Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

Cable and Wireless has joined forces with the Grenada Rural Enterprise Project (GREP) and the Government of Grenada to eradicate poverty on the island.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to this effect between the telecommunications giant and GREP on Wednesday at the Ministry of Finance on the Carenage.

Minister of Finance, Anthony Boatswain signed on behalf of GREP which falls under his ministry, while Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cable and Wireless, Ian Blanchard signed on behalf of his company. Blanchard said that under the agreement, Cable & Wireless will provide free training in information technology to persons in rural communities.

He pointed out that the newly introduced product Max, which is 70 percent cheaper than a regular computer will be used in the training sessions. The Cable and Wireless CEO noted that the telecom company has been an integral part of the development of Grenada, and that the contribution made to the GREP is just an extension of the contribution made to organisations over the years.

Blanchard thanked GREP for the opportunity to assist in the eradication of poverty in Grenada, since the company's aim is to assist in the development of the tri-island state. Financial Controller at GREP, Carl Phillip indicated that the organisation was set up by Government with the intention to eradicate poverty particularly at the rural level.

He said that the grouping is funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). He pointed out that the training will be undertaken in 17 communities in the country, and that Cable and Wireless will give 10 computers for the training activity.

The official training will start June 18, lasting for one month. Minister Boatswain praised Cable and Wireless for what he called the tremendous work done in assisting in developing the country, especially in the rural areas.
The senior government minister urged persons who will benefit from this project, not to vandalise the equipment that has been generously donated by Cable and Wireless.

He told reporters that the CDB has allocated 7 million dollars over a five year period for the poverty eradication on the island. Boatswain pointed out that to achieve the objective, a knowledge based country must be established, and that Cable and Wireless' assistance is a giant step forward in doing so.