Former general manager of the Dominica Banana Producers Ltd (DAPEX) Errol Emmanuel has described the late Luke Prevost as “a giant of a man” and a man who had a deep passion for agriculture and rural development in the country.
Luke or Lukie as he was most affectionately known and called is the husband of noted nutritionist Jacqueline Lancaster Prevost died at his home in Castle Comfort on July 30 after a brief illness he was 71 years old and the father of three children.
He was also the brother of former Roseau Central Member of Parliament Norris Prevost.
Many knew him in the banana industry where he worked for decades and also as manager of Antilles Cement Lumber Ltd.
According to Emmanuel, his first interaction with Prevost was way back in 1982 after graduating from the Dominica Grammar School (DGS) where he was interviewed for a job.
“Destiny would have it that after he left he would return as chairman at which time I was general manager, he was very knowledgeable and someone who was able to calm you in midst of a storm,” Emmanuel said.
“He would push you to get the maximum not to anger you but to get the best out of you, a dedicated and family man who I regarded as my mentor.”
He continued, “I remember him as Operations Manager during the time of crisis to recovery where we maximize our export of bananas to the United Kingdom and he must be part of that history where over one hundred million dollars came back into the industry from export.”
Emmanuel remembers his return back to the industry where he again was a pillar. “He was back as chairman of the industry where we were trying to diversify the industry not only as a banana export company but broaden the range of products…and we were successful in sending over 21 different products to the region.”
“He believed in planning and the implementation of plans with goals set, he left a legacy and a void. He was not only an administrator in agriculture but a practicing farmer who on a weekly basis brought down products to sell, his death was shocking and he will be missed,” Emmanuel stated.