FRIGATE BAY, St. Kitts, Jun 20 2015 – The construction of four greenhouses at Sanderson’s Estate and an irrigation project on Barbuda are two projects currently underway in the country to help residents adapt to the effects of climate change.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), under its USAID funded Rallying the Region for Action of Climate Change (RRACC) Project, is spearheading the initiative.
“On Tuesday, the last container with the equipment came into Antigua so it’s just a matter of clearing that out,” said Lester Arnold RRACC’s Programme Manager.
A contractor who has already been identified is expected to complete the erection of the greenhouses in early August according to Arnold.
He said the greenhouses will help boost the production of crops in a controlled environment “so you (are) going to get greater yields.”
Arnold said the second project is to improve water catchment on Barbuda but noted that it has so far been impacted by the difficulties with transporting materials to the island.
“Everything in Barbuda has to be brought on a badge and since we started the project the badge sank and it has been a challenge getting across all the building materials,” he said.
The OECS official foresees an end to the transportation issue as he dialogues with contractors “to see how best we can expedite the process.”
He said the project will go beyond September, the official end date of the RRACC project.
Arnold spoke to the media during an OECS Communication Symposium “to demystify the complexities of communicating on climate change and its related issues.”
The Symposium, held at the St Kitts Marriott from June 18-19, targeted media and communications personnel from around the region.
It was held under the RRACC Project, which is funded by USAID
