“We come under the umbrella of peace and help.” With those words, General Oswaldo Gutierrez, Commander of the Venezuelan International Civic and Military Brigade for Humanitarian Relief, outlined plans for the construction of approximately 130 low income houses in Grenada during a press conference today at the Grenada Industrial Development Corporation Conference Room. The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will donate the prefabricated homes for a new housing project, to be called the Simon Bolivar Complex, on approximately 9.5 acres of Crown land at La Calomé, St. David’s. “In correspondence with solidarity and the humanitarian spirit of the people of Venezuela and the determination of the Government and people of Grenada to restore normalcy to their lives, we are here today to show you the project of the low income homes, which President Chavez promised to donate with his wish to bring relief and peace of mind to some people who lost their homes,” Ambassador Edna Figuera Cedena said. Built to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes, components for the houses will be prefabricated at a plant in Venezuela, and then shipped by boat to Grenada. A model house, expected to arrive in St. George’s later today, will be mounted for display in Frequente at a site called Demonstration Village. The model house from Venezuela will be the first house to be constructed at the new Demonstration Village, which is being coordinated by the Housing Authority of Grenada. In expressing appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada for the “significant humanitarian contribution,” Minister of Social Development Yolande Bain Joseph said the location in St. David’s was chosen because that parish was one of the most severely hit by Hurricane Ivan and also because of the availability of land. Minister Bain Joseph said the Emergency Housing Committee is currently gathering data to determine eligibility of residents for the new Complex, based on their vulnerability. The land has been surveyed and General Gutierrez said once preparations are completed for construction and all goes well, the houses could be completed in approximately six months. Source: Government Information Service