Hillsborough, Carriacou, December 21st, 2009- It has been a promise of the government to provide better housing to the citizens of the tri-island state and it is now fulfilled by the 17-month-old government of Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas as two (2) residents of Petite Martinique, Iney Clement and Catherine Clement, now have brand new houses. The houses were built under a programme through which the Ministry of Housing provides material for housing construction nationwide. Earlier this year, the ministry’s programme enabled the construction of seven (7) houses in Carriacou. The Clements received the keys to their homes at a ceremony at the Petite Martinique R.C. School attended by Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean and his wife, Lady Norma Glean; Minister for Housing, Lands & Community Development, Hon. Alleyne Walker; and Minister for Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs, Hon. George Prime. In expressing her gratitude, Iney Clement thanked the Government of Grenada and, in particular, the Ministries of Housing and Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs. She recalled that when her mother passed away nine years ago, she died worrying about the condition of the house in which they lived. Ms. Clement said they had received numerous unfilled promises of fixing the house which had several leaks in the roof and became water-soaked on the inside when rain fell. Housing Minister Walker, in his address at the handing over ceremony, said he was delighted to fulfil the mandate given to him by the people and by Prime Minister Thomas. He reminded the audience that government had developed several ways of ensuring that citizens have better houses. Senator Prime, who is Leader of Government Business in the Upper House of Parliament, lauded the efforts of community members who volunteered their labour to build the houses. The National Democratic Congress administration, he said, values partnerships and the establishment and maintenance of “good community spirit.’’ His Excellency, the Governor General, took the opportunity to extend 2010 best wishes to the residents of Petite Martinique. From Deanna Isaac Carriacou