BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Keys community is enjoying its newly-completed sidewalk which practically stretches from one end of the community to the next. And it is expected that in a matter of weeks it would also be enjoying its very own ‘hangout spot’.
The sidewalk, which lines both sides of the road, was sponsored by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and, according to the BNTF’s Osbert DeSuza, it commenced on January 21, 2013 and is about 95 percent completed.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, DeSuza explained that the organisation was approached about this particular project and, having submitted the appropriate documentation to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), approval was given for it to commence.
He said the project costs approximately EC$379 000 and that 80 percent was footed by the CDB while the remainder was provided by the government of St. Christopher and Nevis.
“We would have had a request from the Keys community to provide that kind of intervention in that particular area. What we did is we followed up on the request by submitting a formal set of documents to the Bank in Barbados and had the project approved. We are waiting on the Water Department to do some pipe work and then we will go into the final portion which consists of the construction of a slipper drain.
Speaking with a couple of members of the community, they expressed their gratitude for the employment which this project generated and noted specifically that it would now provide a safer area on which pedestrians could traverse the length of the village.
Ivan Stevens of Construction Limited (ICSL) was contracted to execute the project. And according to Stevens, he thought he could give back to the community by constructing – out of his pocket - a mini “liming spot” for the people of Keys Village “just to hangout, enjoy themselves and have some fun”.
The liming spot, which is still under construction and donated solely by ISCL, was mistaken by many as a bus stop facility but, having spoken to Stevens, he declared that it is not a bus stop but a ‘hangout’ area.
It is located on the mountain side of the road just opposite the Stag Shop.
Stevens however explained that the fact that the small building is a ‘hang out spot’, that does not mean persons wishing to shelter from the elements while waiting to catch public transportation could not do so.
Close to completion, the structure would feature two compartments; a balcony and a stairway. Stevens said it is expected to be completed within a matter of weeks.
