St Lucia Begins Recovery Work

By: - January 1st, 2014

Above: St Lucia

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia has launched a series of recovery efforts following the floods that impacted the country over the Christmas Holiday.

The government said it has embarked on a group of “intense infrastructural works” around the island to ensure that affected areas remain accessible.

The country’s Castries-Vieux Fort highway collapsed in two areas, Volet and Alenne, and two major arterial bridges, at Playe and Canaries, were “completely damaged,” according to the government.

Construction work is already ongoing on the latter two bridges and the by-pass road at Alenne has already been completed, according to Infrastructure Minister Philip Pierre.

Several months ago, St Lucia’s government had ordered the installation of one of the Bailey bridges, which is expected within seven days.

The floods, which also caused severe damage in St Vincent and parts of Dominica, have killed at least six people in St Lucia.

Last week, the country quickly mobilized its tourism office, vowing that the country was “open for business” in the wake of the flooding.

Resorts on the island are generally reporting few issues, and the country’s airport is operational once again.

News

"New Thinking" For CARICOM?

Above: CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque By the Caribbean Journal staff Is it time for new tactics for CARICOM? As the Caribbean integration movement continues its search for traction, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque says the regional body is continuing its integration quest “with an outlook that is shaped by new thinking and different approaches.” […]

News

Jamaica Could Earn "7 Billion" By Increasing Limestone Production

Above: a quarry in Jamaica By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica can make as much as $7 billion by increasing limestone production in the country, according to researcher Dr Conrad Douglas. Douglas, who is the executive chairman of Douglas and Associates, revealed the industry’s potential during a symposium in New Kingston this week. There are […]

News

IDB Urges Increased Productivity to Drive Caribbean Growth

Above: Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno (Photo: OECD) By the Caribbean Journal staff High volatility took a toll on regional growth in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2013, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. Regional GDP growth was around 2.7 percent this year, with a projected growth of 3 percent for Latin […]


Antigua Prime Minister Visits Flood-Impacted Areas in St Vincent

Above: Antigua PM Dr Baldwin Spencer By the Caribbean Journal staff Antigua Prime Minister Dr Baldwin Spencer visited flood-impacted areas in St Vincent over the weekend. The floods, which led to the deaths of eight people and another five reports of missing persons, caused millions of dollars in damage. Several areas of the island have […]

St Maarten Readies to Launch New Cruise Development Project

Above: Philipsburg By the Caribbean Journal staff St Maarten is set to launch a new cruise development project in January, according to the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure. The project will be located in the Down Street community of Philipsburg in the vicinity of the Walter Plantz Tender Pier. It ill […]

St Kitts and Nevis Gets Christmas Boost From Cruise Ships

Above: Antigua PM Dr Baldwin Spencer By the Caribbean Journal staff Antigua Prime Minister Dr Baldwin Spencer visited flood-impacted areas in St Vincent over the weekend. The floods, which led to the deaths of eight people and another five reports of missing persons, caused millions of dollars in damage. Several areas of the island have […]

The Caribbean's 25 Most Interesting People For 2013

Who were the newsmakers in 2013? Who were the people making a difference in the Caribbean in 2013? We’ve put together our list of the Caribbean’s 25 most interesting people this year. And whether you like what they’re doing or you don’t — you’re probably talking about them, and that makes their stories fascinating. Here’s […]