Caption: Principal of St Peter’s Private Primary School Georgette Medofrd, left, joins Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries Ernesto Kesar at the cutting of the ribbon at a ceremony to reopen the school after being damaged by a fire. Photo: Paria Fuel Trading Ltd

By Alicia Chamely

RESTORATIVE work on St Peter’s Private Primary School, Pointe-a-Pierre, is complete, just in time for the new school year.

The school, which was damaged in a fire on August 28, was restored by the Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL) and its subsidiaries: Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited (Paria), Heritage Petroleum Company Limited (Heritage) and Petrotrin and Guaracara Refining Company Limited (Guaracara).

In a media release on Monday, Paria announced a ribbon cutting ceremony had been held on Sunday to reopen the school.

Paria stated that the project was a group effort with Paria having led the demolition process and furnishing classrooms, Heritage refurbishing bungalows to house staff and classrooms and Guaracara having provided maintenance and manpower support.

Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, Paria Chairman Nyree Afonso said, “Today we celebrate not just re-opening of buildings, but the tireless spirit of all those who made this possible. To the management, engineers, contractors, teachers, and workers—thank you. Your dedication and hard work have allowed us to be here today.”

Present at the ceremony was Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries Ernesto Kesar.

Acknowledging the efforts of Paria and TPHL, Kesar said, “With just over a week until classes resumed, we faced a monumental task. Thanks to the swift, united efforts of Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL) and its subsidiaries, the school’s reopening on schedule was guaranteed.”

Kesar addressed staff and students present at the ceremony, saying, “Tomorrow, when you enter your new classrooms, you’ll see clean walls and shiny desks. We did this for you. The school is ready. The future awaits.”