St Lucia: Deputy PM Hilaire visits Soufriere constituency to review Agro Tourism Park Project

Castries, St Lucia: Member of Parliament of Castries and Deputy Prime Minister of St Lucia Ernest Hilaire visited the Soufriere constituency to attend a review of the Fond St Jacques Agro Tourism Park Project on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

He was accompanied by the Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere - Emma Hippolyte and government officials.

Outlining the motive of the project, Deputy PM Hilaire noted that this project is aimed at giving local and international tourists the chance to have natural, local experiences from soil to palette, along with other authentic community adventures and experiences.

He further emphasized that the tourism sector has been strangled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the project could help the government to uplift the sector.

"I am happy to endorse and support projects like this as it allows for more St Lucians to own the tourism product and encourage local entrepreneurship", underscored Ernest Hilaire.

Ernest Hilaire added that the project also builds into the basic philosophy that underpins the Community Tourism Development Bill that we passed in the house yesterday.

The St Lucia Country Poverty Assessment Study of 2006/2007 reported that 42.4% of the Soufriere population lived in poverty, with monthly expenditure levels below EC$423.00. Cognizant of this alarming statistic, the SRDF sees the economic recovery of Soufriere as key to the sustainable development of the community and has placed economic development as the top of the development agenda.

Earlier, Deputy PM also provided the information of the new project and stated that the administration had started the rehabilitation of the Barre St Joseph road. He cited, "After five years of being neglected by the former UWP administration, we have begun the rehabilitation of the Barre St. Joseph road".

While highlighting the need for the rehabilitation of the road, Hilaire stated, "I have heard your cries, and the government has heard your cries, and we are dedicated to giving the residents of Barre St. Joseph the quality roads that they deserve. This is one of many projects to come for Castries South".

He also holds a meeting with some of the constituents below the hospital along La Toc road, discussing land and housing issues.