Attorney, activist, and radio host Jomo Thomas has called for renewed consideration of a road connecting the northern ends of the island, arguing that a cross-country route remains both viable and vital if built to serve Vincentians first.
Speaking on his radio program Plain Talk on OMG, Thomas revisited the stalled debate surrounding national infrastructure and the abandoned cross-country road initiative. He recalled that in 2005 and 2006, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration proposed a cross-country road project and spent substantial sums of money, only to ultimately abandon the venture and tell the public that the road could not be built.
Thomas dismissed the assertion that the road is impossible to construct, emphasizing that modern engineering and international partnerships make such feats achievable.
While acknowledging that constructing the route would be expensive due to the need to traverse gorges and rugged terrain, Thomas pointed to the engineering achievements of other nations. He specifically referenced Taiwan, noting that during visits there, one observes massive bridges spanning complex geography.
Thomas questioned why St. Vincent and the Grenadines has maintained long-standing diplomatic relations with an industrialized nation like Taiwan without translating that partnership into the technical expertise and science needed for major domestic infrastructure.
He added that similar bridge-building and roadway feats are visible in China, the United States, and Europe, arguing that with willingness from international developmental partners and proper funding, the project could become a reality.
Addressing historical objections—such as concerns that the road would cut into critical watersheds—Thomas maintained that the overarching goal must be opening up the island for citizens rather than external visitors.
He explained that under the current road network, drivers heading up the eastern corridor are forced to turn back around and travel down the exact same route. A completed connecting road across the north would enable residents to loop around the island—driving up the east coast and returning down the west coast on a Sunday afternoon.
This push, Thomas stressed, aligns with his wider criticism of the country’s tendency toward “development by audience”—the habit of beautifying and building infrastructure primarily for foreign tourists rather than ensuring everyday convenience, safety, and pride for the people who live in St. Vincent year-round.
The broadcast discussion also touched upon alternative engineering approaches. A caller highlighted a previously published proposal in Searchlight by physical planner Carl Glasgow, who designed an alternative cross-country route intended to bypass the sensitive interior hinterland, connect major demographic centers, and route across Vermont.
Thomas concurred with the caller’s broader sentiment, reiterating that national planning must focus on building functional infrastructure and fostering local appreciation for the country.
