Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has acknowledged that the government failed to meet its promised timeline for compensating vendors displaced by the demolition of the Castries Vendors Arcade, while assuring those affected that payments are still on the way.
Speaking during the Pre-Cabinet Press Briefing on July 27, Pierre accepted responsibility for the delay, admitting that the compensation process had taken longer than expected.
“I am tardy on that. Many things are happening, but the vendors will get compensated,” the Prime Minister said.
The demolition of the long-standing Vendors Arcade on Jeremie Street to facilitate Global Ports Holding’s waterfront redevelopment project forced craft and dry goods vendors to relocate, creating uncertainty over their livelihoods and increasing pressure on those now operating from temporary facilities. Some vendors were moved to the former Castries Fire Station site on Lower Jeremie Street.
Pierre conceded that the government’s original timeline had not been met.
“I want to tell them that we’ve not followed the timeline that we wanted to follow,” he said.
The Prime Minister revealed that he has now received the report requested from the Castries Constituency Council, including the list of affected vendors. However, he said officials are still determining the amount each individual will receive before compensation can be distributed.
“I have received a report, but I have not worked on the numbers in terms of how much each vendor will get, but I do have a list of vendors and they will get compensated.”
The compensation package is intended to help vendors recover lost income and ease the financial burden of relocating as work on the Castries waterfront redevelopment project continues. Government officials are expected to finalize individual payout amounts once the Prime Minister completes his review of the assessments.
