Built in that plan must be adaptation and mitigation for what will happen, what is inevitable,” remarked Prime Minister Pierre at the launch of “Infrastructure 2023”.
On Friday, July 19th, the Ministry of Infrastructure held a launch ceremony for the “Infrastructure 2030” plan. This development agenda to create a strategic plan that will guide the infrastructural development in Saint Lucia over the next few years.
According to the government, Saint Lucia should be meeting certain infrastructure objectives by the year 2030.
Climate change and worsening climatic conditions have placed infrastructure in the Caribbean, with many structures being unable to withstand hurricane-force winds. The typical wooden construction of houses and buildings with metal-sheet roofing are seen as inadequate by climate monitors.
Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King notes the importance of climate-resilient projects that will last for years to come.
“Infrastructure 2030 seeks to achieve the following: construct, repair, rehabilitate, and modernize our roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure with a particular focus on climate change, adaptation, resilience, equity, and safety for all St. Lucians. Two, strengthening the national transportation planning and regulatory framework to encourage sustainable transportation options,” King explained.
It is notable that after the devastation caused by the passage of Hurricane Beryl in Saint Vincent and Grenada, Prime Minister Pierre stressed the importance of Saint Lucia’s own infrastructural revolution.
Just a few days after joining regional colleagues in the affected islands to assess the damage, he returned to Saint Lucia to address the launch of “Infrastructure 2030”.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pierre noted the ambivalence of the developed world to the plights of small island developing states, like Saint Lucia.
“The strategic plan for infrastructure, leading up to the year 2030 is that important…And I've said before, we in these islands, we suffer the most from the effects of climate change,” he said.
Homeowners were encouraged by the government to take steps to ensure their houses can withstand adverse weather systems.