Work is expected to begin in the course of this week as government moves to create access for the communities of Boetica and Delices.
The two communities have been cut off from the rest of Dominica since the passage of Tropical Storm Erika and strong calls have been made to have the matter addressed.
Addressing the matter at a press conference held at the Ministry of Finance conference room on Wednesday 21st October 2015, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) in the Ministry of Public Works and Ports Emile Lancelot, said work is scheduled to be completed within a four-week time frame.
According to him, investigations were done on the possibility of further upgrading an existing footpath now being used by residents for motorable access, but they found it impossible as the existing slope was too great for the safety of vehicular access and the topography also poses a challenge to have the slope reduced.
“So we have since done more detailed survey and evaluations on the site and we have designed a route just upstream of the road at the gorge (old road) to create a motorable access to the land locked communities of Boetica and Delices,” he explained.
He said that design will include the construction of a panel bridge to cross the gorge and the road approaching that panelled bridge will be at a safer slope than what they would have had to deal with if they were to upgrade the existing foot path.
“We hope to start construction of this access road during the course of this week, and we expect that it should take the effort that we will demand from the contractor, it should take approximately four weeks,” Lancelot explained. “So we are hopeful that in four weeks the people of Delice and Boetica will have motorable access.”
The structure is concrete and will costs approximately EC$800,000.
Lancelot also mentioned that safety of residents is of utmost importance and accessing the two communities via Petite Savanne, as has been suggested, is out of the window.
He said based on assessments, from the likes of geotechnical experts of the World Bank and other institutions, slopes on the Petite Savanne Road are still unstable and comprise of thick layers of silt and clay which are at present still fully saturated.
“Hence we have advised the government that the area is unsafe and not recommended for vehicular access in the short to medium term,” he noted, adding that the populace should avoid using the area as a tourist attraction and sightseeing.
Meantime Parliamentary Representative for the La Plaine constistuency, Petter Saint Jean, called on residents to be patient as their access is on the top priority of the government.
When questioned on whether there is any truth to the matter which was raised by a resident of Delices, Joseph Eugene, who accused the authorities of using the community’s access problem after Tropical Storm Erika as a means of acquiring sympathy and funds from international donors at the expense of the “docile” villagers, Saint Jean had this to say:
“I understand the emotional high of the people of Delice and Boetica. Eight, nine weeks is a prolonged period …so out of desperation, people will say whatever that comes to one’s minds. However the professionals have spoken, and as such that is the only reason why we have not pursued access through Petite Savanne.”
Politics politics all of them is one comess
Is the bridge going to be built by Dominicans
Can we have a model or plan of the access?
Well, my traffic licence is from July to December. however I cannot use my car in real traffic. Any idea how to apply some discount?
Anyone who went through that gorge to boetica would know that an access road temporary or permanent will not come quickly. They are certainly not neglected. Ever since TS Erika passee that area has been given nonstop attention. Smh. The government\’s back is large but magway sa. I cannot understand the logic in wanting to reopen petite savann. Anybody with half a brain should know that clearing up the landslides can never make the road safe for motorists. There was a reason there were so many of them. Imagine if we get 1/4 of the rainfall again. In fact the entire area should be quarantined. I know the struggle is hard. But lets not pretend like we dont know the magnitude of the situation in that area. Remember the number of men who died buildin the boetica bridge. There was no other bridge as such in the entire Caribbean. It wasnt quick and easy then, dont expect it to be quick and easy today. Its a sad situation but sometimes we have to be more realistic.
Over and over we see a lack of concern and professionalism in the government services. A lack of a sense of setting priorities. This road should have had the same priority as the airport for the same reason, movement of people. We see the same scenario at the PMH, the Tourist board. No one is accountable. Mr Eugene, a concern citizen had the right approach. Where was the parl rep.
It is not weather the issue need boycott and demonstration, it taking care of the people. It is not about the political fence.
Mr. Lancelot says the the road ‘will be at a safer slope than what they would have had to deal with if they were to upgrade the existing foot path’.
Mr Engineer why not seek a safe alternative?. you have already given them an unsafe road why not progress to a safe slope.
Let not the blood of my people be on your shoulders. If it cannot be safe slope do not sign the authorization or approval. Do not create a man mad disaster.
Oh Lord let them take heed. let them pay heed, in Jesus name amen
OMG, OMG . THE EXPERTS?????????/The integrity of all the EXPERTS is in question?????????
The experts went ahead to build a road and to build a bridge to access the gorge. A road the average villager recognized from the onset would be too steep to have a bridge installed .
The information now reads as if it is the villagers who choose the location to built the road and even constructed the road.
Really, should we be listening to the experts who allowed the government to spend millions to build this road and now have to abandon it because the experts NOW realize what the average man saw as unfit from the onset.
Mr Paul Joseph gave an account of three surveys that were conducted in the same area yester years and only one option was available . The topography has not changed . Is it another exercise in futility. Is it all effort to stifle the action of the people? What happens when they will embark on that new project and again they are unsuccessful what happens to the birds the…
Just think. The election campaign money, could have built several bridges.
I wonder whether there would have been such a prolonged delay, had Vielle Case or Grand bay been the communities affected!
It is so dreadful that these people have had to suffer in isolation.
You know, I do not think that Dominica will emerge a better place after Erika, as we do not appear to have learnt anything from the passage of the mighty Erika. It is the same nasty business as usual.
I am so upset with the foolishness going on in Dominica in every area, that if anyone, from this day refers to me as a Dominican, including my parents that gave birth to me, I will bring them before the court. Dominicans are tooo damn macack! SACRWE SORT! So sort that if there was another election next month all you would still vote those suckers in.
Mr. Eugene in his “So Called Ignorance,” did a great job. He was able to raise the issue and now we have detailed answers from the professionals. Thank you Mr. Eugene. Who feels it knows it. Never let anyone take away your right to ask questions, especially where your well being and livelihood is concerned. While the “Big Shots” in Roseau continue to enjoy the largess from Labor, the small man continues to suffer. Idiots on DNO behaved as if you have no right to ask questions. Your persistence brought about answers quickly.
Dominica stinks! There is not one single thing or institution that one can point to and feel a sense of hope. The country is behaving as if we are under the influence of occult. It even feels like it is a curse to live in Dominica. It’s a government that has turned everything upside down and yet those sacwe macack voted them back in power after they experienced hell for the past 10 years.
I mean how does a government do this to a people? Erika was a month and 2 weeks ago and the people are still caged in, not being able to run out? After all Skerrit! Imagine if there was another storm or bad weather and you know your family, friends and loved ones are in Delices or Boetica! Imagine if your relative is sick and needs to rush to the hospital. I mean we don’t mind losing our loved ones to protect a criminal enterprise that is destroying us?
This is good news that work will commence this week. When it is complete, the people of Boetica and Delices will be elated. In many ways, you have suffered much. This will be a concern and burden eased.
Prior to using it, please bless the bridge on both sides and consecrate it to The Blessed Trinity, God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit, also for safety for both pedestrians and vehicles/drivers.
God bless and protect the people of Boetica and Delices, those who will be constructing the bridge and all those who will use it. Give it a name!
I cant believe this comment got thumbs down. Some Dominicans live and grow on negativity!
It shows their ignorance. I have noticed, anything to do with the current government and his ministers get thumbs down from non-supporters. These thumbs downers are not smart people. I excuse them.
As Our Lord said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I will add, in their ignorance which they project. It is as if they banned together. Sad for them. One day they will pay for it.
I think the important thing is, you’re doing all this yourselves.
I am very sorry for what happened but things can’t happen overnight and at the same time there were damage bridges in other parts of the island to be fixed. Be patience things will be ok with God everything is possible.
Does any one think the Goverment do not want to help those people quicky , I am not going to listen to Q95 anymore.
“When questioned on whether there is any truth to the matter which was raised by a resident of Delices, Joseph Eugene…” Here is the response give by Emile Lancelot,: “I understand the emotional high of the people of Delice and Boetica. Eight, nine weeks is a prolonged period …so out of desperation, people will say whatever that comes to one’s minds. However the professionals have spoken, and as such that is the only reason why we have not pursued access through Petite Savanne.”
I guess when those professionals heard Joseph today especially when he said they had a petition sheet out that and were asking for signatures for them (the affected villagers) to go build their own access road, they had to rush and do something.
Its a government that took the people of Salsbury to court for blocking the road in other to get government to give the road and they got close of doing the same in other to uncage the people of Boetica and Delices. What a government!!!
The Goldilocks Principle says that something must fall without certain margins as opposed to reaching extremes. And for any community to be without access for eight weeks is extreme. When that happens communication with distressed constituents is extremely important. Without it, the Goldilocks Effects will set in. Yesterday on DNO, Delices resident Mr Eugene was quoted as saying that for weeks he had been trying to get the attention of the authorities. Thanks to him for getting them to reheat the porridge and inform residents on the one that is just right for them.
Much more and even detailed technical information now needs to be in the public domain as we move along particularly as it relates the the country’s landscape andwaterways … Mr. Lancelot said based on assessments, from the likes of geotechnical experts of the World Bank and other institutions (but please be a bit more explicit.. for the benefit of public clarity, general awareness and technical interest what other institutions partnered in the exercise?), slopes on the Petite Savanne Road are still unstable and comprise of thick layers of silt and clay which are at present still fully saturated… from the onset credible info like that had to be pouring down like rain!!! With the simplicity of language folks should better comprehend the severity of the situation. So lesson number xx from Erika is step up on your information dissemination because something happening
Free advice. To build the right type of bridge and waterway at that gorge would cost about 3mil USD minimum……cheap thing no good, good thing not cheap. If that particular bridge is not engineered right , along with the right cliff side terracing in that entire area, this is one project that will come back soon to haunt all..
Yes, my Dominica deserves the best!
I feel for the people of this area…hope things works out
just as I said,the petite savan area has to be to dangerous but desperation makes people overreact.
All of a sudden,, you see how strong the voice of the people is,, followed by action,,
There are voices in numbers. State the issue and concerns and always approach the authorities with due respect. Never accuse, judge nor condemn. If feasible, it works especially if the situation is crucial.
The doomed nation we once called home.
If this nation is doomed, no one would be left after TS Erika and no one would be residing there.
God is in control. There is hope. Confidence, patience and time, everything will work out well.
I thought your idol and master Skerrit is in control.