Returning nationals give $20,000 more to Argyle airport
A group of Vincentian nationals who lived most of their working lives outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has returned home and is continuing to make a contribution to the development of their homeland, through tangible support to the construction of the Argyle International Airport.{{more}}
The group of returning nationals who continue to travel frequently to and from St. Vincent and the Grenadines say they are fed up of the treatment meted out to them at neighbouring international airports. They are therefore determined to see an end to this type of treatment through the construction of the Argyle International Airport, and in so doing they are âputting their money where their mouths areâ.
Last November, in its first outing, the group dubbed âReturning Nationals SVGâ organized its first fund raiser which was a post independence dinner held at the Aquatic Club. From the proceeds, they were on December 13, able to hand over EC$25,000 to Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, for the Argyle International Airport (AIA) Contributory Fund. The donation up to that time was the single largest local donation to the fund.
On Wednesday, Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, was again on hand to receive yet another donation from the âReturning Nationals SVGâ. On that occasion, the amount of money donated was EC$20,000, monies raised at a fund raising barbecue held at Black Point on Easter Monday, April 9. This brings to EC$45,000, the sum of money donated to the Contributory Fund by âReturning Nationals SVGâ over a six-month period.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Governor General expressed appreciation to the group for the very tangible effort they continue to make towards the completion of the airport. He congratulated them on their efforts and the hard work that they put in to be able to raise the funds.
CEO of the International Airport Development Company (IADC) Dr. Rudy Matthias, speaking prior to the Governor General, also congratulated the group for their efforts, and brought them up to date on the work completed thus far at the airport site. They were also given some insight into future works to be carried out at the airport site.
President of the group Nyoka Clouden, took the opportunity to thank those who in one way or the other generously supported the fund raising effort making it the success that it was.
She is encouraging Vincentians to continue supporting their fund raising efforts as they (Returning Nationals SVG) will soon be putting on other fund raising events in support of the Argyle International Airport.
The Argyle International Airport is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2013 with operations set for 2014.
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