Choiseul/Saltibus in Parliament: Energy, Digital Transformation and the Question of Real Benefits

Choiseul on the Move reviewed the contribution made by the Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus during the debate on the financial resolutions before the House.

The speech was serious, technical in parts, and strongly supportive of the government’s borrowing programme. The main argument was clear: there is a difference between borrowing to survive and borrowing to invest.

Main point: These resolutions are being presented as long-term investments in energy, public buildings, and digital transformation.

Renewable Energy: The Strongest Part of the Speech

The representative made the case that Saint Lucia remains too dependent on imported fossil fuels. This leaves electricity prices exposed to global oil markets, international conflicts, and outside shocks.

He explained that solar and wind energy cannot simply be added to the national grid without serious supporting infrastructure. Solar energy changes quickly when clouds pass. That means the country needs stronger transmission lines, upgraded substations, battery storage, and smart grid systems.

No fluff, no bluff: Renewable energy is not just about putting solar panels on roofs. It requires a smarter and stronger electricity grid.

He also pointed to projected benefits, including nearly 60 megawatts of renewable energy capacity and more than 100,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions avoided annually.

Government Must Lead by Example

The speech also addressed the poor energy performance of many public buildings. The representative spoke about old wiring, outdated lighting, inefficient air-conditioning systems, and buildings that waste electricity.

The proposed solution is to retrofit public buildings, install modern energy-efficient systems, and place solar photovoltaic panels on government rooftops.

This is a reasonable argument. Government cannot ask citizens and businesses to save energy while public buildings continue wasting it.

Women in STEM

The representative also highlighted scholarships and apprenticeships for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

That is positive, but the real test will be whether young women from communities like Choiseul/Saltibus can actually access these opportunities.

The Financing Terms

The representative praised the financing terms, including a 10-year grace period, 40 years to repay, and a 0.75% service charge.

If correctly stated, these are favourable terms. However, the public still deserves clear information on the full cost, repayment obligations, implementation schedule, and how success will be measured.

Good financing is important — but good execution is even more important.

Digital Transformation

The final section of the speech focused on the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project.

The representative said this project would modernize telecommunications regulation, improve government online services, strengthen cybersecurity, and equip young people with digital skills.

For rural communities, this matters. If properly implemented, citizens could access services, file documents, apply for permits, and complete transactions without always travelling into town.

But digital transformation must not leave behind the elderly, the disabled, those without reliable internet, and those who are not comfortable using online systems.

What Was Missing?

While the speech was strong on national energy and digital policy, Choiseul on the Move must ask a fair question: where was the direct connection to Choiseul/Saltibus?

The representative opened with greetings to fathers, students, fishermen, and grieving families. That was appropriate. But when the major policy discussion began, the speech became mostly national and regional.

Choiseul/Saltibus needs to know:

• Will any public buildings in Choiseul/Saltibus be retrofitted?
• Will schools, health centres, community centres, or government offices in the constituency benefit?
• Will young people from Choiseul/Saltibus access the STEM scholarships and apprenticeships?
• Will digital services reduce the burden on rural residents?
• Will fishermen, farmers, small businesses, and elderly citizens see practical benefits?

National transformation must not remain in Castries. It must reach the communities.

Final Assessment

The speech made a serious case for investing in renewable energy, energy-efficient public buildings, and digital transformation. The representative showed understanding of the need for battery storage, smart grids, and upgraded infrastructure.

However, the people of Choiseul/Saltibus should not only be asked to applaud national projects. They should be told clearly how these projects will affect their daily lives.

For Choiseul on the Move, the issue is simple: if these resolutions are truly transformational, then transformation must be seen in our villages, schools, public buildings, internet access, young people, and local economy.

No community must be left watching progress from the outside.

 

CPEA Results: Transparency Matters

The recent release of CPEA results in St. Vincent and the Grenadines offered an excellent example of how information can be shared openly and efficiently with the public. Parents, students, teachers, and communities were able to access results and updates with a level of clarity that reflected a commitment to transparency and public accountability.

For those of us who closely follow educational developments across the region, the contrast was difficult to ignore. Over the years, Choiseul on the Move has often found it challenging to obtain timely and comprehensive information regarding educational results and related announcements. This is particularly important because these results represent more than just numbers—they reflect the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of students, parents, and teachers.

When CPEA results are released, communities want to celebrate their high achievers, acknowledge the efforts of educators, and encourage those students who may not have achieved the outcomes they hoped for. Timely access to information allows communities to do just that.

Education remains one of the most important pillars of national development. As such, information surrounding student achievement should be treated with the importance it deserves. The more open and accessible the process, the easier it becomes for communities, schools, and media platforms to highlight success stories and inspire the next generation.

As Saint Lucia prepares for this year's CPEA announcements, many parents and students will be hoping for a smooth, transparent, and timely release of information. Clear communication benefits everyone involved and helps create a positive atmosphere around an event that means so much to so many families.

At the end of the day, every student deserves recognition for their effort, every parent deserves timely information, and every community deserves the opportunity to celebrate its young achievers. Transparency is not simply about releasing results—it is about strengthening public confidence in the educational system and ensuring that success can be shared by all.

 

💧 WATER RATES GOING UP… But What About the Water?

A Choiseul on the Move Commentary

The National Utilities Regulatory Commission has approved new water and sewerage rates for WASCO customers, with the increases taking effect in two stages: June 2026 and January 2027.

But Choiseul on the Move asks one burning question:
How can people be asked to pay more for water when some communities are still not receiving a reliable supply?

WASCO and the regulators speak about better infrastructure, reduced water losses, faster response to complaints, and more reliable water supply. Those promises sound good on paper.

But in communities like Lamaze, Roblot and Debreuil, many residents continue to face an unacceptable reality.

🚰 The Reality in Some Choiseul Communities

Water is often available only on Wednesdays and Sundays, and sometimes for as little as two hours.

Families must fill buckets, drums and tanks, hoping the supply lasts until the next scheduled day.

Higher Rates in a Time of Higher Pressure

This increase comes at a time when ordinary families are already struggling with rising food prices, electricity bills, transportation costs and the general burden of inflation.

Another increase is the last thing struggling households need.

While the basic domestic water charge may remain unchanged for households using up to 2,000 gallons per month, the charges above that level are increasing sharply. Sewerage charges are also going up.

So Who Is Speaking for Choiseul/Saltibus?

This is where the silence becomes troubling.

Has our District Representative made a strong case for the people of Lamaze, Roblot, Debreuil and other affected communities?

Was the reality of poor and inconsistent water supply properly presented to the NURC?

Was Choiseul/Saltibus truly heard before this decision was approved?

The Principle Should Be Simple

Improve the service first. Then ask people to pay more.

No one is saying that WASCO does not need money to improve the system. Infrastructure costs money. Repairs cost money. Reliable water supply requires serious investment.

But fairness demands that people should not be punished with higher rates while still living with poor service.

Water Is Not a Luxury

Water is not a privilege. Water is not a favour. Water is a basic necessity.

For too long, forgotten communities have been forced to adjust their lives around unreliable supply. That should not be normal in 2026.

Choiseul on the Move Says:

Do not make people pay more for a service they are still begging to receive.

The people of Choiseul/Saltibus deserve answers. They deserve representation. Most importantly, they deserve reliable water before higher bills.

💧 Would you support higher water rates if your community only received water twice per week?

 

FROM CRITICISM TO  COMMENDATION: A Welcome Change in How Opportunities Are Reaching Choiseul

For years, one of the recurring concerns raised by residents across Choiseul–Saltibus has been the gap between government opportunities and the people they were intended to help.

Programs existed.

Funding existed.

Training opportunities existed.

Yet too often, the average resident only learned about them through word of mouth, social media rumors, or after application deadlines had already passed.

In October 2025, Choiseul on the Move drafted a strongly worded opinion piece expressing concern over what was then viewed as a lack of structured outreach regarding government initiatives aimed at youth, entrepreneurs, and community development.

The article was never published.

At the time, the blog made a conscious decision to withhold it during an election period, believing that publishing such criticism could be interpreted as giving one political side an unfair advantage over another.

However, the concerns raised in that unpublished article were genuine.

The central argument was simple:

Government programs can only transform lives when people know they exist.

Today, several months later, it is encouraging to witness what appears to be a different approach.

The recent announcement by the Office of the Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus regarding the SBDC MSME Small Grant Facility demonstrates exactly the kind of constituency-level engagement that many residents have been calling for.

Rather than merely sharing information online and hoping people find it, the Constituency Office has gone a step further by inviting residents to schedule appointments and receive direct guidance from Constituency Attaché Mr. Blaize.

That matters.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs have excellent ideas but struggle with application forms, business plans, budgeting, and supporting documentation. Sometimes the difference between receiving a grant and missing out altogether is simply having someone available to provide guidance and encouragement.

This is what effective constituency representation should look like.

Not merely announcing opportunities.

Not merely posting flyers.

But actively helping residents navigate the process.

Choiseul has never lacked talent.

From farmers and agro-processors to artisans, tourism operators, tradesmen, creatives, and young innovators, our community has always possessed the human potential needed to thrive.

What has often been missing is the bridge connecting that potential to opportunity.

The SBDC Small Grant Facility presents an opportunity not only for individual applicants but also for the Constituency Office itself.

If sustained, this level of engagement could become the foundation for a more proactive development model—one where information sessions, business clinics, mentorship opportunities, and regular outreach become the norm rather than the exception.

Credit must be given where credit is due.

The recent initiative by the Constituency Office deserves commendation because it reflects a recognition that development is not simply about creating programs in Castries; it is about ensuring those programs reach ordinary people in communities like Choiseul, Saltibus, Delcer, Piaye, Roblot, Reunion, Industry, Mongouge, Victoria, and La Fargue.

The true measure of success, however, will not be the number of posts published on social media.

It will be the number of businesses launched.

The number of jobs created.

The number of young people empowered.

The number of dreams transformed into reality.

If this new approach continues, then perhaps what was once a source of criticism can become a model of progress.

And that is something every resident of Choiseul–Saltibus should welcome.

Choiseul on the Move 

"When opportunity knocks, communities prosper only when someone opens the door."

FROM HUSTLE TO HOPE: Small Grants Can Build Big Dreams in Choiseul

 Your idea does not have to stay in your head — this could be the chance to turn it into income.

Across Choiseul, there are young people, single mothers, farmers, small shop owners, food vendors, hairdressers, pig farmers, bakers, and creative minds with one thing in common: they have the talent, but not always the money to take the next step.

Now, the Government’s small business grant programme offers a real opportunity for persons who want to start or expand a small business. With funding support of up to EC$15,000 for existing businesses, and support also available for new ventures, this is not just another announcement — it is a possible turning point.

Choiseul, This Is a Wake-Up Call

Too many good ideas die quietly because people say, “I don’t have the money.” But when opportunity knocks, we must be ready to answer. This grant programme is a chance for residents to stop waiting, start planning, and move from survival mode to business mode.

What Kind of Businesses Can Benefit?

The programme places emphasis on areas such as agri-business, agro-processing, food and beverage, community retail, services, tourism-related enterprises, ICT, and climate-resilient businesses.

That means many practical businesses in Choiseul could possibly fit, including:

• Pepper sauce production
• Seasoning blends
• Jams and jellies
• Poultry farming
• Pig rearing and pen upgrades
• Home-based catering and baking
• Hair braiding and beauty services
• Small community shops
• Cleaning and property maintenance services
• Digital services such as graphics, marketing, and content creation

A Special Word to the Youth

Young people of Choiseul, this is not the time to sit back and say there is nothing happening. If you can bake, farm, design, braid hair, repair phones, create content, raise animals, process local produce, or run a small online service, then you already have the seed of a business.

The grant will not do the work for you, but it can help you buy the tools, equipment, stock, materials, and supplies needed to begin properly.

Single Mothers Must Not Be Left Behind

Many single mothers in Choiseul already operate like business managers every day. They budget, stretch resources, feed children, organize school needs, manage homes, and still find ways to earn. With proper support, many can turn their skills into steady income.

A mother who already sells food can upgrade her equipment. A woman with a pig farm can improve her pens. Someone making pepper sauce can invest in bottles, labels, blenders, and proper food-safe preparation areas. A young woman doing hair from home can create a small professional salon space.

This Is How Dreams Grow

A grant may not make anyone rich overnight. But it can buy a freezer. It can build a pen. It can purchase a sewing machine. It can stock a small shop. It can create packaging. It can help someone move from informal hustling to a registered, organized, income-generating business.

Pig Farmers and Livestock Owners Can Think Bigger

For someone who already has a pig farm, this programme could be useful for expansion and modernization. Instead of simply saying “I rear pigs,” the business idea can be presented as an existing swine production enterprise that needs upgrading.

Improvements could include better roofing, concrete flooring, drainage, water systems, feed storage, fencing, breeding pens, and cleaner, safer spaces for piglets. These upgrades can improve animal health, increase production, and create a more profitable business.

Agro-Processing: Turning Local Produce into Local Wealth

Choiseul has land, farmers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, peppers, coconuts, and creativity. Agro-processing gives us the chance to turn these raw products into branded items that can be sold in shops, supermarkets, hotels, farmers markets, and online.

Pepper sauces, green seasoning, dry seasoning blends, jams, jellies, coconut products, cassava products, and local drinks are not just “small things.” With good packaging and consistent quality, they can become serious income earners.

Before You Apply, Get Ready

Applicants should not wait until the last minute. Start gathering the important documents and information now.

• A clear business idea
• A simple business plan
• Quotations for equipment or materials
• Photos of the existing business, where possible
• Proof of address and identification
• Basic financial information
• A clear explanation of how the grant will improve the business

The Grant Is Not Free Money — It Is Seed Money

This is important. A grant should not be seen as money to “spend out.” It is seed money. Seed money must be planted wisely. If used properly, it can grow into income, employment, independence, and community development.

The strongest applications will likely be those that show a serious business idea, a clear budget, a real market, and the ability to continue after the grant money is spent.

Choiseul, Let Us Move From Ideas to Action

This programme is an opportunity. But opportunity only helps those who prepare.

If you have a skill, sharpen it. If you have a small business, organize it. If you have an idea, write it down. If you need equipment, get quotations. If you need help with a business plan, ask for guidance.

Your future may be waiting inside the application form.

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✨ CHOISEUL MYSTERIES EXPLAINED #3

🌙 Nature's Living Stars: Why Do Fireflies Glow At Night?

A Sunday Feature from Choiseul on the Move

Have you ever walked along a quiet road in Choiseul on a warm evening and noticed tiny lights flickering among the bushes?

Perhaps you've seen them near a riverbank, in a garden, or dancing above a grassy field after sunset.

For a moment, it almost feels as though the stars have left the sky and settled among the trees.

These tiny glowing insects are called fireflies, and for generations they have fascinated children and adults alike.

But why do they glow?

Are they carrying miniature lanterns?

Are they lighting their way through the darkness?

Or is there a hidden purpose behind those magical flashes?

✨ Nature's Own Light Show

The glow of a firefly is one of the most remarkable wonders in nature.

Unlike a light bulb, which produces both light and heat, a firefly creates light through a special chemical reaction inside its body.

Scientists call this process bioluminescence.

Inside the firefly's abdomen, special chemicals react with oxygen to produce light.

The amazing thing is that almost none of the energy is wasted as heat.

This makes the firefly one of the most efficient light producers on Earth.

In fact, scientists have long studied fireflies in hopes of learning how to create more efficient lighting technologies.

💚 A Secret Language of Light

The flashing isn't random.

Fireflies are actually communicating.

Most flashes are used to attract mates.

Male fireflies fly through the night flashing specific patterns of light.

Female fireflies watch from nearby vegetation and respond with flashes of their own.

Each species has its own unique flashing pattern.

It's almost like having a secret language that only other fireflies can understand.

What may look like a beautiful light show to us is actually thousands of tiny conversations taking place in the darkness.

🌿 Why We See Them More In Certain Places

Fireflies thrive in areas with:

✅ Moist environments
✅ Tall grass and vegetation
✅ Nearby streams and ponds
✅ Limited artificial lighting

That's why they are often found in rural communities rather than heavily developed areas.

They prefer places where nature remains largely undisturbed.

🏡 The Choiseul Connection

Many older residents of Choiseul remember a time when fireflies seemed to be everywhere.

Children would chase them through the yard.

Some would even catch them gently and watch their tiny lights blink inside a jar before releasing them again.

They were part of the magic of growing up in the countryside.

Today, however, fireflies are becoming less common in many parts of the world.

Artificial lighting, habitat loss, and the increased use of pesticides have reduced their numbers in some areas.

Their presence reminds us of the importance of protecting the natural spaces that make communities like Choiseul so special.

🌎 Tiny Guardians Of A Healthy Environment

Fireflies are more than just beautiful insects.

Their presence is often a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Where fireflies thrive, nature is usually thriving too.

When their numbers begin to decline, it can be an early warning that something in the environment is changing.

In a way, these tiny glowing insects help tell us how healthy our surroundings really are.

💡 What Fireflies Teach Us

The firefly may be small, but it carries a powerful lesson.

It doesn't shine as brightly as the sun.

It doesn't light up an entire village.

Yet its tiny light can still capture our attention and brighten the darkness.

Sometimes we spend our lives comparing ourselves to others who seem bigger, stronger, or more successful.

The firefly reminds us that even the smallest light can make a difference.

You don't have to shine the brightest.

You simply have to shine.

🌙 The Next Time You See One...

The next time you spot a firefly blinking among the trees on a warm Choiseul evening, pause for a moment.

Look closely.

You're witnessing one of nature's most extraordinary inventions—a living lantern carrying a message through the darkness.

And now you know why fireflies glow at night.

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🔍 Coming Next Sunday...

🦀 Why Do Land Crabs Suddenly Appear Everywhere?

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💬 Got a Choiseul mystery you'd like us to explore? Leave it in the comments and it might become a future edition of Choiseul Mysteries Explained!

Choiseul on the Move Our People. Our Culture. Our Future.

 

Why Do Politicians Seem to Gain Weight After Winning Elections?

Have you ever noticed it? During campaign season, politicians are everywhere — walking through communities, climbing hills, shaking hands, attending meetings, and moving from house to house.

Then, a few months after taking office, people begin to whisper:
“Boy, look how he put on weight!”
“She wasn’t so big before the election!”

It is a conversation heard not only in Saint Lucia, but across the Caribbean and even around the world. But is it really a sign of “living good” in office, or is there more to the story?

The Campaign Lifestyle

During an election campaign, politicians are constantly on the move. They walk communities, attend back-to-back meetings, visit homes, speak at public events, and often operate on very little sleep.

In many ways, campaigning can be more physically demanding than some full-time jobs.

The Office Effect

Once elected, the lifestyle changes. Instead of walking village roads daily, many politicians now spend long hours sitting in meetings, reviewing documents, attending briefings, and travelling by vehicle.

In simple terms, they often move from being highly active campaigners to highly seated office holders.

The Stress Nobody Sees

Many people assume that winning an election means the pressure is over. But in reality, the pressure may just be beginning.

Constituents want results. Ministries demand attention. The media is watching. Party supporters are expecting rewards. Critics are waiting for mistakes.

Stress can lead to poor eating habits, late meals, emotional eating, lack of exercise, and poor sleep — all of which can contribute to weight gain.

The Endless Meetings

A politician’s day can involve cabinet meetings, constituency visits, official ceremonies, regional conferences, public consultations, and evening functions.

And what usually comes with these events?

• Breakfast meetings
• Working lunches
• Conference buffets
• Reception dinners
• Snacks between events

So while the opportunities to eat increase, the time for walking, exercising, or resting often decreases.

The Caribbean Reality

In the Caribbean, a fuller appearance has sometimes been associated with success, comfort, and “good living.” So when people see a politician gaining weight, some quickly conclude that office life must be treating them well.

But the truth may be more complicated. Weight gain can also be linked to stress, reduced physical activity, irregular meals, and lack of proper rest.

Not Every Politician

Of course, this does not apply to everyone. Some politicians make fitness a priority. Some walk daily, exercise regularly, and watch what they eat despite their heavy schedule.

A Thought for Saint Lucia

As Saint Lucians, maybe we should be careful about judging public officials purely by appearance.

A politician gaining weight may not always mean they are enjoying comfort and luxury. It may also be a sign of a demanding, stressful, and unhealthy work pattern.

At the same time, it is a reminder that health matters for everyone — including those elected to lead our communities and our country.

Your Turn

Have you noticed this trend among politicians in Saint Lucia?
Is it stress, less exercise, office life, or simply better eating?
Share your thoughts in the comments.

Choiseul on the Move – Observing Life, One Conversation at a Time.