Opposition Southern Grenadines MP emotional as he supports Supplementary Estimates

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT for the Southern Grenadines, Terrence Ollivierre had to struggle to contain his emotions when he spoke in Parliament last week.

It was a visibly tough time for the NDP Parliamentarian as he spoke in support of the Supplementary Estimates which were tabled in Parliament on Thursday, July 18, 2024 by Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, for the government to spend a sum of money in the immediate aftermath of the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Speaking of the “total destruction” of Union Island, and other parts of his constituency, Ollivierre said Parliament needs to look after the people who have suffered great loss.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that Ollivierre was among the many who suffered tremendous loss in the Southern Grenadines.

However when he spoke in Parliament, he spoke not of himself, but of the people whom he represents.

While many persons have left the islands and are seeking shelter on the mainland, Ollivierre expressed concern for those who remain on the islands that have mostly been reduced to rubble.

He said there is an infestation of mosquitoes in the southern Grenadines, and that stagnant water is also of major concern.

The NDP politician also made a passionate plea for able bodied men and women who are in shelters on mainland, to return to the southern Grenadines to assist in the clean up effort.

“Please return home and let us work together to get the southern Grenadines back to the place it was,” Ollivierre urged.

He expressed joy that the sum of $3.5 million has been set aside in the Supplementary Estimates to repair wharves and jetties, as he recalled the many times he spoke in Parliament about the condition of the wharf in Canouan and in Mayreau.

Hurricane Beryl struck very early in the hurricane season, and Ollivierre said the people of the

southern Grenadines are still traumatized and will not be able to cope with another hurricane as the season progresses.

Speaking directly about the impact of Hurricane Beryl, Ollivierre said “I have never seen such devastation, pain and anguish”.

He said the Supplementary Estimates provides initiatives “for people to get their lives back together”.

Ollivierre said as well that the Supplementary Estimates offer hope to the people of the southern Grenadines and to all the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines who suffered loss, and who need to get their lives back together.