St. George’s, October 4, 2011 – President Hugo Chavez and the government and
people of Venezuela have been highly commended by Prime Minister, Honourable
Tillman Thomas, and other members of the Grenada government for supply funding
to complete the refurbishing of the St. George’s Market Square.
Prime Minister Thomas and his cabinet colleagues
– Tourism Minister Peter David and Works’ Minister Joseph Gilbert – were
speaking Tuesday at a sod-turning ceremony for the recommencement of work on
the St. George’s Market Redevelopment Project.
For many years, citizens and visitors have been
complaining about the dilapidated state of the market which was once Grenada’s
leading outdoor fruit and vegetable market, as well a venue of social and
political activities.
The Venezuelan-funded project, the Prime Minister
said, is another indication of his government’s commitment to improving the
physical, educational, social and cultural infrastructure of Grenada, Carriacou
and Petite Martinique.
Venezuela is providing US$16.5 million in grant
funding for several projects across the nation. Of the amount, US$1.6 million
has been allocated for the St. George’s Market Redevelopment Project.
Tourism Minister David, who is credited with
negotiating the Venezuelan assistance when he served as Foreign Minister, praised
Venezuela’s top diplomat in Grenada for his patience and hard work in ensuring
the funding was made available.
Ambassador Carlos Perez was among Venezuelan and
Grenadian officials who attended Tuesday’s sod-turning ceremony, which was
chaired by Senator Arley Gill, Grenada’s Minister responsible for Information
and Culture.
Among the crowd of spectators and observers were
Market Square vendors; residents of the Town of St. George; as well as Youth
Empowerment and Sports Minister, Patrick Simmons; Labour Minister Glynis
Roberts; Social Development Minister Sylvester Quarless; Minister of State in
the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Senator Glen Noel; and Minister of State in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senator Dennoth Modeste.
Minister David, who is also MP for the Town of
St. George, said ownership of the market belongs to all Grenadians and urged
care and proper maintenance of the property. His call was echoed by Hon.
Gilbert, Minister of Works and Physical Development.
“This market, when completed, must be a showpiece
for the Town of St. George,’’ said Mr. Gilbert, who noted that it was his
“final public activity as Minister of Works.’’
He has been reassigned to the portfolio of
Minister of Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development. Sen. Modeste has
been made the new Minister of Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities.
“The work on this market will certainly provide
some jobs,’’ Hon. Gilbert said. “I want to make a plea to those of you who
would be fortunate to find employment with this project to work hard and to
work well.’’
Minister Gilbert cautioned that it “cannot be
business as usual’’ when the refurbishing of the St. George’s Market is
completed.
“With the new building must come change; there
must be new attitudes,’’ he said. “You, the vendors, must be partners with
government to free the market from illegal activities; to keep the market
clean; and take care of the facilities when completed.’’
Mr. Gilbert said recommencing the project with a
view to finishing it is in keeping with a pledge made by the National
Democratic Congress when it took office following the party’s general election
victory of 2008.
“Today, that promise we made in 2008 is being
fulfilled,’’ he said. “I want to join in expressing sincere gratitude for the generous
assistance provided by the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela for making it all happen.’’
Minister Gilbert also recognized the “personal
intervention’’ of Hon. David in “spearheading the process of seeking the
financial assistance necessary to undertake the completion of this project as
Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time.’’
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