Salutations Ladies and gentlemen, it is with a deep sense of relief and pleasure to be finally participating in this exercise this morning. The handing over of this project is long overdue particularly against the critical housing need that currently exists. As you may be aware, despite considerable progress in rebuilding our housing stock post hurricanes Ivan and Emily, there are still a large number of persons whose homes are yet to be rebuilt. There are a large number of persons whose basic housing needs are not satisfied and whose living conditions need to be improved. Despite the building boom experienced in recent times, housing remains a critical need in Grenada. The high cost of land, the unavailability of suitable land for building, particularly for vulnerable households and low incomes have limited the ability of low income families to acquire homes. In fact this has contributed to the proliferation of the undesirable squatting and illegal housing settlements that has become a feature of life in Grenada. The improvement of our housing stock is recognized as a key initiative in our deliberate attempt to address the high level of poverty and ultimately the improvement in the livelihood of the vulnerable. After hurricanes Ivan and Emily, it was recognized that our poor and vulnerable suffered the most from the hurricanes due to poorly constructed homes. Additionally, many homes were built in areas that were susceptible to damage when hurricanes and other hazards strike. These homes require relocation on a planned basis. These are some of the challenges that we face. It is in this context that this La Calome project is significant and important. This project commenced in collaboration with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to address some of our low income housing needs. Assistance was received through the provision of labour, materials and finance. With the handing over of this project, we can now move expeditiously to allocate these houses and to bring some measure of relief, security, satisfaction and comfort to some deserving families. We would have liked to do this much earlier however, there were many hurdles that had to be crossed in ensuring that the houses and its environment were suitable and ready for occupancy. We will be distributing these houses within the next few weeks, and I want to urge specifically the persons who would benefit from these homes, to demonstrate their appreciation by ensuring that the condition and environment is kept to highest standards consistent with stipulated regulations. This will be absolutely necessary if we are to ensure that La Calome grows and develop as a vibrant and flourishing community. The distribution of these houses to needy families will provide a measure of psychological security and serve to empower recipients who will now own their home. On behalf of the people of Grenada, I express our profound gratitude and thanks to the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for their donation and continued support particularly in the area of housing. This project is a tangible manifestation of the strong relationship that exists between our two countries. I also express thanks to all those who have worked to make this occasion a reality. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to accept these houses as we strive to improve the overall living conditions of our low income families. I thank you.