The people of the Southern Grenadines need finance to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. While we appreciate the roofs over our heads, there is yet much to be done and low interest and no interest loans can meet the deficiency. This will mean that employment must be available to residents to service the loans. Taxes and bills must be paid too as revenue collection is essential for the economy to be rebuilt.
Agriculture and fishing have the potential to be the largest employer. Therefore, owners of animals must keep them under control so that the islands can be replanted with fruit trees and flowers, and the traditional crops can be grown again. The government has a role to confiscate stray animals to enable cultivation. Nutritionists say that the produce grown in this area is more nutritious and richer in antioxidants. The fishermen need support to restore lost equipment and training to improve and modernize their operations. Too many divers are dying from the Bens, so vigilance is needed to prevent the loss of this manpower. The sea moss farmers too may need technical and material assistance to replant and process their crops.
Businesses employ workers and need low-cost financing for restoration. The hotels, hardwares, restaurants, shops, automobile repair shops, refrigeration repair shops, barber and hairdresser shops, seamstresses, tailors, furniture makers, shoemaker and electronic repair places, all need restoration.
Keeping the beaches clean, replanting sea grapes and coconut trees should be a priority. These are low-cost activities that have a high impact on our tourism product. Maintenance jobs are vital in recreating areas such as playing field and parks. Cultural preservation officers are needed and should be valued and paid. Coaches for each discipline too are essential jobs in these communities.
Jobs in recycling and composting should be emphasized because there is no acceptable place to dispose of our garbage. Every item coming in should have clear instructions for how they are to be handled. All plastic bottles should be collected at a depot and returned to their place of origin. Metals should be sorted and exported. Some plastics can be shredded and used in concrete blocks or in road construction.
There may be no need for handouts, rather, an employment agency can find ingenious ways to get monies to those in need, allowing them to make some meaningful contribution to the sustainable development of the Southern Grenadines. Without financing and jobs, the rebuilding process would see no star at the end of the tunnel.
Financing at low interest should be made available to Hurricane Shelters. They represent important centres as we are in the new hurricane season. New jobs in securing buildings before a storm are also essential.
Anthony G. Stewart, PhD
