The jetties are expected to spur economic development, improve livelihoods and stimulate possible entry into heritage tourism tours.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Co-operatives and Rural Development, have teamed up to aid two communities which depend heavily on fishing for survival.

The communities of Praslin and Savannes Bay will each benefit from the construction of a new jetty, via the Fishermen Infrastructure Development Project.

Cognizant of the fishing and tourism potential of Praslin and Savannes Bay, government sought funding from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to undertake the project, with a view to stimulate economic development and thus improve the lives of the people of the two communities.

It is also hoped the project will encourage more fishermen of the two communities to acquire larger fishing vessels to improve and enhance their fishing activities, and stimulate their possible entry into heritage tourism tours.

Praslin presently has two timber jetties built by fishermen of the area, but both are in a state of disrepair. The community of Savannes Bay has none.

The estimated cost for the project is EC$1 million and will incorporate the erection of two timber T-jetties with concrete abutments. Relevant stakeholders including government departments, fishermen, the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) and constituency councils were engaged in consultations in order to come up with the most suitable design and location for the structures.

The Taiwanese Embassy has donated most of the funds necessary to undertake the project, and will present the balance of funds today, at one of the two groundbreaking ceremonies for the project.

The first ceremony will be held at Savannes Bay at 2:30 p.m., and will be followed by a similar activity at Praslin. Both will see addresses delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, and Minister for Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste.

The project is spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, with construction supervised by the Ministry of Infrastructure.