Ten Mahaut Constituency residents receive new homes

The houses are part of the government efforts to build back better. Photo: GIS

Ten individuals of the Mahaut Constituency can now rest in comfort after being presented with keys to their new homes, courtesy of the Government of Dominica.

This part of efforts by the Roosevelt Skerrit administration to build back better post-Hurricane Maria which destroyed about 90 percent of the island’s housing stock.

During a small ceremony recently, Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore explained that this was another manifestation of the Government’s mission to elevate its people.

“The Government of Dominica which is being led by the Dominica Labour Party and the Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is about uplifting people and today is yet another manifestation of just that. It’s about caring for the downtrodden in our midst, it’s about caring for those who cannot feed themselves and it’s about creating opportunities for all and sundry irrespective of your religious belief or political persuasion,” he said.

According to Blackmoore, this is not a knee-jerk reaction to recent circumstances but a deliberate housing policy program of which the Mahaut Constituency will benefit.

He added that the Prime Minister has given the green light for fifty individuals throughout the constituency who already own their lots to have their homes built after the independence season.

Meanwhile, housing recipient Mr. John Gilbert of Canefield thanked the government and all those involved for his new home.

“I thank you so much, the government especially Mr. Skerrit and Mr. Blackmoore and the other company, everyone that got together to deliver me that house because my house had completely mash-up totally… and today I could get a key for a brand-new house,” he stated.

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25 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    October 30, 2018

    Is it only one set of people from the mahaut constituency to benefit? Just because there are those who don’t support him he never even bothered to follow up on their crisis. Around elections time we’ll see you Mr Blackmore, we definitely will.

  2. don2fresh
    October 30, 2018

    Oh the many identities of LL or is a minion overlay? You all speak EXACTLY like him proving that you can’t conceptualize your own ideas and don’t understand basic concepts such as that of economics. Dominica has had a small economic structure stemming from our post-colonial era compared to that of other nations even in the Carib’n. While Scarcity and Opportunity cost has been our biggest enemy in synchronous growth and development of all sectors, we have had to play the catch-up effect with factors such as free trade, per capita rankings, global financial crisis and other such externals that affect economic growth and internal our late 90’s financial crisis, small population and mass migration. Don’t talk like despite these there haven’t been investments when you all regularly criticize when they’re made. Plus, Economic growth is more than skyscrapers, vast government incentives, a billion dollar GDP, a low inflation rate but also greatly reflects investments by citizens.

  3. CONSCIOUS
    October 30, 2018

    Is this a new plywood house after Maria. IF is is the government knows how to waste money. Would that mean after another hurricane to build another 40 houses. This is the same strategy used for the airport over years putting money in a bottomless pit.

  4. From my Heart to yours
    October 29, 2018

    Skerrit’s politics is very strange and unusual and, for the sake of Dominica he must go, although I really like him. I say so with a heavy heart because of my love for the man and my desire to see him succeed. It is very clear at this time that Mr. Skerrit is not interested in Da as long as he remains in power. As a result his decisions over the last few years are not in the interest of Da, as long as he gets the vote he needs to keep power. So for example Erika destroyed three main bridges in 2015 but to date not one has been built. Why? Because bridges on a high way DON’T VOTE. But he booked down a bridge in Roseau Central and built a new one because he wants to win that seat. So he does nothing to help the country but makes sure he gives tangible things like money, build homes etc, just to keep his happy while the country is going nowhere. I got money, my wife got, our first child got but DA got nothing and that hurts me. No wonder Ross left but it doesn’t affect his votes.

  5. Think for YOURSELF
    October 29, 2018

    Anything about the investors to replace Ross????

    They were suppose to be here on the week of October 8th?…..DNO, any update on that?

    ADMIN: As soon as we have more valid information we will put it out.

  6. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    October 29, 2018

    It’s great to enact social programs and aid the needy, however how do they sustain these homes if there are no jobs and the economy remains stagnant. We need a mix of economic infusion, a robust Gross Domestic Product GDP, increased exports and increased tax revenue to sustain this type of free giving. All good things must come to an end. By excluding the banks, lending and their ability to make money via interest rates being paid back on these loans, we are essentially creating a fantastic recipe for disaster.

  7. %
    October 29, 2018

    I totally disagree that the DLP led by lazy Skerrit is all about uplifting People.This administration has plunged the majority into poverty,and the MISLEADERS celebrate that. They run their mouths when the number of people who are on social welfare increases Wickeds!! Give Dominicans the unemployment rate.
    I hope it’s not just Blackmore’s loyalists who got these houses …Philo and others should expose him if that is the case ..Build the rest before you are voted out!!!!Good Riddance!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  8. Julius James
    October 29, 2018

    How can you elevate people by giving them handouts when they should be working to provide for themselves?
    No disrespect intended Mr Minister, but your statement and actions promote inertia, dependency and laziness.
    Create work for the people and give them the opportunity and self-respect to provide for themselves and their families.
    Stop this destructive system of treating Dominicans like dogs to be fed used bones.

    • middle class citizen
      October 30, 2018

      meanwhile I am one they know lost their house and need some assistance. living in a one-in-one-all room while working for a company that does not see the reason why I need a salary increase; consumed with bills as the salary is not enough , I cannot have a savings and trying to understand how to survive the high cost of living. but its ok. maybe one day I will be able to save to build back my house Maria mashup even if it is in the next 20yrs which by that time I should be 50yrs. then after I can try to start a business of my own at 70 to give back to the community.

  9. Don2Fresh
    October 29, 2018

    Patience is a virtue. Everything cannot be done all at one but it will be done.

  10. CarltyMas
    October 29, 2018

    I am happy for these people. Sustainable livelihoods start with comfort. Keep it up.

    • Zor Sot
      October 29, 2018

      do you understand the definition of Sustainable LIVELIHOODS???? Its apparent you do not have a clue just like those who speak of a resilient nation but fail to understand that mitigation against vulnerability is the VERY VERY first step…. which goes hand in hand with nationals’ financial growth and freedom, which is equal to the nation’s economic growth!!!!!

    • Zor Sot
      October 30, 2018

      so you mean to tell me, that someone who did their dissertation on sustainable livelihood as a vehicle for poverty eradication in rural communities is uneducated. The social facet of sustainable livelihood development, yes, addresses issues of health, empowerment, literacy/education even access to running water and electricity.. such issues allow for people to be categorize as vulnerable. However, your first comment which I responded to mentioned ‘comfort’; what is comfort in actuality, but a word which is mainly one’s perspective of what can be described as comfort. Remember Sustainable LIVELIHOODS has to be be looked at in a holistic manner, making them ‘comfortable’ , with a house in no means is a start of sustainable livelihood development….especially if you are unaware of these individual previous and current standard of living, the education level etc… and access to opportunities to actual secure a livelihood.

    • Zor Sot
      October 30, 2018

      … in addition, both concepts of sustainability (sustainable livelihood) and resiliency speaks to ability to sustain external shocks, or shocks in general… and also looks at how quickly can ‘they’; livelihoods and or economies, bounce back after shocks. In a nut shell, that’s the general idea of sustainability(not forgetting the management of natural resources) and resiliency. For example, livelihoods created via community based tourism are susceptible to seasonality of the industry, new trends within the industry, natural disasters and even financial crisis within source markets. Therefore sustainability aspects of such livelihoods refers to how will these livelihoods; looking at number of work days, what is the wages being earned etc..be sustained in the face of these impacts. Part of resiliency concept has to take on Risk Management, its identifying the risks, then taking steps to mitigate impacts, through this process the vulnerability concept takes shape..

    • Zor Sot
      October 30, 2018

      I will stop here….. but please, don’t try to give me journal articles and or reports to read, that I know like the back of my hands…..these reports are just one presentation in a diagram of sustainability concept, a concept that continues to evolve and surround every form of development….which DNO does not allow for me to expound further on.

      ADMIN: You seemed very informed on this issue. We would encourage your or anyone in a knowledgeable position to submit a commentary to discuss their views in greater depth. This would allow our viewers to form more informed opinions – which we entirely we support.

      • CarltyMas
        October 31, 2018

        Did I label you as being uneducated? No, I simply said that you must not be so quick to discredit someone else’s intelligence because you may just appear that way. Meaning, you may disagree with my idea but that doesn’t mean that it is wrong, and completely disagreeing may produce an opposed conception of who you truly are. From reading your comments I presume that you are highly aware of the conclusion that I was drawing to. Should I assume that you just did not appreciate my application of the word comfort? My idea was barely to draw reference to socioeconomic wellbeing which as you are clearly aware does not assume a financial value. I do, however, am intrigued by your comment “if you are unaware of these individual previous and current standard of living, the education level”. I would love you to provide me with some feedback as to why this is so important when providing persons with basic assets. Do you not think the contagion effect is a key element of SL?

  11. zandoli
    October 29, 2018

    Another freebie?
    Another Venezuela in the making?

  12. RandyX
    October 29, 2018

    No price for guessing which political party they support. The government of Dominica is all about uplifting it’s ministers, it’s party cabal and of course Dr. Dr. Skerrit. Occasionally the let their most loyal supporters have some left over.

    • Don2Fresh
      October 29, 2018

      Social Media really is a dangerous weapon in the hands of the idle, wicked and incompetent. There are records of people saying that they do not support the DLP and they get. The opposition even encourage their supporters and I quote “take the assistance given because it does not belong to the DLP but rather the people of Dominica but do not vote for them”. And I know you will say “oh it is their JOB to do those things”… Waiting to give you your response buddy.

      • Think for YOURSELF
        October 29, 2018

        ….anddddd no guessing who you support :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • Ibo France
        October 29, 2018

        The government has been a miserable failure to provide the basic things of life for the people or create the economic environment for the living poor to help themselves. They (government) have kept the people in abject poverty for so long that when they do the bare minimum, the penniless recipients, think it’s manna front Heaven. What the government should do is to provide proper housing, roads & bridges, healthcare, education and security for the people. More importantly though, the government should create the buoyant economic conditions for whoever desires, can get a good paying job to help himself and not become totally dependent on the government to provide for his needs. In Dominica , it appears that it’s a deliberate political strategy to keep the people dirt poor so that these people can be mercilessly exploited using government handouts. These said people then become cult-like worshippers of Skerrit et al. The underdeveloped state is also due to gross incompetence.

      • RandyX
        October 29, 2018

        Nobody more incompetent than your PM and his government and reading through your comments the likes of you. You clearly have advanced to the chief apologist for your PM in recent days. To top it all you have the audacity to try to sell us that opposition supporters have received help from this government. I seriously have to doubt that you are well in your head. Next thing we hear from you is that probably that you try and sell us the slogan: Skerrit and his government are NOT corrupt. You can’t fool me, you can’t fool the people of Dominica and you most certainly can’t fool other international visitors of this forum. You are a very sad individual trying to defend the indefensible. You are not impressing anybody with your ongoing propaganda and rethoric.

      • don2fresh
        October 30, 2018

        Oh the many identities of LL or is this a minion overlay? You all speak EXACTLY like hi proving that you don’t have individual ideas or understand the basic concepts such as that of economics. Dominica has had a small economic structure stemming from our post colonialistic era compared to other islands and nations. We have made to play the catch-up effect under conditions such as Free trade, Per Capita Rankings, Global Financial Crisis, changing weather patterns and other such external factors that affect economic growth. We still must consider recovering our economy from our late 90’s financial crisis while all sectors of the economy must be developed. Basics, Scarcity and opportunity costs are the biggest enemies. Don’t speak like despite this there have not been investments in all these sectors because you all criticize these investments everytime they are made. Plus economic development more than skyscrapers, a billion dollar GDP, low inflation rates and vast gov’t incentives.

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