Major road improvements and projects on the cards

Minister Blackmoore. *Government Information Service photo

Minister responsible for Public Works Rayburn Blackmoore has planned to prioritize several road projects following a budget allocation of over $69 million to his ministry.

Blackmoore, in a live broadcast on a local radio station following Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s presentation of the 2010/2011 National Budget address yesterday, said that a considerable amount of this capital will go into improving the road network of Dominica.

“We’re trying to address some of our major road networks because our roads are tired in Dominica.  We spent the last financial year over $11 million just to maintain roads.  That is totally unacceptable and most unsustainable.  So what we are trying to do is to look at our main roads and just totally re-do those roads,” he said.

The minister pointed out a few new road projects to be undertaken in areas such as Rosalie and Castle Bruce.

He added, “In the next two weeks we gonna start actual work in Morne Prosper. This road there is very deadly… To re-do the road, do excavation and have the road resurfaced. We’re looking at from DBS Radio going back to Lalay Coco…”

Blackmoore also mentioned an upcoming sea defense project set for Pointe Michel.

“We are also talking in terms of the Point Michel Sea Defense wall which were are hoping to  which we are hoping to see… commencement in September/October. That project in itself is out for tending as I speak and we are hoping to have the actual … opening of the bid on the 11th of August 2010,” he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the contractor for an Airport Road Phase One project which has been ongoing for some time.

“With respect to Airport Road Phase One the contractor has not done what they suppose to have done in terms of performance … he has actually breached his terms and conditions of his contract … we would have loved to see this project in itself … brought to completion. We’re hoping that notwithstanding, to see the commencement of the surfacing of the road with asphalt … That road is very critical. It links to the new airport,” he stated.

The minister informed that work has been intensifying in some critical areas within the West Coast Road Project. He stated however that a bridge component set for the KFC area in Roseau has been delayed.

“We should have seen more activity on the bridge component that is to say, in the area of KFC where we shall be constructing a new bridge. But there were some concerns that we have because we have to ensure that the bridge in itself in terms of the design has adequate clearance. Bearing in mind of course that … the river itself can be very vicious. We have to ensure that the design is in keeping with our conditions. That had been addressed,” he said.

“ It’s gonna be a very impressive bridge when it’s complete and overall the project in itself the West Coast road is going to be a very impressive project,” Blackmoore said.

He thanked motorists for exercising patience during the projects.

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19 Comments

  1. mac
    July 15, 2010

    AND PAGUA BAY ROAD

  2. mac
    July 15, 2010

    that was supposse to happen in 2007,2008,2009, and night landing since 2005, BOY ALLYOU CAN FOOL THE FOOLS WEH, WHAT NEXT IS GOING TO BE COMING DOMINICAS OUR RAILWAY

  3. stressed out?
    July 15, 2010

    @ryon: Ryon is foaming. You cannot allow the truth to set you free. You cannot refute those truthful comments, so you cussing. Foreign investment is not foreign control. There is a major problem in Dominica when it comes to project management. AIRPORT ROAD PROJECT long behind schedule. Waitikubuli Trail embroiled with serious setbacks. Melville hall upgrading mired in difficulties. So Ryon just accept those inefficiencies and say nothing? Is so we come, non? Drown in your ignorance, Ryon, but to show the World that you accept incompetence is even more alarming. You seem stressed out. Relax, believe in the truth. Let that belief in truth erase your stress.

  4. Contractor PM #2
    July 15, 2010

    @Cassandra: Great observation. But that is the mode of operation of this GOVT. Reflect Dominicans on the passport sales and the money from that to build the Layou River Hotel project. Who was awarded Dominica’s ambassador to China? Was that person part of the company involved which fooled Dominicans? Wasn’t that same person or persons advisers to the PM and the GOVT. until things went soar and court case in BVI followed? Who was Minister of Finance when counterfeit dollars were sent to Dominican students studying in Cuba? Which present Minister was fired twice from his posts and who went in search of a bank in New York? Wasn’t that same person awarded with a Ministry now, after all that TALALA? The list goes on and on and on……………Business as usual in spite of all those atrocities. Dominica’s cup is filled and overflowing with those kinds of revelations.

  5. ryon
    July 15, 2010

    All of you were quarelling about the roads on Dominica and when you get help it’s another thing, I know that each of you dont have the balls to lead this nation because each of you just show how incompetent you are. Tell me who in Dominica will be able to upgrade the roads? yOU ALL WILL STILL BE DISSATISFIED IF OUR OWN DID IT, STOP BEING DAMN NEGATIVE.

  6. ryon
    July 15, 2010

    @sum fing wrong: we need foreign investment.

  7. ryon
    July 15, 2010

    @Untouchable contractor: you guys are always calling on poverty why dont you all grow the hell up, you cannot rule Dominica, leave it to the proffessionals.

  8. ryon
    July 15, 2010

    @Just Another Guy Out There: you guys are soo negative

  9. So correct
    July 15, 2010

    @Untouchable contractor: Dominicans would be even afraid to ask that if Gadakhan breach the terms and conditions of the contract what would be the penalty? Is there any additional costs to that project because of the breach? What is that additional cost BlackMore? Does the contract mention anything about penalties for breach of contract? If so, what is it? If not, why? Dominicans just accept any and everything. BlackMore comes and makes some excuses for his incompetence, his Ministry and GOVT. failures in that regard and business as usual. The matter is closed. Gardakhan will continue to be awarded more projects before those local construction companies which have completed their projects, done excellent works and have not breached their terms and conditions of those contracts. The examples of BlackMore, Skeritt and his GOVT. operations at the next level. BREACH OF CONTRACT, MORE JOBS. STRANGE !!!!!

  10. Cassandra
    July 15, 2010

    @Just Another Guy Out There: Dominica News On Line last reported on 25 May that the project is financed by the French Govt. through the French Development Agency. This was known prior to the contract being signed and there was never any secret about that. However, it was also never any condition of this financing that the project should automatically be awarded to a French contractor. It was the Dominican govt., who awarded the contract and not the Agence Francaise de Development.I understand that there were other, viable and credible bidders such as messrs. Williams (Barbados) and they would never have made the effort and incur considerable expense in trying to win this contract if the awarding of the same to messrs. Gaddarkhan was a foregone conclusion.

  11. Mr Do It
    July 15, 2010

    so now that we have that money .. i hope they fix loubiere strectch and under canefield cliff all by cove .. road is terrible .shame to drive in dominica

  12. Just Another Guy Out There
    July 15, 2010

    @Cassandra:
    Again I say find out which Agency is funding the project, maybe that will shed some light on this whole thing!! And I hope I don’t hear persons saying is Hot Seat, Linton that say!!! The Minister himself is saying that the Contractor “breached the terms and conditions of his contract”, yet he gets more project(s). What is wrong with this picture? Lets find out where the money is coming from for the project,

  13. Just Another Guy Out There
    July 15, 2010

    @Untouchable contractor:

    It is sad when you listen to these politicians!!! Going around in circles and since they know very well that Dominicans (or most) wear their Ignorance as a badge of Honour then what you expect. What you need to ask is Who or which agency is funding that road project, then you might understand why he is still being given projects even after the Minister can say he “breached the terms and conditions of his contract”!!!

  14. Untouchable contractor
    July 15, 2010

    Is Blackmore serious or aware of what he is saying? The same contractor for the Airport Road Phase one project, Gardakhan, although he had actually breached the terms and conditions of his contract, as Blackmore said, Gardakhan was still awarded other contracts plus permission by Planning to build an asphalt plant in Layou to affect the health of the community. That same Planning Division refused the local Public Works Co. to build an asphalt plant in the same area, because the project was not feasible, they said. So BlackMore that is the level you and your Party has brought Dominica? Those who breach contracts are awarded more and more construction contracts? Isn’t that a recipe for CORRUPTION and more CORRUPTION and KICK BACKS? Dominicans like it so. Those actions are devilish. HIGHLY INCOMPETENT. INEXCUSABLE INEFFICIENCY in YOU AND YOUR GOVT. THAT IS YOU ALL MODE OF OPERATIONS DEEP FROM YOUR HEART. The situation is frightening. That shows the amount of DEBAS going on. The people of Dominica are being taken to HELL and BACK without even realizing it. Foreign Companies are having a field Day and laughing at you jokers.

    More money and projects for the BOYS and their companies. More kick backs. More deals instead of transparent Open tendering for those contracts. Many examples could be cited, but remember and compare those two projects and the associated costs. FOND ST. JEAN Sea defense project on the rough Atlantic coast, with more work done cost less than $2.5 million dollars, whereas the wall just below the UWI Centre in Bath Estate, with much less work done cost $4 million plus dollars. My people, you could go visit the areas and make your eyes boil your peas. No information or reason from GOVT. why that exorbitant cost for building that wall below UWI and the job was still not properly done. The contractors had to go back and fix up things after Brisbane revealed those discrepancies and unusually excessive costs. That is what Dominicans must be worried about and rightly so. The pockets of a few will get fatter. They will be laughing all the way to the banks while the majority of Dominicans get poorer. It is those corrupt practices, kick backs, contracts for the boys that will suck up the greater portion of those millions of dollars. There is documented, irrefutable proof of those deals taking place. Meanwhile the authorities will continue to put butter around the mouths of the poor people and business will go on as usual. The local company PUBLIC WORKS is down under, BROKES and cannot compete with Gardakhan. That is the next level Dominicans.More money and projects for the BOYS and their companies. More kick backs. More deals instead of transparent Open tendering for those contracts. Many examples could be cited, but remember and compare those two projects and the associated costs. FOND ST. JEAN Sea defense project on the rough Atlantic coast, with more work done cost less than $2.5 million dollars, whereas the wall just below the UWI Centre in Bath Estate, with much less work done cost $4 million plus dollars. My people, you could go visit the areas and make your eyes boil your peas. No information or reason from GOVT. why that exorbitant cost for building that wall below UWI and the job was still not properly done. The contractors had to go back and fix up things after Brisbane revealed those discrepancies and unusually excessive costs. That is what Dominicans must be worried about and rightly so. The pockets of a few will get fatter. They will be laughing all the way to the banks while the majority of Dominicans get poorer. It is those corrupt practices, kick backs, contracts for the boys that will suck up the greater portion of those millions of dollars. There is documented, irrefutable proof of those deals taking place. Meanwhile the authorities will continue to put butter around the mouths of the poor people and business will go on as usual. The local company PUBLIC WORKS is down under, BROKES and cannot compete with Gardakhan. That is the next level Dominicans. But who cares? At the end of the month BlackMore and his friends in and out of GOVT. receive their sums, their fat salaries for INCOMPETENCE.

  15. sum fing wrong
    July 15, 2010

    @SASSY: SASSY YOU REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND ECONOMICS. I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO SUGGEST LET CHINESE TOUN OUR COUNTRY UNDER THERE RULS CAUSE THERE ECONOMY IS THE BEST.. ONE THING WILL BE FOR SURE IF CHINESE RUN THIS COUNTRY STUPID PERSON WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BLOG CAUSE THEY WILL JAIL YOUR A….S

  16. dor
    July 15, 2010

    trust me we are going in circle with our road network! four years from now we will still have this road issues. As long as we have local people who are not qualify to build road doing the job, this road problem will be there with us.

  17. SASSY
    July 15, 2010

    all am asking is to get the chinese to do all those project you mentioned, cause they do much better works and the speed in which they work is just great.

  18. July 15, 2010

    When is the government going to take action on the Geneva bridge in GrandBay? The bridge was built as temporary till a permanent one is constructed. Today, the bridge is in terrible condition and long forgotten. Are we going to wait on a major accident to happen? Wake-up People!

  19. Cassandra
    July 15, 2010

    If we are so dissatisfied with the performance of the contractor for the road rehabilitation from Canefield to Pont Case ( …soon a year behind schedule I believe) why did we award him the contract for the second phase? Who is in control? Do we owe him so much that we could not say no? Just wonder!.

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