Rayneau in Grenada: Mr. Gajadhar Faces the Questions on Asphalt, Development, and the Woodford Debate
On Sunday, May 31, 2026, Mr. Rayneau Gajadhar, CEO of Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd., sat down for a live interview with Mr. Kellon Bubb — Professor, Communications Scholar, Investigative Journalist, and Writer from Grenada — on issues surrounding Rayneau’s asphalt plant and wider development plans in the Spice Island.
The interview was firm, lively, and direct. Mr. Bubb came prepared with questions on planning approval, environmental concerns, residents’ complaints, asphalt quality, labour shortages, and Rayneau’s long-term intentions in Grenada. Mr. Gajadhar, in his usual no-nonsense style, responded with confidence, humour, and a strong defence of his company’s presence in Grenada.
“I Like to Work” — The Man Behind the Brand
Before entering the controversy, Mr. Bubb asked Mr. Gajadhar what makes him tick. His answer gave viewers a clear window into the Rayneau mindset:
“People leave work on an afternoon, go to the bar and drink. People just like to relax. I like to work.”
Mr. Gajadhar explained that work became his habit from a very young age. He said he could have retired early, but discovered that he could not enjoy anything more than building, working, creating, and taking advantage of opportunities.
“Whenever I see opportunity, I jump on the opportunity and just take advantage of it.”
That statement, in many ways, captured the entire interview. Rayneau’s entry into Grenada, according to Mr. Gajadhar, was not about creating conflict. It was about seeing a need and responding to it.
Why Asphalt? The Molinere Experience
Mr. Gajadhar explained that Rayneau first entered Grenada through the Molinere road project. During that project, the company faced difficulty getting concrete and asphalt when needed. This forced Rayneau to bring in its own concrete plant, trucks, pumps, and later, its own asphalt plant.
He stated clearly:
“The reason why I set it up is because it was not available.”
According to Mr. Gajadhar, the issue was not that asphalt did not exist in Grenada, but that supply was unreliable when contractors needed it most. He argued that delays in asphalt supply increase project costs, slow down road works, and create inefficiency.
A Price Difference That Raised Eyebrows
One of the strongest points made by Mr. Gajadhar was the price difference between Rayneau’s asphalt and another supplier. He claimed that another supplier sold asphalt at $994.75 per ton, while Rayneau sold at $776.25 per ton.
“While I was giving a better product, a service beyond expectation, my price was $218.50 less per ton.”
He also stated that the Government of Grenada had already taken 4,662 tons of asphalt from Rayneau within one month, creating what he described as almost one million dollars in savings.
For Rayneau, the message was simple: faster supply, better service, competitive pricing, and measurable savings for public infrastructure.
The Woodford Question: Speculation or Contention?
The most intense part of the interview centered on Woodford, where residents and environmental voices have raised concerns about dust, noise, land use, and possible impacts from quarrying and asphalt operations.
Mr. Bubb described Woodford as “the bone of contention.” Mr. Gajadhar pushed back immediately.
“I don’t think there’s a contention here. There’s speculation because people do not know.”
He explained that the Woodford property was unattractive to many because of its proximity to the Perseverance landfill. However, he saw opportunity where others saw difficulty. He said the land had quarry potential, historical harbour value, and strategic importance for future exports.
Environmental Concerns and Mitigation
Mr. Bubb raised concerns from the Environmental Impact Assessment, including dust, vegetation loss, stormwater runoff, wastewater management, and possible effects on marine ecosystems.
Mr. Gajadhar did not deny that development creates impacts. Instead, he framed the issue around mitigation:
“Yes, there is going to be some level of impact. The question is how do we minimize it?”
He said Rayneau was using water trucks to reduce dust and had already cast sections of the road to help control the situation. He also invited residents and critics to visit the site personally.
“Anyone can contact me directly. I will make myself available to have a discussion.”
Planning Approval and the Stop Notice
Mr. Bubb pressed Mr. Gajadhar on whether Rayneau began work before all approvals were completed. Mr. Gajadhar admitted that delays occurred, but placed much of the blame on consultants who did not submit required documents on time.
He praised the Planning and Development Authority, saying:
“The PDA staff have been excellent with me… They guided all along the way.”
He accepted that Rayneau’s side did not deliver some information as quickly as expected, but insisted that the asphalt plant itself did not begin operating before permission was granted.
Halifax Harbour and the Proposed Jetty
Another major issue discussed was Rayneau’s plan for a small jetty at Halifax Harbour. Mr. Gajadhar described the plan as a practical facility for barges, not a major deep-water port.
He said the structure would be about 10 meters wide and 50 meters into the water, mainly to allow trucks to move on and off barges.
“All it is, is just for the truck to be able to move on and come off the barge.”
He argued that the facility could reduce pressure on Grenada’s main port, create export opportunities for aggregates and boulders, and bring foreign exchange into the country.
Quality Control: Who Tests the Asphalt?
On the question of asphalt quality, Mr. Gajadhar explained that asphalt is produced according to requested mix designs. He said the Ministry or client provides the mix design, Rayneau produces it, and the Bureau of Standards tests it.
“We give to the ministry and we give to the clients whatever mix design they request from us.”
He stated that Rayneau has not received complaints from the Government of Grenada or Calco, both of whom have purchased asphalt from the company.
Labour, Development, and the Caribbean Mindset
The interview also moved beyond asphalt into a larger discussion about Caribbean labour shortages. Mr. Gajadhar argued that the region must stop politicizing the importation of labour, especially when many Caribbean nationals migrate overseas to work.
He was especially direct in his criticism of overdependence on tourism:
“The amount of emphasis being put on tourism is not going to do well for us in the longer term.”
His position was that the Caribbean must rebuild productive industries, including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, quarrying, and export-based development.
The Rayneau Message: Risk, Results, and Regional Growth
Throughout the interview, Mr. Gajadhar presented himself as a businessman willing to take risks to create results. He admitted that not everyone will agree with his approach, but insisted that history will judge the work by its contribution to Grenada’s development.
“I’m a mover. I make things happen.”
That statement may be the clearest summary of the Rayneau brand. Whether in Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, Antigua, Montserrat, or beyond, Rayneau Group of Companies has built its name on movement — moving equipment, moving projects, moving materials, moving ideas, and sometimes moving into difficult conversations.
(Link to the full video interview - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DzN5nFh4z/)
Final Thoughts
The interview did not erase the concerns surrounding Woodford. Residents, environmental advocates, planning authorities, and civil society still have legitimate questions that deserve attention. But it did give Mr. Gajadhar the opportunity to present Rayneau’s side directly.
His argument was clear: Grenada needs reliable asphalt, competitive pricing, faster project delivery, stronger infrastructure, job opportunities, and export potential. Rayneau believes it can help deliver that.
The challenge now is balance — development with responsibility, investment with transparency, and progress with respect for communities.
Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd.
Creating Opportunities. Building Your Future.
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