The Barbuda Council on Wednesday July 23rd hosted a meeting with Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), British High Commission (Bridgetown) Infrastructure Advisor (UKFDO), Ministry of Finance representatives (MoF) and the Project Implementation Management Unit (PIMU) officials to discuss the progress of ongoing projects related to continuing relief efforts and resilience building following the 2017 Hurricane Irma disaster. Funding for these projects came from Global Affairs Canada in 2017 and Restoration and Rehabilitation loans from the CDB as well as a grant from UK CIF. The projects include:-

_Barbuda Council Administration Building repair and refurbishing_ _Community Centre repair and refurbishing_ _Disaster Management Centre – construction of new facility_ _Under-grounding of critical electrical transmission lines_ _Installation of Solar Power systems including battery storage at the community centre, Hanna Thomas Hospital, and the Barbuda Council Administration Building_

The projects listed above have been completed and are now due for final official handing over. Additionally the initiative includes the construction of a new Disaster Management and Community Centre to serve the Mulatto Quarter area of Barbuda and assistance to complete 9 kilometres of concrete roads. The proposed additional road works include:-

1. _From the end of the present concrete section of River Road (vicinity of Sand Ground Coconut Grove) heading north to connect with the Council built concrete road at BK Fuels gas station._

2. _From the Council built concrete road at James Corner heading west through Madison, passing the post office and Council Administration Building to connect with the concrete road at the end of Lagoon Drive in the vicinity of the Fisheries Complex._

3. _From the end of the Council concrete road heading north along Two-Foot-Bay Road, passing the new Disaster Management and Community Centre, to the Solar Power Plant (and beyond depending on availability of resources)._

4. _Section of road connecting the asphalt road ending at Sir McChesney George Secondary School to the Two-Foot-Bay road._

The Council takes this opportunity to inform and update all Barbudans about these projects and to publicly thank the various agencies and their representatives for their assistance and look forward to continued cooperation for the benefit of all concerned.