Minister for Public Works and Ports, Miriam Blanchard, has stated that 95 percent of those employed in the construction of the New West Bridge were Dominicans, which was in keeping with government’s objective of creating employment.
Speaking at the official opening of the bridge on Monday, May 1, 2017, in Roseau, the Minister said that construction of this Bridge was based on the “build back better principle” and has brought about the government’s commitment to employing locals.
“It was as a means to improving the standard of living and quality of life. I wish to assure you today that at least 95 percent of the works on this project was carried out by Dominicans,” she said.
Blanchard added that 253 Dominicans were employed on on the $18-million project.
“That includes 152 tradesmen, 36 heavy equipment operators, and 65 truck drivers all under the supervision and management of NSG Management and Technical Services Ltd.,” she remarked.
Back in April 22nd, 2016, at the ground breaking ceremony of the E.C. $18-million dollar West Bridge project, Blanchard said that “local skills and talents will be used as much as possible,” and by the results of the completed project, the government has made good on their promise.
“It is expected that significant employment will be generated by this project, as the contractor has assured us that local skills and talents will be used as much as possible,” Blanchard said at the ground-breaking ceremony. “Ladies and gentlemen, there is no doubt that this project will stimulate economic activity, create jobs and ultimately, lead to an improvement in the citizens of this country.”
The majority of the work was done by Dominicans but the majority of the money went to foreigners. If 95% of the work was done by Dominicans, why didn’t you give the project to 100% DOMINICANS?
My country men are sand grain minded wetting their bibs over a bridge.
Let the distraction continue,all rope have to ends except when you put them together.
The country and many of its simple minded are locked in orbit going in circles around skerrit.
This is a great accomplishment for the architects and engineers and those skilled and unskilled alike. the challenge is to replicate this effort elsewhere around the Island and hopefully bid for such projects on other islands. Someday we will be able to incorporate ART into construction… adding historical masterpieces as time goes on.
RastarMarn still have an open question to this current administration yeah,,,
“What happen to the Public Works Department”
I support this project , however it should be more friendly to pedestrians the side walk should be isolated from the cars. Just an observation.
Congratulations on the new bridge , and I commend all involved.
However ,let us not try to act like “we never see come see”
I think we expect the govt in power to develope the country ,which means roads and bridges too.
Therefore instead of making it seem like a big political show , you as citizens need to learn to demand more from the government , whether it be blue ,red ,green.
It’s not a privilege, it your right to ensure that the country develop and, so don’t think that one bridge ,a small one at that ,with no markings ,on the road is such an accomplishment.
Think big , lets not let people laugh at us. Rise the Bar and mindset please.
we can not put an airport in portsmuth for in is to volcanic
Carcon, you are a dummy aren’t you? The whole island is volcanic, no exception. Why you thinkwe don’t have enough flat land anywhere to build a proper airport? Because the whole island is mountainous, created by volcanoes, not only Portsmouth.
Hey if the majority of the work on de 18 million project was done by locals, then whatever the criteria was, for selecting a foreign contractor , should now have been identified , relevant improvement, required training, improved management skills , work ethics ,provision of appropriate equipment , whatever that criteria was ,
should now have been identified , so in future, Locals will be in a better position to be considered capable of fulfilling the specifics of such a contract .
The entire island is volcanic dummy
Admin is it possible to see more pictures taken during the Day? Thanks
ADMIN: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/in-pictures-new-west-bridge-officially-commissioned/
Come on Dominicans the bridge is a good project uplifting the city, but come on don’t make politicians make and A out of you guys, every other days bridges and roads are built in America where a lot of us who support the government lives. You have that big hoopla for a bridge. People don’t be a laughing stock of the Caribbean and the world by extension
Where is that bridge? Is it in Paris, New York, Scotland or Thailand? West- Bridge is located in Roseau, commonwealth of Dominica. It is ours and we deserve it. There are much more to come through, love, unity and respect for each other.>Enjoy<.Blessing too.
That’s why we a called the Door mat of the Caribbean, we are 4th world and not 3rd world, every govt. that pass in this country build bridges nothing came out of them, SKERRIT took 17 years to build a bridge that is costing about $12m and all of them said it is $18m where is the rest of the money?
one of these good days you all sins will show in the faces just like when people have Leprosy that’s the time you all will ask your selves questions Ple ta ple twiss !
100% Support to the Project. It’s also great to see that supporters of the DLP can have a peaceful gathering.
Yes it is for a change as they didn’t seem to do very well at the uwp rally.
Did the Sinos turn down the offer hence passed on to the natives? The neo- colonialists Invited by NeoDLP)(want more white colour jobs now? they feel more settled? Ask Drs Riviere, Wiltshire Honeychurch our native historians.
The Credit Ubion and Post Office were done by locals. I rest my case
Is that the unfinished over budget Post Office we are referring to?
Congrats!
However the rivers of TS Erika ravaged quite a few homes and lives . Dubique’s residents were given homes.. Petite savanne Residents are being given homes. Yet with all the extravagance of the opening the backdrop shows a ravaged yellow house on the riverbank at Pottersville occupied by two elderly citizens who have yet to receive any assistance from the Current DLP administration.A promise was made on the 8th of October 2015 yet to this day no assistance has been forthcoming from the Government of Dominica. To date the current yellow house has worsened and rotted .I saw live the donation made to the elderly lady by NSG , however this is barely enough to renovate the said house.Mr PM .. is the Government going to assist these elderly people?Are they going to be left behind, well deserving of the said assistance?
https://www.facebook.com/SupportRooseveltSkerrit/photos/a.309209195887608.1073741829.301127620029099/629410027200855/?type=3&theate
I agree with you on this one. The PS boasted that NSG cared blah blah blah. But the government clearly demonstrated that it does not give a dam about the elderly couple’s plight.
World class structure! Congratulations Dominica. Now let’s stop with the negativity and move on to the next.
Jerry Stuart
Where else in the world have you been ?
I’m concerned that you of all people complimenting the vast sums of money spent ,such elaborate celebrations for the opening of a simple structure as a bridge ,yes its done ,but it’s there for all to use. If all that celebration had been lower keyed ,the bridge would still be there this morning for the purpose for which it was built ,crossing from one side to the next, irrespective of what colour clothing the crosser wears ;
But after all the celebration , those very celebrants in red ,some of whom are civil servants ,will be carrying on with the struggles to pay their bills , secretly wishing for a deserved pay rise , but only if others fight for it , not them .All the unfortunate destitutes will still be walking the streets of Roseau harassing visitors and locals . All the unemployed, will still be unemployed , many of whom will take off the red clothing and try to fleece their Brethren. All the many serious issues are still…
Great work Ms. Blanchard. These men and women have done well.
Such a beautiful structure! Good job to all parties involved.
Thank you very much. I am not pro DLP because they have been making a lot of questionable decisions on top of the vindictiveness they demonstrate..and i’m far from being convinced that they know what they’re doing in terms of a comprehensive development plan for Dominica. However, we can all agree that this Bridge is a great addition to the infrastructure in Roseau and will serve Dominicans for many years to come.
Still this does not erase the controversy surrounding this bridge in terms of the seemingly unwarranted priority attention that it was given, the cost associated with it and also the lack of proper tendering for the contract..
Now if every bridge Dominica builds have to cost in that range Dominicans have to begin to look for sustainable ways of making that kind of money consistently. Our Exports of Goods and Services must receive major attention.
A write up based on beff and not facts. Stupid people will always be fooled by fake made up news.
Majority of the profits was by foreigners.
The construction of the bridge to alleviate transportation difficulties is a good thing, on doubt about that. The contract being given to a foreign firm means that the bulk of the money that was used to construct the bridge would be expatriated, no doubt about that. If presently, no local contractors are capable of constructing a relative ordinary bridge so the government has to rely on a foreign entity to do this, then Dominica is in a pathetic state. So, celebrate as much as you desire. I will celebrate when a government contract of this nature is given to a local construction business entity. We should always always try to lift up our own. Don’t relegate them to second class especially in one’s own country of birth..
I live in the UK and contacted a building firm to do some work in Grand Bay. I was told it\’s too far.
Perhaps the foreign firm you so deslike did not provide the same answer, merely accounted for the travel cost. Its the difference in business mentality.
Lavoisier!
Ms Blanchard,if the majority of the work on the new bridge was done by local Dominican contractors,then what was the justification for giving the contract to a Bajan firm and without tendering.This makes no sense to me whatsoever.The only logical explanation is that it was a payback of some sort.The truth will float to the surface sometime.
Silliest question I have heard. When someone has to ask that question then follow it with the usual story making It is a sad day in Dominica. If you weren’t a fam beff you would know the the fact and not be making a fool of yourself now.
And the contract was not given to them but to send monies overseas shame.
The majority of the work was done by Dominicans, says the minister. But my question to her and Finance Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is, did the majority of the money stay in Dominica? The fact that the majority of the work was done by Dominicans is proof that the entire job could be done by Dominicans; why was the contract not given to them? Sounds like modern day slavery to me
LOL Laugh alone I can laugh them kind of comments. Duminicans boy. Poor Dominica.
The point is what are the labor costs? How much of this figure was allocated to the local workers? After you answer these questions, you can see the problem.