The contract for a $25-million project to improve the water supply for residents on the west coast have been officially signed.
The project which is funded by the European Union has been divided into three lots and is expected to serve the residents from Salisbury to Capuchin.
Communities along the west coast have been experiencing frequent water shortages for a number of years.
General Manager of the DOWASCO Bernard Ettinoff has described the project as the single largest investment in water, since the implementation of the Roseau Water and Sanitation Project which was completed close to 10 years ago to the tune of $65-million.
“This underscores the importance and emphasis the government of Dominica and DOWASCO has placed on the development of water systems throughout Dominica,” he said.
He says several of Dominica’s current water systems are inadequate and has failed to meet the population’s demands.
Meantime, Head of Operations at the European Union delegation Hubert Pur says over 50-million Euros have been invested in grants to Dominica over the last ten years.
He says another 10-million Euros have been set aside for future projects in Dominica.
Ace Engineering have been contracted to undertake the project.
Minister for Water Resource Management and Member of Parliament for the Cottage constituency Reginald Austrie said Dominica has made significant improvements in accessing safe drinking water.
He said Government has spent over $15-million in making potable water accessible in rural areas over the last few years.
Good, clean water is necessary for life. So this project is welcome. When are you bringing Dowasco to Shawford? We all have scrambled for years to get healthy drinking water.
And yes, they should hire able bodied Dominicans who want to work and need a living wage. If we don’t get projects like that soon we will have a generation of ‘parros’.
Could somebody tell the local tax payers and others who have laboured so hard to get Dominica where it is, WHY is there so many Haitiens working on this project whilst dominicans remain on the sideline hungry.
Please don’t call your people lazy since there are many locals who are actually obstructed from working these projects.
Good, we just have to now provide toilets for people who do not have in their homes.
Over to you Skerrit!
Another hand out with strings attached from the U.N. Money is not free. That is not to say that an improvement in water delivery is not needed. It most definitely is. Dwasco’s service leaves a lot to be desired. Only a caveat as to who you are accepting the funds from and what they want in return
Please, read before you talk. This is an E.U. (European Union) financed project and has nothing to do with the U.N. As far as I know there are no strings attached, unless you know otherwise, of course.
See the difference with the chinese $100,000,000 project. Although this project is $75,000,000 less that the chinese project it had a greater impact on the economy because more locals were employed, All the excavators, bachoes, bob cats and trucks hired were local .House and land rented from locals by the contractor who is foreign.Thats the way the chinese sholud go. Give us grant yes but engage the local to elivate thier life style.
Brilliant commentary. True words have never been spoken, Better asvice has never been given. Amen
So, they going to dig up the new road all over again to put down water pipes ?
Yes!!!They digging it right down the center!!Sacre Sort
Thank you again Hon. Prime Minister. What more can a country request from a working government, its tentacles has stretched far and wide. Thank you Sir.
Thanks you for what? That’s what governments are elected into office for. To improve the standard of living of the country’s people. But what kind of ignorant creatures we have in dat country dere nuh? So would you thank a father for takin care of his son?
Thanks Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. Great Job!
Welcome news for residents of west coast communities.
For much too long we have lived with sub-standard water systems. We look forward to dependable supplies of clean water and uninterrupted delivery.
Great initiative. Local contractors will carry out the work. Thank you European Union!