St. George’s, December 18, 2012 – The reluctance of the Tillman Thomas administration to commence work on the much talked-about Venezuela-funded Snell Hall project in St. Patrick is “a blatant act of mischief against the people,’’ according to MP Joseph Gilbert.
The project, which includes the construction of a playing field and a human resource development centre, is one of several infrastructural initiatives in St. Patrick that MP Gilbert has been championing on behalf of his constituents in his four-and-a-half years parliament.
Gilbert, MP for St. Patrick West, says that “the money to undertake the Snell Hall project is lying in a local bank; the contract for executing the project has been awarded; and the land on which the project is to be constructed has been acquired by the state since August.’’
He added that “the failure of the Tillman Thomas regime to execute the project is nothing more than a blatant act of political mischief against the people of Snell Hall, Morne Fendue and surrounding areas.’’
The Snell Hall project is one of a cluster of five projects in Grenada that the Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chavez has provided funding for since 2010.
The Forde Bridge in St. Andrew, the Tanteen pavilion and the first phase of the St. George’s Market Square are already completed. The Mon Toute human resource development center and bleachers are soon to finish.
Funding for all five projects was negotiated by Peter David during his stint as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
But David and Gilbert were among five MPs of the ruling administration that were expelled under controversial circumstances from the ruling party at the September 30 convention of the NDC.
Gilbert said he is “deeply troubled’’ that the Snell Hall project was being delayed at a time when much needed jobs could have been created to lessen the high unemployment rate in the Parish of St. Patrick.
He also raised concern that, “while the project is being frustrated by the prime minister and his allies, the young people of Snell Hall continue to use the public road for sporting activities. This is very unfortunate.’’
More than one million dollars has been made available for the Snell Hall project.
“The protracted delay in starting the project could jeopardize that available funding,’’ Gilbert warned.