Construction ahead of scheduleBy Monique Washington
The Nevis Housing and Land Development Cooperation (NHLD) was praised on progress made on the abattoirproject by Hon. Alexis Jeffers, the Minister in charge of Agriculture on Nevis. Hon. Jeffers commented to the Observer on Wednesday (May 4) that NHLD had been working diligently on the abattoir projects and other projects they have undertaken.
The Hon.Minster commended the NHLD in assisting with the new expansion at the Nevis abattoir in Prospect.
NHLD is a Statutory Body in the NIA and was established in 1984. The cooperation has built over 300 homes across the island during two administrations, the former Nevis Reformation Party (NRP)-led the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) and the Concerned Citizens’ Movement (CCM)-led NIA.
“The Cooperation is currently doing more than a million dollars’ worth of projects on Nevis,” the Minister said.“The Cooperation has the expertise and managerial capacity to handle a variety of construction needs.”
The new expansion of the abattoir is funded by the NIA in collaboration with the NHLD. A private contractor,Edmund Jeffers, was selected to complete the project. Hon. Jeffers said the project broke ground in January and beganseveral weeks later. A project completion date was set for the end of August; however, because the work is moving speedily,Jeffers informed Hon. Jeffers he hopes to finish the building a month early.
Jeffers explained plans for an abattoir expansion were examinedmore than two decades ago, but due to the high demand for meatNIA had to expand. He pointed out that with recent improvements, upgrades and expansions in the livestock area the expansion has been timely.
“We have added new forage banks, and new fencing at the Maddens and Indian Castle government-owned estates.” Hon. Jeffers said. “We now have expanded and improved the veterinarian services in Prospect to ensure healthier meat. There is great demand for local meat and now we will have the facility to supply and process meat to meet the demand.”
Outlining other features at the new facially, Hon. Jeffers said there will be a smoke house, smoke room, production area, walk-in freezers, staff quarters,meat processingand a main office. The expansion is expected to create more agricultural jobs.
