Residents of Soufriere are expressing growing frustration over the persistent unsightly condition of their cemetery, which sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl last July.
The powerful hurricane, which also inflicted significant damage on the Soufriere waterfront and Hummingbird beach, swept a large quantity of diverse debris from the surrounding areas into the cemetery grounds. This included bulky items such as discarded refrigerators and stoves.
Adding to the problem of scattered debris within the cemetery, the outer edges are marred by remnants of a broken fence, further contributing to the disheveled appearance.
Months after the storm, a significant piece of debris – a boat – remains within the cemetery, causing considerable concern and anger among local residents. The presence of the boat has become a central point of contention for many in the community.
The issue was recently raised at a town hall meeting organized by the Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP) in Soufriere, where a concerned supporter voiced their frustration.
“I want to know what’s going on with the Soufriere cemetery,” the supporter stated emphatically. “To me, it has taken the government far too long to address the state of the cemetery. Every time I attend a funeral, there is still a boat right there in the cemetery. You see stoves, you see all sorts of things in the cemetery, and that is simply unacceptable.”
Responding to these concerns, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Soufriere/Fond St Jacques, Emma Hippolyte, acknowledged her awareness of the situation. “We are aware of the condition of the cemetery following Hurricane Beryl,” she stated. “We have invested in cleaning efforts for the cemetery, and you are correct, there is a boat present. However, this boat has an identified owner. We are unable to remove it; the responsibility for its removal lies with the owner.”
MP Hippolyte further explained, “While we have assisted others in need following the hurricane, the disposal of this private property – the boat – is the responsibility of its owner. Therefore, we cannot take action to remove it.”
She also mentioned that the damaged cemetery wall, a result of Hurricane Beryl’s impact, would receive attention in due course.
Despite these assurances, multiple residents of the community, speaking with Caribbean News Media, have voiced their strong desire for the immediate removal of the boat from the cemetery.
“Is the owner of this boat above the law?” one resident questioned, highlighting the community’s frustration.
Another resident asked pointedly, “Since when does a private citizen wield such authority in this situation?”
Residents are demanding clarity on whether authorities intend to take any action if the boat owner fails to remove the vessel voluntarily.
“It seems like the owner of the boat now owns the cemetery,” one exasperated resident commented.
Several unemployed young men within the community have also expressed their willingness to undertake the task of cleaning the cemetery, suggesting that they should be given the opportunity for employment in this effort.
