The Venezuelan delegation held discussions with Minister of Social
Development Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford and officials of the Agency for
Reconstruction and Development (ARD) at the ARD Conference Room and
made a site visit to Lacalome.
Prior to visiting the site, the Venezuelan delegation also met briefly with Acting Prime Minister Gregory Bowen.
The ARD was appointed by the Government of Grenada to provide
project management services for the infrastructural works. These
include electricity and water services, roads, drains, retaining walls
and a bridge.
The 100 units, which include single houses and duplexes, were
donated to Grenada by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and
constructed at the 10-acre site by a Venezuelan military contingent.
The Venezuelan delegation was informed that electricity poles have been
installed and wiring of the housing units is completed.
The ARD advised the delegation that the tendering process had been
completed in accordance with the procedures of the Central Tendering
Board. The Venezuelan delegation expressed satisfaction with the
transparency of the tendering process and offered further technical
support if necessary.
Discussions focussed on the water and sewerage facilities. ARD
officials advised that when the road is graded, the water supply lines
will be installed simultaneously. The Venezuelan delegation offered to
send a technical team to Grenada to remain here while the
infrastructural works are completed.
The Venezuelan delegation comprised:
- Minister of Housing and Habitat Hon. Ramón Carrizales
- Ambassador Edna Figurera Cedena
- Mr. Agustin Pupo, president of Alba Bolivariana, a construction company
- Mr. Saúl Mendoza, an engineer and project manager of Propatina 2000
- Ms. Yoleisa Carrizales, interpreter
The Grenadian delegation comprised:
- Minister of Social Development Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford
- ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews
- ARD Senior Projects Manager Robin Swaisland
- ARD Human Settlement Specialist Ivan Laughlin
- ARD Human Settlement Coordinator Tim Byam