First batch of Guyanese to be evacuated from Grenada
Thursday, October 7, 2004
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The first batch of
Guyanese living in Grenada will be evacuated by the Government of Guyana on
Friday. It is estimated that there are more than 400 Guyanese in Grenada.
The Guyana Government has indicated that a
one-way special evacuation flight will be provided for Guyanese desiring
relocation from Grenada.
Guyana will also provide 100 soldiers who
will stay on the island for six months to participate in emergency works and
in re-building efforts. The contingent, which may exceed 100, will comprise
tradesmen and women.
According to Robert Persaud, Head of the
Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon was due to
leave Guyana Wednesday for Grenada "to assess logistical arrangements for the
evacuation of Guyanese and the deployment of soldiers."
The cost of this exercise has not yet been
determined, but the Guyana Government will pay the bill of getting the
soldiers there and their upkeep.
Guyana has also indicated it is ready to
accommodate 50 secondary school students who are in final preparation for the
Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) from the Island. Grenada’s
education infrastructure is destroyed, with students having no option of going
to school. These students will be placed in secondary schools across Guyana.
The Guyana assistance includes taking up the
$40 million bill for sugar supplies already in Grenada.
Grenada’s damage is estimated at EC$10
billion or US$3.5 billion. This is equivalent to ten times the Gross Domestic
Product of the 'Spice Isle' and estimates could go up to about EC$20 billion.
Guyana will be negotiating with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to amend
loan agreements so that existing loans for which Guyana has already qualified
can be diverted to the island.
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