Dominica is now in the third stage of dealing with Tropical Storm Erika; the reconstruction of the damage caused to public and private infrastructure and property. The first responders from most of CARICOM and the rest of the world have done their jobs and have left.
The Government is now responsible for getting the public infrastructure back to normal, mostly with local labour and regional and international finance acquired on various terms and conditions.
Immediately following the disaster of August 27th it seemed that Jamaica was missing in action. If you thought so or you did not even think of Jamaica as a partner in dealing with the effects of the disaster, you are wrong.
In fact, since 25th November, a contingent of 20 soldiers from the Jamaican Defence Force’s Engineering Regiment has been in Dominica working assiduously in the Roseau Valley erecting the largest Bailey bridge so far constructed, covering a span of some 90 feet.
The men are under the command of Lieutenant (pronounced Leftenant) Orane James while the engineering work of the men of the JDF is supervised by a senior civil engineer, Mr. Roland Desdunes, from the National Work Agency of Jamaica.
Given the importance of the attractions in the Roseau Valley to Dominica’s tourism industry the work of the members of the JDF is very timely as it will allow the cruise ship visitors and others to easily access the Trafalgar Falls and the hot springs at Wotten Waven through the link road joining the two communities which had been cut by the destruction of the bridge during the storm.
The Jamaicans have set themselves a deadline to complete the work on this bridge early this week.
Immediately after completing the Trafalgar/Wotten Waven bridge, the team is expected to commence work on a similar bridge with a span of some 110 feet at Geneva in Grand Bay. Not only did Jamaica provide the manpower and the expertise for erecting the bridges, but the bridges themselves were donated by, and shipped from, Jamaica.
Officials of the Ministry of Public works and Ports estimate the value of each bridge and associated labour to be in the region of EC$3.5 million dollars, a very valuable Christmas present from Jamaica to the people of Dominica.
DNO wishes the men of the JDF and the entire group from Jamaica a merry Christmas as they return home in time to celebrate the season with their families.
I am a Jamaican who grew up and lived in Dominica. In fact i attended the Roseau Boys School and the Dominica Grammar School. I lived in Belles, Goodwill and Massacre. I am now back in Jamaica and was heart broken when i learned of the devastation caused by the storm. I am pleased, however, to know that the Jamaican Government and people have reached out to our Dominican brothers and sisters in their time of need. I sincerely wish we could have done more. DGS forever!
Thank you Roland Desdunes, Lieutenant Orane James, the entire crew of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Government and People of Jamaica for your kindness, hard work, dedication and sacrifice. We hope that your work continues safely and wish each of you men here in Dominica a safe trip home to be with your families for Christmas. I am quite sure that many Dominicans were not even aware of your presence here so long after the storm. Thanks to Dominica News Online, we are now able to give credit to and appreciate your efforts on our behalf. May the good Lord bless and keep ALL of you. You gentlemen should be proud of yourselves…it is the greatest honor to sacrifice for others in time of need. We Dominicans shall remain eternally grateful!
thanks my caribbean folks
We really must thank our Jamaican brothers for the great work being done on the island. We also know that the Jamaica people have their own needs but it’s great when others reach out in such a caring manner.
Thanks again and PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hide ur trees they coming for that to my bro. Thanks ya man
Thanks you very much.
Thank you JDF and all involved…
to the soldiers of the JDF we salute you all it shows that it is not only guns that you can use.
Thank you Jamaica, and long live your people.
Thanks. to the JDF, and the Government and People of Jamaica, we shall never forget. Merry blessed, Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year to all. Come again soon.
Congrats to the Jamaicans! Thank you for your hard work and dedication! :-)