European project to boost rural electricity supply

An informal signing ceremony between stakeholders took place on Tuesday at the Stanley P Ottley Building, Mt Hope.

Through a financing agreement dated June 28 2004, between the European Union and the TT Government, the European Union has agreed to contribute by way of a grant of $1,850,000, from the resources of the ninth European Development Fund (EDF).

The main objective of the Rural Electrification Project, Phase II, is to contribute to poverty reduction in rural communities by improving living conditions of households through economic and social development.

In doing so, this second phase will make available a reliable supply of electricity to these households.

TTEC has agreed to implement Phase II, while Government will contribute labour mobilising additional support services, provided by "self-help" in the identified communities.

The European Community Rural Electrification Project Phase II implementation agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary, National Authorising Officer, Ministry of Planning and Development, Victoria Mendez-Charles, representing the TT Government and Indarjit Singh, acting General Manager TTEC.

The European Community and the ninth European Development Fund (EDF) was represented by Didier Blanchette.

Labour and material tenders are to be publicly launched and actual construction is scheduled to begin in January 2006.