A multi-million dollar Roseau River Promenade project that was expected to begin almost six months ago and which officials touted would transform the city of Roseau is moving at a snail’s pace, according to tourism minister, Ian Douglas.
“We are moving along very slowly,” he told DNO during an interview.
According to Douglas, the Ministry of Public Works is presently doing some preliminary work such as “measurements and a few boundaries, verifications and stuff.”
“And there is a river wall to the north that they are looking at because they have to look at both sides of the river if we have to start the promenade,” he said. “The ministry of public works is looking at all these issues before we actually start.”
Months ago officials were optimistic that the project would get off the ground.
In early March, Senior Manager in the Ministry of Tourism Danny Reid said the project would begin “at the end of April to the beginning of May” and construction would last about two years.
Officials also pointed out that the project is an integral part of the government’s redevelopment plan for Roseau pointing out it is being funded by the government of Dominica and ALBA.
Facilities including vending booths for food and beverage, landscaping and tree planting, a cantilevered board walk and a retaining wall are all expected to be part of the project.
Additionally an upscale restaurant and mini mall will form part of the boardwalk feature, officials said.
The exact cost is still being tabulated.
DNO continue to post what you want. Journalism at it’s best. there is nothing fair, “righteous” or transparent about you uwp operatives yet you all trying to sell this bs to people. PEACE. Continue your “good” work.
I do not know why these labour party jokers just let Sam Raphael run the country.We see he is quite capable of doing the job of these 16 incompetent ministers
You have a point there re Sam’s competence and the lack among government members
he can join workers. prove himself there. and then ask him how much money he is owing the government of d/ca. When you receive this information, then decide if you really want him to run the country
Folks, I know my previous comment was really long but please read it because one of Skerrit’s agents by the name of “Mie” made some foolish statements that had to be answered with evidence.
Maybe you have no understanding If you cannot understand why sometimes it is necessary to delay, modify or change a plan then you are a hopeless case. And I did not see the evidence you claim. These are the kind of reasons why uwp and their supporters lose credibility every time they talk.
Maybe, just maybe, you can remember when the uwp were sent packing by we the majority of Dominicans before they completed their term because they put the country in so much debt that we had to go to the IMF. What have we to show for that? Or maybe you have amnesia?
@Mie, you said this DLP administration takes time to do good and you had the guts to identify some of the goodies they are working at? My friend, stop defending this sluggish, lazy, and visionless government because their record speaks volume. You mean up to this time they have not learned the importance of keeping their announced dates? Are they just like LIAT that sells us a ticket that gives flight arrival time as Nov. 10, 2013 but up to date we are still stuck in St. Kitts? Let us take a look at some of the things you said Mr. Defender:
“The government was busy ensuring that citizens all over Dominica had running water.
They are still busy trying to complete the Pond Casse to Melville Hall Rd which is proving to be very challenging because it is in a very waterlogged area.
They are still trying to complete the coffee plant, the abattoir and the Cabrits hotel and spa, all of which i’m sure you will agree will provide many jobs.
They are still in negotiations with clear harbour and other call center companies to provide immediate employment for our unemployed youths.
They are still finalizing plans for the new state of the art hospital.
They are still in the process of fixing more feeder roads than uwp could ever dream of doing.”
1.Let us start with the water you said they were busy ensuring all Dominicans had. Sir/Madam, As of today, take a drive to Skerrits own constituency of Vielle-case and go to a community called AMBA then to Penville where got 95% of votes, and tell me if they have water ok.
2. The Pond Casse / Melvillehall road. Blackmoore got tired of giving new dates for the opening of that road that he took a vacation. 2010? 2011? 2013? OMG!
3. Which clear habor you referring to. So far, they have announced four different dates and maybe three different clear habors and three sets of new jobs that are coming, came, gone and coming again. Up to date, not one has materialized and instead, many have lost jobs thanks to Savarin/ Skerrit.
4. The Coffee plant? Which one? Take a look at this DNO posting of June 7 2010: “The complete coffee plant arrived in Dominica from Venezuela on July 22, 2009.” What is today’s date again?
5.The Cabrits hotel you said? Which one? Because if I am not mistaken it was carded for the Carib territory, then to Melvillhall and finally cabrits? You see the same trend? So much they don’t have vision they did not even know where to put it and they end up putting it at the worse possible place.
6. You were bold enough to even talk about state of the art hospital? My friend, if it was so important why spend $30 million on a state palace when the nation’s hospital has no equipment, no paracetamol, no bandage etc. The lack of those basic things have sent many Dominicans 6 foot deep.
I have no more time to waste because based on the evidence before us, one would have to be paid to be blind, paid to be foolish and paid to even compare this administration with any administration let alone, the UWP that transformed Dominica in 4.5 years.
Santa Claus, It is obvious that the Government is in the middle of a lot of projects that they can point at as evidence that they are going a great deal for the country. Actually, this is a very typical and childish ploy. They are hoping to nurse these projects into multiple election wins.
By the way. Good comment about the State palace.
Almost could not tell the difference
Ian playing smart wid chupidness, while the govt. hurrying slowly!!
The fact that a minister can talk these gibberish goes to show the scant regard they have for the intelligence of Dominicans. A project that was to start six months ago, you are now trying to determine where a wall should be built and how much it would cost? Does that make sense? Who are they talking to? Really? Give me a break!! I am weary of this disrespect to the citizenry. Let’s be open and frank with the Dominican public.
Has the project not started because they are working on the baseline or preliminaries. How can they give you the cost if the drawings are not completed from which they will extract quantities and then do the costings. The bottom-line is : projects do not start with construction.
Great idea!
interesting
But how come that Palace finished then ?? Maybe we should let the Chinese carry out that project Ian. If you are waiting for Alba you are waiting for ever because Venezuela broke. Only last week, the Insel airline announced in Curacao that they are cutting their daily jet services to Venezuela because they are waiting ten months now to get paid U.S.$. for tickets sold in that country and can not do anything with Bolivars. Don’t wait for Alba Ian. That died with uncle Hugo.
i think this ia a great idea and it would really look good to see this development done to the roseau river.. whoever has to do it let it be done..
.. its just somethings mentioned has a question mark over my head… its not adding up.. and if all this is just a sound good developement to comfort us… then hurt me with the truth… dont comfort me with lies
Typical of Dominica. Snail pace is an understatement.
Take all u time and do it good! More haste less speed. So we never planned something and it get delayed.smh
Give the Chinese to build it and you will see how fast it will finish. Dominican just slowing down every thing in politics name.
I dont think the poor man has any idea of what us going on, maybe honesty is the best route just say the project has been put on hold due to financial constraints.
the river has cows and stuff herding in there i saw them with my eyes
OH! Help us! I have a bridge to sell but those willing to purchase it will have to wait two years to buy. Those types of spin sends the wrong message to the people and those of us who knows better. Why Politian think they can fool people at will and get away with it? I have more respect for any Politian who speaks the truth rather than insult my intelligence with impunity. The only weapon I have is my vote and the power to those concern on early retirement. Enough already!!!! SMH”.
Sell it to Lenox.
A multi million government project that was to transform Roseau, was supposed to have begun six months ago. As of today, officials are measuring and locating boundaries; they have river wall to build… “IF we have to start the promenade.” Can you believe that? “IF WE HAVE TO START”… Yet “The exact cost is still being tabulated.”
Folks, Ian Douglas has publicly described the government of Dominica and the way they operate. I mean they announced their project would begin 6 months ago, as of date is only now they seeing what needs to be done such as river walls etc and they don’t even have a clue of how much to budget for a project that should have begun six months ago? These guys just say things when they in a good mood I guess, with no vision whatsoever, and things they think people would like to hear. No wonder Skerrit was supposed to have brought 350 brand new jobs per Austrie, then later that month Skerit himself said is 500 jobs, and later it was 400. One thing though as of yet not one has been employed.
Take time to do good. The government was busy ensuring that citizens all over Dominica had running water.
They are still busy trying to complete the Pond Casse to Melville Hall Rd which is proving to be very challenging because it is in a very waterlogged area.
They are still trying to complete the coffee plant, the abattoir and the Cabrits hotel and spa, all of which i’m sure you will agree will provide many jobs.
They are still in negotiations with clear harbour and other call center companies to provide immediate employment for our unemployed youths.
They are still finalizing plans for the new state of the art hospital.
They are still in the process of fixing more feeder roads than uwp could ever dream of doing.
I can go on and on but, I will leave that for another time and please don’t forget we have to deal with the occasional crisis like storms, landslide, flooding etc. That should probably give you a reason as to why certain plans gets pushed back. I’m sure it happens to you a lot in your personal life. This government is no different and your party is certainly no different. Check their record when they were in office. Don’t worry if you can’t or won’t, I will certainly be happy to remind you now and then with occasional statistics to prove my point.
Don’t have full knowledge of what the new design includes. Hope public facilities will be part of the promenade.
But wait noh….how was it supposed to start in April and now in November the cost is still being tabulated?
Zor pas lass fait sort aver kor zor? Why do we always blah blah blah and put our feet in our gel? You doh have measurements or cost but project about to start? Is that another ground breaking election koonumoonu or what? Get serious man and stop talking nonsense like allu have chorlorlor in allu mouth man. Everything in this land is backwards. But Change Must come..
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
i do not know what they are waiting for ?its a game that going on or what .start the project and make the city feel nicer .
they doh hv d money alba that funding it an allu forget we owe 62millon to Venezuela… wa papa so how we gonna start it? how u supose to start a project in April and still dont know how much it going to at least cost hahaha i mean come on ple … LETS GET REAL. ENOUGH WITH THE LIES.
LOL – Clearly Ian is uninformed.. Anyone with basic common sense will not believe that “measurements and a few boundaries, verifications and stuff.” is a BS reason. Before conceptual plans ( too play political exhibition) are done one would think that boundaries , right of way etc would be established. Besides that it would take a survey team just a few hours to do what Ian is saying. But then again Ian doesn’t what is going. Ian bro the government is broke. The country is not producing and things are bad. The government has already over shot the budget on things that were not even in the budget. The LPO’s, schoolfor Thibaud turn school for Joshua Francis, cash here and there , promises over there; red clinic surgery everywhere; money for calypsonians from one tent to go to North America.
Keep fooling the people Peeping Tom
If the “preliminary work” takes 6 months, then how long will the actual work to complete this project take? Six years? All lies. I just hate when these politrickcians think that we are all fools.
Isn’t it better to plan well before the work start, instead of starting and then finding issues? You never plan to fail, you only fail to plan. Note that
Well the only thing this cabal works on quickly is enriching themselves! And now they running scared they want to try to fool people with all kind of promises! Ridiculous! It is time to get rid of these wicked dlp people!
how could have this project started months ago when is now they there taking measurements
That would be an amazing feature. Great idea
try to fool people with a “promenade”, what about the miserable side street ? everytime I going roseau I have to walk with my head dowm, to watch every step I make, to avoid a fall. what about those peaces of road every corner that dammage our transport ? What about our rubbish trucks that always have problem ? so many more important things need to fixe before all those non sens
We dont need “promenade”, we already have bay front for our promenade, thank you
I mean “piece” of road
Sounds absolutely wonderful, but public education about urinating on any wall in town they feel should start as soon as possible. Maybe there should be a page where pictures of offenders can be posted.
Hopefully with a beautification project, the smell of urine will finally leave town.
You folks have got my backing, irrespective of how long it takes, as our City of Roseau needs a major uplift. Topographically, it the best position City in the Caribbean.
Take time to do good
Dominicans doh ready yet. Boss if it was chinese that had to do that project longtime that start and maybe almost finish. Everything for us is a long story. Contract chinese to do our projects and forget about those lazy people.Some of them playing politics just to make the government look bad. Contract chinese who talk talk, once u get your work done is all.
and who say is not Chinese that going to do it if it is ever done? Dominica broke, Alba doh have money since Chavez dead so what you expect!
When it have more chinese doing the job than Dominicans they talking , but we dominicans should know better that dominicans on a whole like to procrastinate after they saying chinese running the island I agree let the chinese do that instead , Dominicans alone cannot build Dominica or else nothing will get done
take time to do it right.
couldn’t we do something like Barbados, have the river fill up the banks, have yachts etc
Ask all the so called Civil Engineers we have running around. But the short answer is yes it can be done but will cost quite a bit. But Change Must Come and that will be soon.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Mother nature is very greedy , you know remember barbadoes is not a volcanic island which has alot of rivers , so if she decides she wants her river to be that way and we go change it sooner or later she’ll put it back how she want it.
Roseau needs to be built from scratch. Starting point:
*Get rid of all those ugly posts with the third world wires.
*Cover up those gutters
*place proper side walks
*pave the roads*
*make some steets no parking areas
**get rid of paros
Roseau is Dump.
All stores should have air con.
I should be king of the world.
Hopefully it will manifest soon. Roseau clearly needs a heavy duty makeover. It has some beautiful architectural features, and hopefully, some of this will be kept in place when the promenade starts building.
Ian ,only now you talking measurements.
U know how these laborites operate!
Better late than never.Haven’t u fall short of something you planned for?
your not allowed to fall short as a government responsible for the lives of thousands of people much less when you have advisers who are handsomely paid.this aint no rum shop people ,its a country smdh.measure 10 times n cut once rather than measure once n cut 10 times but dont jump the gun just to get a hype out of the people
election around the corner everybody should start making their grievances known right now .gov’t will fix everything now