Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has said his government was able to secure some €6.9 million from the European Union (EU) for the “comprehensive rehabilitation” of roads on the eastern coast of the island.
Skerrit and his cabinet visited that portion of Dominica on Wednesday and he told the media the roads are in need of repairs.
“We visited the entire portion of the east of Dominica,” he said. “These roads have been heavily battered over a period of time by heavy rains and landslide …the government is going to be embarking on a comprehensive rehabilitation of that area …basically a brand new road.”
He said the money from the EU has been earmarked for “certain sections of the road” identified by that organization and the Public Works Department.
The prime minister noted that to finish the project a loan will be taken “more than likely from the Chinese government.”
He stated that the loan will go towards repairing the road from “Pond Casse to the Carib Territory unto Pagua and also from Castle Bruce to Petite Soufriere and also from Bois Diab down to Delice and unto the Petite Savanne Constituency.”
“So that we can connect this whole road network and address in a substantial way the remaining sections of the roads in the country that really need to be done,” he said.
Yes we are getting Euros and maybe loans to repair the badly need eastern roads but who is going to get the contract to do the job? is it the same people?
I hear in DA and have seen for myself that persons have to grovel or lick arse if they want something or need any help. worst of all if there is no one to pull strings for you crapaud smoke your pipe.
Well done my pm all those who were saying where u goin to get money to build the east coast road. Eben bat chew zot. Pm continue doin what u started for dominica forward we go backward never. West coast get thiers now its our turn. I love my pm skerroooo
Loans loans loans… get a loan to set up a sustainable money making business for the island… then take your profits from that to fix roads.. Think government, think! How Dominica going to make money to pay back these loans?!?! And Alas, doh put the money in your own pocket, I hear enough about mansions and landscaped gardens for now..
What about THE PENVILLE road, all i know WE have the power to Vote OUT,not saying more
Our parl. rep for Tete Morne is asleep. No mention of Tete Morne even when we have the worst road in DA. Hope she wakes up by the the next election results.
Garçon how you get EU to give you money and they crying Broke,,,
Allyou doh seeing dat bahball den,,,
If all reports coming from EU is that they running all their banks Dry where dey getting 6.9 million to come build Road???
Ever wonder where all that VAT money going???
We hope there will be supervision, and accountability with managing the construction of the roads and the monies. As the road/roads are being built, there should be feed back to the Dominican people and the, countries making the funds available. The whole world is getting more water, and we know how Dominica is with water.
So we have to make sure roads are done to accommodate the times and climate changes we are living in. WE DOMINICANS WE MUST EXPECT THE BEST, BUT HOPE FOR THE WORST. TALK IS CHEAP, WE NEED ACTION.
EH Beh Dominica just keeps eating concrete.
all that money on one road and you won’t pay all that money for the west coast fix where tourist passing and live every where else in shambles
A bunch of empty promises, but nice try
All they(UWPians)can do is talk,critize and attack good or bad.Never ever once heard them said anything good about Skerrit and his Government.All of them want to be an ADVISOR.
YOY yoy- Its dress up time-the east is lost this time- and so my boy is pulling out all the stops–no free excursion from NJ as well on voting day.
The other party? What is the vision of the other party? What reputation have they created while in Opposition? Have they proven to be real patriots? Have they shown to the masses that they genuinely care about Dominica by standing up against all wrong or only what they think may benefit them as the other party. Do not be fooled, followers only follow leaders. The other party is lacking in all departments. Go back to the drawing board, as is you are handing over the mandate to the PM.
Please give some priority to the Princess Margaret Hospital– equipment is needed–the CT Scan machine is not working !!!!!! too many people have to be flown out to neighboring islands for medical attention.
Oh Lord have mercy on this island. That’s more debt to add. More money to be pocketed privately. More taxes coming our way. We’ll see if any “roads” are built.
There is another “ROAD” ahead leading to election. So all these “Road” talk you hearing about is to secure a ‘Landslide.’ But I’m still voting for the other party.
Who cares who you vote!Since we get our road.Election or not,I don’t care.
I just hope they take in consideration the bridges and at least the width of the corners. there is No where in the world right now where two Vehicles can not pass comfortably. And first place i see where the road is large and gets very narrow at the bridge or in corner. Please Mr. PM ask the Engineers to build a road for the future like the ones we see when we travel you know what i am talking about cause we all have gone other places. if you are taking a loan for we the people of Dominica to pay for, please give us something we can be proud off that we don’t have to redo in the next 10 to 20 years. we need to stuff moving in circles by spending big money on the same thing over and over again.
why don’t he fix the hospital, and put more facilities in there first . the hospital is more important
all u will know what all u want wii
So if you don’t have a road how do you take the sick to the hospital? by boat the way it was over 60 years ago.
Mr. PM, please give the Pond case’ Layou Valley Road some attention. this road is of such vital importance (economically, socially and of course in case of emergency elsewhere)that it should not be allowed to further detriorate. This road way serves a significant portion of the agricultural belt, it is a convenient thoroughfare for people on the west coast wishing to go to the east of the island. Imagine living in Salisbury and wanting to go to la Plaine. The present condition of the road (apart from the Layou River damage)does not lend itself to a comfortable and safe drive. the road above the York Valley bridge is in a very advanced stage of disrepair. The present condition will not serve the new poultry project well. the road demands some attenton. So please Mr. PM give thst road some attention before it get worst – how much more. Mr. Parl rep you should make this road a priority.
These East Coast roads are unsafe at any speed. Better road construction techniques must employed to ensure that roads last longer. For example better bridges and drainage.
A comprehensive rehabilitation of roads on the eastern coast of the island MUST be accompanied with a slope stabilization exercise in order to minimize the impact of landslides or else we will see ALL that money sliding down the ravines during the rainy season. I suggest that our engineers together with the ministry of agriculture start looking at the Vetiver System (VS) which relies on vetiver grass. This grass has been proven and used in some 100 countries for soil and water conservation, slope stabilization, land rehabilitation, pollution control, water quality improvement, disaster mitigation and many other environmental applications that can mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change.
Until our estimable engineers find the angle of repose landslides will continue unabated. In some cases they would be better off building elevated bridges rather than disturbing the mountain side.
Well, well, well, it took almost four years to start rolling out the $700million that Reginald Austrie spoke about during the last election campaign, look out folks its the begining of the silly season election campaign, lets see who will fall for this one.For four years could not find money to do all of those things now there will be money for all things the entire Dominican community will need, constituents its your turn now please demand from these representative what ever your community needs
What about the roads leading to Tete Morne? They are in an even worse state than the one shown to accompany the article.
I do feel sorry for Tete Morne, it really is at the end of the road and forgotten. Yet they all voted solid red last election. Look what it got them. They have been ignored and betrayed, I really feel that.
Being form the east coast this is very much needed. Thank you.
good job MR pm i know you are a man of your word.The heavenly father will see you through in all what you plan to do.Go for it my dear.God’s blessing is upon you.
the road looking like a river bed eh lol
Dang, is like that? do talk loud !
Thank you EU. despite their own economic worries these people still helping us. I appreciate that.
Its all abouth the relatinship and the trust that King Skerrit has been able to develop with the EU.
So this is why I had cautioned you with blowing up this story about France had blacklisted Dominica.
You and I spoke about it…do you still believe the crap from the Q95, UWP/ Thompson Noname
First of all the ADF blacklist does exist and we are on it. The story, first published by Le Monde has not been retracted, neither by the newspaper, the respected news agency France Presse nor the French Minister who made the existence of such a list public. Even the French ambassador in St. Lucia did not deny it but referred to it as a “technical” list. Very professional, diplomatic language indeed.
Secondly, are you telling us that if it was not for Skerrit we would not get assistance from the EU? That is too preposterous for words. The good man’s name hardly figures in the portals of Brussels and if it does only so because of his lack of diplomacy.
Despite Mr. Skeritt insulting them they still helping .Remember they killed Mr. Skeritt’s Friend Kadaffi.Mr. Skeritt had vowed to do all He could to save His Friend and had some choice words to describe Europeans .later on He said He was a Friend to all!
TOO many times we like to put politics in every thing,before we start critizing put a helping hand instead.
And what Pray Tell are You doing now ? Is this your helping hand ? Critisizing the Critics?
Elections in Da soon for real, since u see skerro cannot stop talking,now he seeing the roads. Dominicans dont be fooled.
How easy it is for some of us to pretend that things have been juicy and nice in Dominica. How many storms have we had in the last five years? what has been the accumulated damage? Of course, it is only Skerro who has the headache to find the money. the talking heads does not have that responsibility.
As I recall mr. Skerrit volunteered for that position, no he was more than anxious to have it, he even fought for it! Well, he got what he wanted and should not complain about any headaches that come with it. I’m sure he would not appreciate us feeling sorry for him because that would make him look weak.
You ought to have given you money to the treasury in order that they in government would have attended to that section of road much sooner.
Every country within the region and by extension the world, is faced with its own share of financial setbacks. Given the size of the island and the rather very small population, one does not have to be an economist to understand that the amount of revenue raised through taxes and other mean, are rather very low and not sufficient to take care of the country’s every need.
Donor countries and organizations will provide grants and soft loans, but within their own timing, as we are not the only island on the receiving end. Every project being embarked upon is of importance in one way or the other and with time every need will be attended to in one way or the other.
One contention of mine is what i see as not enough being done by government in terms of creating an enabling environment for permanent job creation. By my saying this, i am sure that someone will disagree with such point.
My point here is that regardless of what it does, no government will ever be able to please an entire country folk.
It’s not about pleasing everbody, The government lack any form of credibility, they can’t be trusted, that’s why people are skeptical about everthing skerrit and his government say.
base on their track record, the people are right not to trust them and further more election are around the corner, so it’s just a bunch of empty promises
Were is the free port so that all of us from Da can bring things to help each other on for some . We spend most of our time in other countries sad living in Australia is like my DOMINICA
So its better to have nothing done. Boy you people are something else. Do something its never good enough don’t do anything then you cry nothing is being done. For once can we just forget about the party politics and support the “GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY” for the welfare of the nation.
NO!! and NO again. Don’t know about anyone else but I’ve had my bellyfull. Everyday there is another contentious issue and the reputation of our beloved isle has gone to the dogs, flung into the mud. That is what is hurting me most, admitting that I’m a Dominican and see those silent, pittying and sorry smiles in response.I’m mad Skerrit, you hear, and don’t care if I’m the only one. Enough is enough. Basta, fini!
Allu well pwi. Allu seeing elections round the corner since February 2000. Dat iz 40/40 vision papa!:lol: