Operation ‘Grenada Clean-up’ begins

CLEAN-UP operations in Grenada began today with Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell declaring this weekend a “National Clean Up Weekend,” as the nation starts to rebuild  from the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Ivan two weeks ago. However as this arduous and painful process begins, the need for building materials is beginning to rival the need for food and drinking water on the Spice Isle.

At a news briefing on Thursday at the Trini-dad and Tobago De-fence Force’s (TTDF) Camp Grenville, located in eastern Grenada (one of the areas hardest hit by Ivan), base commander Lt Ashook Singh disclosed there was a “big demand” for building supplies as well as food and water. Singh explained that Camp Grenville handles relief operations for Grenada’s largest parish, St Andrew where the hurricane caused widespread damage. Singh said since being deployed to Grenville, TT soldiers have undertaken reconnaissance missions throughout the area to ascertain areas of greatest need and how they could render assistance. 

He said the majority of the relief supplies to the region came through Grenville’s port through the supply vessel Atlantic Sur-veyor. He also said that the TTDF is considering bringing in relief via helicopter to the region through Pearls Airport. At the Special Ser-vices Unit base in Grand Anse, Colonel Zephryine Millard said the main objective of the TTDF in Grenada was to ensure that the nation’s essential services are operational within the shortest possible time. However, he said the TTDF’s mission in Grenada was not a long term one and at the end of the day “we will leave Grenada for the Grenadians.”