Two years after Tropical Storm Erika devastated Petite Savanne, Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie has revealed that come January 2018, 210 families from that community will be able to move into their new homes in Bellevue Chopin.
Speaking on state-owned DBS Radio on Monday morning, he said the government has been creative in relocating the residents.
“We, through the efforts of government, through our creativity, we have been able to embark on a massive project to relocate the entire community of Petite Savanne with the construction of 340 housing units; 2 bedroom units, 3 bedroom units and 4 bedroom units and I have been advised come January of 2018, 210 of those units will be ready for occupation,” he revealed.“That means 210 families can move into their homes, their new community in Bellevue Chopin by the end of January.”
He said also that by July 2018, the remaining housing units will be completed.
Austrie, who is also Housing Minister, the new housing development could represent a third town of Dominica.
“It’s not only we are focusing on the housing but we are also focusing on the social and entrepreneurial aspect of the village; because we are doing community centres, we are doing a farmer’s market , we will be doing some extension work on the health centre, we will be doing some work on the school,” he explained. “And so, a brand new community will be created by July of next year…”
Austrie believes that the government has done extremely well in responding to the disaster.
“As you know we lost practically two villages, Dubique and Petite Savanne and within two years we have been able to resettle over 50 families from Dubique at Centre in Grand Bay with a donation of homes by the Venezuelan government,” he stated
He thanked the Venezuelan government for coming to Dominica’s aid and rescue.
He went on to say that recently the government allocated some six housing units in Plat Ma Pierre for residents of Colihaut and Coulibistrie who were affected by Tropical Storm Erika, “and a little later this month we will be making available another six petrocasa’s donated by the Venezuelan government in that particular area.”
Austrie noted that the government will continue its efforts in rebuilding back Dominica better after the storm.
“We promised to build Dominica back bigger and better and I will leave it for the people of Dominica to judge whether our performance is good, bad, credible or not so good,” he stated. “I believe we should all take stock at this moment and reflect on where we have been on August 27th, two years ago to where we are today and how successful can we rate our recovery process.”
Erika caused damages amounting to EC$1.298-billion and 90 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was completely destroyed.
But according to Austrie, “we have been able to restore many of the water systems, 90 percent which was damaged by the storm.”
“We have been able to move on with the reconstruction of many of our roads,” he noted.
Look out people in Loubiere/Madrell and in Pichelin, when the rainstorms come again and all this water from off the roofs and concrete yards and roads of this “new town” flow down the hillsides, you know it is on you all people it will be coming!
Where are these people going to find jobs to enable them to live. If we are not careful we will create a ghetto.
Great job government of Dominica
Every time I see these headlines, I remember the “Options” provided to the Petite Savanne people…
Warner or Bellevue… The people chose Warner, the PM chose Bellevue… so much for options.
Reason: Strategic voter allocation.
Warner was already in Labour’s grasp… Petite Savanne (PS) people WERE also Labourites. If taken away from the south, then they would lose a seat. Inconveniencing people over your strategy…
Bellevue is worse off than Petite Savanne in terms of land stability… You think that after that Erika uproar anyone would want to live on unstable grounds?
Government is a pure waste of time… No matter who is in power, it is always the same sad BS!
Spin, spin, spin… so many degrees for the study of Spin-ology, practiced by Spin Doctors…
Ya but the people will be better served when you come up with a plan to let some move back home where they were mostly self-sufficient. Good idea to relocate them but get out of this all-or-nothing thing, as you do not have ALL the answers.
In 5 years this place will be a garrison community. TIVOLI GARDENS.
Didn’t a scientist some time ago said this place is too volcanic for people to live.
yet that’s the best place the government could relocate them. SMFH.
Good job to those involved in the work for the Petite Savanne people. Praises to the most high for positioning a group of efficient, hard workers at the helm of government, and for their staff and colleagues who help to execute these projects. Thank you to them.
Austrie you all are not doing the citizens a favor its the damn government responsibility,Government is suppose to protect the citizens,tired about reading this same old headline about you all.
A broke government can do nothing to help its citizens. The money for this project did not fall from the heavens. So don’t get vex when Austrie and the government beat their chest as it is their hard work that made this money available.
Hard work, brother don’t make me laugh. That is financed through passport sales. I met a lady from Dubai at Canefield airport a while back working for that project, who had a Dominica passport waiting to fly back via Antigua and she told me. Apparently it is a Canadian fellow in Dubai who is in charge. If it is not illegal can no bet a secret
What if they don’t want to move and become dependent on government but return home? Are you going to stop them?
Hmm, they can always give those units to the malaway that still live back-of yard in Roseau with no sewage drains and still use potty, pail or a plastic bag. I am not afraid to say that because that is how it is. Take care of these people too.
but the villagers are saying that they will continue to live in petite savanne then use bellevue as their free up home. is it fair for some people to have their own properties plus a new free one? while some just have no means at all to have one?
please revisit the people who want to stay up there by all means and give the homes to people who need them more. some of these villagers genuinely dont want the buildings. they say over and over again that they will profit from the two properties by spending more time at thier home in the first village.
“Two years after Tropical Storm Erika devastated Petite Savanne, Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie has revealed that come January 2018, 210 families from that community will be able to move into their new homes in Bellevue Chopin.”
So two years after Erika PM Skerrit is out again? Is he the outgoing PM? Where is he this time? I know he said he was going to take care of his son’s education but he did not tell us where. This guys have lied to us so much that I can’t believe a thing any of them says. In fact I refer to them as the lying ministers.
As I stated in a previous comment, when Skerrit was seen with Lap Seng and others on from August 25-26, he told the nation he was going to a UN function. Had it not been for Erika, the investigative skills of Angelo, and the arrest of NG Lap Seng and all the criminal gang Skerrit was seen in photos with, no one would know where he was and what he was doing. On the exact dates, two years later he took off but only time will tell
Great job Mr Austrie – I will give you an A on this job .
Happy for my P.Savanne people.However Reggie is best known for speaking nonesense.Third town?Really? To those who have not seen them Reggie? I saw them last week end.You are too deceptive Reggie.When will the Delice Petite Savanne road be reopened?.Those who did not leave Petite Savanne need water and electricity?Can you please,please,please help Reggie!
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW