Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is vowing to keep a campaign promise he said he made to the people of the East concerning dues they will get in a fourth term of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) government.
On Friday, a European Union (EU) funded €6.9-million contract was signed for road works to be done from Morne Diable to Pointe Mulatre and the Prime Minister said this is part of keeping his promise.
“I said in the campaign for the December 8th general elections, that the East would get its due in this fourth term of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration, and I am intent on keeping that promise,” he said.
The contract was signed between the National Authorizing Officer for the European Development Fund, Carleen Robert, and Jacques Garddarkhan, Managing Director for Emile Garddarkhan et fils, the company that won the bid for the project.
It was described as a “stepping out project for 2015″ by Skerrit.
“I am therefore elated this morning to be able to use as our stepping out project for 2015″, the signing of this agreement for the rehabilitation and upgrade of physical infrastructures in certain parts of Eastern Dominica,” he stated.
He informed that in an effort to rehabilitate damaged physical infrastructure and improve efforts at disaster mitigation, the Natural Disasters Remedial and Mitigation Infrastructure Project (10th EDF B-Envelope) was formulated. It was to focus on the East Coast of Dominica, where several landslides have affected ten rural communities from Bois Diables to Pointe Mulatre.
The project is expected to meet two objectives:
(1) Improved resilience to extreme weather events of the road between Bois-Diables and White River to include slope stabilization, improvement of drainage, replacement of crossing structures and re-construction of the La Ronde and Boetica River box-culverts crossings.
(2) Improved delivery of transport between Bois Diable and White River to include replacement of failed road structure; improvement of alignment; and rehabilitation of the White River Steel Bridge.
Other areas will be rehabilitated with financing from the World Bank under the Disaster Vulnerability reduction Project (DVRP), Skerrit said.
“Earth works” is scheduled to begin in a matter of weeks and the project is expected to kick off in March to April. It is expected to last about 18 months.
“The contract being signed today will not address all the areas of concern on the East Coast roads but it’s a solid and meaningful start,” the Prime Minister said.
The financial agreement for the project was signed on March 7, 2014 between the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the European Commission.
Don’t we always expect country men to help each other first? So, it are two Frenchmen looking after each other don’t you see?
Dom-in-i-cans really love Gad-dark-han boy.
These beggars have no shame! You should be ashamed to come on DNO to let others know that your vote cost so little. Just seeing the type of tablet(they look more like our home made tablet) that Kelvar Darroux had in his hand during the campaign are inferior laptops. And my people were willing to sale their votes for less than 30 pieces of silver. So please have some shame, stop wearing your shamelessness as a badge of honour. These beggars in Dominica have no shame at all.
You know it, I not and more to the point Skerrit knows it. Give them a few scraps and he’s in for another 5 years whilst he and his cabal skim of the cream. Unfortunately for the majority of Dominicans the good of the country is secondary as long as they receive a few dollars here and there and just come by. Egoism, selfishness, lazyness and no ambition are phrases that come to mind.
Dominica not for Dominicans. Garddarkhan, a French business man and contractor was awarded the contracts, the jobs to do:
The Canefield to Pond Casee road rehab.
The Melville Hall to Pond Casee road rehab
The airport upgrade and road. See the suffering the people of Marigot, Wesley, Woodfordhill and all commuters in that area going through, because of bad work.
Now Garddarkhan is awarded to do the Morne au Diable to Pointe Mulattre road rehab. Although Gov’t experienced several problems with that contractor before, re. delays, yet more and more jobs for him.
Remember Garddarkhan and that Asphalt plant he built in Layou? He had ordered equipment for that plant even without permission from Planning Division. Yet that same Planning Division later gave him permission to build, even though the Layou villagers protested against the cancer-causing fumes that the Plant would spew and affect the people’s health. For whatever reasons, Garddarkhan has Gov’t under his…
Hahahahahaha what are your plans to generate revenue for the country?
That French contractor must be laughing at us in Dominica.
Did someone say Public Works??? I should sing calypso this year.
Morne Diable to Pointe Mulatre. Is this the highest best use of money? These funds should be spent on upgrading the stretch of road from the Melville Airport to Pagua. It is so embarrassing that a visitor’s first impression of Dominica is so negative. That road (from the airport to Pagua) along with the derelict houses and meg cows along the way is a national disgrace and public embarrassment.
If tourism is a major focus of the government then it should make DA as inviting as possible so as soon as a visitor sets foot on the island they would feel a sense of welcome and an eagerness to explore the island. To spend days to get to Dominica and then be greeted with such lack of concern for our roads and dwellings is contrary to image we want to portray.
Carcon they would never do that because it would mean upgrading Marigot. You think Skerrit can find it in his soul to do that?
The road is from Bois Diable (not Morne Diable), the junction with the road to Castle Bruce near Emerald Pool, to Point Mulatre.
On the topic of keeping promises, please don’t forget our 5 star hotel for the Kalinago territory. I hope you did not give us a rock to hold.
This mas has no depth or vision. These fools dont know how to use DOminica natural resoucrse and how to market our island. These young people that liking the hand outs are uneducated to see that. We need to start earning money instead of owing so much.
These DLP supporters will reap what they sow – Dominique fini bat, papa
Infrastructural development is always welcomed, in conjunction with job creation and agricultural revitalization. Coffee and coca beans are two commodities that are both in great demand on the global market. Why aren’t we involved in seeking out buyers and producing these crops for the export market?
It’s great to focus on much needed infrastructural rehabilitation such as improved roads and bridges, but that focus must also be balanced to grow the economy as well. Without economic growth and job creation, we’re essentially on the path to nowhere with smooth roads and new bridges.
The Hon. Prime Minister, though, it is true that we have entrusted you and your administration with a tremendous mandate given the global economic situation, but that is as you rightly stated, base on your campaign promises. Please note, that I have grown tired of the continual lip-services so can we see more action from henceforth and less self-talk?
From professional standpoint, what you are saying sounds good and I am in agreement, but accountability associated with quality assurance, and deliverable on time are also paramount. Let’s get to work shall we?
Nobody is saying a good word about this info we must learn to give praise where it’s due. Let me start the ball rolling by saying that’s welcome news not only for the people of the east but for all of Dominica. You don’t like the dog but say it’s teeth white. Mr. P.M. you need to take a look at Portsmouth to Melville Hall road. The improvement of the bridges, sections of road close to the white house at Hampstead, close to Hampstead river, Dos Dane area etc.
Dominica citizens are queuing up to come back to their native country,due to hardship overseas and you call us poverty.Stay at home and criticize everything and think money will come to you.Dominicans never had it so good. Well done PM the banks still have faith in you. Our caring friends the Chinese,we have space for more of them, come on down my brothers and sisters and enjoy the fresh air with us.
Are you for real?? Ok, stay in your nut shell and keep enjoying the leftovers of Skerrit’s bountiful dinner table.
Dear Efficatious
Never have I been so intrigued by a comment!
Are you advocating that the Chinese should migrate to Dominica to live on fresh air alone?
I think that you are the one DNO contributor who has articulated the Government’s mission statement “come to Dominica to live on fresh air”
I wonder why Dominica is still relying on loans and “gifts” when we are so very rich in fresh air!
So,so sorry for the people at Public Works. This is probably the final nail in their coffin. Big expensive asphalt plant near Colihaut standing idle more often than not, while Gaddarkhan keeps producing his own at Layou. Expect Ian to break the sad news some time this year.
DNO behaving just like DBS, GIS, Vibes, The New Chronicles and that other FM radio I don’t want to mention. All they can do is give news that are pro Skerrit. Why they not putting out the report from the Labor Commissioner that Matt and them reading so all could see what’s is their? Is the report not authentic enough? Is it not of national interest? Are the lies of Skerrit more important? Common DNO it’s time to stop playing politics and deal with real issues my brother.
Someone has to get paid for all the election monies that were given to the DLP. Ghadarkan is laughing all the way to the bank again on Dominicans behalf. What is the cost per mile? Is it in keeping with costing seen in the region? What penalties are in place if the said Ghadarkan (spelling?) does not finish on time? What is the Budgeted estimate versus what the contractor estimated? We all know that Ghardarkhan (spelling?) will be asking for change orders because thats the gave which includes the “finder’s” fee.
Mark my words, the project will cost us twice as much by the time it is completed. Someone has to get paid and we all know the game by now. Ghardakan have us by the “ba*ls” again and will be smiling all the way to bank.
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
He definitely is not looking well in this picture. As usual, he never addresses the real issues and resolving them. It’s just more of the same. Too many people here are very slow learners which translates into no future for DA. Mr. G must have some kind of hold over the PM. The PM must owe him big time for him to be able to dictate all of the big projects.
After the mess Jacques Garddarkhan produced in past contracts with extraordinary delays and performance its incredible that he is again the main contractor? The gov’t itself in the past threatened to fire them for non performance!
Oh belt up please
Please. Mr. Pm build a new bridge at Rosalie. That bridge is too low and without, pedestrian lane. Clearly this bridge serves as a main connection to all the neighboring villages. Not to mention one of the world best resorts.lets look ahead before this long obsolete bridge is washed away.
Are there no other contractors in Dominica. All contracts are being signed by that French contractor, why cant the bread be spread around? Since the inception into Dominica of that French Company for the purpose of mining in the Coulihaut area, wasn’t roads being built?
pm my daughter is still waiting for the tablet you promised.u said january and january is over
Not over until it is over, January is not over as yet
Give me a break……..that is all you can talk about. Is that economic building. When are you going to open your eyes and see that Dominica has become a poverty stricken country under your leadership, while big boys are happy with wealth in the past 15 years….DOMINICA really nice papa.
For years you building concrete you are outdated in your development focus. Every government has but road since Baron. We cannot eat concrete and you come again spewing the old story about concrete road and we still have to climb up stairs for more begging from the Red Clinic. Is so we come….well Dominica really nice…..and corruption really high
Stop complaining. People made their choice on December 8, 2014. Don’t make people happiness your misery. Bon.
Views Expressed get a life. Try to comment sensibly. You are out of sync. The article is about road building and you are about a man. Dominica is not a poverty stricken country as you say. Dominica is blessed with so much. If it was as you want to say, you would probably be dead or malnourished. Can you not be grateful for some of the good things we have. Compare with overseas – ISIS, and other terrorist groups kidnapping girls, killing , beheading people and the likes, Sickness and plagues (ebola etc). Persons killing their own self in the process and the list goes on and on. Meself Thank you Father for living in Dominica. This country is blessed with water and so many more. Thank you. Things that some persons in Haiti back to the African and other countries are craving for, that you take for granted. Go find a job on the Job or else you will have to eat concrete. No one forces no one to go Red Clinic. Ot is a choice or maybe you are lazy.
“Dominica has become a poverty stricken country under your leadership, while big boys are happy with wealth in the past 15 years….DOMINICA really nice papa”(Views Expressed).
Such comment in the quote has no effect on Skerrit and his party. The chances of eliminating poverty in the country slipped by on the 8th day of December, 2014, all of the crying, and regret will not help, the people of our country sold the country to Skerrit for nothing more than a belly full of food for a single day. Today he boast about a promises he made to finish a road, that is nothing, people should not be promised the completion of a road for votes, since it the duty of Skerrit to build the infrastructure. He boast about 6.9 million pounds, a total of EC$33,120.00 thousand dollars, very small amount indeed!
Thank God other countries are willing to financially assist. You should be thankful and grateful for that otherwise nothing would be done in D/ca. How much do you contribute to D/ca’s revenue in the form of income tax?
Fax Machine, if you were not so busy, you would have discovered my error above, and would have given me hell about it, but I think the reason why you could not identify the error, is because you are a dunce, who cannot count oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Get me mama,and be wife in exile in Toronto to teach you some math, you know that young twelve year teacher, wait until she see the mistake, all hell will break loose. And trust me you will never see or hear me thanking another country for handouts, when a government seems unable to do what it takes to create employment which should be the source of our revenue. What happens when no more handouts are available?
Francisco, what is the reason for your derogatory words? As you should have noted, my response was not meant for you and your comment. Furthermore, little do you know that I did not read your comment. I bypassed it. Also DNO probably did not moderate your comments and so I did not see it. Therefore you are wrongly accusing me.
Comments as yours should be prohibited. Keep them to yourself. You are consistently insulting people on this Website. They do not deserve it.
Your comment makes no sense whatsoever. You are the dunce one, the pot calling the kettle black. When are you going to cease your type of uncalled for comments?
You are not a nice person. Learn to communicate amicably , respectfully and to be a gentleman to your fellow people. What you sow you shall surely reap in time for what goes around comes around and twofold.
It would appear Skeritt loves farming, because he is always cherry picking. There is a very significant story, which could affect Dominica’s relationship with many countries in the world, Skeritt is yet to address the country about the alleged racketeering, he said, of passports and visas which has been happening at the Labor Division. He is all over the press taking about building of roads, the relationship with China and the many election promises he has kept. He must be reminded that during the election campaign, he told Dominicans that he would be transparent. It would appear the transparency on the passports and visas racket may have been thrown in the garbage bins which had cost Dominicans thousands of dollars.
Garddarkhan encore!!! ‘De country nice boi’
Not that Gaddarkhan again, who were more than two years late, and over budget on the completion of the Ponte Case-Hatton Garden road? Remember how mr. Bkackmoore berated and threatened them? Well, well, we must be a bunch of masochists.