It came as an unexpected gift to the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) in the wake of the damage done to the roof of its Police station on Carriacou due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1.
Pastor Terrence Griffith on Wednesday handed over a cheque of US$25, 000.00 which is the equivalent of EC$68, 000.00 as a contribution to the rebuilding of the roof on the police station at Hillsborough.
The top brass of the Police Force including Commissioner of Police Don McKenzie, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jessmon Prince, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vannie Curwen attended the handing over ceremony at the NaDMA headquarters at Morne Jaloux, St George’s.
Rev. Griffith who is the head of the largest African/American church in Pennsylvania in the United States travelled to Carriacou on Tuesday to take a first-hand look at the damage done to the Police Station and many of the villages on the sister isle.
Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for National Security and the Police, Dickon Mitchell was alerted five days after the passage of Beryl to the promise of assistance to the Carriacou Police Station and immediately got into action and instructed his Permanent Secretary to contact the donor to make arrangements for the transfer of the funds.
In accepting the cheque, Commissioner Mc Kenzie said that this “generous donation” could not have come at a better time in light of the significant damage done to the Police Station at Hillsborough by the high winds of Beryl.
He said it is the hope of RGPF to use the funds to enhance the structural integrity of the station to better serve the Carriacou community.
The island’s chief cop was hopeful that the roof would be put back in such a manner that it will be able to withstand “any future challenge.”
In remarks at the ceremony, Rev. Griffith who is a former Grenada Senator in the 1980’s under the Congress government then led by former Prime Minister George Brizan said he was distraught to see the damage done by Beryl in Carriacou and gave assurances that his Church is committed to sending in Engineers, Carpenters and construction workers to help in the rebuilding process.
Following are the remarks of Rev. Griffith at the handing over ceremony for the EC$68,000.00 :-
Mr. Don McKenzie, Commissioner of Police
Mr. Jessmon Prince, Deputy Commissioner
Mr. Vannie Curwen, Assistant Commissioner
Dr. Terence Walters National Disaster Coordinator
With a heart filled with compassion and solidarity, I stand before you today, first as a proud Grenadian and the Executive Director of The Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. The Foreign Mission Board was founded in 1880 and gave birth to the National Baptist Convention USA in 1895.
National Baptist Convention is today the largest black religious group with 8.5 Million members and 34,000 churches. We have worked primarily on the African Continent with Schools, Clinics, a hospital and Agricultural projects.
On assuming this position, I adopted Extending the Reach as a new tagline, enabling the FMB to provide support in the Caribbean. We have given generators to health clinics here in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Scholarships to six students here in Grenada and 1 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Therefore, it is both an honour and a privilege to present a donation of US$25,000 to the Government of Grenada to assist in the restoration efforts on the island of Carriacou following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, specifically to the roofing of the Police station in Carriacou.
We are also committed to assisting in the restoration of the schools. Some of our laymen, who are engineers and contractors, have committed to coming to Carriacou and Petite Martinque to help in the rebuilding efforts once the logistics are worked out.
Yesterday, I visited Carriacou, and my heart ached as I witnessed the damage and the challenges faced by the community. In a poignant moment, I stopped to pray with a lady who had recently lost her father. She had come down from London to bring her mother back home. She was heartbroken, yet in her tears, she expressed an unwavering faith in God and confidence in the resilience of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Her words were a testament to the strength and spirit that define this community.
In times of great challenge, the resilience and strength of communities are truly tested. The people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have demonstrated an unwavering spirit and determination to rebuild and recover from the damages caused by this natural disaster. Your courage and steadfastness have deeply moved us in the face of adversity.
We recognise the critical role that the Hillsborough Police Station plays in maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety of residents, and providing essential services to the community.
We hope that this contribution will aid in the necessary repairs and restoration of this vital institution, allowing it to continue serving the people of Carriacou with excellence and dedication.
The National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., through the Foreign Mission Board, is committed to supporting communities in their times of need. Our faith compels us to act with compassion and generosity, and we sincerely desire to stand with you as you rebuild and restore.
This contribution is not a one-off, but we will, as in the past, continue to support where we are needed by providing human capital in the context of skilled workers. We believe that together, we can overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger than before.
As we present this donation, we also offer our continued prayers and support for the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. May this contribution serve as a testament to the bonds of friendship and solidarity that connect us, transcending borders and uniting us for a common purpose.
We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these funds and the renewed hope it will bring to the community. Let us continue to work together, hand in hand, as we strive towards a brighter, more resilient future.
Thank you, and may God bless the people of Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique.