Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has alleged that last week’s protest in Roseau, where residents blocked the road leading to Saint Lucia Distillers to demand road repairs, was politically motivated and aimed at damaging the country’s international reputation.
He also insisted that plans for the road improvement were already in place, and the demonstration was not the reason they began.
Last Friday morning, Roseau residents set up a roadblock that prevented vehicles from entering and exiting the distillery, disrupting deliveries and sales. Protesters said they were fed up with the deteriorating road conditions and excessive dust affecting their daily lives.
During Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Pierre charged that the demonstration was part of an effort to misrepresent conditions in Saint Lucia. He accused the opposition of being behind it.
“I believe, and that’s my belief, that this is a means of causing our country to look… bad… for foreign consumption,” he alleged.
The prime minister warned of potential economic fallout, stating, “We can get hurt where it matters—in our tourism industry, in our investment industry.”
Although the road repairs began within hours of the Roseau protest, the prime minister rejected claims that the protest was necessary to push the government into action, pointing out that roadworks were already in progress in the area.
“Right now, in the same constituency, there is work going on a major highway as we speak. There are millions of dollars of work going on in the same area as we speak,” he contended.
Wayne Girard, the Member of Parliament for Anse La Raye-Canaries, which includes Roseau, also maintained—as he did during the protest—that the demonstration was unnecessary, as work was already planned.
“Very interestingly, just a week ago, the engineers were on that very same road measuring it to commence work. So it was very interesting that some people were encouraged to take that action,” he said.
Girard also hinted that outside influences may have played a role in the protest. However, he reassured constituents that progress would continue.
“We are going to deliver to the people of Roseau as expected.
“As far as I’m concerned, my responsibility is to the people of Roseau, and I did what was in the best interest of the people of Roseau, irrespective of the politics,” he said, adding that the protest was “a matter for law enforcement officers to look into and realise what was the story behind that.”
Mr. PM it’s time to cut all this crap and be the honorable person. Too much petty talk. Come on man !!
So it looks bad for tourists to see us expressing our dissatisfaction of the road conditions, rather than tourists coming here and experiencing actual poor road conditions. Make that make sense
I have a couple of questions to ask and a statement to make. I am a resident of the community, this road the Roseau people referring to was maintained by Geest during the banana era. Now the Distillery bought the rum factory, they have 40-foot containers and other big trucks traversing this road, why can’t they maintain it. Roseau people consume lots of their produce and they are not donating anything towards the development of the Roseau community. Let’s look at the road leading to the beach, it’s a disgrace.
Now lets look at the political side of it. According to one resident the former parliamentary rep gave a lady with a shop at Roseau over 20 thousand dollars to repair that road and she never did it. WHY?
SMH!! The Good Lord will deliver us the citizens of this beautiful Isle of the West one day.
I left St. Lucia because of politics and the political climate – I was not even old enough to vote – however, because of my grandmother’s political affiliation, not mine – I was denied a job for which I had taken a test and was qualified. How do I know – because I overheard the supervisor say “she passed the test – but we cannot give her the job – her grandmother is a ?????” and she literally mentioned the party-I will never forget this experience. This happened more than 50 years ago – thus far no change in St. Lucia relative to politics.
Is there anything in St. Lucia which is not governed by politics/political affiliation??????? – let’s be HONEST as the answer is a resounding NO.
“I believe, and that’s my belief, that this is a means of causing our country to look… bad… for foreign consumption,” he alleged.
No concrete EVIDENCE towards HIS allegation. Pulling stories from the sky!! That is what is wrong with this administration. Say what is true instead of allegations!!
@Paul Regis you are right. The Distillery should be making a substantial contribution to the maintenance of the road and the community in general. ie being a good Corporate Citizen…