A one-day consultation to formulate the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) in order to provide direction for issues related to land use planning in Dominica got underway Wednesday.
It is being facilitated by Consultants, Dillon Consulting Ltd of Canada in collaboration with the Physical Planning Division.
The project comprises of two phases: The first being the preparation of the National Land Use Policy which was completed in May 2014 and approved by Cabinet in May 2015, while Phase 2 is the Preparation of the NPDP and it will be guided by the National Land Use Policy (NLUP).
“The National Physical Development Plan will provide government with a comprehensive planning framework for informed decision making and effective coordination of development programs and projects,” Minister for Planning, Economic Development and Investment, Dr. John Colin McIntyre said while addressing an opening ceremony held at the Fisheries Complex conference room on Wednesday.
According to him, donor agencies and financial institutions will be guided by a comprehensive development strategy, project profiles and an implementation plan.
“Investors and developers will gain an increased level of confidence from the development plan to make strategic land use and investment decisions,” he noted. “The plan will assist us to effectively manage and protect the integrity of bio-diversity and natural resources.”
Dr. McIntyre mentioned further that Tropical Storm Erika highlighted the importance of protecting and managing the country’s rivers and forests.
“The NPDP will assist to effectively balance the development rights with sustainable objectives,” he explained. “This particularly important where prime agriculture lands and environmentally sensitive areas are privately owned…”
Dr. McIntyre indicated that the government of Dominica is cognisant that climate change impact on Dominica depending on land use and land management.
“Economic and social development will need to be weighed against both the vulnerability and resilience to expected climate change effects,” he stated.
“We should view this plan as an opportunity to foster climate change main streaming by engaging in proactive land use planning which can be used to adapt to potential climate change impacts.”
Dr. McIntyre encourages persons to make the best use of the lands and, “use the living example of what occurred recently by Tropical Storm Erika in terms of a way forward.”
Meantime Senior Project Coordinator, National Land Use Project, Annie Edwards said, “Right now we are about to embark on the National Physical Development Plan, some of the work have already started.”
This phase, she said, was launched in November last year and, “it was launched with a series of workshops in which a number of government agencies and a few other stakeholders came together and really thrust out a lot of things, how we would like to see the country forward.”
Edwards said further through this a framework report was prepared.
“Today Consultant Rory Baksh is going to use this framework report as the base for the development of the Physical Development Plan,” she explained. “What will be presenting here is mainly information that was gathered then and he will be seeking your input as we move forward to the phase where we will actually develop the plan.”
National Physical Development Plan, oh my finger! How many national physical development plan consultation must the most economic viable country in the OECS have?
I suggest the Minister go wipe away the dust and cobwebs of the many reports that is somewhere on a shelf in the Ministry. Stop wasting the tax payers $$$$.
Can we remove vehicles parked on side walks in Roseau and build a parking lot?
ASK HIM, ABOUT MY DOM TRADE HOUSE
What about the procurement bill sitting in waiting in parliament?
1 day consultation to my mind is insufficient.
De attendance looks rather small and i don’t recognize local experts in the related fields.
Always planning but nothing never coming to fruition. Mr. McIntyre would be better of working on tire for Michelin, Pirelli, and firestone.
smh. One day is not enough at all. this is an extensive project and intensive research needs to be done. it is bigger than just saying agri in the east, commerce in the west, tourism in the interrior and north is residence. It is much much much much bigger than that. we are planning the future of our generations to come. what will be the case as the world evolves and business environments change? will they be able to readjust easily or fix mistakes we may make in establishing this? i hope so..
That’s great planning at least we will have order in terms of planning in our communities , urban and Sub Urban areas. Some trust in LINTON AND SKERRITT but I trust in the name of the LORD.
Dominica’s new religion is Politics, they have forgotten their GOD. Everything is politics. When Israel was established there was only one king, there were no opposition. Oppositions divides and destroy countries although they may mean well.
Today focus your hearts on things above not on earthly things, this is a warning.