Gov't & SRDF Pump Millions into Soufriere Economy

Contact: Dana Augustin

Friday, January 12, 2001 – As the New Year unfolds government and the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) are laying the groundwork on a number of new initiatives aimed at improving the social and physical environment for the people of Soufriere.

Friday marked the official opening of a new jetty on the Soufriere Water Front. The jetty, which was constructed at a cost of $372,876, has replaced the one destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Lenny in November 1999. The new jetty is a welcomed addition to a beautification project on the beachfront, which includes a botanical garden, lighting and footpaths for its patrons.

A sod turning ceremony was also held on Friday for the commencement of work on the construction of a ‘comfort facility’ in the community. The facility, a much-needed service for the community, will house public toilets and bathrooms. It will cost just over $180,000. Additionally, the natural environment will be taken into consideration with the installation of a miniature park to accommodate sitting areas.

Chairman of the SRDF, Harold Dalson has described Soufriere, home of the majestic Pitons, as a Mecca for tourism. To a large extent, the tourism industry continues to propel the growth of the Soufriere economy and therefore Dalson believes that all necessary facilities must be in place. Dalson reported that in the absence of the jetty, the SRDF lost approximately 20% of its anticipated income in the cruise sector when cruise ships berthed at Castries. Nonetheless, he foresees that the levy accrued for use of the comfort facility, alongside the toll on the new jetty, will help to boost the Board’s revenue.

The bulk of the funding for the comfort facility and the new jetty has come from the SRDF, while government, through the Ministry of Planning is responsible for the architectural designs and overall maintenance of the facilities.

Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere and Minister for Planning, Hon. Dr. Walter Francois, has applauded the efforts of the SRDF. While addressing the gathering, Dr. Francois impressed upon residents to keep the facilities in a pristine condition. "When things are done properly, we in Soufriere take very good care of it," he said, "As is the example with the Waterfront. I know when this project (the comfort facility) starts, we will take good care of it too." Dr. Francois added, "It is my intention to see that Soufriere grows and develops. I want that when I account for my stewardship, you will be able to see the increments, the difference."

According to Ervin Alexis, Executive Director of the SRDF, within the last three years the Foundation has spent about half a million dollars in community based projects from Bouton to Fond se Jacques. In addition, some 1.2 million dollars was paid in wages to persons employed in the implementation of several projects during that same period.

Meanwhile, the supervisor on the jetty construction team, Michael George, noted that just under a dozen skilled Saint Lucians were employed with the construction of the jetty. Some of those workers he said were young school leavers whose skills were directly applied to the construction of the jetty, an experience, he says, that will benefit them in the long run.

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