(Excerpts of the Honourable Terrance Ollivierre’s presentation on the
Supplementary Estimates 2024)
Hurricane Beryl has caused catastrophic damages in the Southern Grenadines. From deaths, to
destruction of homes, destruction of public properties, destruction of the environment and
curtailing the livelihoods of many persons.
I have never seen such devastation, pain and anguish. And, having viewed the islands, I was left
with a thought, how can we fix this? Someone said to me, Ollie, this too would past, we would
overcome. I have seen many initiatives inside this document which point to recovery not only for
the people of the Southern Grenadines but for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines to get
their lives back together.
Having witness hurricane Beryl, I am still trying to decide what was the worst part of this
hurricane. Whether it was experiencing it, in terms of the ferocious winds and trying to bunker
down to safety, or was it after the hurricane had past and you had a few hours to see or to
investigate what was before you. Then you saw all the rubble and the broken poles. Then later
the darkness fell. At that time many people were out of their homes.
The persons who came out of their homes were looking for shelter. Some place to stay where
they can past the night because the shelters were overwhelmed. Few private homes took in as
many as possible. Some were not as fortunate. Others were left in cold damp rooms during the
darkness of the night. It was the darkness night I have ever seen.
I am particularly concerned about students who are studying at UWI, whether Cave Hill, Mona
or St Agustine. Some are studying online. Some are on Campus and they have lost everything.
They want to return to university to continue their studies. I think consideration must be given to
them.
Continuing on education, I have toured the schools in the Southern Grenadines. The Mary
Hutchinson School which was recently reconstructed is temporary used by the police. I have also
visited the Stephanie Browne Primary and the Union Island Secondary School. One wing of the
Union Island Secondary School was damaged. That’s the section which housed the staff room,
the deputy principal’s office and two classrooms. The other main wing of the school which
housed the other classrooms, the roof stayed intact. Most of the people think that the school can
be used once the necessary work is done on it.
On the issue of the students coming to the mainland, Honourable Prime Minister, we need
consultation because some people are for and some are against. We don’t know the number but
we need to consult with the people. They said to me that they are not going. We really need to sit
and talk to the people. I have walked the length and breadth of Union Island for three days, they
heard your suggestion and we really need to go to the people and find a medium as to how we
can settle this problem and come up with the right solution because I have seen when homes are
divided and the problems that it caused, one parent one way with a child, and another one way
with a child. We need to sit down and come up with a solution.
The second problem is with mosquito infestation. I see here that there is an allocation of $400,
000.00 to provide additional funds for vector control. We do not want mosquito infestation and
then you have dengue fever adding to the problem.
Also, the livelihood of the people of the Southern Grenadines have been affected both in the
fishing and the tourism sector. Boats have been destroyed and their engines are gone. In this
document, there is money allocated to restore the livelihoods of the people and I am sure that
they are going to welcome that whole heartedly. Right now, apart from the cleaning up, there is
nothing much happening for the people of the Southern Grenadines. I am making this plea for
the persons who are on the mainland in shelters and you are strong and you could work and you
are able, please return home.
Apart from the clean-up process, the rebuilding of homes should start as soon as possible. I heard
the Honourable Prime Minister mentioned figures about the number of houses that are insured in
the Southern Grenadines and it is not many. It shows the mammoth problem that we have to deal
with. And people are looking at me and all the other parliamentarians and are asking, what are
we doing? We are depending on you.
I visited the shelter at the Calliaqua Town Hall this afternoon. I bought groceries and carried for
them. They said the lunch reached late. It was not until 4‘O clock it came. It’s hard for people.
They leave their comfort and are on the mainland in shelters. We must do our best to make sure
that they are comfortable as possible.
There are others who are staying in private homes. I know some have registered with NEMO and
they gave their location and as you rightly said. They have been given packages and they are
very grateful for that. There are many people who want to return home but they are asking the
question what sort of help is there for us.
Another problem, since I was elected, I have been making calls for the government to fix the
wharf at Canouan. When one boat is docked another cannot go in. Also, before hurricane Beryl,
the Mayreau wharf was compromised.
Money has been allocated in the Estimates for temporary jetties. I am asking the question; how
long can something be temporary? It’s time for the government to fix the wharfs in the Southern
Grenadines to make the lives of the people of the Southern Grenadines better.