The Government of Saint Lucia hosted the official opening of the McDiarmed Road on Friday, January 24. The opening was held at the site of the completed project in Ma Jomel, Laborie.

Community member, Ms. Julien Theodore, provided a historical brief of the Ma Jomel Road, which started out as a dirt path leading to rural residences and farmlands. She explained how the road deteriorated over the years, despite the best efforts of Ma Jomel residents to repair it.

“Being  who we are, a resilient group of people, we came together on many occasions  and held koudmens to make the road a bit more bearable to drive on. Residents would donate cash while our main sponsor, Wilrock Ltd., would donate raw materials. When we realized the road would be repaired, people became optimistic that finally our cries were heard and were being answered. For two years the people of the community endured dust, noise, and the movement of heavy equipment because we knew the end would come and the product would be one to behold.” 

Parliamentary Representative Hon. Alva Baptiste expressed satisfaction over the completion of the roadway, after having to bear, along with residents, the challenges posed by the deteriorating road.

“When I speak in Cabinet to my colleagues about the business of the constituency, I am an authority in that regard because I am the one who interacts with the people of this constituency, and I have a clear and practical understanding of their needs and priorities; and they said the Ma Jomel Road was a priority.”

Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre rose to resounding applause from community members, grateful for his fair and balanced approach to infrastructural development.

“The last time I was here to open a road it was the largest road infrastructure project in the country, the completion of the Banse - La Haut Road, and I had absolutely no regrets because I knew that the people of Laborie needed that road,” he said. “This afternoon, I [also] have absolutely no regrets being here because I know the people of Ma Jomel also need the road. So I’m very happy that this road is going to increase accessibility in Laborie because this place is inarguably one of the most beautiful places in the south of the country.”

Construction on the roadway began on  August 1, 2022 and ended on Oct. 31, 2024.