With the country still recovering from the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced plans for a number of road interventions across the island, valued in excess of $18-million.
He stated that the Chinese government has expressed willingness to help the Dominican government repair infrastructural damage. Additionally, the Ministry of Public Works, he said, is developing the architectural designs and costings for the various projects.
“On a national front, the Ministry of [Public] Works is really working diligently in developing and drawing up architectural drawings and costings for a number of interventions — a number of interventions on the west coast,” Skerrit noted. “The Chinese government has indicated its willingness to assist us with our major areas of infrastructure. On the west coast, for example, all the bridges — replacement of all the bridges — the three bridges in the west coast, a number of edge failures, resurfacing of roads, drainage, new culverts in some areas.”
In the wake of the recent collapse of a section of the Dublanc main road, Skerrit also stated that the Dominican government will see to the repairs in that area, regardless of the fact that is included in the Chinese government’s assistance.
“Even the section of road that collapsed in Dublanc, that’s part of the Chinese commitment to assist us, but, obviously, with rain continuous falling, these areas are still precarious, and so, therefore, there is erosion taking place, and there are sections that we will have to do for ourselves. And, we will certainly do those sections,” he noted.
The Prime Minister discussed plans for repairs and alterations to be made to affected areas on the east coast and the Roseau Valley, which will cost over $4.8- million.
“On the east coast, in the Valley — the Valley is a major concern for us — the completion of the bridge between Trafalgar and Wotten Waven, the edge failures in Cabernise, the damage to the bridge in Copthall, and also the road from Copthall needs drainage there—it’s flat strip of road in Copthall. And, of course, there is some edge failures towards the Trafalgar Falls area,” he divulged. “All these areas are under consideration that will come to in excess of $4.8- million just for the Roseau Valley.”
Meantime, Skerrit announced that works on the road airport will commence, at an estimated cost of about $11.3-million. Affected areas in the south of the island, from Loubiere to Bagatelle will soon begin as well. He revealed that the British government has pledged its support for the repairs and renovations due, and has already sent a team of professionals to review the areas in question.
“We will also be doing works on the airport road. The preliminary estimates I have from the Ministry of works is about $11.3 million. Huge sections of the road collapsed. We have to fix up the bridge in Belles, and a number of areas, the total coming to about $11.3 million. Obviously, the total will change based on the design, but these are preliminary numbers,” he explained. “And, of course, on the Loubiere to Bagatelle road, while the British have indicated that they will provide us with assistance, and there was a CDB team in Dominica recently, doing its own independent assessment, as required under the procurement process of the CDB, with the full backing of the UK government.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that while major work might not yet be underway, the government will take measures to improve roads, to contribute to the safety and comfort of road users, “very soon, in the next few days.”
While awaiting aid from other governments and organizations, Skerrit noted that the Dominican government will begin certain interventions, with an estimated $13 million, expected to come from the earnings of the Citizenship by Investment Program.
“So there are number of things we will be doing that will assist; and, we’re talking about a $13-million of intervention. That $13-million we expect to come from the economic citizenship program while we wait for the major interventions from friendly governments, friendly institutions,” he articulated. “So, we not sitting waiting. We helping ourselves where we can.”
He said that while the government is aware of the necessary repairs and renovations, proper planning and design is needed, in order to create more durable structures which will be “adequate enough to sustain a similar type activity of Erika.”
DNO must be commended for exposing the untruths and promises of the Skeritt led Administration. Maybe, its intensions are not to maliciously or intentionally criticize the Government, however, by always having what it refers to as Related Articles, which is just below a story, we are reminded of the untruths or false promises. If you read the Related Articles below this story, you will see for yourself what I am talking about. For instance, Blackmoore’s ten year rehabilitation plans which he pelted at us since April 2012.
The roads all over are in dire need of attention and repair! The Eggleston road, Castle Comfort to Giredual road! The Layou valley road, the Warner Jimmit road, the Canefield Ponte Casse Road! The Belles road in several places, this is only the tip of the iceberg and the hurricane season is approaching fast! Why has nothing been done to the roads at all since Erika this is total madness and foolishness it is a priority and necessity if Dominica is to be safe and us Dominicans can get from A to B. If the Dublanc road goes totally how will folks get to Roseau to work and could someone be killed by the road collapsing as they drive over it. (This could be said for many roads on the island at the moment)! This job should have started immediately after Erika. It truly is disgraceful.
I have an idea for the road maintenance department. The caution tape barrier is not a reliable nor is it dr urable. It will soon drop to the ground. So the election bill boards that cost hundreds of thousands take them down and us the material to build some traffic barriers that would be safer gor motorist. Also provide advance warning signs .
Another idea this time for the corrupt politicians. There are people out there with government IPO from election treating and are looking to get cash because they have no use for the material. Stop these IPO ‘s there is money there. I know what I am talking about as nd if you are confused go ask the recently retired Labor Party hack who was suppose to be shorter guardian of the public money
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/talks-progressing-international-airport-pm-skerrit/
Is this guy a good liar or a bad liar. The word “Soon” is his favorite tool in the tool box or conman box. Nobody,not the opposition nor the media is following up with all those lies or promises and this conman keep on keeping on with his lying ways. Where is the document soon to be disclosed Roosevelt. It is now two years since you promised the public this document. I guess Erika flooded the office and the document floated away.
Here is a blow hole. The time and money spent on the Macoucherie by pass could have been used to design and construct the bridge.
You had $32 million to spend for election siwo but only $11 million from passport sales.
Admin, a few days ago, I rise the question; who constructed the road from Portsmouth to Roseau on the West Coast? I ask if the construction work on that road was not carried out by the Chines.
A simple question like that was censored!
You know in the colonial days, the road from Portsmouth to Roseau on the North Eastern Coast of the island was built by all Dominicans born, we have yet to see any such collapsed of those roads which are still used without collapsing. Once in a while a Landslide blocks the road, but nothing to this magnitude ever
happened.
Skerrit borrow money from China, never see the money, because the Chines comes along with it, do mediocre, and cheap construction, of which we are experiencing the result! They do the same substandard work in their country, resulting in the same type of disasters which in every instance hundreds of their people are killed!
Thank you PM but give us a date of when things are gonna get done. In Dominica we are always hearing but not seeing. So am waiting. Still have a little hope in you doe.
The bridge completion between Trafalgar and Wotten Waven, started but not yet finished. The road leading taking tourists to view Trafalgar Falls have been slowing eroding, not helped by heavy rainfall. More barrels are being placed on this road reducing the lane usage. Some were there prior to Erika!
Considering this is a route used regularly by many buses/coaches to transport tourists to and fro this should have been repaired some time ago.
“very soon” “in the next few days”! Please not more empty promises
Why not use all the monies form CIP to undertake these vital works?
Not a mention about the road by Blackstar in Delices
Isnt it interesting that friendly governments gave him 32 million to campaign and 6 months after Erika the friendly governments is yet to give us$32 million. Papa if that is an unreasonable statement ebeh the panty man correct wii
One thing for sure is that the Chinese are not going to givemoney unless (1) they do their own estimation and evaluation of the scope of work and (2) The Chinese will do it themselves if what Skerrit is saying to be true.
But if I recall the Chines were drawing up the airport and there was suppose to be a ground Breaking for the hospital in February.
By the way what about the ground breaking for the new hospital,You mentioned it should be commence first quarter of this year,We are fed up with promises its time for action,Use the next portion of the economic citizention program funds to build grainage in the city,These funds should be use to develop our country,like other islands
I hope the local people will get the jobs
We recently made 142 million in two months selling passports why do we need the help of China to repair roads costing only 18 million. I bet more than 18 million has been donated for TS E relief. If Dominica cannot see Skeritt and the DLP is just full of crap nothing else will change this place.
Chups, which Skerrit,?
Lies! Lies! The Ministry of Public Works dont have vacancies for engineers so who doing these designs? They just saying numbers but no timelines- a year from now they’ll be saying the same thing with no results.
Advice to the Government of Dominica: Tell China the Government of Dominica would prefer cash rather than sending a team to build the road
ungrateful
Skerrit the Chines work is no good,get the American or Europeans to do the fixing fools,Chinese are cheap labour man you just dont learn.
Chinese built the great wall of China 5000 years ago and it still standing… 5000 years ago Europeans were living in caves those are facts! Wake up fool, you brainwash, to worship the people that enslave you! UDOHREADYET!
De emperor speaking for de ministry of public works although he hired a replacement for Ian. What was she hired to do anyway. I am certain that if she was briefed properly she could speak de same language.
Sorry emperor but I don’t see a solid plan for rebuilding Dominica. You said we were set back 20 years and the damage cost $1.3 billion.
The figures you mention here is to put mocriocome and plaster.
A $13 million intervention while we still waiting on aid from our friendly governments………..we really need their assistance but no response yet so we waiting.
In the meantime we just discovered we have funds collected from passport sales…….so we going to use $13 million…de rest is to build hotels.
Someone needs to tell de emperor he is wearing no clothes.
De higher de monkey climb is de more his you know what get exposed!!!!!!
I think you are the one wearing no clothes. People like you need to locate to another planet. Sick people.
You cannot say anything good and for every criticizing your own dam country. Take a hike
Shut the hell up if you cannot help or give assistance.
Mine is not you that will be exposed. Who leaves in a glass house should not throw stones. The hole you want to dig, mine is not you that will fall in it.
Forward we go!
Yup!!! Right over the cliff!! Saquay SOT.
Skerrit, I am sure you will excuse me for not believing a word you stated. None of your figures, if they are added up carefully are correct. 13-million are supposed to come from the passport scheme – is that all? Where is the remainder of over 100-million (if Vinces recent statement is true)? You see Sir, you would be well advised in the future to make sure that your statements do add up and figures quoted are correct. You have a very poor track record as far as truth and lies are concerned. So once again, excuse me for not believing a word you are saying. Anyway, time will tell. I for one am waiting for some cheap excuses in the next 8 weeks from you.
what I find funny is most of the bridges the Chinese built got washed away, whereas some of the old bridges from years and years ago still standing, I rather British bridges than Chinese bridges….
Did they really wash away? they got some damages but not wash away, get it right!
thanks in advance sir
vweh! but where all the money from Ericka from “friendly governments and friendly institutions”??lost… accountability?
Is it any of your business? How much tax do you pay?
Next time campaign for election. If you win a seat, you may have privy to this information.
The public does not have to know everything. This is government matters. Know the difference between government and the public.
Skerrit you are a MAJOR FAILURE!!
Dominica is in dire need of change. Something fresh and inspiring. Something with conviction. Something with a clear plan and direction.
But definitely not Linton. He together with Skerrit represent the era of divisive backward red-blue politics that we need to extricate ourselves from.
agreed we need fresh mines… new everything… every angles.
Fresh MINES eh???? You plan on blowing up the place? So much for having a MIND! Poor this English Language.
What about O’delices?
I hope that urgent attention will also be given to the section of the road to Giraudel, via Castle Comfort, that looks very similar to the Dublanc road. Do not wait for it to completely collapse.
Please do something soon, real soon, before we say “if only.”