Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said as at June 30, 2016, the total financial resources received as emergency assistance following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, which severely affected the island in August 2015, was $46.7-million.
In September 2015, Skerrit announced that damages caused by the storm stood at EC$1.298-billion.
“As at 30th June 2016, the total financial resources received as emergency assistance was $46.7 million including $23.2 million in grants from various donors and the loan from the IMF in the amount of $23.5-million,” he said during the presentation of the 2015-2016 National Budget.
According to him this amount does not include funds which were committed to Dominica and which were channelled through national, regional and international organisations.
“The amount which was received directly by Government was utilised to meet the cost of the clean-up, the restoration of access to and across communities, restoration of airport services and providing social assistance to the people directly affected by the storm,” Skerrit explained. “The latter includes the payment for accommodation, for those who were evacuated, rent assistance where this is applicable and income support for those whose livelihoods were affected.”
Additionally he stated that in addition to the foregoing, an amount of $35-million was allocated from the resources of the Citizenship By Investment Programme, for post-Erika projects.
“As at end June 2016, an amount of $20.4-million had already been spent. The unspent balance is in respect of the ongoing rehabilitation works at the airport. Other local revenue was utilized in financing other emergency works,” he noted.
He further mentioned that so far, 28 contracts have been issued for infrastructure works deemed to be of most urgent priority because of their impact on safety and livelihoods.
He revealed that these emergency interventions are funded with resources from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Meantime, Skerrit indicated that one of the most formidable challenges that the country now faces, is to repair the damage and destruction to our roads and bridges, and to stabilise the slopes, which pose a persistent threat.
He noted that government has set about rebuilding the damaged infrastructure, based on the “build back better principle”.
“This will apply to the redesign and construction of destroyed bridges, the rehabilitation of existing bridges, the upgrade and/or replacement of drainage structures, slope stabilization, road reconstruction, rehabilitation and resurfacing, throughout the island,” he explained. “It has been reported by local and external experts, that the damage to the network of roads and bridges $254-million. That figure represents the cost of replacing what was destroyed. However, Madam Speaker, since we are rebuilding better, our informed judgement is that the true cost will be way in excess of this amount.”
Furthermore he explained that several sections of the main road network require different levels of rehabilitation.
He said the Ministry of Public Works and Ports carried out preliminary assessments, and in collaboration with development partners, has been actively engaged in conducting surveys, preparing designs and cost estimates.
“Project proposals have been prepared and submitted to donors for review, in order to commence the tendering process, for key infrastructural works,” he said.
Skerrit indicated that the British government will finance the rehabilitation of the entire road from Loubiere to Bagatelle and Fond St Jean, with grant funding under the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, in excess of £25-million.
“The process of selection of consultants commenced, with the evaluation of the bids,” he stated.
He said construction is expected to begin next year.
Skerrit revealed also that his government have already commenced road works in the Fond Canie, Byack, Laudat, Cochrane and Copthall areas and will also complete the Trafalgar to Wotten Waven Bridge.
“Madam Speaker, an allocation has been made for the improvement of the Copthall/Wotten Waven Road, to include drainage and rigid pavement. Designs are being worked on to address the road failures in the Cabanis area,” he stated.
Skerrit also noted that approval was granted by the Caribbean Development Bank for an amendment to the scope of works for the Layou Project, to include an additional allocation of US$2.1 million (EC$5.7 million) for the works west of the Hillsborough Bridge.
On the 14th of July, the Governments of the People’s Republic of China and Dominica signed and exchanged letters that will govern the building of new bridges and culverts, repair of broken road edges and resurfacing works along the E. O. LeBlanc Highway. These works are valued in excess of $40-million.
Sarkway Sot
no byelection again allu Soofoooyier and Kasharkoo people .
allu enjoy de free rum and crumbs allu get,when it was important to them ,that’s what allu rightly deserve .
you all see now , no mention of maintenance or rebuild of allu road , no infrastructure improvement to create jobs for de young of that area , no village improvement proposals , byelection gone . Zor parlar pieercse .how many ministers allu seeing these days to drink and play domino with allu en ?
Its a shame to drive up to that area now , there are obstructing stones in that road I have seen in the same location for the last 10 years. I REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO HAVE TWO GANGS ON THAT ROAD I walked through a foot path, we as a young group concreted 40 years ago, no maintenance has been done to that and I marvel at how the aged walk on there everyday ,the same holes have been there for 25 odd years,BUT ITS OK , lets accept it that way even if the rest of Dominica moves on . WHO ARE WE en ?
so so sooooooo some of the money went towards rent for those who were affected by Erica so why then were some of them kicked out of some of the places that you put them up for non payment?