The Caribbean Utilities Employees Association(CUEA) held their Easter Festival 2008 in Grenada this past Easter week-end.
Launched in 1989, the CUEA represents a combination of numerous
sporting, cultural, and recreation clubs of Caribbean utilities
companies which provide water, electricity and telecommunication
throughout the region.
Their stated policy is to, as far as possible, bring Caribbean people
together. Presently, it comprises 11 English-speaking islands
stretching from Jamaica in the north to Trinidad & Tobago in the
south --- and including Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica,
Montserrat, Nevis, St.Lucia, St.Vincent and Grenada.
Every Easter, a festival takes place in one of these islands, which
means that, they would be back in Grenada in 11 years assuming no
cancellation in any other member territory. This year it was Grenada's
turn and from all indication the host country played their part
spectacularly. CUEA has thanked the staff of the National water and
Sewage Authority(NAWASA) and Grenada Electricity services(GRENLEC) who facilitated the trip and helped out with the accommodation.
According to a CUEA spokesman, to break the barriers of regional
insularity, events of this nature should be encouraged by regional
bodies and governments. Failure to do so would result in the
marginalization of the Caribbean by other countries as true integration
would have to start with people-to-people exchanges.
From all indications, the economic road ahead does not look good for
the region with just a few exceptions. The spokesman quoted from the
words of the Grenada Boys' Secondary School's school song: "A truly
great West Indies be this our constant aim -- surmounting insular boundaries, a people is more than name."(circa 1929).
FOOTNOTE TO PHOTO ALBUM
(Click here to view)
Looking at these pictures over the internet(www.cisgrenada.com/cuea),
you will be overcome with hilarity. There was fun and frivolity had by
one and all but the bigger picture was the camaraderie and true
Caribbean integration. What these folks represented in Grenada for
their short stay has taken politicians decades to accomplish, not to
mention the economic benefits derived by the country from around 300+
persons.
