The program enables those squatting on Government lands to become legitimate land owners, and improves infrastructure in those communities.

The third phase of the Program for the Regularization of Unplanned Developments (PROUD) is set to get underway, with the conduct of survey work in five communities at a cost in excess of $2.5 million.

PROUD commenced in the year 2000, and is intended to give more Saint Lucians the opportunity to own their homes and the lands they occupy. The program is operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal.

PROUD III will incorporate the communities of Rock Hall, Aux Lyon, Aux Piquant, Bruce Ville, Cantonement and Pomme Augier. The project will involve perimeter surveys, occupational and topographical surveys, production and submission of preliminary and final survey plans, and presentation of plans to the Ministry. Surveys, in the first instance, will be conducted at a total cost of $2,572,530.09.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, has hailed the advent of PROUD III. PROUD has enabled the development of infrastructure in several communities across the island over the past 15 years. The program has also led to hundreds of Saint Lucians going from squatting on Government lands to becoming legitimate land owners.

Said Dr. Anthony: "Through PROUD we are truly helping to build our communities. Government is often blamed for not ensuring that basic amenities are in place, but it is very often the case that this is so because the settlements in question were haphazard and unplanned. With this initiative, we have been able to regularize several squatter settlements, and put electricity, roads, recreational facilities, adequate drainage, and proper garbage collection in place.”

A total of 1,038 households will be surveyed in the target areas under PROUD III. It is anticipated that an additional 650 new lots will be created for new housing.

La Ressource (Vieux Fort), Derriere Mome, Bruce Ville, Garrand, Des Barras, La Croix (Laborie), Ravine Poisson, Sarrot, Bexon, Pays Perdu and Piaye are among the areas that have benefitted from previous iterations of PROUD programs.