St. George’s, November 12, 2009 (GIS) – A playing field bordering the St. Patrick constituencies of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Works Minister Joseph Gilbert was one of five sites visited for possible repairs by Venezuelan construction workers Wednesday, November 11.
The Venezuelans, led by Ambassador Carlos Perez and General Jimmy Guzman Pinto of the Simon Bolivar International Brigade, started their site inspections at the Roy St. John Recreation Ground in Tanteen.
They were accompanied by Hon. Peter David, Member of Parliament for the Town of St. George.
Apart from visiting the playing field bordering the St. Patrick East and West constituencies, the Venezuelans also examined a community centre in the parish. They are also considering repairing and upgrading a playing field and community centre in St. Andrew, which they have also visited.
Mr. David, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, said all Grenadians will benefit from the projects, including the one at Tanteen. Plans are to demolish the wall surrounding the Roy St. John Ground.
“We have the Angel Harps steelband in Tanteen and soccer takes place here on a regular basis,’’ MP David pointed out. “We have a wonderful cricket ground, the netball court and several schools in the area. We have a wall that was built and we’ve indicated that we want to remove it, so that we can open up Tanteen to be used – not only by the immediate community – but also by the community of Grenada.’’
The Venezuelan assistance will help solidify the relations between the Spanish-speaking South American Republic and Grenada, Mr. David said.
“As you are well aware, Venezuela recently handed over houses to us in St. David,’’ the Grenadian Foreign Minister said. “They have started the second phase of the General Hospital, and we hope through these community projects that the relations will be further improved so that there are mutual benefits.’’
The Tanteen work should not be very difficult and could be completed in less than a year, Ambassador Perez said. He described the latest projects as another example of Grenada-Venezuela cooperation.
“Everything is coming under the umbrella of the friendship and cooperation relations between Venezuela and Grenada,’’ the ambassador said. “We would like to enhance the good relations that we have with Grenada.’’
