The government of Dominica and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil has signed an agreement which is geared at assisting the island with achieving one hundred percent pipe borne water access by 2015.
On Monday, a proposal for corporation between the Brazilian Water Agency and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) was signed.
Speaking at Monday’s ceremony Minister for Lands, Housing, Settlements and Water Resource Management Reginald Austrie explained that although Dominica is ahead of a number of other countries with its goal of providing water to all by 2015 however, every precaution is being taken to do so under the most environmentally sound practices.
“We spare no effort in implementing plans and programs at sustainable water resource management at all levels and involving every single Dominican,” he said. “In this regard, the experience of the Brazilian Water Agency in water resource management will contribute to the strengthening of the water resource management capabilities in Dominica through knowledge, transfer and implementation of best practices”.
According to him the initiative seeks to encourage proper management and sustainable use of water resource in the following areas which include development of activities and capacity building of Dominican expert in water and sanitation, professional training in water and sanitation, monitoring maintenance and installation of hydrometric stations.
In addition, the initiative will also encourage management of water and electricity loss in water systems, development of water distribution plants, water quality control and distribution networks, the preservation, conservation of water catchment, and reducing erosion and siltation of the waterways and rivers.
“Today’s signing activity is for the first year and that is valued somewhere in the region of $100,000 USD which is being contributed by the government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” Austrie said.
The duration of the technical agreement is for three years.
Austrie pointed out further that Dominica is the first island in the Caribbean to receive this kind of technical cooperation with Brasil. The primary objective of the cooperation agreement is to develop and strengthen technical relations and strengthen ties of friendship and fraternity between countries.
I’ve argued before that we need to adopt a strategic approach to the development of our water resources. This approach should include plans and projects not just for providing potable water to all our citizens at affordable tariffs but how we can use these resources to derive the most benefits for their preservation and at the same time generate the most income for the development of the other sectors. We may have the technical capacity to pursue this path, but we should also identify friends and partners who have had the most success in managing their water resources and have used them to develop their countries. One country that comes to mind is The Netherlands. Why can’t Dominica vigorously seek to engage The Netherlands in providing technical support to us. We have many Dutch citizens in Dominica and many of them have migrated to Holland and her dependencies where they have acquired the type of expertise that we need. With all due respect to Brazil, I think that we would be more strategically placed if we were to take this approach and it is not too late.
Is there any way the public could view the detailed aspects of this agreement???
Yes while the Brazilians have advanced their economy through renewable energy concepts, the officials heading this So-called Federal Republic of Brazil have failed to totally eradicate poverty from all its communities,,,
Why should these Fellows come control water rights on Dominica in the guise of assisting Dominica in a task that officials are well capable of accomplishing by themselves, and why can’t Dominica recruit its young engineers the same way the Brazilians have amass their knowledge???
“Austrie pointed out further that Dominica is the first island in the Caribbean to receive this kind of technical cooperation with Brazil to strengthen ties of friendship and fraternity between countries”
Interesting choice of words especially the word “Fraternity”
Dominica would be flowing with water after today’s match
That’s good Brazil will need all the support they can get. Hope that agreement is not as weak as the game they loose today against Germany. Hopefully we will get the Germans on board.
It is a shock to see what is happening in brazil where , the homeless ,orphans ,children with parents are prostituting themselves while they take drugs to boost their courage to do such a despicable act in order to feed themselves each day.none the less this is a good thing for dominica ,but how can the brazilian gov’t help other countries with much less problem than brazil; leave their citizens in such a devastating situation?the prisons are over crowded ,prisoners must prosititute themselves to eat,deal drugs,sleeping on card board or on the pavement ,excess heat due to lack of ventilation,favelas or shark houses with no water ,electricity nor toilet,murder cases is very high,indians with other brazilians were put out from their homes and placed by force in container houses and tent to make room for a football stadium.Where is the love or do they have any conscience ?clean infront of your doorstep then think of others>
1 million dollars over 3 years……….ok
DOWASCO is that incapacitated…….is something wrong here?
Ohh chewps man…I thought it was a D/ca water export agreement.
Lol… Dominica exporting water to Brazil…
Are you aware that the Amazon river runs right through Brazil?
lol … dude so many things so many Dominicans don’t know nor do they care to know
Well done DA keep moving forward sign with all those that wants you to sign. One day one day Dominica will be victorious.