Community group receives land for charcoal facility

The Ministry of Housing, Informal Human Settlements, Physical Planning, Lands and Surveys on Tuesday, August 24, handed over one lot of land in Greiggs to the community based group ‘Keepers of the Environment’ to facilitate the construction of a storage and packaging facility for charcoal.{{more}}

The organization was formed back in 2004 under the ‘Alternative Livelihood Project’ initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture to limit activity in protected forested areas throughout the country.

“I can already see that there will be great economic spill offs for the village of Greiggs,” Saboto Caesar, the Minister, said.

He said that he witnessed the operation first hand a few years ago and was optimistic that the organization had taken the production and marketing of charcoal to a whole different level.

“I want to congratulate you, and I know that you will be able to unlock your entrepreneurial ability as you use this piece of resource to advance your community and organization,” the Minister said.

The production of charcoal began as an alternative lifestyle for persons who previously operated in the vicinity of the Colonaire water basin, according to Junior ‘Spirit’ Cottle.

Speaking on behalf of the organization, Cottle further explained that the demand for the locally produced charcoal had become overwhelming over time.

But without the existence of a proper storage and packaging facility, the group was unable to meet these new demands he continued.

“Today by the Ministry providing that piece of land is a significant step forward,” Cottle said.

“In terms of providing for rural communities, this will lay the foundation for further projects,” he continued. (DD)