SOD TURNING CEREMONY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE VANARD (VENUS) TO ANSE LA RAYE LINK ROAD.

The sod-turning ceremony marking the beginning of the reconstruction of the Vanard (Venus) to Anse La Raye link road took place on March 10th on the grounds of the Vanard Multipurpose Court. The contract for this project which has been awarded to CIE was recently signed last month.

Government officials at the sod-turning ceremony

The participants of the Thursday groundbreaking ceremony included. Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy, Honourable Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical, Development and Urban Renewal, Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska,  European Union (EU) Ambassador, Honourable Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs, Honourable Wayne D. Girard, Parliamentary Representative and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy, Permanent Secretaries, Mrs Esther Rigobert and Mr Ivor Daniel of the Ministry of Finance and Infrastructure respectively, Ms Cheryl Mathurin of the BCU Project Co-coordinating Unit, Mr Rayneau Gajadhar, Chief Executive Officer, Construction and Industrial Equipment (CIE) Ltd and Mr Pawan Joshi, Chief Engineer, Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd.

The Prime Minister added that he was convinced that the project will be realised quickly and efficiently and that we will have this beautiful link road.

Both the Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure told the audience that Mr Rayneau Gajadhar is “a leading talent in St Lucia that can compete globally.” Mr Gajadhar and by extension CIE has made its mark throughout the region when it comes to quality work and on-time delivery.

For many years the Vanard (Venus) to Anse La Raye link road has provided alternate and important access for commuters between the communities of Millet and Anse La Raye. After Hurricane Tomas in 2010 and the Christmas Eve Trough of 2013, the roadway, although still motorable, is compromised and in need of structural rehabilitation

The works on the Vanard (Venus) to Anse La Raye Link Road (SLU-DVRP-VAB-RFB-RDS-01-21) will consist of:

• Earthworks and site clearance
• Paving works
• Drainage works and culverts
• Gabion baskets
• Concrete works
• Retaining walls and slope stabilization

The project is made available through the cooperation between the European Union (EU) through the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to last twelve (12) months.

CIE looks forward to providing the residents of Vanard (Venus) and Anse la Raye with the highest quality of workmanship and timely delivery on this project.