In July of 2024, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was struck by Hurricane Beryl. The Southern Grenadines bore the full force of the storm, suffering widespread destruction. Most homes and businesses were reduced to rubble, and the livelihoods of countless residents were disrupted. Seven months after, life has not returned to its pre-hurricane normalcy.
Most people in the Southern Grenadines are dissatisfied with the slow pace of the rebuilding process by the government. But, a private developer on the island of Canouan has been singled out for high praise from the residents of the Southern Grenadines. His contribution has been particularly significant in addressing immediate needs, with a primary focus on the restoration of housing, specifically the crucial rebuilding of house roofs in the affected areas mainly Canouan and Union Island.
The government has also promised financial assistance to support the affected communities, but its implementation has been hampered by delays, creating challenges for those most in need. The slow distribution of financial assistance has left many individuals and families struggling to cope with the consequences of the storm.
Parliamentary Representative for the Southern Grenadines, Honourable Terrance Ollivierre, has expressed his frustration about the situation at a recently held Town Hall Meeting by the New Democratic Party in Union Island. The following are excerpts of Mr Ollivierre’s presentation: “Seven months after Beryl, are you satisfied with what has been happening to you? We sat in the parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines and we supported the Supplementary Estimates of 2024. In that budget, $136.4 million was approved for you the people who suffered from Hurricane Beryl. Not only for the people who lost their houses but also to make sure that the people who lost their livelihoods will also be taken care of.
When you look at what is happening in St Vincent and the Grenadines, especially in the Southern Grenadines. I ask, if it wasn’t for private investors where would we in the Grenadines be? Where has the money gone? Where has the money gone? The government got money to help the people. Why are you not helping the people? Look what is happening in Ashton. Houses are being restored; roofs are going on. But what is happening to Clifton? For which the government has responsibility, nothing at all! And, you claim that you love people.
After the passage of the Supplementary Estimates in parliament, we asked for a say as to how the money should be spent. We were told that this is not a unity government. It means that we in the opposition have nothing to do with the matter. No money comes to the members of the opposition. The government has all the money. I recall, Dr Friday and I made a frantic plea to help the people of the Southern Grenadines. Nothing much was done for the people of the Southern Grenadines. If it wasn’t for the investor, Canouan would have been in the same state. When it comes to Union Island, it is a shame!
I have never seen so much grief on people’s faces. I have never seen so much disappointment on people’s faces. Some of the contractors have said that they are not working for the government anymore because they are not being paid. How do you expect them to continue to work, if they are not being paid. How will they pay their workers if they are not being paid? So, they can continue to work to assist the people of the Southern Grenadines. It is a burning shame. But you are coming down every week giving people the impression as if you are doing myriads of things in the Southern Grenadines.
Today, there are so many people who do not have any place to live. They do not want to go to the mainland. But you have these model houses that came from England and they are not being distributed. Why don’t you give them out because people don’t have places to live. Now, you are saying that people must learn to help themselves. I want you to help them with the millions of dollars that the government has.
People are suffering. You cannot be treating poor people like this. The people who suffered the most are the poorer class of people. And the people from Union Island who are staying on mainland are suffering too! What do you want them to do and why do you have them on the mainland? The proper process would have been to go around and document the issues that are affecting the people and do what you can to assist them. I repeat, work is moving on in Ashton and I must say thanks to the private investor who has shown intertest in the Southern Grenadines.
Further, some of the children who attended school on the mainland have returned. The others want to come home because they want to be where they are comfortable and where they are accustomed to. You said that one of the schools would have been finished by February but no work is going on at the school presently. Work is taking place at the other school. But, when will it be completed? Why are we suffering? What are you doing with all the money? Why aren’t you helping all the people of the Southern Grenadines in order to get a better life?
I was reliably informed that the authorities were given instruments that could house 2500 people of the Southern Grenadines. And, they were asking why weren’t these given to the people, so that they can set up themselves and be comfortable. But you have your plot. You carried them up on the mainland. I want to tell you; Grenadines people don’t change their minds. We don’t care what you give us. We are going to vote you out.”
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