The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) recently hosted the newly appointed Director of the World Bank for the Caribbean, Ms. Lilia Burunciuc, on her first visit to the multi-island country.
Mrs. Burunciuc, who arrived in the country on August 31, 2022, was accompanied by the Deputy Country Director for Caribbean Countries and Operations Manager of the Country Management Unit, Ms. Gail Richardson and Senior Official for OECS Countries (Latin America and the Caribbean Region) Mr. Denis Boshkovski.
The World Bank team made several field visits related to the projects that are financed by the World Bank, as well as participated in several meetings with ministries, departments and implementing agencies to discuss the progress of the projects in question.
After attending a presentation of conceptual designs for the new city in Arnos Vale, the team visited the target site of the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital, which is located at the northern end of the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport. The team also visited coastal defense works in San Souci and Georgetown and the installation sites of temporary Bailey bridges in the North Windward communities of Overland, Noel and London (to begin) – which is a component of the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project ( VEEP).
Arnos Vale Cute Care Hospital will use state-of-the-art technology to provide improved quality care to citizens at an estimated cost of $82 million and a capacity of 134 beds. San Souci Coastal Defense works (approx. $3.2 million) include the construction of the X-Bloc reinforced concrete revetment, reinforced concrete wall, walkways and access steps along the sea front.
The two sites of Georgetown Coastal Defense Works (approximately US$9.6 million) include the construction of the X-Bloc armored concrete cover, reinforced concrete wall, walkways and access steps along the 624 meters of sea front at site 1A and 1,274 meters of the sea. front in place 1B.
The installation of temporary Bailey bridges in Noel, Overland and London will provide safe passage for motorists and pedestrians in places where road access is blocked by river flooding during periods of adverse weather conditions.
Ms. Burunciuc and her team made a special request to visit the housing development in Orange Hill, although this was not funded by the World Bank. Several families from Sandy Bay resettled there after losing their homes during the volcanic eruptions of April 2021. This project was jointly funded by the Government of SVG and the Sayibaba (Pennywise) Organization of Trinidad and Tobago.
During their visit, the World Bank team also met with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves to discuss issues related to several projects; and also met with the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Mr. Carlos James and his team to discuss the planned renovations at the historic Fort Charlotte site.
Ms. Burunciuc assumed her post as World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean on July 1, 2021. Based in Kingston, Jamaica, she leads the implementation of the World Bank’s program – which includes an active portfolio of 75 projects in thirteen (13) countries , financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and various trust funds.
In a press release published in June 2021 for the start of her duties, Ms. Burunciuc stated: “I am committed to working closely with our partners in the Caribbean, including government, the private sector and civil society, to support the region’s green, resilient and resilient environment. comprehensive recovery.”
