Road safety concerns were at the top of the agenda during Friday’s formal opening of the Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway.
The West Coast Road Project named after the former premiere, was rehabilitated at the cost of $100 million.
The funds were provided by the Chinese government and the work done by Chinese company China Railway 17.
The road now makes for much smoother traveling between the capital city Roseau and the northern town of Portsmouth.
But it has also had its fair share of accidents since being rehabilitated, and the Chairperson of the Mahaut-Jimmit-Tarou Village council Annette John-Charles Stedman found it necessary to sound a note of caution at the completion ceremony.
“We are all pleased with this new highway, but we are saddened by the fact that some of our drivers use the road as children with a new toy and are totally ignorant of proper road safety,” Stedman said at the function.
Expressing concern about the number of accidents on the new road, she went on to itemise those crashes in the Mahaut area, some of which proved fatal.
“Two deaths in Mahaut, one crash in Jimmit and one in Tarou. It is highly likely that these events resulted from irresponsible and excessive speeding on the new road,” the village council chairperson said.
She called for regular police mobile patrols along the road, “as well as the introduction of electronic devices to monitor driver-behaviour aimed at discouraging and preventing irresponsible and dangerous driving on the road in the interest of protecting the lives and safety of road users”.
Her concern is one shared by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
“We must bring an end to the carnage on our roads, there is no need for speeding and disorderly driving,” the prime minister said.
“Reckless driving will not be tolerated,” he warned.
“I am going to insist that the Dominica police force patrol this highway and deal harshly with road abusers who put not only their lives, but the lives of innocent people at risk as a result of this lawless behaviour,” the prime minister said while appealing for caution and consideration.
He used the occasion to highlight the contribution of former Premiere E O Leblanc, explaining that the rehabilitated West Coast Road was being named after him to let future generations know and hear about the kind of effort Leblanc put into developing Dominica.
And reiterating Roseau’s support for Beijing’s “One China Policy” the prime minister described the new road as a fitting tribute to Dominica/China friendship.
The function also heard from Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore and Chinese ambassador Wang Zonglai.
Responding to much touted criticism that Dominicans were not employed on the road project, Minister Blackmoore said “we had a ratio of 45 Dominicans to 70 Chinese” working on the West Coast Road Rehabilitation project.
“Over $27 million were injected into the economy by way of procurement of material and wages,” Blackmoore explained further.
He also indicated that the government’s plan to rehabilitate the island’s major roads was ahead of schedule.
Ambassador Zonglai told the function that China was happy to be able to assist Dominica.
“Just like the Dominican government, the Chinese government attaches great importance to building and upgrading the network of communications and makes its emphasis on the work of assisting the economy and the social development of the rural and other areas, especially where populaces the ethnic minority,” the ambassador said.
The Chinese are laughing at us because they gave us a loan, and they provided about 60% of the workforce. We have to repay this loan and they benefitted more than Dominicans in this project.Something is wrong with this picture.
So all this big, fancy celebration happened and not even the General Manager at PWC was invited!!! So we were important enough to provide material and equipment, labour and other favours and had to hustle to meet Black Label request for an IOU but not good enough for the opening…hmmm….smh…
From since a little child mama always said “freeness and cheapness is worryness”. NOTHING IN LIFE IS FOR FREE, somebody always has to pay the price.If something seems to good to be true then it just might be so. These countries don’t just give handouts because they’re generous, they all have ulterior motives. We think they don’t want anything from us now but wait till their craftiness starts play. It’s just like planting seeds and waiting for the trees to grow and then waiting for them to bear and when the time is just right…we reap the harvest!!!
Happy about the roads, great improvement but where are the street lights. In 2012 with improved roads we need lights on the highway and street signs. Also needed signs reading School Zone slow down and warning signs. Traffic police patrolling the highway/bypass.
That’s such an awesome gesture. I think the government should invest in street lights stops signs speed limits school zones speed camera and also road rails.
Can anyone advise me . What is the max speed limits on this road. I am coming down to Dominica next Year with my 3 Sports cars(Lambo Gallardo V10.Ascari A10, Maserati Gran Tourismo V8 Supercharge).All with a top speed of 201 mph+ will the roads be capable, your input is required. Please no Negative comments unless you can put your money where mouth is…..
ASK MR SARKOZY FOR SOME TIPS ON ROAD SAFETY AND THANK U CHINA AND SKERRO STILL WILL NOT VOTE FOR YOU IF YOU DON’T START HANGING THE CRIMINALS
Skerro can’t hang crimincals…the judiciary has too
Please no petty politics just facts and discussion; this topic has lots of angles.
Dominica must get assistance where it can, but it must also look for smart assistance. The UK, USA & Canada are ‘traditional’ past countries, UK in particular who ravaged the Caribbean and left. They also are in debt to the same China. Both the UK and China have racists, we are just closer to the UK as most of us have a relative who went there to help the labour situation from the 50’s. It is said that the Chinese have no conscience and no guilt over slavery and just want to make money. Fact. Let’s move on.
These Western countries who, while they may now assist us with small projects have other agendas. We must get help and if China has the finance, so be it, BUT we must be smart, as China also has an agenda; it is obvious for some time now that China is the new West, going to developing countries and giving even more aid than US, UK etc. They normally like to get resources, oil, diamonds, etc.. Just like the UK did centuries ago. You think the Queen’s crowns has jewels from London?? Africa, India etc. paid the price.
Remember your history: slavery was UK’s answer to labour; the black man normally did the hard labour for the Englishman for free…The difference is the Chinese now always provide the bulk of the human resource..hmmm.. they have plenty people to spare!! It is also said that ‘The Chinese do not use African labour where possible, saying black Africans are lazy and unskilled.’ Hmmm….wonder what they think about Caribbean people of African descent? Tout negre c’est negre?
Well we are now being paid so things are different. Black man want work=pay. The labour (pardon the pun) arrangements seems to be up to the leader(s)negotiating.
If the west is really worried about China, who knows they may come to us and say.. Let us do what we failed to do long ago…we will build.. we will fix.. we will help… in the real world… NOT happening. That’s my 2 cents and I have not even mentioned the ‘highway.’ I end with a quote from Mugabe (not the best example of a model leader) who is in bed with the Chinese:
Africa has received billions in loans and of course China knows they cannot be paid back, so China gets any resource that country has: diamonds, gold.. lumber, space for their people…n.b almost one million chinese have settled in Africa over the past decade..same problems with lots of Chinese stores and cheap goods….well I am not sure if we should be afraid, we are small, but we have a precious resource: water for sure… not sure what the MOU contains, so let’s get what aid we can, but our leaders must be mindful of what China wants… unless we are a Goodwill project for China.. let’s pray we are.
Do read these articles at the bottom:(n.b they were written by western media)
‘We have turned East, where the sun rises, and given our backs to the West, where the sun sets.’ Nicely put, if I may say so myself. Again, we need to be smart. It takes two to tango.
1) http://www.forbes.com/sites/evapereira/2011/01/28/is-china-taking-over-the-globalization-agenda-2/
2)http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1036105/How-Chinas-taking-Africa-West-VERY-worried.html
3)http://www.chinaplaystocks.com/2011/04/chinese-are-taking-over-africa-and.html
Well said. We think that American is a morale country think again. If anyone read of how America got Texas and California. They will look at the U.S.A in a different light. (America has had slavery and continues to have discrimination.
If you think America cares about us think again
With all this crap being said, I don’t really think Dominicans are so politically minded/blinded that they have become “Anti Development”. I believe it’s just the way that some or most things are being done at the leadership level that creates all the bad bold.
If Dominicans were made aware of what they are getting into , told the truth and made aware of the pros and corns that come with certain aspects of our development then there would be a greater level of acceptance , appreciation and togetherness in our country.
SO LABOURITE HAVE TO PUT ON A RED SHIRT AND A RED CAP FOR EVERY FUNCTION? THIS IS THE HEIGHT OF IGNORANCE EH. I GUESS RED SHIRT, RED CAP FOR RED CLINIC.
Hey folks the name is spelt LeBlanc and not Leblanc
We can talk about speeding and reckless driving, as much as we wish; however, unless there are laws, which dictates the speed limit in different areas in the country, efforts by the police to stop speeding drivers, and issue citations might be a waste of time.
If I was in Dominica, and drove on a stretch of road at eighty miles per hour, (which only a fool would do that anyway); and a cop stop me, and allege that I was driving too fast, and issue a citation, I would simply laugh in his/her face; I would go to court and eat him, or her, and the magistrate for breakfast.
In the first place there must be a penal code governing highway, and safety rules pertaining to driving, and how first one should drive near schools, where plenty of pedestrian traffic is anticipated, and through villages, and towns, and all residential neighborhoods.
Thus signs with the speed limit should be posted to which motorist should comply!
How would the police know when an individual is exceeding the speed limit, unless they are utilizing an Radar, or Laser Detector?
Unless such electronic equipment are installed and utilized in all Police vehicles, on the island, and used to monitor the speed at which one is driving, the police will loose his case every time, since his or her observatory skills would be incorrect one hundred percent of the time.
He could not go into court and state to the court, well I suspect, or estimate he or she was driving at approximately ” X ” miles per hour: anyway since all things in Dominica seems opposite, and upside down one never know!
Without Laser, and Radar technology, the police will not be very successful in apprehending any speeding road hog legally in Dominica.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
WE NEED TRAFIC LAWS NOW!!!
Some Dominicans are too ungrateful. The only thing they see is red and blue. As long as it is Roosevelt Skerrit, they find all ways to criticize. However, the roads, seawalls, schools, night landing, casino, scholarships, jobs and better welfare for the poor. However, long after Skerrit is gone, future generations will give him the praise for taking Dominica to a higher level. One Love. Dominicans please unite and stop that bashing.
oh yes baby and when he gone ….we might be crying when we find out what deal he make with china
i just want to say a few things , first of all i have not seen any thing special that this government has done , nothing special about a stupid road , which all governments are entitled to build, it is every government responsibilities to develop the country , so all you sherritrites stop making skerrit a god , he is not GOD .At the end of the day we are still missing the basic necessities. See how long we stayed without SUGAR. we may blame the countries that a producing the sugar , but why can’t we produce our own sugar , we depending on every dam thing to be imported , we are not producing one shit in this country , wouldn’t a factory been much more important to build than an EXTRA road in the city ? and skerrit don’t care about us people. thank you
Too many accident on the road I will put a fairy to carry passengers from Possie to Roseau to pass threw all the villages on the west coast. So will have less accident those in favour those agianst. PLEASE dont copy my plan.
I read the first part of the article but this is something I have always been interested in, China and their projects. Not too long ago one of the big shots in government in St Lucia delivered a speech about her curiosity about the Chinese and I agreed with her. She said they are everywhere and she said that by doing all those things, the Chinese expect something in return. The Chinese are rubbing the little man of making bread because of the government allowing the Chinese to open stores and other shops everywhere. They are saturating the market, it’s like the government has not control.
The way I see it is that these countries like ours are third world countries and we need the infra-structure to develop. I do not mind things like loans and the building of stadiums and airports by the Chinese. The thing is that when the government signs these contracts they must be careful and read the fine print. We should stand our ground and not let the Chinese have the majority of ownership of most of our huge businesses like allowing them to buy a ton of stocks in companies because the person with the most stock, they are the ones in control. They should not let the Chinese provide majority of the labor because the local people will not benefit from these projects, the Chinese hardly spend their cash in the local shops and supermarkets, all their food and clothing are important and if they do buy something they buy it from other Chinese, so I hope you can see where I am going with this. Not enough money is circulating in our local economy by the construction of these projects from the Chinese. This is just one of the examples. Another thing is that allowing the Chinese to buy huge amount of land and bring in stuff duty free to the islands, which is another problem. Customs are squeezing local people and the Chinese pay little or next to nothing to clear their products at customs. You never ask yourself a question why their products are so cheap. You think if they were paying the regular charges like other Dominicans that they would be able to offer those prices? This is just not good, when you saturate the country like this; there is no room for the local man to make bread.
We should accept with caution and pay back all what was given to us before. We should also not get too comfortable as islands in receiving aid from China and the US because this will make us become lazy and complacent and not want to come up with new ideas to support ourselves. It’s like a boyfriend giving his girlfriend everything she wants or a girlfriend giving her boyfriend, she/he may never find a job to support his/her self because they will be taken care off. Now when China stops giving we will be in trouble because we have become spoiled and will not be able to support ourselves. Dominica has resources which we can use; the government needs to take a tougher look into how they can utilize these natural resources. I believe we all know that.
In addition, we do not see or hear everything when these deals are taking place, in other words we do not see the “terms “of the agreement. Who knows what the Chinese wants in return. They may want something which might take years to come but in the end it will come and whatever that is might become a problem when it is time transfer it over to the Chinese.
thanks for the improvement,now i want to see the hotel the government said that they would build at fond cole, where public works is presently now
We need speed limit regulations enforced. Issue citations. And credit a point system on driving licenses which in tern will increase licensing fees and insurance rates. If the drivers have nothing to loss, they don’t care.
Lets make every driver be careful. I see bus drivers doing all sorts of non sense on the road with passengers.
In December i took a bus from Possie to Roseau. I will never ride any thing that man drives again. And an sure telling everyone i know not to ride that bus or anything he drives.
These bus drivers have our lives in there hands and they want to do what ever, and ph. you can’t open your mouth, else they have words for you although you are paying a fare. And there off course is some ignorant supporter to the stupid bus drivers..
We need to ticket them and get them off the roads..
Those types of drivers should be targeted by allowing under cover cops travel on their vehicle to monitor their driving and if found breaking the law should be dealt with accordingly. Away but still willing to contribute any time free of charge.
@ LOL
I have heard about some of those bus drivers and their ill-mannerisms toward passengers. They should take a customer service course.
Everything u said is true.ofcourse those foolish passengers.
Dictionary definition of a highway:
-A main road, esp. one connecting major towns or cities.
-(chiefly in official use) A public road.
So according to the dictionary, this road is a highway. lol…to much smart people on this forum tan.
Agreed, it is bursting with intellectual statements…
obviously you have not been anywhere
For your information I did my undergrad in New York City, grad in Washington DC and internship in California….so shut your clappers. You must be one of those country bookies that doh know nothing. lol
lol, so the highway was already there then. hmmmm cause the road was already there.
Even on the Banner China dominates….
“Between CHINESE and Dominican People”
CHINESE DOMINANCE on Your Pillow and you are still not seeing it…. SMH
OK, Foo Dog. You are correct. You have it all figured out now…«China dominates.»
Now, Foo Dog, who gets to enjoy this rehabilitated road, «China» or Dominicans?
PEEPING TOM,
The REBAB work was done in Dominica for the Government and People of Dominica.
Are you saying that the Chinese should raise their flags higher that ours because they rehab the road?
We must stop being so naive and ignorant in our deliberations. Sadly we define mental slavery by the level of non sense we accept in the name of AID… SMH
The chinese building it for themselves not for Dominicans because in a years time they will out number us in our own country. Just watch!!!!
The Chinese-Dominicans that taking over the country, in case u haven’t noticed take a good look around…smh…
good girl sxm when something is wrong no matter who does it is wrong with this road and projects a lot of stealing is going on .are our voted leaders given a right to richen themselves i hope you are not doing the same at the hotel you work at,Be fairgirl you have to answer to a Higher Authority.
dominica is either or iether
THE HARD ECONOMIC FACTS
100 000 000 LOANED FROM CHINA “TO BE REPAID” ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS
27 000 000 OF THAT LOAN WAS SPENT IN DOMINICA
JUS IMAGINE YOU GOING TO THE CREDIT UNION FOR A LOAN TO BUILD A HOUSE, AND THE SAME CREDIT UNION IS THE ONE YOU HIRE TO BUILD THE HOUSE.
THAT CREDIT UNION CAN ONLY ACCOUNT FOR SPENDING 27 000 000 ON THAT HOUS.. TELL ME HOW YOU WOULD FEEL WHEN YOU KNOW ONLY 27000 000 WAS SPENT AND YOU HAVE TO PAY BACK 100 000 000 ???
Your logic is missing some variables. YOu need collateral and at least 10% of the loan amount deposited in an Acct at the Credit union before your loan can be approved.
That means, in order for the funding to be approved, there must be collateral. It was all part of the contract.
We like to talk, type and critic, but if given the task at hand, how would you manage?
Do you think it is easy to secure $100K at a low rate? Would you prefer we had no road at all.
Plus with inflation rates, in the next decade $100K will be peanuts.
You have a “glass half empty mentality”, you need to convert to a ‘glass half full’ model of logic.
your same logic could have been applied to the international airport dont you agree?
the loan would become peanuts in time to come . Some of us only appear smart when we supporting a point. lol
lol lol lol
@ WONDERFULL
It is sad to read about this. Interest fee and financing fee? It sounds like highway robbery. It sounds as though you were robbed big-time. It sounds like a theft – fraud.
Let them give you a complete statement of these expenses. Demand it! Seek the advice of a lawyer what your next step should be. Government regulations is necessary to avoid this.
First of all I welcome development at any level… and must congratulate the gov’t for getting this done.
However, I of the opinion that we must be diligent and thorough in our development initiatives, even when they are free.
When you have such an important piece of road structure, safety must be of paramount importance. So much thought should have been put into the following:
1) making this highway a 4-lane, divided highway (where possible). This would eliminate the need for vehicles to overtake, especially in dangerous areas (curves, densely populated/residential areas, like Mahaut);
2) Electronic speed/traffic monitoring systems, including police equipped radar systems, traffic lights, traffic cameras, etc.
3) National traffic safety standards for road markings (color, etc), traffic signs, traffic rules/laws, speed limit, driver safety courses, license regulations, etc.
4) Traffic/law enforcement: constant police patrols, traffic signs, neighbor crime watch, stiff penalties, impartial enforcement, etc
5) Other features: Ample parking shoulders; sidewalks with rails (residential areas), crosswalks (street-level and overhead), etc
I think these things should have been implemented with the opening of this roadway. To call it a ‘highway’ means that motorists translate that as a ‘speedway’ – and that’s exactly what it encourages drivers to do… speed!
I hope the gov’t can quickly implement some of the above procedures to keep our pedestrians and innocent drivers alive. If these safety features are a cost issue, then the road should have remained with those Boiling Lake size potholes… a modest/cheap deterrence to the homicidal ignorance plaguing our small island-nation.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Can not seem to understand how all (or at least most) of what you identified as important to road safety, was not part of the plan. Still, just rode on it, making two or more trips a day (at times) from Portsmouth to Roseau. Good surface, but treacherous twists and turns, not to mention enough reckless overtaking by nonthinking drivers.
Oh, and frankly, the road would do with ample sidewalks – especially in the more urban areas, and complete road shoulders should have been inevitable. These would suffice in our opinion.
I agree, i was very surprise that some of your above itemized ideas were not implement.
@ AP
This is a wise observation and statement. Send a copy of this to the government or relevant traffic department.
i am a proud Dominican, one problem i have is that we Cry too much over everything, i have driven this road many times, and here is my observation, 1) my shocks will last longer
2) i keep to my side all the way to Roseau for a much shorter Drive
THAT’S MY OBSERVATION,
Be grateful for what we have, and be satisfied. God placed us here in the tough terrain for a reason, not to cry babies but to be a resilient people.
Thank you,
I like the way how everything slowly transforming with “chinese wuz here” on it. Bridges and roads ect. Then you just have people from abroad, Most of them in AMERICA & UK just posting, thank you china and they not even in the POT!Why not go and live china abroad instead?
Is it any different from the days when every other school, bridge, clinic, road and office building had a plaque saying: “This building was a gift of the United Kingdom”, “This jetty was a gift of Canada”, “This school was constructed with US AID” ?
Those donors do not donate any more. So now its China. No problem when white people donate eh? But when its Asians something must be fishy?
Get accustomed to the New World Order Pal! Brazil just opened an embassy in Dominica!
That is just the point! Where are those donors right now. They are not opening millions of little shops making it almost impossible for us dominicans to open there own local business and compete with their insanely duty free prices! The way china works is you Scratch my back i Scratch yours. You hardly see chinese people going in Dominican super markets and really making friends with locals. Sure they seem friendly but it’s all business, always has and always will be. I got no problem with venezuala, Japan or brazil. It’s the chinese with their largest population in the world and all their Cheap junk i have a problem with. Right now they are in africa like ants.
That’s all you people say, “why when america, canada and england did it” no one complained, because America england and canada are not communist contries FFS! Why don’t We stop asking for silly little gifts and start asking for things that can actually help D/A. Something that will permantly create jobs. Not these road projects where 60% of the people are chinese. It’s like giving a parow a 250,000$ house and he can’t afford to mentain it are you all blind?! “Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” bite on that one.
Well-said, Reason!!
Tell like it is… A lot of Dominicans have that negative attitude towards the Asians. I don’t get it. We are always last and behind.
Behind, behind, behind, we are the very reason our economy is as it is, not Freedom, not Workers, not Labour, its us, the people. We are the reason.
NOthing is good enough, We can never acknowledge a start. We can never say “good job”. We can never issue a compliment.
We are bias all day, everyday.
But all i ask is this, look at your own life, how are you managing? the issues you have for finances, the Govt has that in multiples…
So be objective. And give credit where it is deserved.
MANNERS MAKETH MAN THANKYOU.
@ what?
when tere were vacent land and houses why didnt Dominicans complain to help them? when chinese make use f it allu complainin…STFU
The funds were provided by the Chines Government and work was done by the Chinies but in the 80’s the eastcost road under freedom party the funds was provided by the Canadian government and the work was done by Dominicans who today because of the money they made on that project they still stayed in costruction teaching others and feeding their family. Anyway thanks China.
And the Canadians did not take over Roseau because they donated something to us.
corection from who
dominicians please be satisfy with what we getno mater how or how we get it lets give thanks
special thanks to the young engineer laville who was important in bringing this project together on a day to day basis.
cassanni is a hard worker.very intelligent engineer
Still 2 lanes
better than 1, be grateful
Domiicans please stop called a resurfaced main road a highway- one with inadequate signage at that. In 1940s our forefather hand excavated these roads with simple equipment- in 2012 it was resurfaced with no significant realigment or drainage. Is this how we measure progress in this country?, is this all we are worth?. while we should give credit to skerrit or blackmore or whoever, its no reason to think that we are better off today.
What’s your definition of a Highway?
GO.go.To Heaven! Sounds better does it not?
UWP at work haters , why dont u all accept that u have been defeated and sit all u down. Skeritt has beaten all u pants down , and would still beat all u even with his eyes close. why are u haters not tired and relax and enjoy the good works this man has brought to u all in dominica , Oh my God , lord have mercy. all u too old fashion let the man of wisdom and modernity bring goodies to dominica. if all u was there i bet the old road will still be there all u will do nothing but looting and talk to dam much .go and sleep or something .
Why do most dominicans hate people who think and is better than them and people doing well , all u just hate the person for nothing Why,dont u all want civilization or what , u want to stay poor minded and down cast . all over the world they want development some want to cook in bushes still, and steel pot or what they say is sweeter , well for those who want it lety them be.Skeritt is where he is cause God put him there for changes. so get this NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST SKERITT SHALL PROSPER , I COVER HIM WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS THERE IS NOTHING YOU PEOPLE WOULD EVER DO TO HIM . TRUST ME HE STEPS DOWN WHEN HE WANTS , HE WILL CONTEST ANOTHER ELECTION HE WOULD STILL WIN, TRUST ME I KNOW THAT.SO LET HIM BE . HAILS TO SKERRIT FIRST PM DOMINICA HAS TO HANDSHAKE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF AMERICA ,HATERS NO ONE CAN BEAT THAT SCORE FOR LIFE THE MAN IS MADE. SO CRY NO MORE IF HE STEPS DOWN THE REST AFTER HIM IS WORTHLESS HE IS A HERO.
TAKE MY WORDS AND ADVICE SUPPORT HIM AND LET HIM DO HIS WORK AND BRING MORE CHANGES .DOMINICA SHAPING UP.
Alas poor you i feel so sorry for you at this time, my question to you, dose this road pay you a salrey every week or every month, dose it put food on your table, money in your pocket i bet every wednesday you have to walk up the red clinic step to feed your children but yet you finding Skerrit doing fine with a old road calling it high way God help us all in Dominica
what did you expect,the Auto Bann or Roue 66,this by all definitions a Highway People like you think that there is a reward for finding fault.Give thanks for a good road
LOL. I don’t think he/she knows what the Auto Bann/ Route 66 is lol… But seriously, if you don’t know what the Auto Bann is, you are not qualified to comment on this Highway subject..
lol
Last time I checked the Oxford Dictionary a Highway was defined as a ‘main route’. Is this not a ‘main route’ from Roseau to Portsmouth?
Get over it, its finished and has been officially opened, so enjoy, and drive safely.
45 Dominicans to70 chinese.Mr. minister you are such . When Malcolm X said by any means neceessary this is not what he meant, selling your country for rice. Your support of one china, one of the most repressive government in the world at the expenseof your people demonstrate your ignorance and gullibility. When Sintra worked on the road were there more Canadians than Dominicans? When we recieve US AID are there more Americans employed? Likewise EEC or any of our donors all make sure that while they provide technical support, local Dominicans are gainfully employed.
At what expense are we going to sell our birthright. It is unfortunate that we have a balls less opposition. Because you clowns have to go. We need a breed of concious, honest and dedicated politicians. Except for a collective handful, I will once again say politicians in Dominica are just “clowns to the left, and jokers to the right.”
River Street we do not receive or buy Rice from China .Stop your myopic properganda
Young moo moo the matter of rice and china is just figurative. Your lack of comprehension and attempt to sound educated with your poor choice of adjectives and spelling is hot crap.
People usually say that it you can drive in Dominica u can drive anywhere, but apparently thats false. Yes we can maneuver on narrow road doesn’t mean that we can drive on US highways with several signs, speed limits, stop signs, red light cameras and police constantly trying to give u citation. Not mentioning the hundreds of other drivers trying to go pass u.
You are spot on. Some think that because they can manoeuvre the roads of Dominica, they are Dons of the roadways.
Truth is, some would not even get a driving licence in places like the U.S. or the U.K. In the U.K. I would love to see them drive on any of the M roads like the M25/M1/M4 etc or even a A road like the A406/A13/A3 etc. They would never be able to eat (if they are still alive), because ALL their salaries would be spent paying traffic fines.
I sincerely hope that drivers (some) take heed and that we have fewer road accidents.
If you can do it, what makes you think that others can’t? Manoeuvring is not the only ‘superior driving skill’ possessed by Caribbean drivers. Clutch work is crucial. How many automatic vehicle drivers can stop on a steep incline (a hill) on their clutch and gas pedal? How many can take off with a standard (stick shift) vehicle without stalling? How many can shift gears without wrecking the gear box? What about the ‘get-away manoeuvre?
that’s not a nighway
IN DOMINICA IT IS
SO 
BACK UP
Dictionary defintion of a highway:
-A main road, esp. one connecting major towns or cities.
-(chiefly in official use) Any public road.
All people think all you go overseas and think what all you see defines reality. Sakway sot.
That’s so true!! They see 4 and 6 lane highways for millions of vehicles daily, they want the same for a couple hundreds weekly. Someone even asks for emergency lanes and bicycle lanes like Florida. This is laughable!!
Watching from abroad, I absolutely agree. Congratulation for the good work that the Prime Minister and his team is doing for our country, Dominica.
GOOD COMMENT MY DEAR THEMAN DESERVES HIS PRAISE FOR THE GOOD WORK NO MATTER HOW SMALL BUT CHANGES CAME, THATS WHAT THIS FOOLS DONT GET , THAT THE MAN IS TRYING HIS BEST.IF HIS BEST IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM I GUESS THEY SHOULD SAKE A DIVE IN A SEA. GOOD JOB SKERRIT.AM GLAD THE WORK IS DONE.CHINESE CAN BREATHE THEY WERE SO INSULTED.
so why weren’t u all so happy when workers and freedom do projects? lol we too one sided in this country we must embrace development from all not some
Thank to all who made this happen, i hope people slow down and respect the rules of the road , speed limites should be posted and violators should be fine…
A native son in california.
Hope we remember this road was built by the British”Crown Agents”under E O Leblanc’s premiership.
So what’s your point?
Give credit where credit is due. Job well done and the naming of the highway is right on. It is very encouraging to hear the “PM” position regarding the use of the much improved roads that goes a long way to instill confidence to our law enforcers and make it clear that if you break the law the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on any body “NO EXCEPTIONS! We need more open support by our leaders for our law abiding citizens take the foolishness and the politics out of every situation and lets deal with the right, and wrong, things in our society I am encouraged that during my up coming visit to our beautiful country I will witness our police force in full action cracking down on the law breakers. Having been a former cop YES! proud of that”. when i travel around the world and experience different ways people behave it leaves me cold in my mind to imagine how some people thinking that the syndrome of “ENTITLEMENT” and the blatant dis regard for law and order in our country by the very few amongst us should be rooted out by any means necessary we have to bring back the sense of brotherhood and sisterhood for better living. Let me call on some of my own people who live outside of Dominica some of us run our mouth have`nt done a thing towards the betterment of our country except to find fault even thou some of us catching hell else where but too happy to deal with the system, but as soon as they return to Dominica is lecture they want to lecture people. Instead of acting better than, pick up a shovel get hold of a cutlass do something positive, put your hands up and answer the call. Been there done that! My humble opinion we are confused some of us, as to what freedom of this and that, while only looking for our own selfish end. Always remember we never miss the water on till the river dries up.Dominica is for us to develop and respect.
I concur,law and order must be respected and mentained,that’s why we are calling for justice in the Gon Emmanuel attempted murder case.AS a former cop,please be on our side,and note,shovel and cutlass are not the only tools we are able to use.Some of us also have very well developed brains so we must also talk.
Is “GONE” Emmanuel more important than others?His was attempted murder…What about those who were murdered and people like you keep silient?Stop your damn POLITICS..
Agree bird brain. The cap fit you properly.I am from cork Street Roseau where in Dominica were you born? that will leave no doubt.
To all who were involved in making this project a reality, thank you very much. Today and for the next many years, we will enjoy the road and we will not forget your generosity and your hard work. Thank you!
I am enjoying all the feed back while I cooking a broth and washing that down with my drink. Will be in D/ca tomorrow to take in the cricket. You talk about life? That is life!!! I will be back A.S.A.P. Now sound off.
well said
What ugly pictures, we seem to be in a Province of China, is this the sign of what is and what is to come in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Anonymous,all you got to do is delete those ugly pictures and replace them with those of your generation… if your are so gorgeous!
Shut your damn mouth you hater ,stop hating and appreciate I’m sure the pics are better looking than you thanks to the Chinese keep the work going
FOOL SEE WHY PEOPLE LIKE U WILL REMAIN PERPETUALLY CURSED FOR LIFE , A COUNTRY CAME FROM FARUSE THIER MONEY TO GIVE U A SMOOTH RIDE IN YOUR BACKWARDS ROAD U HAD B4 AND U ARE SO UNGRATEFUL , U NEED TO GET YOUR HEAD CHECKED AND SEE IF U DONT HAVE A CRACKED SKULL , SAY THANK GOT OR SHUT YOUR ASS UP , DO U THINK DOMINICA IS BETTER THAN CHINA , DO U KNOW CHINA IS ONE OF THE WORLDS FASTES GROWING COUNTRY , THEY MAKE EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD AND THEY ARE EXTENDING TO U A FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE AND YOUR POOR BRAINS THINK THEY COME TO TAKE SOMETHING FROM U, WHAT DOES DOMINICA HAVE NOTHING , SO U THINK THEY COME TO TAKE YOUR BANANA AND DASHING OH PLEASE SPARE ME YOUR BULLSHIT, OR THEY WANT TO COME AND OPEN A SHOP , HEY GET A LIFE IF YOUR PM DID NOT GO THERE AND ASK FOR DEVELOPMENT AND GIVE THEM A GREAT HAND SHAKE CAUSE HE NEEDED THE HELP THEY WOULD NOT COME SO U DOING AS IF THEY ARE THE ONCE THAT CAME AND BEG U INYOUR ROOM , STOP HATING AND BLESS GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS AND THANKS TO YOUR WISE PM THE BEST DOMINICA HAS EVER HAD, AND CHINA CAUSE MORE COUNTRIES ARE LOOKING FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY AND SAY THANK U FATHER FOR U HAVE DONE IT U THERE VOMITING NONSENSE. UNGRATEFUL UWP HATERS I KNOW ALL U BY YOUR COMMENTS . TAKE A DEEP BREATHE SKERITT IS THE BEST AND STAYS TILL HE WANTS TO LEAVE , GET THAT INTO YOUR THICK SKULL.
MAKE SURE U DONT DRIVE ON THE ROAD BUY A JET SO U CAN FLY HATER, HA HA I KNOW IN YOUR MIND U SAYING OH BOY SKERIT DID A GOOD JOB THIS ROAD IS SMOOTH AND SWEET , JUST THE DEVIL IN YOU DONT WANT TO GIVE U REST , U WANT UWP SO YOUR POCKET WILL BE FULL AND CURRUPTION IN AND OUT FLYING ON AIR WITCHES AND WIZARDS IN ACTION NO NO MORE LUGAWU AND SUKUYA WE WANT TO BE FREE,WE WANT CIVILIZATION SKERIT IS GOING TO KILL ALL THAT HE HAS JUST BEGAN , HE ENTERED OBAMA NOW ,JUST NOW OBAMA WILL START INDUSTRY HERE SO SHUT UP AND RELAX ZEZE.I KNOW U LOVE THE ROAD HA HA HA ENJOY THE RIDE DONT SPEED TAKE YOUR TIME ,I DONT WANT U DEAD SO U SEE MORE SKERRIT HAVE TO DO OK , TAKE CARE , HA HA HA HOW IS THE RIDE GOING SMOOTH RIGHT ENJOY IT REMEMBER HAVE SKERRIT IN YOUR MIND WHEN U GOING IN AND OUT OF ROSEAU TO POSSY
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL DOMINICANS
I guess you were too early on the congrats, some people don’t like positive.
Opposition never like good stories
congratulate dominicans for what? they did nothing the chinese cross all de ocean to build a road for lazy people lol