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HOME	APRIL 09th, 2005

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The Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) has received $63,128.00 from the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) for refurbishment of the port that was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan last September. Dollars for Ports Authority.

Local Marine Surveyor Lazarus Joseph made a presentation on the damage done by the hurricane to the port, estimated at $4.3 million. It was also reported that one-hundred and twenty-five (125) employees suffered varying levels of damage to their homes. Among the places damaged on the port were the Banana Shed, where locally produced bananas were stored and packaged for export.

It has since been demolished. Both the Queen's Warehouse on the port and the Port's Administrative building also suffered severe damages from the passage of Ivan. Vice Chairman of PMAC and Manager of St. Lucia Marine Terminal Ltd, Lenius Lendor said one of the aims of the body is to assist member ports to improve their performance and efficiency with a view to providing more cost effective services to port users.

Lendor acknowledged that the natural disaster that Grenada suffered could have happened to any country, so it was obvious that they had to help Grenada. He disclosed that the prior to the inauguration of PMAC in June 1998, the association was called The Port Management Association of the Eastern Caribbean.

Lendor who handed the cheque to GPA Chairman, Walter St. John listed PMAC members as Antigua, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Monsterrat, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Marteen, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Grenada which was a founding member of the association is no longer associated with the grouping.

According to St. John, the GPA is like the prodigal son and he was unaware that Grenada was no longer a member of PMAC but understands that the withdrawal from the Association was done years ago. He said he did not know why Grenada withdrew its membership, but confirmed that it will re-join the Association.

He pointed out that the funds will be disbursed "sensible and thankfully" for the restoration of the port and its employees. St. John indicted that he was not particularly concerned with the figure written on the cheque, but the humanitarian gesture that was made.

The six-member delegation of PMAC were also in Grenada to conduct an Executive Meeting, and to hold discussions with the Management of the Grenada Ports Authority.