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HOME	FEBRUARY 19th, 2005

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There are fears that the time frame given by the Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (GRENLEC) to complete its restoration plans can suffer a major setback if the Cuban delegation working on the island returns to Havana at the beginning of March.

Earlier in the year, GRENLEC said that the entire country will have their full power restored by April 15. The Cubans have been assisting GRENLEC in restoring electricity supply following the passage of hurricane Ivan in September when most power lines fell.

Officials of the island's sole utility company have confirmed that the twenty man (20) team here from Havana is scheduled to leave on March 10. The Cubans are presently working in the St. George's North-east constituency, one of the areas that was severely affected by Ivan.

GRENADA TODAY understands that the Cuban workers and GRENLEC have an agreement that is due to expire on March 10. This newspaper was told that GRENLEC would like to extend the stay of the Cubans in Grenada.

During the early stages of the restoration process, GRENLEC was able to negotiate directly with the Cuban government for their electricity workers to come to assist Grenada. However this has since changed with the Fidel Castro regime now requesting that any appeal for assistance be made directly to his administration from the present government in St. George's.

GRENLEC is hoping that the Keith Mitchell administration will approach the Cuban government to request a further extension for the work brigade in order to help the utility company complete their restoration work on schedule.

According to sources at GRENLEC, the company believes that the departure of the Cuban contingent can cause a major setback in their April deadline. The Cubans have being receiving high praises from the Grenadian public for the quick manner in which they have been restoring electricity supply to the country.

Prime Minister Mitchell and Public Utilities Minister Gregory Bowen were unavailable for comment since they are both out of the country.
However, Nancy Mc Guire, the Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, said that she had no information on the situation with GRENLEC and the Cuban workers.