The main dock on the Soufriere waterfront has been partially reopened, six months after Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to the facility.
The Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) in collaboration with the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SDRF) worked with other partners to reach this stage, after renovation works began on November 20 last year.
Chairman of the SRDF Ernest Augier said the Hummingbird and fishing jetties were repaired and partial work was done on the boardwalk. He also disclosed that the major challenge during the restoration was the Soufriere main dock.
“This was almost compromised from the bottom. All the structures at the bottom were heavily compromised and even to the top. This is the main access really for all our boaters, and so we had to spring into action. We were able to secure some assistance, with the help of GPH [Global Ports Holding] who assisted us in ensuring that some repair work was done to the Soufriere main jetty, and that has assisted quite beautifully,” he said. “As of now, we can have limited access… where we can accommodate some of the marine traffic.”
The current restoration is a temporary measure, as plans for a comprehensive redevelopment project are underway.
Member of Parliament for Soufriere-Fond St Jacques, Emma Hippolyte said the project represents a shared commitment to revitalising Soufriere’s waterfront and the main port of entry.
All four jetties were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 2.
“After Beryl, when we assessed the damage that took place there, we saw very clearly that the area that had the stone barriers was less impacted by the water. So again, we place that on the table to say, ‘Ministry of Infrastructure, could you get and do some analysis to tell us whether we needed to continue this water barrier further down?’ Because that impacts what GPH will be putting,” she said. “So they are working together to do that.”
