Saturday, June 25, 2011

Grenville Project continues government’s job creation, infrastructural development


ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 25, 2011 – Government has commenced the first phase of the Greater Grenville Project, calling it the continuation of a series of job-creation and infrastructural development initiatives that has been taking place in the last three years.

Works Minister Joseph Gilbert has dismissed as “old talk,’’ suggestions that “nothing’’ has been happening in the country.

“Perhaps things have not been implemented as quickly as we would have liked, but be assured that we have not forgotten the promises we made in our campaign. We intend to continue to work with you, the people, to deliver on those promises and to continue the infrastructural, socio and economic development of Grenada,’’ Mr. Gilbert said June 24 in St. Andrew.

He was speaking at a sod-turning ceremony to mark the commencement of work on the Grenville Market Development Project.

The first component of the project is the construction of an abattoir. The contract for building the abattoir has been awarded to Classic Designs and Construction, a St. Andrew-based company.

Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, who turned the sod to market the official start of the project, joined Mr. Gilbert and other speakers in celebrating the occasion.

The event was also attended by scores of St. Andrew residents, including the three NDC MPs for the parish, and many of their cabinet colleagues.

“This is your government at work, developing the nation community by community; investing your money wisely; and trying its utmost to put its people to work despite extremely difficult economic times,’’ said Mr. Gilbert, who is also Minister of Physical Development and Public Utilities.

It is the second time a contract for a major project has been given to a local company. The first, to Kenny’s Trucking, was for Brizan/Perseverance Rockfall and Landslip Project.

Mr. Gilbert described the award of the two contracts as a demonstration of government’s confidence in the “growing competence of our local labour force.’’

“This government,’’ the Minister said, “Unlike those who are seeking to return to office, believes in the competence, skill and resilience of our local contractors. When this government came into office, the criteria for bidding for projects funded by the Caribbean Development Bank were so high, that it excluded most local contractors from the bidding process.’’

In response to the situation, “the Ministries of Works and Finance negotiated with CDB for adjustment in the criteria which resulted in more local contractors being able to bid for CDB projects, not just locally, bur in other CDB member-states,’’ Minister Gilbert said.

The project commencement in Grenville, he explained, is the continuation of initiatives such as the CDB-funded schools’ rehabilitation that involves classroom and laboratory construction, and the building of sewage and water storage facilities.

Other project that have led to infrastructural improvement and provided jobs, to the tune of several million dollars, include the rebuilding of the Youth and Cultural Development Centre at Morne Rouge; the refurbishing of several government offices; the successful completion of the Southern Grenada Water Supply Project; and the Ministry of Works’ Concrete Program.

Starting this month, government has also expanded its Road Maintenance Program. “A total of 380 crews and 126 supervisors are now dispersed throughout the country,’’ Mr. Gilbert said. “This phase will continue until the end of July and will cost approximately $2.9 million.’’ Another phase of the Road Maintenance Program will begin in October.

“This, ladies and gentlemen, is a vast improvement to what existed prior to us assuming office, when the program was a mere one fortnight before or after carnival, and two fortnights in November/December,’’ said Minister Gilbert.

“This government, your government, has extended the program to three fortnights in this period and four fortnights in November/December. It means, therefore, that more persons can find jobs on a rotation basis. This is in addition to the regular program which is implemented continuously throughout the year.’’

The Grenville Project has long been delayed with claims by the former administration that it was set to commence when the then government was ousted from office in general elections in 2008.

Minister Gilbert flatly denied the claims of the previous government, labeling the allegations as “election gimmick.’’

“The previous sod-turning which took place here in 2008 will go down in history as the start of the NNP’s campaign for a fourth term in office,’’ Mr. Gilbert charged.

“That is what it truly was – an election gimmick,’’ the Minister said. “Was a contract awarded at the time? No! Was the construction design completed? No! Was the drainage study that would advise on how the project should treat with the flooding problem in the Town of Grenville undertaken? No! Luckily for Grenada, the people of Grenville did not take the bait.’’
                                                                         
Photos:

Housing Minister and MP for St. Andrew North-West, Alleyne Walker (left), and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, turning the sod to mark the commencement of the Grenville Market Development Project.
(left - right) are Works Minister Joseph Gilbert; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Dennis Clarke; Prime Minister Tillman Thomas; MP for St. Andrew South-West and Social Development Minister, Sylvester Quarless; and Kenrick Fullerton, who served as MC at the sod-turning ceremony

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