Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that heavy equipment to be used for the construction of the international airport is expected to arrive in Dominica this February.
He made the announcement while addressing a press conference on Monday.
A one billion dollar contract between the Government of Dominica and Montreal Management Consultant Establishment (MMCE) was signed on June 9, 2021, signaling the official commencement of the construction of the highly anticipated international airport.
“I am very confident that we will build this airport, there is progress being made, the ship that’s carrying the equipment is on the waters, meaning that it has left China to come in,” he said. “The contractors have been building the landing site in the Woodford Hill area…”
According to the Prime Minister, the Pottersville Savannah has been identified as a temporary landing site for some of the equipment.
Furthermore, he said the geotechnical studies are nearing completion.
“All of the studies for the earth movement have been completed with some variations because of the wetness of the soil,” he revealed. “There is more humidity in the soil than we anticipated and so forth.”
He continued, “The final designs are nearing completion because we have to keep making changes.”
He mentioned also that the lab is functioning and not only providing services to the airport, but the government is using the lab for other investigations across the country.
“So we are very confident and I believe the equipment based on the schedule will be in Dominica in February of this year,” Skerrit revealed.
Meantime, he said additional homes were built by his government to satisfy the needs of residents who have been affected due to the construction of the international airport.
“We had to build additional homes to satisfy the needs of some residents there…,” he said.
He said about 26 families have already moved into their homes and are very happy with the quality of the homes that they have.
“People are generally happy,” Skerrit said.
He went on to state that a number of people have been compensated.
“There are some people we cannot find because they are overseas and in some cases people are deceased, so we have not been able to finalize some of the payments for them, but that will be done as we go along,” the Prime Minister explained.
He added, “We are very grateful for the level of cooperation and collaboration from land owners and property owners in the area.”
Was there a cabinet committee who sat and analysed the international airport project? Were there debates in the House on the subject? I have not lived in Dominica since June 1980, so I do not know was happening. If we are planning to spend EC$1Billion, then there must be some serious debate of the numbers. This sort of national Debt can hold back the development of a country like Dominica for decades. Long after Skerrit is dead and rotted in the ground, Dominicans can be paying back the debt. It is not an example of responsible government, to burden succeeding generations.
Any how happy new Year 2023. Let us not all be pessimistic. We can all migrate to Canada, USA or UK, like 30% of the population have done since I left in 1980. Mr E O Leblanc ( Vielle Case) must be turning over in his grave with worry at the debt level of Dominica.
My Old Aunty used to say to me, “Roland do not spend your money showing off”. Showing off can be costly.
The PM said that the ship with the equipment is on the waters, meaning that it has left China and is expected to arrive in Dominica in February, 2023. February is right around the corner so lets keep our horses in the stable until then. If February comes and there’s no ship in sight, I totally agree with those individuals who choose to blast Mr. Skerritt and his administration.
Having said that, Mr. Skerritt must have some shipping information that the general public doesn’t have to make such a bold statement or he has totally lost his mind. Keep in mind, we’re litterally only days away from being able to validate his statement therefore there must be something he knows that we don’t. MARK MY WORDS.
I am prepared to wait a little longer (February) to find out whether his statement was ‘Fact or Fiction’.
I just hope that the ship is above the water line and not below because that’s the story we will hear next. The equipment is on the water… what stupid talk. But we all know by now that Mister hasn’t a proper command of the English language. Imagine him claiming to have been an English teacher. Poor children.
The equipment is on the water… Beta.
The article I read said “The SHIP that’s carrying the equipment is on the waters”, in other words, the ship has sailed, left port on its way to Dominica.
Did we read the same article Mister Command Of The English Language?
Sorry how you guys could twist things, even those in plain sight for all to see.
Judging by his past promises or statements, this one is fiction too.
Maybe. February is right around the corner so we will soon find out.
Extend the taxiway to meet the ENTIRE length of the runway. Do not have planes traveling down the runway and having to make a U-turn to take off or land. It is unprofessional, time consuming, and a WASTE. In the future, if eco-tourism economy takes off, you will just have to extend the taxiway anyways at more cost to the Dominican people. Do it right the FIRST time. Build so more than 5 planes can be at the airport at a time unlike in Marigot.
that road looks like it needs a parking lane before the round about. Why do we build roads without parking lanes here? Im looking at the development of the new layou road. Same thing
As a child growing up in Dominica, our folklore informed me of ghosts and other types of evil spirits. To this day, I have never seen any with my naked eyes. Same here for this project. The level of design, engineering and craftsmanship dedicated to this “Ghost of a project is simply astounding in shape and scope.” Only a most fantastic magician could pull off the same magic trick for more than two decades and continue entertaining the faithful with a lackluster performance.
I think it was around 30 years ago when I was first told about the proposed international airport.
I’m soon to be 67, and still waiting.
It’s just astonishing that so much money has been poured into this over the years, and we still don’t have an international airport.
How much final design it have nuh????,
So you have a contractor set up even before the final design?
Skerrit doesn’t have a technical mind…. where is the chief technical officer to explain these things?
Once is a PM that discussing technical matters about the construction of an international Airport……money going in de wrong place.
Kasani is a qualified civil engineer but they make him minister of health!!!!!
Business under Labah always back to front. Is so they like it.
Progress well anticipated.
Will any of the construction workers be in need of rental quarters.
Please call 2767992
House at stockfarm.
Skerrit stop with the BS now, Dominicans done accept you not never gaan build that!
Since 2014, every couple months is an update about a design or some new money laundering paper signing ceremony, but years later, nothing still not yet start build.
Just stop with the BS now, we was stupid enough to fall for it back then, them days gone!
The only update we want now is footage of the first plane landing, outside of that, just shut the f*** up with your fantasy International Airport!
I am sooooooo tired of that airport thing. Build it already, or SHUT UP! How long are you going to string people along then complain about stress? You are stressing ME out with your international airport this and that. Build it, or go SIT DONG!
Do the press have an opportunity to ask pertinent and searching questions at these press conferences?
If so, why are they not featured in this news item.
Well at least we have a computer generated image for the airport sign, if nothing else. This man has no shame at all. Do you remember some computer generated renderings of the ‘new Roseau’. Again he had no shame showing them off but that’s as far as it got. Anybody still believe this LIAR?
“A one billion dollar contract between the Government of Dominica and Montreal Management Consultant Establishment (MMCE) was signed on June 9, 2021, ”
I said it before, and I reiterate there will never be an International Airport built in Dominica as long as Roosevelt Chichi Royer Skerrit is prime minister of Dominica!
We saw many silhouettes; (drawings) of Dominica at the next level, transformed into a model of what every other island would be using to develop their country. This drawing is simply another imaginary silhouette in Roosevelt demented mind!
Anybody can research International Airport Builders on this planet they will not find a company anyway in the name of Montreal Management in the business of building International Airport.
Montreal Management only exist in Dominica; that is one of Roosevelt Shell Company; the contract is signed between Roosevelt & Roosevelt Chichi Royer Skerrit incorporated!
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
What will the airport be called Dr Skerrit International airport, or maybe King Skeritt the 1st International airport lol.some light humour, well done for coming so far ,I mean that 👍
“Furthermore, he said the geotechnical studies are nearing completion.”
So the contract to build the airport was signed and sealed before the geotechnical and feasibility studies were completed? The timeless idiom, “putting the cart before the horse” comes to mind.
Just to clarify. He meant February 2024.
This perennial talk about international airport is a ghost project just like its cousin geothermal energy.
Anyone who still believes Roosevelt’s pronouncements should be designated in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s greatest fool.
Just in case you forgot. Here are just a few examples of this notorious LIAR’s sacred commitments: Pakistan university, most modern cruise ship facility, making Dominica the breadbasket of the Caribbean, Roseau redevelopment project, electoral reforms, etc.
Roosevelt is the only man alive who has a double doctoral degree in the art of lying.
The ghost is in you, how about that?
After all is said and done, we would like the International Airport named, ‘The Roosevelt Skerrit International Airport”, in honour of the hard work and timely-efforts that our Supreme Leader has put into this long-awaited project to see it come to fruition..
Some people are classified borderline idiots I wonder if ds is in that category?
I am surprised at all of the stupidity of an idiot!
Hahahahaha!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque you boy are a borderline idiot oui!
Hahahahaha.
I fit into all categories you can think of, the whole gamut – from sanity to insanity to troubling to productive to omnipotent. One day out of the blue I might just show up in Los Angeles.
You would have to ask uncle Roosevelt for the fares first. Go show him your begging bowl, you shameless creature.
I am a Certified Public Accountant with a Master Degree in Finance. I have a very good, well-paying professional job and live in a mostly white community away from uneducated, trash people like you. My daughter just graduated last year with a Master degree and has a great professional job making money. Do you get the picture? At least, the picture is not as fuzzy and blurred as you might think. I just hope you are not one of those prostitutes back home.
To DS. Yes of course, Toilet Duck. Quak, Quak! Keep on dreaming, PROFESSIONAL…
Boy, you are more funny than I thought; how you manage to cypher I’m talking about you?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
I have suddenly changed my mind about visiting Los Angeles. Too many shootings and killings in this city. Last Saturday night at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park in LA 10 shot and killed 10 wounded from stable to critical. Man, you live in a terrible city and you talking about Dominica and Skerrit and crimes. What are you doing to stop all this blood shed in LA? Are you going to blame Skerrit again?
Someone said that you lie down everyday on your sick bed becoming a captive-audience to your TV and keyboards next to you and then you move your dexterous hands and fingers like a woodpecker. lol
Have you spoken to Andy Roberts yet? When you are done talking to him, give Clem John a call. lol.
ds has Mad Cow Diseases as King Liar Skerrit…