Ambassador Peter Lan of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Transport and Work, attended an official groundbreaking ceremony at Rabacca Bridge on October 26, 2021.
The Rabacca Bridge was funded and built through a collaboration between the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2007, but was seriously damaged by the lahars and volcano ashes during the eruption of volcano La Soufrière in April this year. In response to the dire needs for the rehabilitation and Repair Work of the Rabacca Bridge, Taiwan decided to fund and dispatch a reconstruction team to SVG and started working on the project.
The government of Taiwan took swift actions to support the people and government of SVG after the devastating eruption of volcano La Soufrière. These include emergency relief grants, grants to purchase heavy equipment for volcano cleaning exercise etc.; the repairing of Rabacca Bridge, which is estimated to cost around USD 106,000, is the latest of such actions. Taiwan’s company “OVERSEAS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO. LTDOECC” (OECC), which constructed the Rabacca Bridge was also hired back to assist its repairing. We believe through our joint efforts the people affected by the traumatic natural disaster can return to their normal life soon.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, over the years many cooperation projects have been established between the two countries to benefit our people. The Repair Work of Rabacca Bridge, along with numerous other projects once again served as the testament to our robust partnership. It is through such kind of cooperation, the friendship between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come. (E)
