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BNTF & PRF to Help in Assisting Residents of Castries North

Contact: John Emmanuel

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony along with Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Honourable Ignatius Jean, have concluded a two-day tour of the Castries North Constituency. Honourable Ignatius Jean, who is also the Parliamentary Representative of the area, says the tour provided not only Prime Minister Anthony but other key government ministers, officials of the Poverty Reduction Fund and the Basic Needs Trust Fund, with a comprehensive overview of the problems affecting residents.

The lack of appropriate infrastructure he notes plagues many of the constituency’s remote areas. “The road works, drainage problems as well as problems for pipe borne water are indeed a serious setback. We therefore must look into the possibility for the PRF expediting a project to help alleviate the stress for the people because of the mud and the dismal conditions of the roads as well as to look at the water problems,” said Jean.

According to him, some of the most troubling issues are that of the road infrastructure, together with the fact that a number of residents are uncertain concerning the status of the land on which they live. “Some are saying it belongs to the Crown and some are paying rent to certain individuals. These are matters that we have to investigate to ascertain whether there is need for a rationalization of lands project in those areas.” Jean notes that many of the problems facing residents can be overcome with a greater level of community co-operation and participation coupled with forging closer links with governmental agencies like the BNTF, the PRF and the Ministry of Social Transformation. Special attention he says must also be paid in meeting the needs of the many young persons in the constituency.

Prime Minister Anthony who led the delegation notes a number of priority projects have been agreed upon to bring relief to residents in some of the more deprived areas of the constituency. According to him, “PFR has been mandated to undertake estimates with a view to funding some of these projects. I had the opportunity to chat with residents of formerly Odlum City now Star City and their main concern was to complete a loop road to link a road constructed earlier to the main Morne Du-don road. We realize that this will pose some problems of land acquisition in order to ensure that the right of way of the public is confirmed, however residents are very much anxious for us to do this and for government this is a priority.”

The series of constituency tours that places Government Ministers and officials face to face with residents has been described as a vehicle designed to strengthen the democratic process on the island.

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