TT soldiers in Grenada for one month

TT SOLDIERS deployed to Grenada as part of the Caricom team assisting in the rebuilding of the island ravaged by Hurricane Ivan will spend one month there, after which their progress will be reviewed. There are more than 150 officers from TT in Grenada, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Ancil Antoine revealed at a press conference held at the Defence Force Club House, Chaguaramas, yesterday morning. They are providing humanitarian, financial  support and security assistance. This is based on instructions from National Security Minister Martin Joseph following a visit to Grenada by Prime Minister Patrick Manning. The soldiers’ assignments include the re-incarceration of the island’s prisoners and delivery of food and water to Grenada’s relief agency for distribution.

An assessment of Grenada’s water supply, telecommunication and electricity system is being carried out by employees from TTEC, WASA and TSTT. TT personnel are also involved in delivery of construction materials, food stuff, clothing, tents, compliance with the curfew efforts and provision of medical staff. To date 1,276 tonnes of food and water and 638 tonnes of construction materials have been delivered to the hurricane-ravaged island. This country’s soldiers also dealt with repatriation of Caribbean nationals to their respective islands. According to Lt Colonel Anthony Phillip Spencer, this was the time that the TT Regiment had to transport its equipment beyond Tobago and he appealed to persons who want to send foodstuff and clothes to contact the Coast Guard so that the Grenada Coast Guard could be prepared. Commander Kent Moore of the Coast Guard expressed  thanks to bpTT for its assistance with boats to help the people of Grenada.