St. George’s Market Square Project
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- Parent Category: Oct 2011
- Category: Week ending Oct 15th, 2011
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The Tillman Thomas-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has moved a step closer to starting the rehabilitation work that is needed to complete the St. George’s Market Square that was initiated by the previous administration.
A sod-turning ceremony for the $4.2m project took place last week Tuesday that was attended by several government officials including Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, and many of the vendors who conduct business at the St. George’s Market.
The former New National Party (NNP) government of ex-Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell had spent in excess of EC$2 million provided by the government of Venezuela but failed to complete the project.
Caracas allegedly refused to make additional funds available to the NNP regime for the project.
Out-going Minister of Works Joseph Gilbert who turned the sod along with the resident Venezuelan Ambassador, Carlos Perez whose country is providing the new funding said this is one project that is very dear to his heart.
Minister Gilbert said there were many attempts made by the Ministry of Works to have the project recommenced earlier but they were faced with several problems, foremost being the unavailability of finance.
He said the promise that was made by NDC during the campaign in 2008 is now being fulfilled and expressed government’s gratitude to Venezuela for its generosity in coming forward to provide the funds for the project.
He also thanked the vendors and other users of the market for their patience over the years.
However, the senior government minister called for there to be new attitude at the new market because with a new building, there must be changes.
Minister Gilbert called on the vendors to partner with government in an effort to “free the market from illegal activities.”
He said when completed, the St. George’s Market Square must be a showpiece for the Town of St. George.
Gilbert indicated that the cry of the people of Grenada at this time is for jobs.
He said the three-year old government has heard the cries and while they are aware that the problem of lack of jobs is not unique to Grenada, government has committed itself to providing as many jobs as it can.
“We as a government intend to put our people back to work. The work on this market will certainly provide some jobs,” he told the gathering.
Prime Minister Thomas who also spoke said his government is committed to improving infrastructure in Grenada in every form.
He also reiterated that government is committed to restoring integrity in the governance of Grenada.
According to PM Thomas, the sod-turning ceremony begins the process of restoring the physical integrity of the market square.
Parliamentary Representative for the Town of St. George, Tourism Minister, Peter David was elated that finally the St. George’s Market Square will be refurbished.
Minister David admonished his constituents and the vendors to take pride in what they have and in particular encouraged the vendors to cooperate with the contractor despite whatever inconvenience they may face during the course of work.
“If you want the project to be completed, you have to take some small inconvenience,” he said.
The MP also called on the business outlets in the Town to work along with the government to ensure that the project is done efficiently.
He said government will do nothing without having full consultation with everyone.
Culture Minister Sen. Arley Gill who chaired the function indicated that the St. George’s Market Square has been in a state of disrepair and national disgrace for the better part of 20 years.
Sen. Gill believes it is now a landmark achievement for the NDC Administration of Prime Minister Thomas to undertake to have the work done on the St. George’s Market Square.
Ambassador Perez regarded the market as “the welcome door” for all tourists and visitors who have the opportunity to visit the Spice Island.
He acknowledged that the state of the market has been a matter of concern for a long time, and a topic of serious discussion among Grenadians.
“However, we can say today that this situation is going to change in a positive way, and Venezuela is very proud to contribute to this change”, he said.
Ambassador Perez announced that the St. George’s Market Square Project is part of the umbrella of projects to be financed by Venezuela.
The envoy from the Spanish-speaking country recalled that in November 2009, a Venezuelan Technical delegation visited Grenada in order to make an evaluation for the development of a number of social projects in the country.
He disclosed that the Grenada Government identified five projects including the St. George’s Market as among those they wanted to see funded from the promised US $3.04m aid package.
The others are refurbishing of the Tanteen Pavilion, and reconstruction of the Angel Harps pan house, as well as construction of a community centre and pavilion in both St. Patrick’s, and at Mont Tout, St. George’s, and repair of the road and bridge at Ford, St. Andrew’s.
Ambassador Perez identified the projects earmarked for funding as “a true example of the commitment and solidarity of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with the People and Government of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique”.
He said it was agreed by both governments that Grenada will execute the project, while Venezuela will be responsible for the technical supervision and management of the funds.
Under the agreement, the Venezuelan Government’s interest in the St. George’s Market Square Development Project is being overlooked by Barry’s Engineering which is the engineering consultant providing the technical and financial oversight for the project.
The main contract work is being undertaken by Sinclair Enterprises with the Ministry of Works responsible for the day-to-day site management and inspection of the work, which is estimated to last eight months.
Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Works, Cecil Harris said that in an effort to avoid disrupting the market vendors from conducting their business, construction work will be done in phases.
“We came up with the idea that we just going to have to finish part of the market, (and) move vendors into the completed part,” he remarked.
The project caters for a covered and uncovered section. One building will house 28 open booths and 12 closed booths and they will provide a food court, space for dry goods vendors, craft and clothing vendors.
The renovated old Town Hall Building will accommodate approximately six to ten persons on the ground floor, primarily for dry goods.
This building will also house public washroom facilities.
On the perimeter of the market, there will be 22 small-enclosed booths for dry goods vendors.
The uncovered section of the market will cater for approximately 150 vegetable vendors.
Harris said these vendors will be provided with standard tables as a means of providing uniformity to the market.
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