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Support for Copra Plant; New Senior's Home for Soufriere
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Support for Copra Plant; New Senior's Home for Soufriere
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Wednesday, June 27,
2001
– Prime Minister,
Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, has assured the copra factory in Soufriere of
Government’s continuing support. However, he stressed that the future of
the margarine and cooking oil-manufacturing plant hinges more on critical
decisions which shareholders have to make.
“There is no way you can survive in this
factory with machinery built in the 1930’s and 1940’s,” he said. “You are not
going to survive that market out there if that is the kind of equipment that you
are going to use.”
Dr. Anthony added:
“My own view is that your company has to be involved in what I call strategic
rethinking, beginning to plan for the future and to think of the very structure
of this company itself. The
government is always there, it is willing to assist because it believes in this
factory. However, you are not going to survive the way you are, you have to
understand that some changes will be necessary.” .
The Prime
Minister’s tour of Soufriere served to give him an on-the-spot assessment of
issues affecting the constituency as well as an opportunity to meet residents
and businesspeople to hear their concerns. The information collected on these
tours will assist Government in its planning to better cater to the needs of
constituencies.
“…Really we have to start from scratch,” Dr. Anthony said. “It is pointless trying to repair a facility like this because really the days are over when people who are ill should necessarily be placed in long halls like this. I am sure there are persons who need to be placed in single rooms.”
During the two day
tour, the Prime Minister and his delegation also visited the site for a new
fisheries complex, and the Baron’s Drive Relocation Area. There were two town
hall-type meetings with residents whose common concerns related to an irregular
water supply, a need for facilities for young people, and proper roads and
drains in certain areas of the constituency. |
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Dr.
Anthony spent Sunday and Monday touring Soufriere, the latest in a series of
visits to constituencies around the island. A stop at the copra factory was one
of many made by the Prime Minister and his delegation over the two days. Dr.
Anthony said Government’s support to the factory would be in the important area
of marketing but he cited a need for shareholders to make an investment in new
technology to improve competitiveness.
On
Monday, the Prime Minister also visited the Senior Citizens Home at Malgretoute
where he chatted with staff and patients. He announced that upgrading the home
was high on Government’s list of priorities, disclosing that during the next few
months, Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere, Hon. Dr. Walter Francois,
will outline plans for the Home.