Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of businessman and development pioneer Mr. Leslie Clarke, who died tragically in a vehicular accident on January 26.
Speaking on the matter, the Prime Minister extended heartfelt condolences to Clarke’s family, friends, and colleagues, describing his death as a significant loss to Saint Lucia.
“His passing is deeply saddening, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Mr. Clarke was the former Chairman of the National Development Corporation, now known as Invest Saint Lucia, and also served within the organization during its earlier years. Prime Minister Pierre described Clarke as a pioneer in the promotion of industrial and economic development, noting his instrumental role in strengthening collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Beyond his professional achievements, Clarke was also remembered as a committed businessman and a passionate sportsman. The Prime Minister highlighted his involvement in sports such as tennis and cricket, describing him as an ardent supporter of athletic development and community engagement.
“Mr. Clarke was a pioneer in business, a pioneer in sports, and a pioneer in national development,” Pierre said. “Saint Lucia has lost a true son of the soil.”
Condolences were also extended on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Government of Saint Lucia, with Prime Minister Pierre emphasizing the lasting legacy Clarke leaves behind in both economic development and civic life.
In addressing Clarke’s death, the Prime Minister once again raised concerns about road safety, using the tragic incident as a renewed call for responsible driving and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
Pierre warned against what he described as a culture of excuses surrounding reckless driving, stressing that excessive speed continues to be a major contributor to fatal accidents. “If we obey the speed limits, people may still have accidents, but they will not die,” the Prime Minister stated. “We must stop making excuses for recklessness on our roads.”
He called on motorists to take greater responsibility and urged the police to strengthen enforcement of existing traffic laws. According to Pierre, dangerous practices such as speeding, reckless overtaking, and ignoring road regulations must be addressed decisively to prevent further loss of life. “We must call out these behaviours,” he said. “Let us enforce the laws that already exist so people can travel safely on our roads.”
Prime Minister Pierre reiterated his condolences to the Clarke family and emphasized that meaningful change in road safety is urgently needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
