UWP Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques Constituency Responds

 

PRESS RELEASE

UWP Soufriere/Fond St Jacques Constituency Branch Responds to Calls from SLP Soufriere Branch for Clarification on Policy

The United Workers Party Soufriere/Fond St Jacques Constituency Branch is aware of a Press Release issued on June 25^th, 2013 by the SLP Soufriere Constituency Group calling on Mr. Allen Chastanet to address matters of policy. This call by the SLP Soufriere Constituency Group will obviously be viewed with great amusement by many especially the constituents of Soufriere/Fond St Jacques. It is obvious that the Branch in issuing this Press Release is following the trend and dictates of their national leaders who are increasingly exhibiting concern and fear over the ascension of Allen Chastanet to the leadership of the United Workers Party.

The SLP Soufriere Constituency group would be
best advised at this time to address matters of policy as relates to national assets to the Labour Party Government which currently holds political office. Notwithstanding, the UWP Soufriere/Fond St Jacgues Branch is well aware and proud of the facilitating role of the last United Workers Party Government in bringing tourism investment and development to Soufriere. The recently completed expansion of “Jalousie” – Sugar Beach Residences is a demonstration of such successes. This fact was confirmed by Prime Minister Kenny Anthony during the official launch of the rebranded hotel in February of this year when he expressed his confidence in the new owners of the property and lauded them for demonstrating their confidence in the island’s tourism industry. Soufrierians know too well the benefits of this US $100 Million investment which created over one hundred (100) new construction jobs and a further hundreds of  jobs in the operational phase of the hotel. In addition the hotel has received numerous accolades from established international industry authorities, since the above mentioned investment.

It would be best if the SLP Soufriere Constituency Group would invest their efforts directly or through the Labour Party to get the Government of the day to address the following policy matters which are of grave concern to St Lucians at this time:

1.     Measures to turn back the current economic downturn which is retuning St Lucians to “Beggar Days”.

2.     What is the current Government doing to return one of the most valuable components of our patrimony, St Lucia’s sea bed to our control so that its potential for economic benefit can be exploited. In this regard when will the Prime Minister respond to persistent calls to address the nation on the troubling matter?

3.     Are their plans to continue the enhancement of the Soufriere mini stadium started by the last UWP Government?

4.     A clear policy position for the postponement of bus fare increases until there is registered improvement in the local economy.

There is no doubt that any increases in bus fares at this time will have a serious negative impact on Soufrierians given the fact that many residents of our town must commute long distances to Vieux Fort and Castries every day to attend school and to sustain their livelihoods and that of their families.

Of further and burning concern are the following matters:

1. The Soufriere Playing Field Re-surfacing Initiative which was promised for completion to the sporting community by Mr. Dalson, for March 31^st, of this year! Once again, the hypocrisy of the Soufriere Labour Constituency Group is made glaring! So many of their members were agitating when the playing field was closed for a mere three (3) weeks in order to facilitate the installation of the lights by Mr. Chastanet. It is now approaching a year today, since the field was closed for resurfacing works and we are hearing nothing from all of those who were calling the local radio stations, claiming to be in the interest of the youth!
2. The Copra Factory, which Mr. Dalson claimed to be the God-father of, when Mr. Chastanet sought after the interest of a prospective investor; is now being enjoyed by grazing cows and horses! Where are those plans which Mr. Dalson claimed that he had for the Factory, prior to the last General Elections?!
3. The Fond Gens Libre Bridge remains stalled! How much consideration and care does The Labour Party have for the residents of the affected communities or even the thousands of visitors who climb the pitons, yearly?
4. The new toilet facilities at Palmiste - which were so conscientiously renovated and improved by Mr. Chastanet’s UWP Administration remain closed for no conceivable reason! Are the residents of Palmiste being punished for having overwhelmingly supported Mr. Chastanet at the last general elections?!

The United Workers Party Soufriere/Fond St Jacques Constituency Branch stands ready to support calls by the SLP Soufriere group for Government policy pronouncements on beach access and the additional list of major policy matters listed above.  

Finally we call on the Soufriere SLP Constituency Group to desist from engaging in negative propaganda which can only serve to create doubt in the minds of potential investors and jeopardize gains already made by the previous UWP Administration.