Gonsalves promises to ‘nice up’ Georgetown

PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVE for North Central Windward, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has promised to ‘nice up’ Georgetown similar to how the late former Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell had ‘niced up Bequia’ in the Northern Grenadines.

Gonsalves made this promise to the people in his constituency on Friday September 9, as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the coastal defence project in San Souci and Georgetown.

The ceremony took place at the site in Caratal, where part of the property there was acquired from former Businessman, Albert Russell whose abandoned property was demolished in order to make way for the sea defence project.

More than EC$40 million has been spent for sea defence work in San Souci and at Brownstown, and Caratal in Georgetown under a project funded by the World Bank.

Gonsalves said the government acquired the Raffie Crichton building near to the Caratal Bridge and that Crichton is contesting the valuation of the property so that is now going through the relevant process.

However, Gonsalves said there are plans to transform this property into a community market, for the people of Georgetown and surrounding areas.

He said money has been allocated in the Budget for construction of the proposed market.

As a result of the sea defence project at Brownstown, the land area is now better protected.

Gonsalves noted that already two major credit unions have expressed interest in further developing the area.

“I promise you, just like how James Mitchell could nice up Bequia, that Ralph nicing up Georgetown, you could see it happening before your eyes,” Gonsalves remarked.

He also promised residents that the area will be lighted before the end of this month.

There is a paved area, where people can stroll but the prime minister has cautioned that government will not be allowing anyone to set up any shacks or stalls in the area.

“We not going to uglify here,” Gonsalves stressed, pointing out that proper landscaping work has to be done in the area.