CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Nov 12, CMC – The St. Lucia government Tuesday said it would use the EC$5.09 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) received from Taiwan to support development projects on the island.
It said the funding would strengthen capacity, improve climate resilience and support economic development.
A government statement Taiwan Ambassador to St. Lucia, Peter Chia-yen Chen, presented the cheque to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre during a brief ceremony on Monday.
It said that EC$1.3 million will be allocated to the Ministry of Education to enhance the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector by expanding pre-kindergarten services, procuring ICT devices, training teachers to better assist students with learning impediments and special education needs, and rehabilitating strategic spaces to facilitate pre-kindergarten programmes.
More than EC$600, 000 will be used by the Ministry of Education to improve school security. CCTVs and alarm systems will be procured and installed at various schools. Perimeter fencing and lighting at vulnerable schools will be improved to reduce burglaries and other physical threats to school plants.
The Enhancing School Security project will facilitate the rapid response of the police and professional security services when incidents occur and ensure a safer teaching and learning environment for students, teachers and parents.
The statement said that the Ministry of Tourism will receive EC$1.3 million to construct the new Reduit Beach facilities in Rodney Bay, north of here and upgrade existing facilities at Vigie Beach on the outskirts of the capital, Castries.
The National Conservation Authority Project will cater to the needs of beachgoers and enthusiasts while creating economic activity and livelihood opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners.
The statement said that EC$200,000 will be used to support the planning, production, and execution of the 2025 Independence celebrations.
The Department of Housing and Local Government will receive EC$1.5 million to address the existing shortage of burial space in the north of the island.
The statement said approximately 40 acres of land has been vested to the Castries Constituencies Council (CCC) to construct the new National Northern Cemetery and that upon completion, the National Northern Cemetery will have the capacity for up to 800 tombs.
CMC/af/ir/2024