| Condolences These have been received by Prime Minister- Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell at the Prime Minister’s Ministry, in the Ministerial Complex. The leaders of several countries including the Republic of India, Macedonia, the Republic of China, the Belgian Republic, Canada, England and the United States, have all been in touch with Prime Minister Mitchell. The Commonwealth Secretary General Don Mc-kinnon, the Eastern Caribbean States Mission in Brussels and Director General of IICA, Dr. Chelston Braithwaite, have also been in touch with the Grenada government, expressing shock at the devastation and pledging support for the rebuilding process. Prime Minister Mitchell has extended his profound gratitude for the outpouring of support being received from countries and organizations around the world. The Grenadian leader has also spoken time and again about the support received from regional countries, which he says has been tremendous. More Peace Corp volunteers arrive US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency cy Mary Kramer, Country Director of Peace Corps in the Eastern Caribbean Earl Phillip and Minister of Tourism and Disaster Management- the honourable Brenda Hood, were among the specially invited guests, at the impressive 73rd swearing in ceremony of the US Peace Corps in the Eastern Caribbean, this morning at Frederick in Richmond Hill. The new Volunteers took the oath to defend the constitution of the United States and work in the interest of Grenada’s development. They were presented with their certificates by Ambassador Kramer. The Volunteers would be involved of areas of special education, child psychology and sociology among others areas. They would be spread to all parishes and communities in the country. The stint would last for two years. Some twenty-two Peace Corp Volunteers are now working in Grenada in the programme that has been in the country for more than thirty-three years. Another six joined the programme earlier in the year. The volunteers, who arrived just before the Hurricane, have pledged to stay on to help rebuilding process. They would be involved in an orientation programme being provided by former Governor General Sir Paul Scoon, Ricardo Keens Douglas who deals with language and culture and Majorie Lander and Judy Benoit, who are handling work ethics, health and social issues. Peace Corp Officials say over four hundred volunteers have worked in the country, since the programme began here thirty-three years ago. The new Peace Corp Volunteers are- Kate Anderson from Iowa, Myrtice Delaney from Miami Flordia, Brian Brown and Kelly Golden from California, Daniel Grady of Indiana and Kristin A bbott. They are all living with Grenadian families. Important role in rebuilding US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Mary Kramer, told the new recruits at a swearing in ceremony this morning in St. George’s that they are expected to work hand in hand and side by side with Grenadians in the rebuilding process. She admitted that there is a lot to done, but that the present situation provides a great opportunity for the US Volunteers to make a mark for themselves and ensure that the country is a better one. Ambassador Kramer says her country is giving its best resources- young people to the Grenada. She said the value of the Peace Corps Volunteers was fully recognized when she presented her credentials to Governor General Sir Daniel Williams earlier in the year. Ambassador Kramer said when she asked what sort of support America could provide to Grenada; the response of Sir Daniel was more Peace Corp Volunteers. Hood grateful She said the work of the Volunteers has been tremendous over the years and that she looks forward in continuing the strong working relationship with the group. Minister Hood said the Peace Corps has been very instrumental in helping institutions and organizations achieve their goals. She expressed her gratitude to US Government and the tangible support being rendered to the country over the years. Minister Hood said the visit of Secretary of State Collin Powell on Wednesday was testimony of the strong affection the United States has for the people of Grenada. She is confident that the country will learn from its mistakes and work closely with its friends to rebuild a stronger and more vibrant nation. Lessons from Ivan Minister of Industry and Tourism in Jamaica - the honourable Aloun Ndomat Assamba, says there are lessons to be learnt from Ivan the terrible, which severely destroyed or damaged 85-90% of the country’s households. Jamaica she said learnt a lot from the passage of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 which also reaped havoc and she is hopeful that locals would get have gotten the message. The tourism officials said that Jamaica was able to stand up well to the might of Hurricane Ivan, because they had learnt the lessons from Gilbert. She said they have learnt in the rebuilding process that there are some things that must be done to make homes more resilient storms and hurricanes. Assamba said Jamaicans have now learnt about building their homes with hurricane straps on the roofs, appropriate Steele in the buildings, effective ceiling covering before putting on galvanize and screws and nails that are long enough to hold the material together. She is hopeful that locals will follow in the footsteps of Jamaica and follow suit in the rebuilding process. Assistance from bankers A release from Association says that it is committed to assisting in alleviating the hardships faced by customers at this time. The Association says it is prepared to provide waivers of loan payments, additional financing, debt restructuring or a combination of the all. It wants to wants to work with each customer on a case bay case basis to relieve the hardship they now face. Customers are therefore required to get in contact with their respective banks and provide all relevant information that will assist in the venture. The Grenada Bankers Association is also ad advising that banking hours are being extended to one PM effective Monday October 11th, in the outer parishes. Reward for prisoners They have not returned since leaving the Her Majesty’s Prisons at Richmond after the passage of Hurricane Ivan. Security Officials say that an amnesty of one week is being offered to the six prisoners from today. Many have since returned, but some forty-one prisoners are still at large. Persons knowing the whereabouts of these fugitives are asked to inform the authorities, so that they can put back behind bars. Back to wellnes operation The programme has been instituted to help people traumatized by the passage of Hurricane Ivan to return to their normal lives. Thirty-four counsellors, who have been trained in stress-debriefing and other psychological skills, are spearheading the effort. Social officials say they have also identified organizations, which are also keen to assist in the programme. They say that the first phase of the programme comes to an end today at the Westerhall Secondary School. The programme has also obtained the support of the St. George’s University and WINDREF, which are providing training for ten Grenadian counsellors. The training programme will commence next Friday and will be rotated through the Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic. Encouraging mood of people Former Secretary General of the Caribbean Hotel Organization (CTO) Gene Holder said he was saddened by the shock of nationals, days after the hurricane. But Holder, who is now the Chairman of the Leeward Islands Air Transport LIAT, said he is encouraged by the positive mood being displayed at the moment. The Tourism Official who was a member of a CTO delegation, visiting the country yesterday, said it is consoling to Grenadians are now up and moving on the road to recovery. He said that it very important that the vital tourism sector is resuscitated at in the shortest possible time. Holders said from previous experiences of Hurricanes in the region, the tourism industry would rebound shortly. His sentiments have been echoed by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Jamaica, Aloun Ndomat Assamba. She told a press conference in St. George’s that she was pleased to see the hustling and bustling in St. George’s, which she said is a clear indication that Grenadians had shaken off the terrible experience of Ivan and are now rebuilding their country. She too urged local tourism officials to work speedily in getting the vital tourism sector back on its feet. The Jamaican Tourism Official said Grenada was hardest hit by Ivan which also affected Jamaica. But she aid that after two weeks, tourist liners were once again visiting Jamaica. She encouraged local officials to make a concerted effort to get the Cruise ship season up and running as quickly as possible. |