A recent video circulating online has raised concerns about boat operators and passengers being denied access to the main jetty in Soufrière but according to Soufrière MP Emma Hippolyte, the restriction is necessary due to safety concerns and ongoing construction.
During the pre-cabinet press briefing this week, Hippolyte explained that the main jetty remains “significantly damaged” and while a temporary fix was done last year to allow some offloading, the area is currently unsafe.
“Every boat owner was written to, to tell them they cannot use the main jetty for the time being. It’s dangerous for them to use that because of the construction work that is happening on the ground,” she said. Instead, boat operators have been directed to three alternative areas for offloading passengers.
The MP apologised to affected visitors but emphasised that “the boat owners need to be responsible enough to follow the guidelines presented by the Soufrière Regional Development Foundation.”
Speaking on broader developments for the waterfront, Hippolyte confirmed that major upgrades are underway, some tied to Global Ports Holding and others through separate government projects.
“At the end, the entire Soufrière waterfront from one end to the next will be transformed,” she noted. Among the initiatives is the construction of a new Soufrière Administrative Building. “We are testing the soil so that we have the right footing for that building. We want to be sure that what we are putting in is something that can stand the test of time,” she added.
