Tuesday, 13th May 2008, St George’s:  The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) held two sod turning ceremonies on Wednesday  May 7th 2008 for the rebuilding of  the Paraclete  and Tivoli Medical Stations in St Andrew.

Members from the two communities came out in their numbers to witness the occasion.

Also attending the ceremonies were Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Hon. Dr Keith Mitchell, Minister for Health, Sen. the Hon. Ann David Antoine, Minister for Works, Sen. the Hon. Brenda Hood, and Parliamentary Representative Hon. Roland Bhola.

The Paraclete Medical Station and the Tivoli Medical Station will be rebuilt at a cost of EC$943,488.70/ EC$ 1,298,707.00 respectively. Both buildings are expected to be completed within an eight month period.

BNTF Co-ordinator Mr. Isaac Bhagwan said, that  he is happy to be collaborating with the Ministry of Health in the implementation of this very important project especially with it  being done in a rural area.  He said that health is a basic need and fits into the mandate of BNTF.

Parliamentary Representative Hon. Roland Bhola said that the medical stations will have a far reaching effect in the different communities, bringing back proper medical care for the communities.

Minister for Health Sen. Ann David Antoine said that the occasion on Wednesday is an indication that the development in the health sector is being distributed nation wide. She also added that her Ministry also has plans to develop the human resources within the health sector in order to provide quality service to the public.

Minister for Communication, Works and Transport Sen. Brenda Hood promised that her Ministry, under which the BNTF falls, will continue to give full support to the other Ministries in providing State-of-the-Art facilities within the different communities which need them the most.

Prime Minister Mitchell said that the projects are part of government’s plan to empower the people of the nation and improve the quality of life for all.

Government has mandated that members of the communities get the first preference in providing labour for the projects, once they have the necessary skills.

The contractors for the projects are Gerry’s Construction and Sky’s Construction. The project is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Grenada.