St. George’s, December 7, 2009 – Government ministers, Peter David and Patrick Simmons, have praised the initiative that now allows access to a bank of computers and recreational space for residents of the Carenage, St. George’s.
The facility, which received corporate support from Digicel, is included as part of the newly refurbished and reopened headquarters of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
Foreign Affairs Minister David, who is also MP for the Town of St. George, welcomed the partnership and the “amazing work’’ that led to the provision of the facility for “community use.’’
Lingham Samuel, the NLA chairman, singled out sports organiser and coach, Nigel “German’’ McKie for his involvement in the project.
“German McKie has done a wonderful job in ensuring the placement of computers so that the youth can access information useful to their overall development,’’ Mr. Samuel said.
Mr. McKie has begun a collection of books for the facility, starting with a copy of White Frock & Coals Dust: The Story Of A Community Called The Wharf. The book, which is available at Grenadian bookstores, is written by journalist and Carenage resident, Lincoln Depradine.
White Frock & Coals Dust is also part of the collection at the Sheila Buckmire Memorial Public Library in St. George, T.A. Marryshow Community College, Grenada Boys Secondary School, St. George’s Anglican Senior School, and the St. Lucia-based Secretariat of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Mr. Depradine presented a copy of the book to OECS Director General, Dr. Len Ishmael, during a recent regional media workshop in Anguilla.
Hon. Simmons, Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports, said that by providing public space at its headquarters, “the NLA is now poised to make a positive difference in the community of the Carenage.’’
Mr. Simmons said he is committed to completing the proposed National Sports Policy for Grenada. The policy is expected to lead to the establishment of a National Sports Council.
The NLA, said Mr. Simmons, will have a “pivotal role’’ to play in the functioning of the council.
“The framework will allow the NLA to be one of the major sources of financial support to the council, resulting in less dependency on central government for budgetary support for the management of sports,’’ the Sports Minister said.
He added that it will also minimise the “ad-hoc manner in which our national associations, federations, committees and individuals treat the NLA regarding the sourcing of funding.’’
Mr. Simmons said an additional mechanism will be set up mandating the NLA to provide more support “for the execution of government’s cultural programmes.’’