New 30-seater school bus ordered for North Windward

Students travelling to school from the North Windward area will soon be transported in comfort.

This week, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced that a 30-seater bus has been ordered specifically to facilitate the transportation of schoolchildren from the area.{{more}}

This action was taken by the Government following a vehicular accident on January 12, when a bus plummeted into the sea in the Owia area. Five students have been confirmed dead as a result of the accident, two others remain missing and others suffered injuries about their body.

“The 30-seater should be coming in from Barbados in about three more weeks time. It costs, duty free, nearly $250,000,” Gonsalves said.

“We have paid $200,000 already. Mustique Company, I requested assistance from them in this regard because they had made a promise. They sent a cheque of $100,000 and because of the speed which is required, I had PetroCaribe put $50,000 and National Lotteries put $50,000.”

Additionally, Gonsalves, who is the Minister with responsibility for Finance, indicated that the agent, Coreas Hazells, have given a discount of $15,000. He noted that his office will pay the remainder of the money and the insurance.

“Montgomery Daniel (North Windward area representative) is looking for a number of different names of which we’ll select a very mature driver. The bus is air-conditioned. It is a 30-seater; I see in the specifications, it has leather covered seats,” the Prime Minister said.

As of last Monday, a bus was temporarily mobilized to transport students to school from that area until the new bus arrives in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I want to say all of these things so that we can appreciate that amidst our healing, we are addressing all the practical concerns,” Gonsalves said.(BK)