Eighty families from around Dominica will soon be able to live more comfortably after their homes were destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Maria last year.
That’s because they will now receive new homes funded by the Australian Government, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The organization made a symbolic presentation of these homes to the Government of Dominica during a handover ceremony held on Wednesday.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lucien Blackmoore, who addressed the ceremony, said that the latest contribution brings Dominica closer to its target of rebuilding the 4800 homes that were completely destroyed on that dreadful day in September.
“For us today, we want to celebrate with the soon-to-be 80 families that will be receiving those new homes,” he stated.
That, he said will help satisfy the shelter needs for about 209 persons, “and all of them for sure will gain improved sense of security, a sense of safety and indeed a sense of well-being.”
According to Blackmoore, the 80 core houses that were built were done in compliance with the declared and desired resilience declaration and standard.
The contribution also provides about 2 percent of the required new construction that the country needs to make in order to recover the damage sustained during Hurricane Maria.
Acting Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie said the contribution symbolizes a successful partnership between the Government of Dominica and the IOM in responding to the housing needs of Dominica following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
He said the IOM has navigated jointly with the Dominica Government the challenging pass from emergency to recovery.
“Very early in the process of housing repair and recovery following Hurricane Maria, the government mandated a review of the housing standards to ensure that every roof repaired and every house or building reconstructed, was built to a climate resilient standard embedded in the Dominica building code,” Austrie said.
According to him, the IMO undertook to repair 600 roofs and achieved that target by June 2018.
“While the numbers seem great, the country still has a very long way to go,” Austrie added.
Meantime, the Australian High Commissioner John Pilbeam said he is very pleased that Austrailia was able to partner with the various organisations to rebuild some of the housing that was lost last year during Hurricane Maria.
In the last few months, he said, the IOM has used Australia’s contribution of US$900,000 to build 80 resilient core houses to house 80 of the most vulnerable households in Dominica.
“These core houses provide the essential resilient shelter that some Dominicans still need that we are pleased at least to have made through the IOM programme” Pilbeam said.
The villages of Woodfordhill, Marigot, Wesley, Calibishie, St Joseph, Layou Park, Bioche, Morne Rachette and Mero, are just some of the communities that are benefiting from this latest initiative.
What happened to the millions of dollars that was donated to the government through his royal highness and doctor the minister of finance after hurricane Maria? That money could have been used to construct all new hurricane resistant houses for almost everyone on the island, the minister of finance needs to explain where all those millions of US dollars went. Who got the money.
Wey papa alllyou Dominicans wicked and bad. Please wish others good, stop criticising those you cannot do better than. Why don’t you ask the opposition to build
houses for those you mentioned that are in need, instead of walking around with your heads above ground making mischief.
Le ban boro
Please take note that these houses were built by the IOM with funding provided by the Australian government, in the context of the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Maria. The IOM worked with community-based committees and with local mobilisers who were constantly consulting with the communities to determine vulnerabilities. The process was independent of government interference. The list of beneficiaries was only shared with the government upon completion. The process was human and so not perfect but the IOM team certainly tried.
The costs of each house is modest because they are one bedroom units, and because the IOM benefited from economies of scale and on-staff contractors. The total programs rolled out by IOM accounted for almost 700 roofs repairs plus the houses. They are NOT luxury units, but they are built structurally strong. Several opposition AND DLP constituencies were assisted by IOM with funds from UK, EU and AUSTRALIA. For more details, call 767-285-0794
Thank you! Very much appreciated.
So when can they move in?
I hope there is something in the pot for the people of Pointe Michel. There are people in the Siboulie Ravine living in extremely sub standard housing. There are people whose homes where wiped away by Maria, lives lost, business lost. All the paperwork filled out, promises made, yet still waiting. it is extremely disheartening. 🙏🏼🇩🇲
DNO, how about we see some pictures of these new houses? Some have commented on the cost breakdown per house and wonder what they must be like. A picture says 1000 words…
Boy see how these lame government ministers looking at the Australian. These beggars and lame ministers remind of the story in Acts chapter 3, about the lame man that was carried to the temple daily to be. I can understand him because he was lame and couldn’t work. But to have a government that just begging and promoting laziness, is sure not cool. No wonder those Chinese bought them and Dominica for penuts because when you lazy, crippled and begging you have to be obedient to those you begging so you get things like we see in Acts:3:4 “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. ” Like Peter told the lame man “look at us”, so to China, Monfared, NG LAP SENG and others had to tell these corrupt beggars. Look at us!
promises, promises, as usual, Every election gimmic, But still fooling the people
First, we want to be thankful to the Government of Australia for supplying a basic need to the Citizens of Dominica.
And btw, since I born Dominica has been on the receiving end of Aid, so I don’t think this is something the Government has to take credit for, it is not a Merit to receive Aid, still we’re grateful. But we want to get out of this disadvantaged position sooner rather than later as a nation.
So on the surface it all looks nice and charitable but underneath the DLP use all Aid to play Politics. Stating that Marigot benefited from houses there is an effort to cover up the deep seeded malice dished out to the Marigot ppl for the last 18 years. We know who got Houses, and not as many as 5 houses have been built in Marigot compared to the several hundreds that were damaged or totally destroyed. So please stop the political games. All Dominicans are worthy, whether they support the DLP or not.
Arithmetic
900000/80=11,250USD
convert to ECD @2.7=30,375
what is missing
the average non resilient house cost $250,000.00
$30,375.00 dollar houses?????
You forget there is no kick back in that. Thank you Australia. I am a resilient member of Team Dominica, are you?
Dominicans please please look out this guy are going crazy promises promises they realizes they cannot fool the people any more they going knoots, houses gallow. Skerrit it’s time to come clean with people before it’s to late lies and more lies dominnica is in deep trouble u have your way out but they don’t see you next weeks the same spot .sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?
Governments should provide the basic needs for the LEAST among us who have fallen through the cracks. Building schools, hospitals, health centres, roads, bridges, seaports and airports are just some of the government’s responsibilities. These homes are not free. The home owners would have to find the finances to pay for them. This is just another normal duty of a government, as I have said before, to help the poorest among us. These are laudable efforts of a government and should be commended. However, a progressive government, creates a robust economic environment for jobs to flourish so that most people would have the financial means to build their own homes. The present economic situation in Dominica is one of high unemployment and underemployment. Joblessness is through the roof. There is too much of a heavy reliance on government. This is no fault of the people. The system of minus economic growth keeps too many in permanent poverty. Enough said.
Before Maria and even before Erika the government was already building homes for their supporters, so after the destruction of Maria I am not surprised to see a continuation of the vote buying trick. I am happy for everyone that got a house but my problem is with the politics that’s involved. After 18 years the government should have put the mechanisms in place to ENSURE that affected persons don’t turn to politicians for help but rather, go to a government organization or agency to receive all the help they need. The only time a politician should get involved is in the case someone was discriminated against, whether red, blue or green. For government to make it their responsibility to distribute money, distribute food, distribute galvanize, post, plywood and house is nothing short of IN YOUR FACE CORRUPTION!
Say what allu want with allu mouth..but the prime minister is working
Yes the prime minister of Australia is working.The Dominican PM is more concerned about selling passports.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
Correction he is begging
But why has he got to work overseas? Peculiar that. Maybe is for his pro diem.
any time a polition do u a favor u are their slave for ever
For since Erika and Maria Dominica sure got. We got lots of money, lots of aid and lots of just about everything. If only we had a government that could manage the help we got, I would be confident that in 5 years time Dominica would be flourishing and people, especially Domininicans in the Diaspora, many of whom are undocumented, would be running to Dominica to live, work and enjoy life because Dominica is a Paradise. Unfortunately we found ourselves in a situation where many are running on a daily basis and because they don’t see a future here, while Chinese and wanted criminals holding our CBI passports are flocking here. Maria gave us an opportunity to build the new Dominica we all wanted to build but unfortunately, Skerrit has used Maria to secure another term to officially make Dominica The Criminal Island of the Caribbean.
More new homes for selected labour supporters only.
If u were wearing another shoe , what would u say?
Beb, I’m wearing no shoe to step on people. I carry the saw to cut out dead wood instead.
Wow good deal, happy for the families, it’s tough to have lost your home and living with others even though they are family. Thanks Aussie.
So it cost $30K EC to build one resilient home.
This low figure does not make sense….would like see these houses. Construction cost which is a low figure is $150/sf. then the size of these homes would have to be 200sf at max.
Isaac you don’t look amused,we you all are just beggers now,yet you all talk about Labour doing good.The sad part of this are only who support Skerrit benefits.
But what is Dominica doing for itself? That’s why I refer to Skerrit be as lazy,and his cabinet is just the same. I am happy to see the most marginalised village in Dominica,Marigot,is on the list…Is it because patriot Linton is from Marigotthat this village suffers so much?
Mr Skerrit how much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$was pledged post Maria,and how much was honoured???Is my darn business so don’t send me to hell …,(according to you!!)..
Hurry give the people electoral reform,then call the election.Time for you all MISLEADERS to be discarded at the polls.
Nothing is working for you now ….You have brought Dominica too low ..Lazy!!! Inept!!!! Cannot do,. Incompetent…Good Riddance .The longer it takes,the bigger the defeat will be …!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
More like must stay, y’all almost tired😂😂😂 marigot so because y’all lazy Asf
No election, I would postpone elections given the task of rebuilding from so much devastation, you all want to fight already and none of you are experts. Your time will come to line your pockets and your friends’, that’s what you 3rd world politicians do best, so just hang in there.
Hallelujah!! I see Marigot and Wesley getting… Well these people are NOT UNGRATEFUL, so DLP sure of those votes. I am happy to hear this…
You need to be on the ground..This Gov’t is all about tricks and showmanship. Remaining in power to them is a higher priority than the livelihoods of the Citizens of this country. Look around and see how many businesses have fallen, see how many Farmers lost their crop for lack of Boat and a stable Market, see how many landlords and homeowners at Ross Portsmouth are catching hells now..Be very careful with the things they put up for us to read. Skepticism and Caution is the best approach with them..if Dominicans have not learned anything else in the last 18 years.