Much work on Union Island, not enough hands

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has again called for Vincentians to get involved in paid work to help restore the built infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

Delivering the feature address last Friday, March 14, 2025 at the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at Dorsetshire Hill in honour of National Hero, Chief, Joseph Chatoyer, the Prime Minister used the opportunity to also speak about the reconstruction work being done particularly,in Union Island.

He outlined that Beryl caused approximately EC$1 billion in damage, which is about 30% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Prime Minister reported that close to 6,000 homes need to be repaired or reconstructed, which would run the government close to EC$450 million.

“We do not have all the money, and if we had all the money, we would not have all the workers to build them at the same time,” the Prime Minister stated.

Nonetheless, he said in the eight months since the hurricane struck, close to 3,000 houses have been either built or repaired.

He said as well that since the passage of the hurricane, the government has been paying to accommodate displaced Grenadines residents who are staying in apartments and guest houses; while in other cases, the government is paying for utilities.

“Last year, for the six months alone, it cost us $3 million,” he told those present at the ceremony, “I want to see all of them back in their homes, and right at the moment, we are increasing our repairs and our rebuilding in Union Island.”

Gonsalves again made a plea for more people to assist in the reconstruction work.

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