St. George's, January 31, 2012 – There is now one more hurdle to be crossed before construction can begin on a resource centre and playing field in Snell Hall, St. Patrick.
When completed, the facility will serve not only residents of Snell Hall, but also neighbouring communities such as La Fortune, Madeys and Morne Fendue.
“The contract for the work has been awarded to a local company,’’ said MP for St. Patrick West, Hon. Joseph Gilbert, who has been spearheading the efforts to bring the project to fruition.
“I will soon be updating residents of St. Patrick on the project,’’ Mr. Gilbert added. “They have requested a meeting to discuss several issues, including the acquisition of the land for the resource centre and playing field.’’
It is usual for governments to proceed with land acquisition while negotiations over the price of the property take place. However, it is reported that the current Grenada government is insisting on establishing a price for the land before going ahead with the acquisition.
Mr. Gilbert, who was recently dismissed from government by Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, has promised that one of his immediate plans is a series of constituency meetings.
He claims that his January 19 firing “is part of a master plan to discredit and replace’’ up to eight currently elected NDC MPs as candidates in the upcoming general elections constitutionally due in 2013.
The former Environment Minister contends that his dismissal by the Prime Minister has little to do with a letter he penned last year to potential investor, Harbour Holdings. Mr. Gilbert was then Minister of Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities.
According to Prime Minister Thomas, Mr. Gilbert’s action was not only “highly irresponsible but disrespectful and abusive of the process of cabinet,’’ and was the basis for his removal from cabinet.
However, Mr. Gilbert has said that he would like the Prime Minister, who is also MP for St. Patrick East, “to come clean on the true reasons’’ for his dismissal from government.
Mr. Gilbert doesn’t believe it’s the penning of the letter, which constitutional lawyer Dr. Francis Alexis, says does not warrant dismissal on its face value.
MP Gilbert has taken particular exception to certain statements made by the Prime Minister regarding his personal integrity and warned that the matter may well have to be settled before the courts.
“I challenge the Prime Minister to a town hall discussion on all these issues at anytime and any place of his choosing,’’ Gilbert said at a meeting of his constituents on January 26.
“If the Prime Minister really believes in transparency,’’ added Mr. Gilbert, “then he should have the draft letter that the investor presented for signature published as well. That unsigned draft letter is in the custody of the Prime Minister.’’
Mr. Gilbert has reiterated that the letter addressed to Harbour Holdings really does not qualify as a “Letter of Comfort.’’
“It simply proposes the course of action through parliament that would have to be followed in order that the required gaming licence could be issued,’’ he explained.
Mr. Gilbert points out that the body of his letter starts by clearly saying that it is a proposal. “It is not a promise, not a commitment, not an assurance. It provides no comfort in effect,’’ he said.
The verb "propose," said Mr. Gilbert, “was used on purpose, with the full understanding that cabinet alone could promise, commit or assure that the gaming legislation would be amended.’’
MP Gilbert said it is his knowledge that the investors are still seeking to have a “Letter of Comfort" provided to them by the current administration, having had one from the previous government.
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