Construction is now underway on the new West Bridge in Roseau.
According to the Government Information Service, work began with the fencing of some areas of the construction site along River Bank between the West Bridge and the E. C. Loblack Bridge as well as west of the West Bridge in the area currently being used as the Portsmouth bus stop.
The bridge has now been completely demolished.
In 2015, Government had identified the rebuilding of the West Bridge as a priority project to improve the capital both aesthetically and structurally. It was also affected by waters from the Roseau River during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in late August 2015.
A contract was signed for the $18-million project on April 13, 2016 and ground was broken on April 22.
But controversy soon developed when the Joint Consultative Committee on the Construction Sector (JCCCS) raised concerns over the manner in which the project was given to Barbados-based company, NSG Management and Technical Services Limited, saying the contract was not tendered in line with the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act.
However, the government is claiming the contract was legal based on the fact that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for works for the development of Roseau, including the reconstruction of the West Bridge, existed before the Act came into force in 2015 and the matter was an emergency after Tropical Storm Erika which had to be addressed.
The JCCS had threatened court action in the matter by the beginning of this week but according to a report on state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday, this had not taken place.
The government says the project is phase one of the Roseau Enhancement Project and it is funded by the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program.
Mr Skerrit , please give us the state of the art hospital and the Helipad to go with it .Our/your people are are dying at the hospital and you building an unwanted bridge man.
When I heard about bridge I thought it was a new bridge some where else when I went to look I saw it was the original bridge out of town which was damaged that was broken down to be rebuilt and I was OMG why would lennox (Mr pas bell pyess) make so much trouble about that absolute rubbish.
Typicall bully boy Skerrit tactic. He is saying nobody si going to stop me building that bridge and transferring that money. Even if the court eventually rules against me the bridge will already be in place and the money paid. So what are you going to do about it? If you fine me the treasury will pay and it is going to cost you all more. What you mean this is not democractic? I am the ruler of Dominica and I decide what democray is!!
It seem JCCCS is standing alone in this matter not that others don’t know the wrongsinvolved here. Don’t tell me the FS, the Cabsec, the PS’s, the Accountant General,The Director of Audit, The AG, DPP, The Chief Procurement Officer, the comptroller of inland revenue, the Chief Physical Planner, the Chief of Police, the Chairman of the IPO , the speaker of the House and not last nor least the President of Dominica are not aware of the blatant misuse of power without authority of this administration. Likewise the DAIC, The Christain Council, Evangilical Churches, Trade Unions, Bar Association, Embassadors especially the OECS ambassador, other regional based agencies do not see the blatant disregard for good governance and transparency in this matter. The private sector and civil society are that blinded to this evil. It is obvious there are serious breaches off the tendering and procurement process and also parliament has been been circumvented yet still the JCCCS stands almost…
The JCCCS stands almost alone in this matter with support coming from the opposition members I wouldn’t even say their supporters. If such was the,case at least 50 percent of those who voted for them would have taken some form of action by now. The pundits claimed that it is a national emergency however parliament has not met for a number of months to discuss this critical emergency and to debate about other situations that may well qualify as emergencies. Chances are we may hear on Monday of the beginning of another 18 million dollar project under the disguise of an emergency and that will be alright with all the people mentioned above. Those of us calling for action should understand what is happening now. The UW P members without the support of their own support base cannot force change on those who support this malice so the struggle continues against this evil. Fear not wisdom and justice is not gained by following the crowd, but by those who follow the long and narrow path.
shout hip hip horray another bridge begins in Roseau because that is the best thing after slice bread. While u rejoice just take a walk across to the EC Loblack bridge, a stone through away, we notice the railings are all rotted awaiting someone to lean on them, and bodop in the river. The side walk is in a deplorable state it is not friendly, the physically challenged and the elderly have difficulty negotiating. The bridge surface joints designed for stress is worn to the extent that they are a nuisance to drivers.The General appearance of the bridge is depressing; then walk up to the Bathroad/Goodwill bridge notice it requires much maintenance, the surfaces are worn and the channels just like EC Loblack are obstructed, if we go further up stream bathestate to Elmshal and wattonwaven to Trafalgar Bailey bridge cannot be completed so we seem not to be able to prioritise and to do basic maintenance, not even mentioning the west coast bridges but we there jumping horray horray.
When will they learn, are they not tired of being tricked by Skeritt. The man knew he had all his plans in place to demolish the bridge. He asked for time, just to stall them, as soon as they relaxed, boom, bridge is demolished. I hope the people of Marigot don’t fall for the same trick. If they decide to begin their demonstration sometime soon, he is going to offer them all kind of promises, as soon as they decide to put a hold on their civil disorder, kai poul quasay I have said it before and I will say it again, Linton is playing to much nice guy with Skeritt. With all the criticisms that are being thrown at him, if he had the mentality of Savarin or Rosie, I am sure, because of the nonsense Skeritt is doing in Dominica and more particular Salisbury and Marigot, they would have had Skeritt down on his knees. It is time to wake up, Mr. Linton, you have been talking since you were a journalist, many years ago, it is time for action.
WOWW cant wait to see this when it is done
Hello and good afternoon my people. We must be honest regardless of political Affliation because if the Goverment is building a new bridge it represent progress. I just hope they build the bridge high enough so went the river over flow it don’t disrupt vehicle or pedestrian traffic over the bridge. They need the dredge the river all the way to BathEstate and build embankment walls with flood gates to control the flow in that way we can have a beautiful River in the middle of the city.
You are missing the point. Bridge, OK. Is it an emergency, no. More important and urgent projects to be done, yes plenty. What does the dictator do, he still goes ahead with it even though there is a court case pending in the matter.
To: AA Gabriel.
Hello and good afternoon my people. I just spent a month in Dominica and I drove all over the country and I see the condition of different bridge that are damage. I will give you that this bridge isn’t a priority but we are a country of Laws, Rules and regulations . No matter which party the prime minister is from he or she isn’t above our laws and based on what I read I haven’t see any court injunction for a stop work order on the bridge. I don’t take sides in politics in Dominica I just want what’s best for the country and our people.
more development for d.a.is that they vex about
AMEN
This is going to be too pretty for a bridge, sidewalks wide enough for pedestrians and vehicles on either sides. just think of a sexy name for it.
that little Roseau river beating allu ras!
so much Bridge build already and still they do’nt learn… its too low, dredge the river all the way down to the sea, build walls to guide the flow of water… then run
I think this bridge should not be built during Hurricane season. Any ground work done and be easily washed away. How did this get missed in the planning phase? Good project, bad timing.
Did Erica came during Hurricane season ?
yes tomtom August 27th 2015
Yes tomtom, Hurricane season is from June 1st -November 1st… ask questions before you post
TomTom Erica came ( ..not come) at the end of August last year, right in the middle of the hurricane season. Time to invest in a new tam-tam, tomtom.
Can\’t wait to see what it looks like when it is completed. And I am not speaking about pictures I am speaking about seeing with my own two eyes. God\’s Will be done!
DLP…Just do what you have to do…!!
Can somebody tell me why the rush to start a bridge (over which there is some controversy regarding the awarding of a contract) in the middle of the hurricane season? Don’t the powers that be remember what transpired during Tropical Storm Erika last year? Is that rush a means of stalling or frustrating the pending court case over the awarding of the contract? Barbados has no rivers, so I hope the contractors know how to deal with rivers, rocks and rushing water.
Just thinking
Just Thinking June 9, 2016
Because the controversy is irrelevant; it is nothing but distraction to stop the development of Dominica, by those who care for nothing but their own selfish needs. We must move on and that is what the Government wants to do–thanks to God that He has made them a strong body.
DWP it is time to mkve on. They will do a better job than any Dominican would. you guys are very good at maypwee nothing else. Look at your own homes no true foundations just shoddy houses. Also no time span.
true say; I am looking at the job done on my own house. They can do the rough work, but finishing touches is a big problem. Am hoping that my fellow Dominicans in that trade will pay attention and do better jobs so we can boast them, be proud of them and demonstrate on their behalf when jobs are given to foreign constructors in the future.
Another point; Please stop the bad habit of stealing materials and or from the money when you are given to do a project.
you get what you pay for. Hire properly qualified people next time, have an architect oversee the work and pay them properly. Too many people in Dominica want to sit on the front row for one dollar.
“But controversy soon developed when the Joint Consultative Committee on the Construction Sector (JCCCS) raised concerns over the manner in which the project was given to Barbados-based company, ”
The JCCS along with the opposition and other nationals are doing their best to fight the evil and corrupt practices of the Skerrit led government. However, more help is needed from key persons and groups. For example, the link below will tell us how St Lucia got rid of their bad government, and who helped. It’s a MUST read
http://stluciatimes.com/2016/06/08/police-secret-campaign-remove-slp
Buy election
Thanks for providing the link. I really appreciate it because I do not like commenting on things about which I do not have information.
In order to get a feel of the full picture I read not just the story in the link but all the comments from St. Lucians with their varying perspectives but there was one common thread, the Police had their personal issues due to an alleged ongoing matter ex-judicial killings and what some of their own people refer to as corruption and excesses within the force and lack of public support for their work. I also gather that they were unhappy with the PM’s handling of this matter and there was some kind of fall out with the US. (My interpretation of what I read. I had also heard some vague references in the media prior to reading the story now)
Given the foregoing, I’m not sure why we would want to set that up as a standard for any Dominican group to emulate. Perhaps I misunderstood what I read?
St. Lucia’s government is new. It is a novice. Today St. Lucians are rejoicing. They should think of the future. A new broom always sweeps clean. No one can see the future or foretell it. I hope for the next four years they will be satisfied with their government-elect. We will hear/read about it.
At some point in time. Everything is new. You must start somewhere, and if persons are not given the opportunity to prove what they can do then how else will they show their competence. That is backward thinking. See why the young persons feel so disenfranchise, persons like you will call them novice and say they can’t do a job.
typical woman of darkness. devil’s bride.
Dominicans are so ungreatful.
John Paul, the may not all be “great” but that does not necessarily make them ungrateful.
Haha guess the joke is on workers who said he didn’t have the money.
Excuse me! All I can see is destruction. Now e really have an emergency, created by Hon. Skerrit, as if do not have enough existing ones already.
@me what you are saying makes no sense at all