Press Release NAMALCO AND SOUFRIERE TOWN ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE ON HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION.pdf

On March 14, 2025, the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Millennium Highway and West Coast Road Reconstruction Project (MHWCRRP) hosted a public meeting in Soufriere. The forum provided a platform for direct and transparent dialogue between contractor **NAMALCO Construction Services Limited** and community members, including residents, business owners, and public transportation operators like the Soufriere Mini-bus Association.

Residents expressed significant concerns regarding the daily impacts of the construction, which extends from Cul de Sac to the Soufriere Bridge. Key issues raised included **road hazards, inadequate dust control, poor traffic management, and worries about potential disruptions during the upcoming rainy season**.

NAMALCO representatives acknowledged these challenges and committed to several corrective actions to address them. The contractor pledged to complete paving works along the Canaries Road by an April deadline and to finish outstanding concrete works in the Cul de Sac to Anse La Raye area. Moving forward, NAMALCO will adopt a revised methodology, working on shorter, more manageable sections of the road to minimize disruption.

Despite their frustrations, many attendees appreciated the face-to-face meeting, applauding NAMALCO for "facing the people". Residents acknowledged that **visible progress had been made in the previous six weeks** after a period of inactivity, and noted that this direct engagement helps rebuild community trust. Project Coordinator Amos Hippolyte confirmed this "meaningful progress," citing the completion of 7.0 kilometers of asphalt surfacing between Cul de Sac and Anse La Raye. The PMU also reminded the public of the project's official Grievance Redress Mechanism for submitting concerns.

1. GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA
MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE, PORTS, TRANSPORT, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
AND URBAN RENEWAL

Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport

Communication on this subject Union Office Complex
Should be addressed to: Union, Castries
Saint Lucia, West Indies
PERMANENT SECRETARY Telephone Number: 1-758-468-4300
Email: [email protected]

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAMALCO AND SOUFRIERE TOWN ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE ON
HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION
Soufriere, Saint Lucia March 14
th
, 2025– The Project Management Unit (PMU) of the
Millennium Highway and West Coast Road Reconstruction Project (MHWCRP) hosted a public
meeting in Soufriere yesterday, bringing together local residents, transportation providers,
and representatives from NAMALCO Construction Services Limited to provide updates on
construction progress and address community feedback regarding the works, which extend
from Cul de Sac to the Soufriere Bridge.
The forum enabled direct, transparent dialogue with affected community membe rs,
including residents, business owners, and public transportation operators, particularly
members of the Soufriere Mini-bus Association, acknowledging the real challenges they've
faced during construction.
Participants shared concerns about daily travel and quality of life impacts, including road
hazards, dust control issues, inadequate traffic management at some construction sites, and
potential further disruptions during the upcoming rainy season. Representatives from
NAMALCO acknowledged these concerns and outlined specific measures being implemented
to address them. The contractor has committed to an April deadline to complete paving
works along the Canaries Road. The contractor has committed to completing paving works
along the Canaries Road by April. At the same time, it will focus on completing outstanding
concrete works at multiple locations along the Cul de Sac to Anse La Raye route. Moving
forward, as part of its revised methodology, the contractor will scarify shorter sections of the
road into more manageable segments before progressing to new areas.
Despite their concerns, many participants expressed appreciation for the face-to-face forum,
applauding NAMALCO for "facing the people" directly. Several residents acknowledged the
visible progress made in the last six weeks after periods of relative inactivity, noting that
such direct engagement helps rebuild community trust in the project.
"Despite the challenges, we've seen meaningful progress over the past six weeks," noted
Mr. Amos Hippolyte, Project Coordinator at the MHWCRR Project Management Unit.
"NAMALCO has successfully completed asphalt surfacing on approximately 7.0 kilometers of
road between Cul de Sac and Anse La Raye, and we've seen a resumption of concrete works
at Cul de Sac."

2. According to Mr. Hippolyte, the PMU will continue to monitor the situation closely and
maintain open communication channels with all stakeholders as the project progresses.
This meeting is part of the MHWCRP's commitment to transparent communication and
stakeholder engagement throughout the reconstruction project, which aims to improve road
safety, efficiency, and climate resilience along this critical transportation corridor.
The PMU reminds all stakeholders that the project maintains an active Grievance Redress
Mechanism (GRM) where specific concerns can be lodged. Community members can submit
feedback or concerns via phone/WhatsApp to the Community Liaison Officer at 1 -758-714-
7931, by email to [email protected], through social media, or via drop boxes at local
Post Offices and Fisheries offices. All grievances are processed within established
timeframes to ensure timely resolution of issues affecting residents and road users
-END-
For more information, contact:
Barbara Jacobs Small
Communication Specialist
Millennium Highway and West Coast Road Reconstruction Project
Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone]

About the Millennium Highway and West Coast Road Reconstruction Project:
The Millennium Highway and West Coast Road Reconstruction Project (MHWCRRP) is one of
the most significant infrastructure investments in Saint Lucia’s history. Funded by the Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB), the UK Government through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund
(UKCIF), and the Government of Saint Lucia, the project spans approximately 41 kilometers
from Castries to Soufriere and integrates both civil works and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)
to address the needs of Project-Affected Persons (PAPs).