CATEGORY:HOUSING
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By Wallace J.A
Inside Grenada correspondent
Wednesday November 15,2006


GRENADA - On Friday last week, (November 10), a small delegation arrived in Grenada from the People’s Republic of China to do the preliminary work required - surveys and technical assessments - in order to proceed with the first phase of the Chinese Housing Project.

The Chinese have given their commitment to assist Grenada in a number of critical areas after Hurricane Ivan devastated the country in 2004. Already, the Chinese have delivered on their promise to rebuild the Grenada National Stadium which was destroyed by the Hurricane. The new stadium is now almost completely finished and is considered by many to be one of the most impressive sporting facility in the Caribbean. It now seems that they are proceeding to provide much needed assistance in the area of housing.

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell, recently stated in a sitting of parliament that some persons in the country were initially opposed to the construction of the National Stadium and criticized him for putting emphasis on a stadium and not on the re-construction of homes (about 90% of the homes on the island were damaged by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily). Dr. Mitchell claimed, however, that after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, whenever he went abroad to seek assistance to re-build the country, housing was always at the top of his list of priorities. While the Chinese offered to build Grenada a stadium, they had also pledged their full commitment to assist in the re-construction of homes on the island.

During the first phase of the Chinese Housing Program, some five hundred and thirty-six (536) homes will be constructed for persons from various parts of the country that are considered to be part of the vulnerable group in society. In all, the Chinese are expected to construct 2000 houses for the people of Grenada.

Apart from building houses on private property for vulnerable cases, sixteen (16) sites have been identified for the housing settlements: LaCalome, Morne Delice, Laura and La Sagesse (St.David); Soubise, Belle Vue, Mirabeau, Dunfermline and Simon (St.Andrew); Mt. Reuil (St.Patrick); Diamond (St. Mark); Black Bay (St. John); Beausejour, Mt. Gay and Frequente (St.George) and Dumfries (Carriacou).

Minister responsible for Housing, the Honorable Yolande Bain-Horsford, stated that the Chinese are delivering in a big way and that they have stuck to their promises. “The relationship,” she stated, “between China and Grenada is continuing to blossom and be fruitful…..we must thank the people of China because they have been a true friend to Grenada and have stood by us in our darkest hour.”