Hilaire Up in Arms Over Bananes Bay Development

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a series of events, which displayed the ambition of the Office of the Mayor of Castries City, His Worship Peterson Francis—Mayor of Castries City laid down his ideas for the upcoming year. Included in his beautification and redevelopment agenda were the redevelopment plans for Bananes Bay, which were announced during a meeting on January 4. Later, the Office of the Mayor disseminated a press release that stated its support of the Bananes Bay plans and further highlighted some of the future actions including: “green spaces, park benches and restaurants along with the relocation of the Marine Police and a new Police Headquarters at the old Golden Hope Hospital site.”

However, the press release stated, “In the coming weeks, members of the public will witness a gradual transformation of that area through a first phase beautification project.”

Almost immediately, Honourable Dr.Ernest Hilaire, parliamentary representative for Castries South issued his own press release, which chided the government for not involving him and the people of Castries South in the planning process. It directly stated, “Opposition Parliamentarian for Castries South, Hon. Ernest Hilaire has called on the Allen Chastanet Government to be transparent and involve the Parliamentary Representative for and the people of Castries South in any development plans for the constituency.”

Hilaire further explained that it is “unacceptable” that “he has not been informed nor consulted in anyway on the Project” and asked the government “not to be dismissive of the people as any sustainable development must be for people and with people”. He also advised the government that those goals would be “best achieved” if they are approached without the “arrogance and disdain” that the government has shown in this case.

In response to Hilaire’s accusations, a reliable source within the Government showed this reporter the document prepared by International Design and Entertainment Associates Incorporated (IDEA) under Sir John Compton’s governance in 2008. It proved plans for Bananes Bay had been in consideration since then. This source debated that from 1997 until 2011, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) had secured the seat for Castries South (twice within that time SLP was the elected government) yet Ernest Hilaire stated in his press release that he is “strongly supportive of any intention to re-develop the Banane Bay area having announced during his campaign in 2016 that this was a priority area for the Saint Lucia Labour Party if re-elected.” The source said, “They had so long to do something about Bananes…you’re seeing something coming to an area that is considered a problem area, you want to fight it?”

Further, the government claimed that the only phase of the Bananes Bay redevelopment, which will be soon undertaken, is to regulate the parking situation along the bay: “They’ve been using this area as a parking spot and this is illegal and this is actually a hazard. So, the police have been asked to crack down on this practice and SLASPA as well.” This source continued by saying any development and beautification in Bananes Bay is in its preliminary stages.

As for not consulting Dr. Hilaire and the people of Bananes Bay, the source said, “An opposition also has to be interested in the development of the country. Just because you didn’t do it doesn’t mean you should be upset because the government is doing it now. We will engage the residents it has always been our plan.

“We will involve him but we won’t allow him to derail plans to develop his constituency.”

The United Workers Party (UWP) also released a statement in response to Dr. Hilaire on January 23.