Community projects in Baie Lazare hailed |10 August 2013

The Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton has said he is satisfied with the projects carried out in the communities of Baie Lazare.
He was speaking to the media yesterday after visiting several projects which are ongoing or have been completed.

Mr Meriton said the ministry is working to review and reinforce the capacity of the officers in the section which manages these projects to ensure that the money allocated for each project is spent wisely.

A sum of R30m is spent annually on those types of projects and according to the budget set for this year each district has been allocated R1.2m to carry out their projects.

Mr Meriton said his ministry is working closely with the private sector to see how they can contribute towards the success of the projects being carried out in the various districts.

“We are also working closely with people in the community as they are the ones monitoring the projects which are financed by the government,” he added.

Mr Meriton was accompanied by special adviser for community development Dan Frichot and district administrator Joyce Lepathy.

Prior to visiting the projects, Mr Meriton met a group of primary students from Baie Lazare school, teachers and parents.
The main points of discussion centred on environmental education at the school.

Mr Meriton was given an overview of the environment clubs at the school, their activities and constraints the coordinators of the clubs face.

Miss Lepathy said for this year, the district has been able to complete 18 projects. She added that the Baie Lazare district has a close partnership with the private sector.
We are working with the Petite Anse Development Ltd and they are always willing to contribute towards the district’s projects, she said.

The installation of crash barriers at Anse Soleil to Anse Gouvernement is one of the projects which Petite Anse Development Ltd is financing.

Among the projects visited are the Anse Gaulette sewage plant which is under construction, crash barriers at Anse Soleil, installation of solar lights, coastal anti-erosion project at Anse à la Mouche, the Dame le Roi bridge and the playing field near the school which is a project being financed by the Ministry of Education.

The accompanying photos show Minister Meriton and his delegation visiting the various projects in Baie Lazare.