European Union Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, Félix Fernández-Shaw visited St. Lucia from 21-23 January, where he had bilateral meetings with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Governments of the OECS countries.
The main purpose of Mr. Fernandez-Shaw’s mission was to advance discussions on the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) with partner countries in the Eastern Caribbean.
The GGIA represents the European Union’s offer to bridge the investment gap in the region, utilising public financing to leverage private capital and investment.
The Investment Agenda provides a framework for the EU’s continued support to ongoing efforts in the region to advance a green and just transition.
With Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, Mr Fernandez-Shaw discussed how to strategically work in the areas of renewable energy, water management, climate finance, digital transition, maritime transport and sargassum, including to attract European investments in these sectors.
A productive meeting also took place with OECS Ministers in charge of digital affairs, in order to discuss the opportunities for the OECS countries to advance their ambitious digital agenda in partnership with the EU under the EU-LAC Digital Alliance.
Mr. Fernandez-Shaw also had bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and other Ministers to discuss areas of mutual interest to St. Lucia and the EU, in particular the implementation of the GGIA in Saint Lucia.
Mr. Fernandez-Shaw also inaugurated the Piaye Bridge jointly with Prime Minister Pierre.
The inauguration of the Piaye Bridge follows its reconstruction and expansion of the previous temporary single lane structure, after it was destroyed by an extreme weather trough in 2013 that cut off access to the south-western part of the island for 15 days.
Rehabilitation of the bridge was one of the major activities under the World Bank Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project initiative, of which the EU contributed €6.1 million in grant aid specifically towards the bridge works and other infrastructure rehabilitation in Anse La Raye.
The overall aim of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project was to reduce St. Lucia’s vulnerability to Climate Change and extreme weather hazards.
The new 25-metre long double-lane structure is designed to withstand extreme hazard events, which are predicted to increase in frequency in the region, as a result of climate change.
It is 1.6 metres higher than the original bridge to provide greater protection from potential elevated water levels during a flood event and facilitates easier passage of debris, reducing the potential for blockage and damage.
The works at the site also included river training to ensure proper water flow beneath the bridge and replanting of trees that were destroyed during the trough to ensure the stability of the surrounding area.
Apart from St. Lucia, Director Fernandez-Shaw will also travel to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Jamaica.
SOURCE: European Union
Best bit of work done here in St lucia…………well done to the worker’s.
Keep his photo in achieve because it will come back to tell a different story after 5 years of service. Thin crust roads with biscuit quality bridges at word class expenses. Lets go Lucians, I hope the funder have experts from overseas of the ground here for this project.
Typical brain washing “EU contributed €6.1 million” that is reason why Banana are being paid so low per lbs/kg. The EU trader pay quality price for banana. The millions of profits they make, they can then give it back to you as a grant, binding you into trade agreement. In this case it has been disguised under “Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project”. Indeed we become vulnerable to these people. Where is Mary Francis? Human Right moral violation…lmao
“25-metre long double-lane” isn’t 6.1million Euro already pass the 11.5m EC$ world class bridge the PM boost about with about same length at Bios Dorange? Pay keen attention, all this contributes to the GDP -lol, We giving away 700+ Millions and taking loans, we giving hotels 15 tax exception. Bro this country full of mad people.
@ Anonymous- very badly said! I would love to take you on that 5 year bet but i have a good feeling, you aint worth more than a debt!
Bradly’s Bridge. You can bring all your Ministers, it is still Bradly’s Bridge,
I saw the bridge and was so ashamed. Whoever made the bridge decide to put decorations on either side that look tacky with no class. The decorations look like two glasses of rum. What a way to remind Lucians to drink rum with all the road accidents we having. St Lucia is already a leading gorger nation in the world, what possessed that tacky man whoever he is, to have such stupid drawings on either side of the bridge. Please cover this atrocity. It is in bad taste. Why are our architects so backwards with no sense of aesthetics. We in internet age now, surely we can get an idea of how things are done elsewhere and learn or use our good sense. Architecture to Lucian’s is gaudy tourist decorations that they don’t even want and painted ti-kaye ala st Jude’s hospital. But I digress. Please get rid of those cups for the womiers in st Lucia on either side of the bridge. It is a bad look and in extremely poor taste. Better it was left plain.
Putting the people first, where are the residents from the area. These politicians like a photoshoot tan. Bring the people out.