Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter
CHAVEZ
WESTERN BUREAU:
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez is expected to visit the island next week Tuesday, and his official itinerary includes a visit to the multimillion dollar housing project being constructed by Venezuelan soldiers in Brighton, Westmoreland.
Officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are still working out the details of the proposed visit, but an official at the Venezuelan Embassy confirmed that the President will arrive in Montego Bay.
"The visit of President Chavez is now the subject of discussion between officials in Jamaica as well as in Venezuela. The public will be kept abreast of his visit," said Wilton Dyer, public relations officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the meantime, a member of the local Venezuelan community told The Gleaner yesterday that the president is expected to personally inspect the construction work done by the Venezuelans in the Brighton area.
Last year, President Chavez responded to Jamaica's call for overseas assistance following Hurricane Ivan by sending relief supplies and military personnel to boost the island's post-hurricane reconstruction efforts.
"The project in Brighton involves the construction of houses on difficult terrain and is running behind schedule. It was supposed to end in July. The President will personally come and take a look at what is going on," said the source.
Since their arrival last October, the Venezuelans have started the construction of 25 houses in Brighton, and once completed, the team will build another 75 houses in the community of Bucksfield in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.
