The Castries-Gros Islet highway and secondary roads in Gros Islet are set for major redevelopment in the coming months, following the signing of a loan agreement earlier this week between the Government of Saint Lucia and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish signed off on the Choc Bay-Gros Islet Road and Secondary Roads Improvement Project, aimed at enhancing Saint Lucia‘s socio-economic development. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia.
The signing ceremony was held on Monday, June 29, 2015 in Vienna, Austria. In his remarks, Dr. Anthony gave the assurance that the project would proceed with alacrity. According to the Prime Minister:“Recognizing the economic and social benefits to be derived from this investment, through improved connectivity and expansion of opportunities for the citizens of Saint Lucia, the Government of Saint Lucia wishes to assure you of its utmost commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
“We remain grateful for the support provided in the design and preparation phases. I am confident that this support will continue during the implementation so that we speedily resolve bottlenecks as they arise.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia, I wish to reiterate my profound gratitude to the Director General of the OPEC Fund for International Development for the expediency with this financing.”
The OFID loan is valued at US$18,000,000. The project, co-financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development, will rehabilitate 27km of main and secondary roads. The highway between Choc Bay and the northern town of Gros Islet will be expanded to four lanes. Seven roundabouts and nine pedestrian bridges will be built as well. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
It seems to amaze me that the government in St. Lucia is spending a huge amount of money on roads from Choc to Gros Islet… a four lane road.. WHY… more accidents and more traffic. More pollution…. WHY not utilise the funds in more effective usage.. such as improvements to the capital of Castries, clean the drains, invest in the roads, side paths for tourist… re paint the buildings, provide and effective bus terminal, improvise a working group to keep St. Lucia clean, and lots more .. St. Lucia is surround by water, utilize it but introducing boat services between north to Castries to south…. this will improve on infrastructure….