Venezuela hands over equipment

Ties between this country and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are continuing to strengthen as two items of heavy-duty equipment were handed over to the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The machines are a Caterpillar asphalt paver and a double drum vibratory roller both worth over $US800,000.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that the machines would aid in the road projects carried out by local contractors on the Windward Highway. He strongly urged persons using the equipment to take extra precaution and study the manuals carefully because they were expensive.

In July of this year two other machines were handed over by the Venezuelan Republic which were a Pneumatic Asphalt Roller and a 120H Motor grader Caterpillar that carry a value of quarter million dollars combined.

The gift, the result of a promise made to Prime Minister Gonsalves by President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, was handed over by Ambassador, her excellency, Tibisay Urdaneta.