Construction work is ongoing on the much-talked-about Marigot hospital amidst the threat of the dreaded Covid-19.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit revealed that 1000 cubic yards of concrete will be poured on the foundation of that hospital this week.
In 2016, the Marigot Hospital was closed temporarily after mold and fungus were discovered in the building and its services were moved to the Wesley Health Centre.
“On Wednesday [April 29] we will have the largest pour of concrete in the country, at any one time on the Marigot Hospital,” Skerrit revealed. “So we are pushing these projects. This is why we allowed some constructions to take place, respecting the social distancing to ensure that people can be employed.”
In making the announcement Skerrit cited the importance of facilities such as Health Centres and Hospitals are important.
He also said that there are a number of other government housing projects which will require the services of local contractors.
“We have Health Centres being built now, I believe about 8 of them now and we have a local contractor who built the one in Portsmouth at Georgetown and I can say to you that he has passed the test in flying colours and he has gotten his second contract for the one in Bagatelle,” Skerrit revealed. “So persons who believe they have the capacity to use the technology that developers are using we would prefer to engage you.”
The prime minister added, “Even with the housing, the housing projects that we have, we are going to cut them into pieces to allow for a greater number of contractors to be engaged and more local contractors to be engaged.”
Skerrit explained that in one community, for example, 70 homes will be built.
“The idea is to break it down into pieces of 3 homes each or 4 homes each and give 4 homes or 3 homes to each contractor to build,” he stated.
He indicated that by Wednesday this week, an announcement will be put out where people interested in building these homes and Health Centres can register.
Meantime, the Prime Minister said in the next few weeks his government will be handing over keys to 105 families to enable them to be in a less vulnerable circumstance during the 2020 Hurricane season.
“We are just months away from the hurricane season and so, while we are dealing with Covid-19, the government now has to deal with preparation for the hurricane season…,” he remarked. “The first week of May we are going to have a meeting with NEPO [The National Emergency Planning Organization] looking at our own preparations in the country.”
Skerrit continued, “This is why we are pushing housing and in the next few weeks we will be handing keys to over 105 families to get them into those homes before the hurricane season, so that, we will have 105 families more who will be in a less vulnerable circumstance at the start of the hurricane season.”
Wow..there is really no pleasing people boy…’build the hospital!!, build the hospital!!’ Build the hospital – still getting blows…wa you do go? Just do what you have to do is all.
I know, but just by contrast you are one of those that are easily pleased. Shame on YOU!
These hospitals should have helicopter landing pads and the Prime Minister should buy at least three helicopters to make it faster to get patients to the hospital from remote areas or flown to the two French islands if need be.
1000 cubic yards of concrete will be poured on the foundation of the Marigot hospital. I wonder where the money for this project is coming from now. Have the Mexicans finally come good? Have the Moroccans found a few more million? Has Skerrit sold another island to Venezuela? Has he sold another piece of our island to the Chinese?
Dear PM,
You know that I really don’t understand you? Have you forgotten that at the earliest, you stated that there were no LOCAL contractors with the requisite skills and experience to do such work?? Now you come with a statement intended to make you look good.
Had you been honest, the hospital would have been far advanced by now. You change your position too often.
Now to the issue of the CBI funds. Today marks the 271st day since you PROMISED to ACCOUNT for the 2.2 billion dollars. Please Sir, tell us where is the money. I am not going to give you a break until you do.
And DNO and the other media houses, please help me to have the PM account for these monies. Or am I to conclude that you don’t care?? I hope not.
HOTEP!
It’s being built there is criticism. There was criticism when it was delapidated. There was criticism when it was reported it will be built. It is being built not because of COVID19 but because it was on schedule to be built at this time. When will some people stop criticizing and thank GOD that finally it is under construction!!!!
At a time when my friends are causing many to die and get sick, I am going to build a hospital for those I hate. WOW look perfect timing boy. What great skills of deception
If you open your eyes you will see countries all over the world hurrying to build and and transform existing buildings into hospitals to allow for additional beds in case they are needed for coronavirus patients, not sure what you complaining for. I suspect you not even living in Dominica
Eagle Eyed, you seems to forget prince of darkness Linton forecast thousands of people will die Covid-19 will wipe us out in Dominica that is why we building the hospital in his backyard so that he will say I told you so!!!!
That making sense????
I do not like Skerrit, but, at least, after four years, he is trying a likkle thing. Let him be.
Skerrit should not even tAlk about the hospital after all those years. Mr is a deceptacon
That’s what Skerrit and China is all about, deception, lies, propaganda and corruption. This has been going on for years.
RODRIGUEZ,the hospital is being built with money from the CBI programme.UWP cannot show one thing they did with the RE ENGINEERED CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME.In1997 the UWP closed down a multi-million dollar 5 star hotel project in Layou.UWP will NEVER win election in St.Joseph.Skerrit should never build that hospital Marigot.
As per usual, nothing but donkey manure from you. Why don’t you do us all a favour!
After reading some of these comments I have come to the opinion that some people are not happy that the hospital is being constructed; this shows how wicked, hateful and disingenuous some people are.
When will this hospital be ready to accept patients? Will it be another Chinese named institution? The people deserve much more information. The Skerrit’s regime is notorious to start capital projects and leave them unfinished for an ‘eternity’. We need the names of the contractors, sub-contractors, cost to be incurred, duration of construction, etcetera. By the way, only an uncaring, callous, grossly incompetent administration allows an essential institution, like a hospital, to dilapidated to the point where it becomes unusable. A country ‘s health is its wealth. The low standard of the healthcare system in Dominica has led to the shortened lifespan of the citizens and residents.