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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - The tiny community of Coolie Town situated in
the Roseau Valley is expected to receive double benefits as a result of a long
awaited road project in that community. Over thirty residents of Coolie Town and
its environs are expected to gain employment under that project. Two roads will
be constructed in the community under the technical guidance of the Basic Needs
Trust Fund (BNTF), which is providing funding via the Caribbean Development Bank
(CDB).
The two Coolie Town roads identified are, Indian Lane and Field Lane. The
project was signed between the BNTF and the community on March 21st, 2005, after
a lengthy period of consultation among the parties.
Vice President of the Coolie Town Development Committee, Ms. Angelina Eleuthere
echoed the community’s appreciation and gratitude for the BNTF and the CDB’s
assistance in finally realizing the project: “Not only that we should be excited
that the roads are going to be repaired, we should be excited that some of us
are going to be employed, even if it is for a short time. And it is so
interesting to note that most of the labourers are women.
Project Manager of the Basic Needs Trust Fund, Clive Hippolyte said that of the
over $250,000 earmarked for the project, some $50,000 have been set aside for
wages, as the project will be implemented through community enterprise: “So we
trust that you will ensure, with diligence, commitment and honesty that you will
deliver the project within the six weeks or three fortnights the project is
expected to take”.
Project Consultant, Oliver Scott, went on to urged community members to be
diligent and committed to the project, given the CDB’s reluctance and
apprehension regarding the community’s ability to undertake such a major
initiative.
“I must tell you that the delay in starting that project was really because the
Caribbean Development Bank did not think that the project should be undertaken
by Community Enterprise for the extent of funding that it attracted. They felt
safer if it was done by a contract award, which is understandable. But I
remembered the expectations of the members of this community, and I remembered
the way they looked forward to starting the project”, Mr. Scott said.
Mr. Hippolyte remarked that with the contracts having been signed, work on the
two roads would begin in earnest, with BNTF and CDB officials, together with
Coolie Town residents hoping to meet again in six weeks time to assess the
results of the one-of-a-kind community initiative.
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