for the Saint Lucia Banana Company and full
commercialisation of the banana industry.
- 1997
- In May 1997, Saint Lucia was elected to Commission on the status of
women. The Commission was established in 1946 to prepare reports on
matters concerning the promotion of women’s rights in the political,
economic, social and educational fields and to make recommendations to
the Council on problems requiring immediate action in the field of
women’s rights. Lorraine Williams held the Presidency of the Inter-
American Commission of Women for one year.
- In the General Election of 1997 Miss Menissa Rambally made history
in Saint Lucia when she became the youngest parliamentarian at age 21.
- In 1997, Dr. Pearlette Louisy became the island’s first female
Governor General.
- The National Youth Council would be recognised as the official
representative of Saint Lucian Youth, when the NYC Incorporation Act was
passed in parliament in 1997.
- On 4th August 1997 the Vigie Airport was renamed George .F.L.
Charles Airport.
- 1997 saw the advent of a very unusual phenomenon, when a number of
land slippage incidents started occurring in various regions around the
island. First Bogis, then Morne Du Don and most recently Black Mallet
and Maynard Hill. The sudden and unexpected costs in relocating affected
residents have been quite high and provided new challenges for disaster
preparedness officials.
- In September 1997 residents of the south saw the opening of a
fertilizer plant and Julian Supermarket in Vieux Fort. In addition, the
government of Saint Lucia and China signed their first technical agreement
for the establishment of a Free Trade Zone in Vieux Fort.
- In November 1997, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony announced in
his budget speech that the government has confirmed an agreement with
the National Insurance Property Development Company of Trinidad and
Tobago to play a lead role in the implementation and building of a multi
storey car park, new prisons, and a new headquarters for the Ministry of
Communication.
- 1996
- 1995
- The end of a long battle waged by the Saint Lucia Teachers Union was
brought to an end on January 16, 1995, when the Teaching Service’s
Regulation 23 of Statutory Instrument 41 of 1977 was finally revoked.
- Saluting the nation’s first female Parliamentary Commissioner Miss
Lawrence Laurent has been one of the most talked about achievements for
women in 1995.
- Introduction of credit cards locally. The dual currency CIBC VISA
Card was introduced to Saint Lucians in 1995.
- 1994
- The National Commercial Bank in 1994 became the first bank to offer
an "island-wide" network of Automated Teller machine service to the
public.
- The Pigeon Island Interpretation Centre opened in 1994.
- In 1994, the fish-landing base at Dennery was constructed and the
fishermen of the area were provided with two vehicles, fishing boats and
gear.
-
Tropical Storm Debbie- 1994.
- 1993
- February 1993 "Sir Allen Lewis Dies" - Saint Lucia's first Governor
General, Sir Allen Lewis, died after a short period of illness. Sir
Allen who was 84 had a distinguished career in the legal and judicial
field and was the first ever Chief Justice of the Associated States. He
had two spells as head of state, the first from 1974, which included his
appointment as the island's first Governor General when Saint Lucia became
independent in 1979. At the time of his death Sir Allen was Chancellor
of the University of the West Indies, he was also patron of a number of
local organizations. Over a period of 50 years Sir Allen was involved in
several areas of public life. Sir Allen was the brother of Sir Arthur
Lewis, Saint Lucia's first of two Nobel Laureates.
- Track and field maintained a high profile in 1993. Saint Lucia piled
up 34 medals and 318 points, the highest among Dominica, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines and Grenada in the Windward Island’s Track and Field
Championships held in St. Vincent. 1993 was also a good year for boxing
with the staging of several local and regional bouts. The Domino
interest was maintained throughout that year and a team competed in the
4th North American and Caribbean Domino Federation tournament in
Barbados. The swim team won 4 medals at the CARIFTA Games. The National
Basketball team finished 3rd in the Windward’s tournament.
-
The successes of the tourism industry are largely dependent on
contributions of various individuals, groups, companies and
organizations. In order to recognize those that have demonstrated
outstanding commitment to excellence the National Service & Hospitality
Awards were first stage in mid January 1993. The Awards would be renamed
Ste. Lisi Par Excellence in 1999 in order to include other sectors that
do not fall directly within the hospitality industry, but whose
contributions are equally important to the successes of tourism.
- "Walcott Gets Saint Lucia's 2nd Highest Honour" Saint Lucia's 1992
Nobel Laureate for Literature, Derek Alton Walcott, OBE, has received
another award for his outstanding achievements. At a brief ceremony held
at Government House Thursday August 26, 1993 Walcott was presented with
the island's second highest award, the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC), for
outstanding honour and recognition he has brought to Saint Lucia through
his literary acclaim, particularly in poetry and the theatre. The Saint Lucia Cross is bestowed on a person who has rendered distinguished and
out standing service of national importance to Saint Lucia. Citizens who
have been awarded the SLC are authorized to use the title "The
Honourable" before their names. Since wining the Nobel Prize, Walcott
has received many honours at both home and abroad. In January Walcott
was here for the renaming of the former Columbus Square after him.
- "New FRC Building" After 20 years the Folk Research Centre has
finally moved into a permanent home. The building was officially opened
on August 8, 1993. The event was characterized by speeches, folk
dancing, steel band music and the sampling of delicacies associated with
Saint Lucia's culture.
- 1993 - "Sir Arthur on New EC$ Currency" The portrait of Saint Lucia's
first Nobel Laureate, the late Sir Arthur Lewis, is to be featured
prominently on a new series of $100 notes being released by the Eastern
Caribbean Central Bank.
- "1st Female Police Recruit to Win 'Baton of Honour'" History was
made at the Police Training School, La Toc, on Friday December 14, 1993,
when a female recruit was announced as the recipient of the Baton of
Honour during the school's 16th passing out parade. It was the first
time for a female. Delia Lagon bettered a field of 46 to hold aloft the
trophy, which is a symbol of police training excellence.
- 1992
- In
January 1992 the Ministry of Education appointed a Pre-school Licensing
Board to regulate and set standards for the operation of pre-schools.
- In January 1992 Saint Lucia received high
marks, and was rated number one, in a profile of 21 Caribbean and Latin
American countries, based upon current conditions, trends, and actions
relating to a series of economic, social and political indicators. The
USAID’s 1990 performance rating published in its Action Plan for fiscal
year 1992-93 also claimed the OECS sub-region 3rd place of 16 in Latin
America.
- In January 1992 Health Minister Romanus
Lansiquot said that work on the Roseau Dam had commenced and the access
road leading to the dam was already being constructed then. Persons who
lived within the vacinity of the dam site had to be relocated. He also
said that the dam would not be in place before 1994. This project costs
more than $100 million.
- In January 1992 The Caribbean Natural
Resources Institute (CANARI) congratulated Saint Lucia for becoming a
signatory to the Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural
and Natural Heritage, “The World Heritage Convention.” According to a
CANARI spokesman, “ There is clear consensus among environmental
institutions in Saint Lucia and in the region that the Soufriere area,
with its majestic Pitons and other unique natural and cultural resources
should be nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List.”
- 1992 was a good year for women, as they
became increasingly involved in potential economic activity. Following
the general elections, which took place in April of that year, four
women were appointed to the Senate, including Ms. Lorraine Williams who
became the island’s Attorney General.
- March 1992. More than 3 decades ago
fishing in Saint Lucia was confined within the boundaries of very
primitive methods that were used. Today the fishing industry has
expanded its horizons to play a wider role in local and international
markets. The industry has borne the advantages of possessing modernised
equipment and technique. Although the dug-out canoe is still widely used
by many fishermen around the island, new boats equipped with the latest
and more efficient machinery allow fishermen to venture further out at
sea for longer periods, and return with large yields of various kinds of
fish like Dolphin, king Fish, Tuna, Flying Fish, Jack Fish and Ballawa.
In 1992 records revealed that nine cooperatives were in existence in Saint Lucia. The Fisheries Complex has been the coordinator and regulator of
the bulk of fishing activity-undertaken islandwide. Within two years of
operation of the complex no whole fish was imported into the island. Saint Lucia now exports whole fish to Dominica, Antigua, British Virgin
Islands, Canada and the United States.
- In August 1992 Jones Mondesir compiled
a Kweyol dictionary with the aid of Britain’s Southwark’s Afro-Caribbean
Language and Literacy Project. He produced this dictionary as a means of
preserving our cultural heritage. Mondesir's work is the
conclusion of over 30 years of research. This local educator has
single-handedly, quietly and purposefully set out to put this dictionary
together. Consider the time when Kweyol was regarded by many to be the
language of the "unwashed masses," not being worthy of being heard in
school or offices, far less of being the subject undertaking such as a
dictionary. Mondesir approached compilation of the dictionary as his
life's long work. He began and completed his first draft without the
faintest idea of how, when or where it would be published. It was while
living in England briefly that he was able to wrap up arrangements for
its publication and release, now it can be made available to all Saint Lucia.
- In August 1992 the Saint Lucia Transport
Board was in the process of reviewing and amending some traffic
regulations to maximize their purpose in maintaining order on our roads.
Transport Officer Dr. Marlyn Morris was of the view that technological
improvements on vehicles and the increasing vehicular traffic rendered
many of the laws obsolete therefore the formulation of a policy paper
was necessary. Some of the measures being considered are the scheduling
of operating times and the distribution of operators on particular
routes. Under this system a minibus would be licensed for specific
routes. Failure to comply would result in that license being revoked.
- October 1992 Derek Walcott was awarded
the Nobel Prize for Literature.
- In October 1992 Windward & Leeward
Brewery Limited launched the island’s first locally brewed beer
“Piton
Beer.”
- 1991
-
March 1991 “CIBC
Introduces 24-Hour Banking” The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has
announced the arrival of Saint Lucia’s first automated banking machine.
For the first time in the nation’s history, Saint Lucian’s will be able to
make deposits, withdrawals and transfers between accounts, 24-hours a
day.
-
June 1991 - Government and
opposition closed ranks this week to pay homage to the late Sir Arthur
Lewis, the son-of-the-soil who rose to become an economist of world
renown and first West Indian to win a Nobel Prize. Sir Arthur 76, who
died in Barbados on June 15, 1991, was described in the most flowery
language when the House of Assemble met Tuesday. As the World famous
economist and Nobel Prize winner, Sir William Arthur Lewis, was being
laid to rest Saturday, June 22, 19991, the tributes and condolences were
deeper and more moving. Government ensured that the great
son-of-the-soil received his last rites with honor and flair. By
mid-morning the impressive looking casket bearing the body of Sir Arthur
was wheeled into the Castries City Hall to be exposed in the Heart of
the city where the people could pay their respects. This was the man who
nurtured the University of the West Indies, groomed the Caribbean
Development Bank, Developed a theory of economic growth, advised British
and Caribbean governments, worked towards a Caribbean Federation and won
the Nobel Prize for economics. At the Cathedral his work on earth was
traced and retraced through the tributes of friends and peers, until his
body left for the final fitting resting place – the grounds of the
community college on the Morne, named after him.
- In
1991 a National Policy Statement on women prepared by the Women’s
Affairs Division of the Ministry of Community Development was approved
by Cabinet together with a five year Plan of Action. In its basic
principles, the Policy on Women recognises: the need for an improved
image of women in society and the elimination of all forms of
discrimination against women, the provision of childcare facilities for
working mothers, the establishment of educational facilities for
mothers, the development of an economically viable agricultural sector
particularly in the rural areas, the encouragement and facilitating of
female entrepreneurship through government technical assistance, the
need for strict adherence to the UN Convention on the Elimination of
Discrimination Against Women.
-
“No More Junior Sec.
Schools” - September 1991 will mark the end of an era in the education
system here when junior secondary education introduced in 1973 will be
phased out completely. The last remaining schools in this category at
Dennery and Vieux Fort will both be upgraded. The first junior secondary
was established at Entrepot and served as the pilot for six others,
which were set up at Corinth, Choiseul, Soufriere, Dennery, Vieux Fort
and Micoud.
- 1990
- In January 1990 a milk plant opened at Beausejour, Vieux Fort under
the joint venture of the Saint Lucia Livestock Development Corporation (SLLDC)
and the National Development Corporation (NDC) and the Caribbean Food
Corporation (CFC). This came as an initiative for economic
diversification. The new plant would be responsible for processing fresh
cow’s milk, to supply the local market.
- In February 1990 CARDI gave the government irrigation equipment,
which would be used to provide mist irrigation in a propagation house
for hardening tissue culture plantlets at Union Experimental Station.
- In
March 1990 the fish market that was funded by the Japanese government
opened in Sans Souci.
- In September 1990 The Ministry of Education agreed that all public
schools will write the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations
instead of the London General Certificate of Education (GCE)
examinations that students had written in previous years. Statistician
in the Ministry of Education George James said that this is likely to
come into effect from as early as next June. The GCE examinations will
remain open to private candidates.
- In March 1990 the Ministry Education launched three more adult
literacy pilot projects in the communities of Balata, Ciceron and
Marchand. This brings the number of communities targeted to reduce
illiteracy, to five.
- In November 1990 the residents of the upper Morne Du Don area were
forced to vacate their community when a severe land movement with earth
cracks measuring some 4-6 inches occurred. Steady rains were assumed to
be the cause of the cracks in the land.
- The
Youth Skill’s Training Programme which started in 1983 was conceived by
the OECS governments out of concern for the high level of unemployment
among the youth in its member states. This programme was seen as a
significant step to curb the problem upon the realization that the
education system did not directly prepare young people for engagement in
potential economic activity. The OAS and USAID added technical support
to the programme with the OAS undertaking the daily operations of the
programme until November 1989, when the government of Saint Lucia, through
the Ministry of the Youth administrated the programme while the OAS and
USAID. The Youth Skills Training Programme had seen its 7th
year of operation in Saint Lucia in 1990. Approximately 2,800 young
persons have undergone training in 125 different fields which, have been
expanded to include courses in Bee-Keeping, Bamboo Craft, Wood Carving,
Small Appliance Repair & Servicing, and Home Assistant and Baby-Sitting.
Two Regional Skills Training Centres have been established in Choiseul
and Anse-La-Raye. Industrial training has been conducted at Odsan, Bisee,
and Vieux Fort industrial estates. Furniture manufacturing and
on-the-job training in day care services have taken place in the
Anse-La-Raye village.
- 1989
- January 1989 – National Cultural Centre goes up - An 800-seat tent
costing ½ a million dollars is almost ready at the Cultural Complex site
at Sans Souci, to host its first performance. The tent, a gift to Saint Lucia from the French government is being erected primarily to host
cultural shows being held as pat of the island’s 10th independence
anniversary celebrations, but will remain after these festivities are
over. For years, the Sans Souci site has been earmarked for a cultural
complex.
- February 22, 1989 “Prince Wooing Our Kids” - Saint Lucia celebrates
its 10th independence anniversary today with pomp and ceremony in
communities throughout the island. The visit of Prince Charles has been
one of the major highlights of the celebrations. The Prince became an
instant hit with Saint Lucian children when he arrived here Monday
February 20. Last night, he was present at the Vigie Airport tarmac
where a military parade re-enacted the ceremony that took place at
Independence Dock exactly 10 years ago, when the 4-color Saint Lucian flag
was hoisted to mark the final breaking away from Britain.
- “Choc Garbage Dump is Shut Down” The eyesore Choc Garbage Dump has
been officially closed and a new site at the western end of Ciceron, at
the bottom of the hill overlooking the Hess Oil Storage Facility, has
been opened. As of 6:00 PM Saturday, October 7, it became illegal to
dispose of garbage at Choc and the Ministry of Community Development
warned that violators would be prosecuted under the litter act.
- Moral, environmental and historical concerns were raised in 1989
amidst plans to legalize casino gambling as a possible avenue of
fostering growth in the tourism industry. The issue would take centre
stage again in 1998. In order to garner public sentiment on gaming,
government commissioned a survey, the results of which were released at
the end of 1999.
-
November 1989 “Traffic
Lights Go Into Use” The first junction to have this new facility in
traffic management is the Vide Boutielle – Choc – Vigie junction, where
four sets of lights are being installed. The traffic lights project is a
$6 million undertaking by government, which also involves the
installation of 450 traffic signs. Thirteen other junctions are to be
served with lights.
-
“Venner is New ECCB
Governor” Outgoing Director of Finance, Dwight Venner, the man who has
been credited with pulling Saint Lucia’s economy from near collapse in
1981, officially takes up his new position of Governor of the East
Caribbean Central Bank on Friday, December 1, 1989.
- 1988
- In February 1988 a $12 million government office block opened in
Conway. Prime Minister Compton said that what Saint Lucians were
witnessing was part of a harbour and Waterfront development which, began
some 15 years ago when government acquired the area for development.
- “Turning Point” the national drug rehabilitation centre, was open in
May 1988 to provide vital services to those who fell victim to drugs and
alcohol.
- In May
1988 Mr. Winston Cenac published a land law book entitled “Coutume De
Paris, The Evolution of Land Law in Saint Lucia” to give clearer
definition of the attendant laws.
- In June 1988 Cable & Wireless opened its Teleport at Sans Souci. The
$10 million station will provide voice end data transmissions via
digital Eastern Caribbean Microwave system to Saint Lucia.
- In 1988 work commences on phase 1 of the West Coast Road Project .
- A $115,000 Rotary Mobile Blood Bank was due in Saint Lucia by August
of 1988. This was made possible through the proceeds from a national car
raffle.
- In September 1988, the Sports Aid Programme which is responsible for
administering youth programmes around the world established its “race
against time,” a 10k event for the children around the world. In Saint Lucia’s participation hundreds of Saint Lucians of all ages gathered near
the Courts building on Chaussee Road to run the local end of the “race
against time.” Sports Aid began in 1986 to assist needy children around
the world.
- In
November 1988 thousands of Saint Lucians participated in a national event,
which was established for the first time, in an effort to cultivate a
sense of Saint Lucian unity among persons from all walks of life around
the island. “Hands Across Saint Lucia” as it was called was a nature
trailing event which took place at different forested areas from Micoud
to Soufriere, in which persons were expected to hold hands to form a
chain. This symbolised that Saint Lucians were on the path to a greater
self-reliance and realisation. Although there was some technical
difficulty throughout the event, activities continued to bring the
people closer together as Father Patrick Anthony of the Roman Catholic
Church sang and blessed the occasion with his religious performance. The
Cadet Corps was also keenly involved in the event as they tried to
restore the unbroken chain when persons began segregating into groups of
their own, more so to complete the forest walk.
- 1987
-
Saint Lucia Olympic Body formed in late January 1987.
-
Cable TV "Cablevision" comes to Saint Lucia June 24,
1987.
-
Pedestrian traffic across the island’s two airports
ceases from June 15, 1987. This action by government has come as a
result of excessive pressure being brought to near-by airline operators
and the Federal Aviation Authority of the United States who have
threatened to disallow airlines using our airports to land in the U.S.
and to disapprove the use of our airports by U.S. based airlines.
-
$750,000 Red Cross Centre Opened. The newly
constructed Red Cross Headquarters (opened formally in August 9, 1978),
“must be available to all those who need help,” according to the
President of the League of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies,
Enrique de Malta. The headquarters was constructed with a solid
structure to enable it to withstand various kinds of natural disasters.
Construction commenced in October 1985 when Queen Elizabeth laid the
foundation stone during her visit to the island.
- 1986
- Internet advertising comes to Saint Lucia on
March 30 1996.
- American investor Mr. Arch Marez in 1986 financed the construction
of the Rodney Bay Marina which was built at a cost of $9 million, with
the capability of accommodating 140 yachts. It included shopping centres
and offered travel lift and workshop facilities. The facility was built
at a time when yachting was becoming one of the prime activities of
tourism.
- Thousands of Saint Lucians welcomed Pope John Paul the Second when he
visited Saint Lucia in July 1986. Prime Minister John Compton, Governor
General Sir Allen Lewis, Archbishop Kelvin Felix and Caribbean
government heads welcomed the Pope at the Vigie Airport. In a programme
that he conducted at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Pope met with the
sick and disabled persons. He communicated to the people in many ways
when he spoke a few words on patois saying “Zanfan bon dye pwen kouway
mete konfyans ou an bondye” (Children of God take courage put your trust
in God).
- In
July 1986 Saint Lucian-born Flora Hyacinth now residing in the United
States Virgin Islands, captured the gold medal in the women’s 400 metres
hurdles during the Central American games. She also gained a bronze
medal in the long jump division.
- In August 1986 the Ministry of Education disclosed that hundreds
more will get school places in the following academic school year.
During the end of the school year’s holidays the Ministry of Education
spent some $1,4 million in a programme in which it undertook to expand,
rebuild and repair primary and secondary schools around the island. A
number of schools have benefitted from this programme-Babonneau Primary
School, the Bocage school, the Micoud Primary School, a new school was
established in Pierrot, the Morne Repos Primary School, the La Guerre
school, the Soufriere Boys Primary School. This programme was locally
financed.
- The Ministry of Sports, with the assistance of donations from the
Private Sector, raised $1 million to finance the construction of the
Vigie Multi Purpose Sports Complex which was completed in August 1986
just in time to host the Regional Netball Tournament, the first event to
take place there.
- 1985
- In February 1985 Prime Minister John Compton received the keys to
the newly built Fisheries Complex at Sans Souci. The Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) funded this project with a cost
of some $6.8 million. The Complex consists of a fish landing terminal
and a processing plant and its objectives are generally to improve the
quality and volumes of fish caught and marketed and to efficiently
obtain foreign currency from exports of the fish.
- In March 1985 Saint Lucia staged an International Independence Road
Race en route from Castries to Choiseul and back-a distance of 100
miles. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago took part. Saint Lucia’s George
Romaine and Daniel Louis captured the first and second place
respectively.
- In May 1985 through the joint effort of the Saint Lucia National Trust
and other international and local organizations, the Maria Islands
Nature Reserve and Interpretation Centre was opened at Pointe Sables in
Vieux Fort in an effort to preserve the island’s natural heritage and
also to serve as an information medium and museum.
- A football school established by Mr. Stuart Charles was officially
opened on November 18 1995.
- In 1995, Saint Lucia’s presence was felt at Carifesta. Participants
included the Piaye Dance Troupe, Chamelion Dancers, La Po Kabwit and the
Royal Saint Lucian Police Band.
- Saint Lucians were OECS champions in 1995, for various events such as
track and field competitions and the male and female body building
competitions. Sports personalities included Raymond Daniel, Monica
Dudley, Lawrence Stevens and Julian Felix.
- The
government approved a National Population Policy Statement in 1985
which, contained specific objectives regarding women in Saint Lucia.
- 1984
- Plans were underway in January 1984 for the commencement of work on
a multimillion dollar Pointe Seraphine project as a tourist centre,
which was to be financed by the Caribbean Development Bank. Originally
the centre was perceived as a cruise ship tourist facility, but its
expansion now facilitated for stay over tourists. The shopping mall
allowed Saint Lucians to sell duty free items such as liquor, cameras,
souvenirs, clothing, perfumes, jewellery and many more. The project came
as an initiative to maximize the benefits of the Tourist Industry,
through the generation of tourist expenditure in Saint Lucia.
- In February 1984 Cable and Wireless introduced a Telefax Service to
Saint Lucians. Cable and Wireless has made notable contributions in
revolutionizing the island’s telecommunications system, since the
operation of their digital exchange, international direct dialing was
introduced.
- In 1984, the National Youth Council was established to promote the
views and voices of young Saint Lucians.
- In 1984 the Ministry of Sports conceptualized the formation of
sporting activities, with the view of attracting visitors to the island.
From this stemmed the beginning of a sporting event named “Aqua Action”,
which took place at Easter time from then onwards. Aqua Action was made
possible through the joint effort of marine oriented organizations and
other institutions on the island.
- In
September 1984 plans commenced for the transformation of the Morne
Complex into an institution of higher learning to be renamed the Sir
Arthur Lewis Community College and opened in 1985.
- In1984 the Ministry of Education
launched an Adult Illiteracy pilot Project in the communities of La
Guerre and Ti Rocher (Micoud) in an effort to alleviate widespread
illiteracy in these areas.
- 1983
- In February 1983 a Texas – based medical group established an off –
shore Medical School in Saint Lucia. The School, known as the Saint Lucia
Health Sciences University, was temporarily housed at the Red Lion Hotel
at Vigie. Later, in November 1983, the school, after being renamed the
Spartan Health Sciences University, was relocated at New Dock Road,
Vieux Fort.
- The
government of Saint Lucia became a signatory to the UN Convention on the
Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1983.
- 1982
- In February 1982 Justice Monica Joseph had become the first woman to
be appointed as a judge in the West Indies Associated States Supreme
Court, now known as the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Welcoming Miss
Joseph, Queen’s Counsel and President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association,
Vincent Floissac pointed out that the new judge created history in Saint Lucia because this was the first time in the legal history in Saint Lucia
that a lady had adorned the judicial bench. He noted that not too long
ago Miss Grace Augustin was denied admission to the Bar because she was
a woman.
- In May 1982 at the swearing in of a new Cabinet, Miss Magarita
Alexander was identified as the Minister of Education.
- In June 1982 the multimillion dollar Hess transshipment terminal at
Cul de Sac was opened when Prime Minister John Compton turned on the
switch to discharge 2 million gallons of crude oil brought in by the
super tanker “Saint Lucia.” This saw the operation of a transshipment
terminal capable of storing more than 5 million barrels of oil. The
terminal was opened 5 years after site clearing began in August 1977.
The Hess Oil Terminal was built to meet the highest standards of the oil
industry, for the prevention of, and protection against oil pollution.
The construction of the Terminal involved the largest earth – moving
operation ever undertaken in Saint Lucia at that time.
- In December 1982 the University of the West Indies Primary Health
Centre opened at Morne Fortune with the aim of establishing a clinic and
laboratories to teach U.W.I. Undergraduates health care, to produce and
disseminate educational health material and to undertake research
projects that pertain to health care. Unfortunately the University
closed its operations here in March 1984, as it would undertake a new
location in Grenada. Quite a number of Saint Lucians had already
benefitted from a wide range of medical studies while it was in
operation in the island. When it moved to Grenada, it still offered Saint Lucians a chance to continue their studies at that location at the same
time, while creating opportunities for new students.
- In December 1982, Helen Television System launched a new television
system in Saint Lucia when it began test transmissions to the Castries
area, with the hope of transmitting local programmes and relays of U.S.
television programmes to the entire island.
- 1981
- 1980
- 1980 a paper submitted to the Ministry of Education revealed
that some 30,000 adults were illiterate in the areas of Marchand, Vieux-Fort,
Micoud, Dennery, Anse La Raye, Choiseul, Castries, Soufriere and Canaries.
18,526 persons or 46% of the population between the ages of 25 and 64 years
of age.
Total number of school enrolments was 36,153 administered by a staff of
1,223. Of the 61 schools, 11 were moderately overcrowded, 38 were seriously
overcrowded and 12 were in a critical situation. Illiteracy rate was well
over 22%. Drop in the number of qualified teachers was 38%. The CDB granted
$2million for the renovation and expansion of schools.
- In October 1980, Saint Lucia became a member of the Pan American
Health Organization. The island gained admission during the 27th meeting
of the Directing Council of the Organization in Washington.
- A
major achievement of the Ministry of Health in 1981 was the preparation
of a Health Policy and Development Plan for 1981-1985. This plan aims at
providing Health for all by the year 2000 with objectives to: (1)impart
knowledge to the community itself. (2) encourage community participation
in the formulation and implementation of health care strategies within
their competence. (3) use manpower to solve problems appropriate to
their levels of competence.
-
Hurricane Allen- 1980. Hurricane Allen struck Saint Lucia on August 3-4
1980 with winds of more than 100 miles per hour, causing extensive
damage to property, industries and claiming the lives of 16 Saint Lucians.
According to an estimate given by Minister of Planning, Development and
Industry, Mr. Micheal Pilgrim costs of recuperation could lie between
$150 million and $200 million.
- 1979
-
1979 -
"Saint Lucia’s 1st Laureate" Sir Arthur Lewis Wins Nobel Prize
for Economics
- In 1979 there were 77 primary schools and 11 secondary schools with
30610 pupils being taught by a staff of 194 teachers and 4879 pupils
being taught by 220 teachers respectfully. 16 years later there are 84
primary schools with an enrolment of 32221 and approximately 1197
teachers.
- In September 1979, the United Nations Security Council recommended
to the General Assembly that Saint Lucia become a member of the UN. Upon
its admission, Saint Lucia became the 152-member state.
- February 22 1979 - Streets and buildings were decorated with the
national colours of yellow, blue, black and white. Saint Lucia’s flag was
first raised on the night of February 28 1967 when the island became a
self-governing associated state. It will now be raised at 35 centres
throughout the island, from 12:01 Thursday morning, when the island ends
its relationship constitutionally with Britain. The main flag raising
ceremony will take place at one of the berths in Castries port called
“Independence dock.”
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