Grenada's Keith Mitchell-led New National Party (NNP) is hopeful that the launch of a multi-million dollar project aimed at modernising the Grenville Market Square will improve its stock in the upcoming general election.

The government is set to spend over EC$35.5 million on the project aimed at revitalising the rural economy in St. Andrew's. The NNP won all four seats in St. Andrew's in the 1999 general election but lost half of them in the 2003 poll.

The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has put plans in place to target all four St. Andrew's seat and two others in the north of the island in its bid to unseat Prime Minister Mitchell in the upcoming general elections. A government statmeent in St. George's said that the planned Grenville Market Square Development Project represents the single larger investment of any kind in the history of the parish of St. Andrews.  

"It is in fact, one of the largest investments in the entire country", it added. The project which was launched on Tuesday includes the following:

(1)  The construction of a modern general market including vending facilities for agricultural produce, meat and general merchandise on the site of the existing market.

(2)  The construction of a modern bus terminal to accommodate approximately two hundred buses in the area known as Moonshadow Park.

(3)  The construction of a modern abattoir in the village of Mirabeau, to serve the entire eastern corridor of the country.  Facilities will include vehicles to transport live animals to the abattoir and meat to the meat market.  
The abattoir will provide for hygienic and humane slaughtering of animals and enable the public to obtain better quality meat.

(4)  The carrying out of remedial drainage work in the town of Grenville.

According to the official statement, the project will contribute to Government's efforts to redevelop the town of Grenville to enable it to serve as a regional business centre providing services to the entire eastern corridor of the country.

It said: "The project will provide opportunities to redevelop Grenville Town as the regional urban centre serving the northern and eastern rural parishes of Grenada which are very dependent on agriculture. "This will partially redress the imbalances in the development between the St. George's urban centre and other urban centres, particularly after the destruction caused by hurricanes Ivan and Emily.  

"It is expected that the livelihoods of persons directly involved in the market will be enhanced as the improved facilities will attract an increased number of patrons.   "The new abattoir will provide for hygienic slaughtering of animals and meat fabrication.  

"Bus operators will now operate in a less congested environment and the general aesthetics of the town will be improved.   "Drainage work will reduce the risk of flooding and the resultant loss in revenue by vendors and other businesses in the centre of the town.  
"The market is central to the cultural heritage of Grenville and its use as a community space for cultural shows and other activities.  

"The project will have an overall positive impact on economic activity and improve the quality of life in Grenville as well as contribute to sustaining rural livelihoods in the parishes of St. Andrew's, St. David's and St. Patrick's.