In the next couple of weeks, the first batch of 340 residential units being constructed in Bellevue Chopin to house families from Petite Savanne displaced following Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015, shall soon be ready for occupation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lucien Blackmoore he has been advised that towards the end of September, 99 shall be ready.
“To start up with, in Bellevue Chopin, we have 340 residential units,” he stated at a press conference on Monday. “Somewhere towards the end of September we should be getting the full 99, I have been advised, and towards the end of May, end of June (2019), we should have all the 340 buildings ready for occupation.”
Eight hundred and twenty-three residents were evacuated from Petite Savanne after the area was deemed unsafe after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika which severely affected the island on August 27.
Bellevue Chopin was then chosen as the main site for new homes for the displaced residents.
Blackmoore explained that there are a number of segments on the site itself.
“We have A, B and C zones, so we will be outlaying or bringing out the project or the finished components to the public in full complete fashion,” he said.
Blackmoore also said that all utility lines at the site are underground.
“You would realize on the site we have no overheads lines,” he stated.
Meanwhile the rent for the people from Petite Savanne has not been paid by the government for the past 3 months. At the beginning of this year, it was four months before the rent was paid, now we are at three months and counting. Some of us landlords have not reacted to this negligent behaviour by the government because evicting these people would be unfair and inhumane. It would not surprise me if the people are given keys to their new homes, while the rent remains unpaid. My concern is that the people have a roof over their heads, so they are still in the house. This government that claims to have all this money set aside has shown that the people of this lovely country are not their priority. God will provide.
This is just typical of that Skerrit administration. After skimming the public finances they robb Peter to pay Paul. Now if Peter was to complain about unfair treatment he would be on the receiving end of their viciousness. Welcome to the new Socialism a la Skerrit! All you will have a very rude awakening soon.
Have they been constructed to Hurricane standards, example metal straps to hold the roof rafters as what they do in Florida and other hurricane prone areas? In Florida it is mandatory to construct a house in that fashion. If not this will be money wasted because the next hurricane wind will just remove the roofs again. Is the construction inspected.
Meanwhile the homeowners who have rented to these displaced Petite Savanne residents have not been paid by the government for the past 3 months. Some of us have simply not reacted because to ask these people to leave because of the government’s negligence would be unfair and inhumane. At the beginning of this year, it was four months no rent paid, that was finally taken care of, now it is three months and counting.
I would not be surprised if my tenants are given keys to their new homes, and we are left with no payments. At least, my tenants cannot say I evicted them, I am holding strong, and they will be there until they do get their new homes.
Welcome to the new Socialism a la Skerrit! This is only the beginning of IT!
How about some photo’s showing progress of this building project instead of people sitting at a desk?
Blackmoore the optics in this picture are not good. A white man who ever he is with probably a ALLEGED questionable background has come to save the day for us in Dominica. Is no wonder that we as a people and country are in turmoil,,, is so we come lack of confidence and self hatred–Are you tellign me that that are no contrctors ion DA to do this? But I stand by my political party——red , green or blue…..is so we come and is so we gonna die.
Blackmore you look worried the crook on your side looking at your body language like u a program to say somthing and if you do’nt you blow the cover up.
It will be interesting to observe the consideration factor which will be used to determine the distribution of those units. Value of lost investment in the former Petite Savanne or political colours…