The Fond Cole and Bagatelle communities have been singled out to benefit from grant assistance of some US$ 85,513.80 or close to EC$ 230,000, courtesy of the Government of Japan.
The disaster mitigation projects will be conducted in the communities under Japan’s ‘Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP)’ in collaboration with the Dominica Association of Local Community Authorities (DALCA).
They will target the renovation of the existing Fond Cole Resource Center/ Hurricane Shelter and and the construction of a storm drain in Bagatelle.
The contract was signed between the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Takafumi Ura and the Director of DALCA, Yoland Jno Jules at a ceremony at the Baracoon Building on Thursday.
Ura said the projects will assist in improving disaster management response and preserving lives in the communities.
“Through this project, the people of Fond Cole will have increased access to a safer environment as they will be able to shelter overnight during any natural disaster,” he said. “Also the community of Bagatelle can feel a stronger sense of safety with the reduced risk of land slide, since the construction of the storm drain will mitigate the effects of natural disasters.”’
Ura added that the Government of Japan is very pleased to assist the communities through the GGP.
Local Government Commissioner, John Fontaine, gave Ura the assurance that the project will touch several areas and lives.
“Let me assure Mr. Takafumi, that the proposed intervention that will result in community empowerment, building capacity among community leaders, short term employment, the protection of lives and property, improving sanitation, mitigation, the implementation will be participatory and will depend largely on a multi-sectorial approach as we have started,” he said.
Construction of the storm drain in Bagatelle has already begun with funds from the GEP Small Grants Project and the new financial assistance will see it to completion.
The drain is about 3,000 feet long, four feet deep and three feet wide and is covering almost half of the village in the areas most prone to land slides.
Work in Fond Cole will begin by April or May and when completed, the Resource/ Hurricane Shelter will be fully managed by the Roseau City Council, under which jurisdiction the community falls.
Thanks to the Japanese. We will cast our vote at the whaling summit. We scratch your back, assistance is in order. Thank you very much. It’s ONLY fair?
Japan – Thank you for the developmental assistance
Received with much appreciation Japan
This is such pittance compared to what Dominicans spent over decades in purchasing Japanese cars putting monies into The Japanese economy.
Dominicans still hold the mentality that the world owes them a living. A created dependency state of a nation. What if the Japanese never brought their vehicles over here in the first place to sell? Where would DA be then? Always ungrateful these people. Always thinking of themselves. Ask what does Dominica do for any other country? Who does DA help?
blame your government for the ridiculous import duty on cars…. totally unbelievable duty
Yoland Jno Jules from Vielle Casse?
Yes, the same Yoland from Vielle Case…is he not the mouth piece of Skerrit..? Please clarify!!!!!!!!!!
Strange bed fellows in strange places looking bright
Arigato, Nihongo.
Thank you for such but why won’t Japanese open a factory to make parts for cars well well that would be much better but again thank you..
I like your way of thinking…..that type of thinking is big league thinking…..our government should approach such companies with similar ventures outlining exactly how DA can help them and help us diversify our economy.
Hahaha. I am sure that you must have meant this as a joke!! Does Dominica have the minerals and other raw materials necessary to manufacture automobile parts? Or were you hoping to import these basic items and thereby incur massive overheads which will then have to be covered in the increased price of the end product?
I like that picture: a beaming Mr. Ura
That’s interesting considering that Japan is not in good financial condition these days. I wonder what they are getting in exchange?
to catch all the whales dominican waters holding or probably 3/4 of them among other natural resources.
Weh, weh, weh! Nothing for Petite Savanne as usual. Not even a community center or a building to house the office of the Village Council.
tell that to allu ParlRep!!! All the wasted millions on an impossible playing-field which can’t n wont be utilized
I hope they cover those storm drains. These deep drains in Dominica are safety hazards.
I think one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world (Japan) knows how to build things properly…