NDP’s Owia Promise vs. ULP’s Orange Hill Reality

A photograph of Owia’s arrowroot factory as posted on Severn John’s official Facebook page (left) and the new arrowroot factory located in Orange Hill as posted by the Agency for Public Information.

By Val Matthias. Updated 2:52 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The future of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ arrowroot industry has emerged as a central issue in the ongoing political campaign, with the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) and the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) offering sharply contrasting visions.

On November 17th, 2025, NDP candidate for North Windward Ms. Shevern John announced on Facebook that her party intends to restore the abandoned Owia Arrowroot Factory, which was destroyed during the 2021 La Soufrière volcanic eruption. John pledged that an NDP government would rebuild the facility to create “more and better paid jobs”.

Responding directly at a political meeting, ULP candidate Dr. Grace Walters dismissed John’s proposal as misleading. “Their desire to win an election is more than their desire to tell the truth. When we see a video about the old arrowroot factory portrayed as if it is still functioning, we know better. A new facility has been constructed at Orange Hill. We will not be misled,” Walters said. She emphasized that hundreds of farmers have already benefited from government subsidies since the eruption, underscoring the ULP’s record of support while awaiting the new factory.

The Orange Hill Arrowroot Factory, part of the government’s Arrowroot Modernisation Project, is nearing completion and expected to open fully this year. Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar has highlighted that the facility is designed to meet international export standards, with technical support from the Republic of India. Officials say the project is intended to revitalise the industry after years of disruption and position St. Vincent’s arrowroot for stronger global competitiveness.

Two competing visions: NDP’s proposal of the Owia restoration of the damaged factory, coupled with tourism development, and ULP’s project at Orange Hill, which involves the construction of a modern facility with advanced processing capacity, focused on strengthening exports and ensuring long-term sustainability for farmers.

The caption of Shevern John’s video read as such: “The NDP will restore the Owia arrowroot factory. It’s part of my plan to create more and better paid jobs in the area.”

Here is the full transcript of Ms. John’s presentation in the video:

“Today we are at the site of the Arrowroot Industry Association factory. This was abandoned after the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. We know the benefit of it to the people in the community and surrounding areas. So in the NDP, we decided that when we get into government, we will make this into a tourism site. Behind it is a beautiful waterfall. We will package it and sell it on the market so that everyone can enjoy. More money in your pocket. We deserve better. Together we win.”

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