65 percent of main roads in excellent condition – Blackmoore

Blackmoore said in 200o only 25 percent of roads were in fair condition
Blackmoore said in 2000 only 25 percent of roads were in fair condition

Minister for Public Works, Energy and Ports Rayburn Blackmoore has revealed that approximately 65 percent of Dominica’s main roads are in excellent condition.

Speaking at a presentation event of for the transformation of Roseau on Tuesday afternoon, Blackmoore stated that the island has made significant gains amidst a global financial crisis.

According to him, over the past ten years the country has been experiencing unprecedented development.

Blackmoore noted that in 2000, a road audit revealed that only 25 percernt of Dominica’s road network was in a ‘fair condition.’

The purpose of the audit was to give the government an appreciation as to the state of the main roads, the secondary roads and the feeder roads, according to Blackmoore.

“We have 320 kilometers of main roads and based on that audit only 25 percent of our main roads were in fair condition,” he said. “We then put together a plan with a time horizon of 2020 by which if we follow a particular methodology we would have gotten our roads to 100% excellent condition. Further to that we said that by 2015, 60 percent of our main roads will be in excellent condition.”

He added that the 60 percent mark has already been surpassed however there is still a lot more to be done.

The minister noted further that the government must ensure that the road networks are done well and in a comprehensive manner taking into consideration the need to place emphasis on some of the mitigating factors such as storm drains.

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44 Comments

  1. rain$ue me."
    May 16, 2014

    65% of voters are voting for UWP. So yes, you are right with your “56%.”

    • rain$ue me."
      May 16, 2014

      not 56%, but 65%.

  2. Anonymous
    May 15, 2014

    Anyway Sae mon ca la ca quonae mon eh……. To me everywhere I pass its just holes holes and more holes. The other day I was passing by Ma Bass area in Roseau and there is so much of a big hole there. A car was passing and went down in that hole and I heard such a big cracking sound. Hmm I tell you something really is happening.

  3. Bajesus John
    May 15, 2014

    How is it while it is said 60/65% of roads in good condition I am only seeing only chinese doing the work where is the Dominican men. Are they not suppose to eat. If you all thing I am lying check the photo above maybe one blackish person I am seeing and it still might be chinese

  4. hm!
    May 15, 2014

    and 35% of the roads are in horrible condition and they can be found in the Roseau South Constituency!

  5. carlpuss
    May 15, 2014

    I cannot agree more well said surprise

  6. Truth
    May 15, 2014

    I think mr blackmore should change his vehicle,
    they run too smoothly ,he doesn’t feel the holes
    and we all cannot afford to buy one like his

  7. listening
    May 15, 2014

    Blackmore we cannot eat concrete…..I would have been more happy to hear 65% of roads are complete to our productive farms.

  8. Possmoth
    May 15, 2014

    Blackmoore! We know that all information are not truth…….65%? Go tell that to mammies, marlins, and ducreay. Those that drive knows better

  9. ////
    May 15, 2014

    What about the secondary roads in Canefield? holes, holes, imagine the bus drivers are fed-up, and over charge the commuters, the salaries are stagnant, the Government should come check the roads in Canefield, isn’t there a Canefield urban council? all the people are fighting for is power, Mr. Blackmoore, please come take a look at the roads in Canefield leading to peole’s home or ask the Chairman of the Council in Canefield, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROADS. that would be appreciated.

  10. dafriend
    May 14, 2014

    Blackmoore, I suspect you have never driven from Portsmouth to Melville Hall. The road is in very bad repair and the single file bridges are a major hazard and very dangerous. What about the road from Newton to Giraudel? I would not even call that a road anymore. So, I am asking where do you get that figure of 65% of Dominica’s roads are in excellent condition. Do your homework man before you make these statements.

  11. Koshoni
    May 14, 2014

    Blackamoore no offense but ‘ I can’t eat concrete!’. Why don’t you guys tells us how you’ve improved the economy. How many sustainable jobs have been created, how have we increased our exports and how has imports decreased? How is out productivity? How has government expenditure decreased? What is out GDP per capita? What’s the poverty level in Dominica and which areas are in most need of improvement. How do you guys intend on improving? I mean, building roads etc… is good, but I think you guys have strongly mishandled your duties as ‘Government’. Government’s role is to regulate and to create enabling environments whereby businesses can grow and as a result hire more persons. Tell us Blackamoore what enabling business environment have you guys created? We want to know because there is no way you guys gonna get our votes if you can’t provide proper justification for getting another term.

  12. May 14, 2014

    There’s some improvement but too say 60% of Dominica roads in good condition that’s false, the road from Pointe Mitchell to Soufriere are in a bad condition alot of tourists visits that area.

  13. John
    May 14, 2014

    What are you talking about Mr.Minister, was home recently and the Pointe Michelle to Soufriere road is in a horrible state. If i wave one pot whole I fall in another, so I suggest you take a ride up to Soufriere.

  14. DSCstudent
    May 14, 2014

    but d west coast road alone mr talking bout dre…….all other main road in Dominica are in deplorable state dawg……go bac n do d surveys and let out d truth……

  15. south east
    May 14, 2014

    lies open lies..take a drive to d south east mr blackmore

  16. Doc. Love
    May 14, 2014

    I hope DNO is quoting the man’s statement correctly. Maybe he meant 6.5% of roads are in excellent condition.

  17. IluvmyPm
    May 14, 2014

    65 my foot the road to wotten waven bad, all or Roseau bad, Steven street more like 20% u all miss skerrit he married then take him sot take him look crap in my country

  18. barbecue
    May 14, 2014

    way all you forgeting Mr. Magloire in Laudat that crying everyday on the radio about laudat road; and what about watton waven well doh talk for Morne Prosper; The Blackmores a combination of PS and Minister – what you expect; but putting all joke aside I really hear them on Q95 speaking about chinese domination I only noW checking is true wii – look at the picture is 7 chinese to one Dominican -GARCON NOU FINI BAT!

  19. May 14, 2014

    the pagau carib reserve road is very bad please minister fix the road for us we saw you all started from tarish pit to sinakou an you all stop the priminister was there on Thursday sharing money tell him to pay people to cut the grass and stop buying people

  20. May 14, 2014

    80% of roads in dominica are bard, as for roseau do talk

    • nature island
      May 14, 2014

      mr blackmor portsmouth to capuchine road is it part of the 65%? reggie its tlme to go

  21. ?
    May 14, 2014

    As you talking I would like to know how many roads were built between 2000 and 20008.
    De cane field pond case road started in 2008 and ended in 2010. grand bay road got a maintenance facelift in 2010. The Chinese did a maintenance and new road surface on the west coast 2010/2011. The Roseau valley road got some attention about 2008/2009…..work not completed. I will remind you of the back road and the cliff after the garage still not yet done.
    Pond case to Melville hall road started in 2010, today may 14 2014 we de Dominican public waiting to see when penalties will begin against de contractor for breach of contract……. I clearly remember you threatened him directly.
    De warner road from jimmitneeds attention. De road into Campbell needs attention. De road from prond case down thru sultan, layout park down to the layou bridge is a disaster. The road from pond case thru bois disable to grand fond and delice is a disaster. The roads in kalinago territory and castle Bruce definitely need attention.
    De park rrp for Roseau north had admitted your lack of interest to fix the roads in Roseau north.
    De people from kings hill still complaining.

    I notice cracks in de west coast road surface at strategic locations near retaining walls at les point massacre, jimmit Rodney’s rock…..let me stop here

    Come again Rayburn…..you are so disappointing
    Gardahkan had a team of workers doing maintenance on de delice petit savanne road..is that completed.

    You actually boasting your incompetence

    • Anthony Ismael
      May 14, 2014

      Don’t forget the Copthall to Wotten Waven road. That one too needs attention. Some of the cliffs need to be shelved. A two-way bridge into Copthall is a required. This is a heavily trafficked area with three Guest Houses plus Screws Sulfur Spa and there’s a one-lane bridge in and out of that area.
      And while you at it; a new bridge from Wotten Waven to Trafalgar is also required. I’m curious why the engineers chose to build the last one inside a valley, instead of matching the bridge height with the apex of the slope, to make for smoother vehicular access between both points.

  22. Lawi Pikaty
    May 14, 2014

    This Photo Speaks Volume.. Only Chinese.

    Roads;
    Layou Valley Road
    Pond Casse to Bagatelle
    Pond Casse to Castle Bruce to Hatten Garden
    Castle Bruce to Good Hope.

    What is wrong with these roads?

    Blackmore and Blackmore…… SMH

    • arturu
      May 14, 2014

      was about to say the same

  23. Truth
    May 14, 2014

    capuchin people already start buying donkeys for traveling.
    shame shame shame,
    But again, maybe that is what they deserve, They say they love reggie for that

  24. racheb
    May 14, 2014

    Have u driven from Marigot airport to Roseau Mr. minister? I guess the bridges are not part of the roads!!!!!

  25. Not Me Alone
    May 14, 2014

    Mr. Blackmoore, please take this advise here from the Living Bible: 2 Cor. 10:12 “Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!”

    “We have 320 kilometers of main roads… r, Blackmore, you left out a very important factor in your statement. When DFP took office in 1980 we did not have 320 KM of main roads because we know they added some “New roads” in their 15 years in power. Also, when UWP took over in 1995 they did not meet 320 KM of main roads because we all know they cut some “New roads” in their 4.5 year stay. The question is, can you point to any km of main road cut by the Dominica Labor party in 15 years? That’s how we compare and measure progress. Has the DLP add to the 320KM they met? If all you did was maintained what you met then you should not be too busy to # your chest. The EO Leblanc DLP could because they gave us most of what we have today. But definitely not the Skerrit version.

    • joe
      May 14, 2014

      What about the new road at the back of the stadium and the one going up to goodwill??

      In any case there will come a time when all roads should be built so all that will be left is maintenance, so i cannot get your point at all!!!

      • Not Me Alone
        May 14, 2014

        @ Joe, the Man is talking about MAIN ROAD and not back road as you think. Those are not main roads. If you want to talk about those two back roads one of which was already in existence, then you going to open a can of worms because I can talk about at list 20 such roads totally ignored by them. So let’s please stay with the 320 KM of main road Blackmoore mentioned.

  26. Not Me Alone
    May 14, 2014

    Mr. Blackmoore please take this advise here from the Living Bible: 2 Cor. 10:12 Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!

    “Blackmoore noted that in 2000, a road audit revealed that only 25 percent of Dominica’s road network was in a ‘fair condition.”
    Sir, I find you fighting against yourself and that’s bad. If by using the year 2000 to attack the UWP, you are attacking your own self. Although you said 25% of roads were in fair condition whereas 65% is in excellent condition today, I would like to admonish you to think it through before talking. Let’s do some maths here: According to you 25% of road was in fair condition, right? UWP was only in power for 4.5 years. Lets’ compare that to 65% in excellent condition today. That’s after 15 years Blackmoore. So based on your own words, it is fair to conclude that if UWP were in power for 15 years, as of today 75% of our roads would be in fair condition in compared to your 65%.

  27. from the east
    May 14, 2014

    More like 20% all the roads on the east from pond casse to petite savanne is in terrible state .he was referring to mahaut i suppose

  28. Moi
    May 14, 2014

    But where they does get statistics to come and tell people? 65% like seriously Mr Minister? have you driven around the country to feel what every day communters like me feels on a daily basis… Massacre to portsmouth is not all of Dominica, the road is indeed in great condition but thats just a fraction of the country.. Look at the city even on the bridge there are holes….look at pond case to Castle Bruce, La plaine to Delices, Carib terittory….gather more info and come back with the real figure!

  29. grell
    May 14, 2014

    Development my foot,Mahaut,St.Joseph and grandbay are still all ghettos,what development.

  30. A GUY
    May 14, 2014

    yet still the Capital city roads remain in the same old condition….smh

  31. RealStar
    May 14, 2014

    Yes Blackmoore u think u smart ,, u said by 2020 all roads will be 100% complete, so technically u asking for another 5 years ,,, when are u all going to stop playing games with we Dominicans ?
    Look at the picture only chines working all we asking for is a job, I seat there looking at the west coast road build not one day work for me the collage was build right in my back yard in StalkFarm not one day work for my Dad and I who is in the fild of construction,,
    I’m just another ordinary guy on the block and there is a lot like me who want to work and can’t find work,,,

  32. ALL FOOLS DAY jokers
    May 14, 2014

    Mr. Blackmoore, I give you and the DLP some credit for road surface maintenance. However, to say 65 % of road is in excellent condition is very far fetch. Driving from Roseau to Portsmouth is excellent and for that I give you an a big A. 70% of the Cainfield to Pond case road is in very good condition and I give you a B. 35% of the Roseau/ Grandbay road is OK and I give you a “C”. 30% of the Portsmouth / Marigot is ok but you get an “F” for lack of timely maintenance and wild bush that block the view of drivers. 35% of the Blenheim / Penville road is ok and you get a “C”. 25% of the Concord/ Castle Bruce road is ok and you get another C. Your ministry has been one of the best functioning ones in Dominica, but it is very unfair to tell people that 65% of our roads in excellent condition.

  33. May 14, 2014

    Blackmore you need to talk to Julius Timothy, Parl Rep for Roseau North. All the roads in Roseau North are bad, and you better look out for Stockfarm road. When the people are fedup, they will take things in their own hands.
    Blackmore please fix up the roads leading up to the College and inside community Simon Bolivar. Am certain THAT THE ROADS IN MASSACRE AND MAHAUT are OK.

    • Gosh
      May 14, 2014

      Let’s not forget the one leading up to the Hospital from AID Bank….Geeze Blackmoore!

  34. Cindi George
    May 14, 2014

    Don’t try driving in the country to the farms :(

    • Anonymous
      May 14, 2014

      Can someone comment on the Pointe Michel Soufriere Road . what is the condition and plans for that road .
      I have reliable information THAT THE RESIDENTS UP THERE NOW FACE RETRIBUTION FOR THE BUS DRIVERS ACTIONS .
      Is that likely , I ask ?

      • Anthony Ismael
        May 14, 2014

        The road from Point Michel to Soufriere is horrible and dangerous! The cliff needs to be shelved. There are landslides occurring at any moment and without warning. Some of the corners need to be addressed. They began construction work on a by-pass within Point Michel to facilitate two-way traffic.
        However, that project stopped abruptly and there has been no communication from the Ministry of Communication and Works.
        Bear in mind that Soufriere has one of our best diving locations on the island. It is filled with divers during Dive Fest in October of each year. That road needs serious attention too. I’m not sure what type of Math the “Minister” did to conclude that a whopping 65% of roads in Dominica are in great condition. This must be a typo from the ministry. The figures are wholly inaccurate.

      • Surprised
        May 15, 2014

        I am surprised that someone from the South has posted this comment as people from that area are such fervent supporters of the PM that , had the minister said that the Point Mitchell/Soufriere was paved in gold they would believe him, despite the fact that, that road is extremely treacherous!

        Come the election, the PM will distribute a few sheets of ply wood and Courtts vouchers and they will still vote for him, irrespective of the neglect shown to that district by the Government.

        My fellow constituent members are not interested in infrastructure or the development of their area, but prefer to wait in anticipation for the bits of scraps that will be thrown at them by the PM just before the election!

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