CEPEP VOLUNTEERS RETURN FROM GRENADA

Consequent to the announcement of Prime Minister Patrick Manning that additional support would be made available to Grenada following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan, a contingent of 117 CEPEP Volunteers was dispatched to the island on a short-term basis to assist with environmental restoration and rehabilitation works.

The volunteers began arriving in Grenada on October 6 and restoration work began immediately. According to a  release, the general view of the SWMCOL (CEPEP) Grenada Relief Programme is that the effort provided the people of Grenada with a sense of hope and confidence that help was available to rebuild, following this untimely catastrophe.  Government officials in Grenada were extremely pleased with the acceleration of the restoration and rebuilding of the island, as a result of the SWMCOL (CEPEP) Grenada Relief Programme, and the direct participation of  200 Grenadian citizens to complement the Trinidad and Tobago Volunteers.

The SWMCOL (CEPEP) Volunteers returned home aboard the MF Panorama last Tuesday, which marked the two-month anniversary of the mission to Grenada.  The SWMCOL (CEPEP) Volunteers were greeted on arrival by Ray MS Brathwaite, executive chairman of SWMCOL, senior managers of CEPEP, and their families.  Many of the CEPEP contractors were also on hand to welcome their workers.  An official welcome back ceremony will be held for the returning group, at which formal expressions of thanks will be made.

The release also stated that the Management of SWMCOL wished to express its thanks to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Regiment for their continued assistance.