Officials condemn burning of Belmont Walkway

Both the Government and Opposition have condemned an act of arson that took place earlier this week in Bequia.

Early on Monday, February 20, a portion of the recently completed cliff-side Coastal Trail, between the Belmont Walkway and Princess Margaret Beach, was set on fire, rendering it impassable to both residents on their way to work, visitors on their way to and from the beach, and cruise ship passengers here to enjoy the beauty of the island on foot.

In a joint statement, Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday, member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines and Herman Belmar, deputy director of Grenadines Affairs, condemned the act.

“We condemn this mindless act of vandalism which seemed intent only on damaging one of our island’s best loved assets, and we salute the many people who have been involved in its swift restoration. Repairs were immediately organized by Action Bequia and these were carried out by a team of skilled craftsmen from Bequia Beach Hotel. The work was completed by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21st, the day after the damage was inflicted.

“This kind of willful lawlessness against public property and convenience cannot be allowed to take hold in Bequia. We would like to thank the RSVG Police in Bequia for their swift action in opening an investigation, and all those members of the community who have vowed to leave no stone unturned in discovering the perpetrators.”

The restoration in 2012 of the Belmont Walkway and Coastal Trail connecting Port Elizabeth to Princess Margaret Beach and beyond in 2015 were the signature initiatives of Action Bequia, an SVG registered NGO.