On 25th March 2022, the River Cleaning and Training, Debris Removal and River Defense Work was inaugurated at Sandy Bay by Ambassador Peter Sha-Li Lan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works, Lands and Surveys, and Physical Planning of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
At the launching ceremony, Ambassador Lan reiterates Taiwan’s strong commitment in supporting the rehabilitation and reconstruction process of SVG after the eruptions of volcano La Soufrière in April 2021, with a total budget of 3 million USD that includes the following 3 segments of works: ① A grant of US$ 1.2 million for the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to purchase the heavy equipment required for the cleaning exercise of the volcano ashes and lahars; ② Repairing the Rabacca Bridge with a total cost over than US$100,000, which has just been completed; ③ A total budget of US$1.7 million in assisting the River Cleaning and Training, Debris Removal and River Defense Work of the area that was severely impacted by the La Soufrière eruptions.
With the completion of the projects ① & ② in 2021, Ambassador Lan further introduces the Project ③ today, which will be carried out by the Taiwanese company “Overseas Engineering & Construction Co. (OECC)” in cooperation with local Subcontractors in SVG. Given all workers needed, including truck drivers and equipment operators, 350-400 Vincentians will be benefited from the employment through the entire project. The clean-up work covers 10 River Crossings in North Windward, including Fancy River, Owia, Cayo River, Karo River, London, Sandy Bay, Overland, Noel River, and Orange Hill. An estimated volume of 82,000 cubic yards of debris and volcano ashes deposit would be cleaned up so the river water can flow at a safe and desired level. Ambassador Lan believes that, through two countries’ joint efforts, the people affected by the natural disaster can soon return to their normal life.
Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Daniel expresses the sincere appreciation for the government and people of Taiwan, and illustrates some of the major works that Taiwan has been assisting SVG in the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Work, which is critical to the revitalization of the most affected areas by providing local employment. Minister Daniel stresses his confidence that through joint efforts, the friendship of Taiwan & SVG will continue to be strengthened and cooperation of this kind will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come.
Ambassador Lan and Minister Daniel also visited the Karo and Cayo River to investigate the volcano ashes deposit and debris planned to be removed. The whole clean-up project is expected to be completed within the next 10 months. (E)
