Peter Ras Ipa Issac, the recently re-elected President of the Saint Lucia Dry Goods Vendors Association, has expressed concern about what he sees as a declining interest among vendors in the organisation.
He shared the concern with St Lucia Times on Tuesday, two days after the association’s Biennial General Meeting (BGM) at the Entrepot Human Resource Centre which was convened to elect new leadership for the next two years and to review the association’s achievements and challenges.
The turnout for the meeting was reportedly low and barely met the quorum. Issac believes this reflects vendors’ lack of interest in the organisation.
“That’s something I think we need to work on,” he said. “They want the association to assist them when they need reference letters, job letters, and similar support. The association is meant to help in these areas. However, I’ve noticed over the years, a lack of serious interest in the association. I don’t believe some people think the association should do more for them, especially in terms of providing assistance with problems, financial support, and other needs. People seem satisfied if we’re able to offer money or, if funds are available, provide vouchers and similar aid.”
Despite the challenges, the BGM successfully elected a new executive board to steer the organisation for the next two years:
- President: Peter Ras Ipa Issac
- Vice President: Nicole Joseph
- Secretary: Vernessa Raveneau
- Assistant Secretary: Amanda Nicholas
- Treasurer: Sylvia Calderon
- Public Relations Officer: Christina Duncan
- Trustees: Charmaine Emmanuel, Lisa St Ange, Asher Weekes
Issac acknowledged that the new executive faces a challenging period ahead, particularly as cruise port developer Global Ports Holding (GPH) continues work on developing Saint Lucia’s ports.
“We have a very serious task ahead of us for the next two years and the lifespan of this executive. One area we really need to take seriously is the question of all the promises made by the people in charge of Saint Lucia’s ports, namely GPH,” he said.
“Whenever a ship is berthing in the harbour and staying until 10 or 12, or whatever time, will vendors be allowed to remain there longer as well? Will there be better lighting? We were told that more food and beverage options would be available and that an exit would be created from La Place Carenage passing through the new arcade. Will that be a reality?”
He also alluded to the vendors’ worries about the potential impact of the port development.
“Some vendors are concerned that many of us may not find ourselves in the new facility, as we’ve seen in the past,” Isaac said. “There’s a lot of scepticism, and these are issues we have to address as a vendors’ association.”
