IT IS NOT ONLY SWEET CALYPSO AND STEEL PAN
July 12, 2007
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!!!
IT IS NOT ONLY SWEET CALYPSO AND STEEL PAN
IN ST. LUCIA, THERE IS MUCH MORE HAPPENING!
In spite of the uncertainties and anxieties many may claim to be experiencing, sweet calypso music and steel pan take over. Soca Monarch and Carnival Queen were crowned in the past week. Vieux Fort celebrated Carnival in fine style with their Queen Show and they took to the streets last Monday. I am bracing for this weekend when the Calypso Monarch and the big fetes will take over the city. Panorama has been moved to the Beausejour Grounds. Next Monday is Carnival Monday and will be a public holiday and the following day, the city will once again be closed in the afternoon as we enter the last lap for Carnival 2007. It is not all fun in the sun, some serious business is being transacted as well. In St. Lucia, we know how to mix business and pleasure.
Last Sunday Hon. Philip J. Pierre held his constituency conference for supporters in Castries East and the SLP Executives, Parliamentarians and general membership turned out in their numbers to rally to the call for action by the Government as they claim that the country is at a standstill. However, it appears that some degree of political activism is being planned as the SLP seeks the truly represent their constituents.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Hon. Sir John Compton was at the Prime Minister’s Residence at Vigie for a few hours last Wednesday and met with some of his key people. The TV interviews revealed that there are positive activities about to be implemented and the South is being identified for some major developments according to the Chairman and CEO of the National Development Corporation, Mr. Nicholas John, Attorney at Law. It was the UWP government that put in the infrastructure in the South and dubbed the area the New Frontier. However, nothing happened to drive the development to match the infrastructure. That frustrated the residents of the area and caused them to move to the North of the island in search of a better life.
The SLP government with the assistance of the People’s Republic of China was able to undertake a few projects but they stopped short of delivering on real economic projects that will facilitate businesses and reduce unemployment in the area. There were lots of rumours about projects in the pipe line in the last year of the SLP administration but while it is clear that some are on hold or may never happen, many of the residents are still hopeful that the Ritz Carlton proposed project in the Black Bay area will be a reality. Only time will tell but it appears that the hard times that hit the South in the past several years will be arrested and some semblance of the good old days can be in the making. Maybe it is just Sir John Compton’s task to bring about real prosperity to Vieux Fort and in his lifetime to officially transform it from a town to a city.
St. Lucia continues to be the preferred Conference destination of the small island States of the Eastern Caribbean. While some may argue that the OECS Secretariat being located in St. Lucia is responsible, I feel that there is something more. St. Lucia is not only Simply Beautiful, it is an ideal destination for Business & Pleasure!
In recent months many overseas based training institutions are setting up off shore campuses and using their St. Lucia base to service the rest of the Eastern Caribbean. The business mix is expanding and with the establishment of the St. Lucia Coalition of Services Inc. the non tourism services sector will be given the push it needs.
With every passing day, people are falling in love with St. Lucia and want to help with the development of the country. Lots of new ideas are discussed as international Consultants present various projects to the region. The Europeans have a lot of money to be spent on development but it is necessary for our professionals to be able to access the funding. Here is where I fully endorse the idea to encourage members of the Caribbean Diaspora to return home and share their knowledge and experiences with their countrymen. This arrangement does not have to be permanent. This is one sure way of giving back.
In the meantime, it is reassuring to know that God is in Charge, it is for us to Keep the Faith and continue to expect Miracles in 2007.
Edward Harris
Email: edharas@searchbigdaddy.com
Websites: http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.stluciarealtors.com http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/edalharris