Multi-purpose emergency shelter for Layou, St. Joseph area

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. File photo

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said that residents of Layou, St Joseph and surroundings will have access to a multipurpose facility to ensure safety during a hurricane.

The Layou Emergency Shelter Resource Centre, as it is called, is expected to be completed in July 2019.

The facility will cost about $2.4 million.

“The residents of Layou, St Joseph will have access to this facility, it’s a multi-purpose facility. It can be used for activities, trainings, workshops and receptions,” Skerrit said.

He said the structure is expected to be sturdy with a concrete roof.

 “And ensuring that whatever you do going forward as a country, that those structures can withstand the elements, the ferociousness of the winds and the hurricanes which we are exposed to from time-to-time,” the prime minister said.

Skerrit commended the efforts of Parliamentary Representative for the St Joseph constituency, Kelver Darroux who,  he said, has been very instrumental in advancing this project and leading it on behalf of the government.

He also thanked the residents of Layou for their patience pointing out that the had been told about project on numerous occasions.

“I felt that at one point they would be losing hope that they would ever see the start of this project far more to have it at this stage at this time, but it is happening,” he stated.

Other such facilities will be constructed in other parts of the country, according to the prime minister.

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55 Comments

  1. Man bites dogs
    April 25, 2019

    Five more years and beyond for Dr pm Skerrit and his administration. We in Dominica 🇩🇲 don’t want any booboo man called Lennox Linton, for prime minister we want Dr Skerrit and so it shall be. Come Sunday 28th April 2019 our big day we will show Linton, and his loonys supporters that we mean business the whole island will be RED in colour. Linton please do yourself a favour and Go Now Linton Go Go Go teeway.

  2. %
    April 25, 2019

    Comment was not in respond to carlty but St Joe Person.

  3. Lin clown
    April 24, 2019

    IBO FRANCE.Typical lier.windsor park stadium,Clear harbour,Scotts seawall,State house,Yes we care,New Roseau bridge,School bus service,New grammar school,State college,EOLeblanc highway,St.Aroment Bathestate road,DCP re opening ,Petro Caribe NEP,York valley bribge ,Jungle bay New hospital Friend bridge,Botanical gardens road,$ 300 for 70yrs and over,Free medical care for 60yrs and over,Free medical for 18yrs and below,Night landing,Belvue Chopin housing,Nicholas Liverpool highway,AllSaints University.I can go on and on Dr Skerrit built back Dominica while you Lazy Blue Bugs stand a side and look.Let us see what your leader will bring after his long useless trip.

  4. Conscious
    April 24, 2019

    Emergency shelter when Margot and the airport needs a hospital?????
    What is going on with how this man mind works

  5. Ibo France
    April 24, 2019

    Sherrit will dangle many more shiny and tantalizing offers and projects to bamboozle the electors to vote for him and his failed party. When he first got into office as PM, he was pregnant with promise. After fifteen (15) years as leader, he has had a huge miscarriage. He has buried Dominica in debt, corruption, deception and poverty. Skerrit, your fate is sealed. When the people have had enough of you, no matter how hard you try to hoodwink the electorate, it will not work. Your trickery won’t work this time around. You and your thirteen (13) neophytes will be ignominiously defeated at the upcoming general election.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      April 24, 2019

      Ibo MALAPROP France, You are so sick, you definitely need some help.
      You are suffering from JEALOUSILITIS.
      Please take your medication…. Skerrit and Labor will be there for 5 more years…. Take that every day.

  6. Lin clown
    April 24, 2019

    You UWP idiots do not understand,ST.JOSEPH is a sure LABOUR seat with Dr.Adis King.When will you lazy UWP incompetent corrupt Blue Bugs understand.We do not want an EXPELLED DEPORTED LAZY LYING CORRUPT man as Prime Minister.UWP candidates turned their backs on the country after Maria.We now have a new Dominica built by the Labour Party

    • Ibo France
      April 24, 2019

      “We don’t want an EXPELLED DEPORTED LAZY LYING CORRUPT man as Prime Minister.” Omit the words EXPELLED and DEPORTED and you have a precise description of Sherrit. Just to confirm the PM’s flaws; some would say character traits:
      *goes on frequent world tours and brings back nothing but himself- LAZY
      *the countless unfulfilled promises( international airport, geothermal, etc.), the coup d’état- LYING
      *the garbage bins and fertilizer scandals – CORRUPTION
      There you go, INCONTROVERTIBLE PROOF!!!!
      *

    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      April 24, 2019

      @Lin, can’t you just wait till the votes are counted?

    • Pipo
      April 24, 2019

      Enough respect but who is Dr. Axis King in a political contex? And she have to defer to Melissa and her puppeteer. Sorry, no chance man.

    • %
      April 24, 2019

      @Clown
      Skerrit is the epithet of this description..lazy, incompetent, corrupt ,lying.Very Good Mr Clown.
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

      • Lin clown
        April 25, 2019

        Jonathan .In the last 8 electin I have lost once.When I voted against UWP in 1995.Dr.King is a roots Medical Doctor from the ghetto.More poppular than Kelver and way more Monel.

    • Karl Orndem
      April 24, 2019

      what does that have to do with an overpriced shelter? So what if you think DLP will win that seat? the bigger issue is the misappropriation of state funds. That is the problem, you small minded thinkers only see the bread infront of you, and not the bakery that burning in the background.

    • Joseph John
      April 25, 2019

      Yes I . You are so on point. When you face disaster you learn who your true friends are. Those who care about you do not go M. I. A. in the face of calamities. We will always remember who was proactive during Erica, Mathew and Maria.
      Those leaders and parties who show that they cared for no one in time of need will not change their mindset , ever.
      These three calamities prove that those masters of scams and verbosity have nothing to offer but negatives and empty words.

  7. LifeandDeath
    April 24, 2019

    How many promises Skerrit made since he get into office nuh?..Anytime they feel they will lose a constituency they ready to build big buildings. What ppl don’t realize is that at least 30% of the money goes to those who sell concrete, look and see all who selling concrete to those projects..duh!!..
    ..But none of this reduces the cost of living to the average Dominican tho..Dominicans wake up!!

    • Joseph John
      April 25, 2019

      You do not count promises you count action. The question is what has he done to deserve re-election vs what has other leaders done. Remember you do not have to be a Cabinet member to do something for your fellow Dominican. You do not go M.I.A. during bad times when you are a leader. That is the action of deserters and betrayers.

  8. Karl Orndem
    April 24, 2019

    2.4 million??? Granted it is a steel frame building. But 2.4 million? to build only? or to build and furnish and equip? Because i do not see how this building is costing that much money. not at all!

  9. carlty
    April 24, 2019

    This is so very necessary not necessarily in all communities but at least for each clustered set of communities in Dominica. Not everyone can upgrade their homes to be climate resistance and we must have our “what if” plan. Maria definitely taught is that. I am glad also that recreation and other aspects of social development were considered when conceptualizing the building.

    • Zammm
      April 25, 2019

      It’s really silly season , here comes Skerritt with some foolish offer just to grab on to some votes. He is campaigning left , right and center. He is just desperate to remain in office so as to get richer. This failed labour party got folks like Laureen bannis, Vince Henderson, Austelle lockhart the wannabe Skerritt, going around posting up pictures of hospital, houses in different areas, n other projects with the sole objective of getting those gullible Dominicans to vote labour. Right now Skerritt is alll over campaigning. In Grandfond he suddenly appears to be mixing with those who just want a quick fix to their present realities. The new kid on the block replacing ivor is most patriotic smiling up the place. It’s a sad reality that Dominicans have been made soooooo poor over the years that they promote a mendicant culture. They dont seee value of hard work, therefore papa Skerritt will give the everything free. They willl always be used as election machines n remain poor

  10. JAH KAL
    April 24, 2019

    Skerrit u look sick and very worried.

  11. April 23, 2019

    Time up pack up.who you think you fooling? we are tired of you Mr Skerrit we have had enough of you for the past 19 years.

    • Joseph John
      April 25, 2019

      UWP is destined to be a one term party. As one of the major parties now they will remain last kakarat. DLP led by Skerrit will dominate next election 21 to 0, 100% clean sweep just like his friends did in Barbados.
      He will set the record in Dominica as the first PM serving for 20 years, beating Premier Leblanc record of 17 years. Then he will continue wining for the next 4 terms , 20 more years, setting an all time record of 40 years in office.
      He has already set the record as world youngest PM and the only head of government with two Doctorates…Phd, Phd….Dr Dr.
      That man is an over achiever.

  12. Questions & Answers
    April 23, 2019

    My name is questions and answers so please allow me to ask some questions and will be waiting on you, the readers for answers.
    So Skerrit built an Emergency Shelter / Resource Centre in Layou at a cost of $2.4 million dollars EC or US? Ok so he said “The residents of Layou, St Joseph will have access to this facility…”

    So here are some of my questions that were not addressed by the PM:
    1. What is the population of St. Joseph and Layou?
    2. What is the size of the building?
    3. How many people can it accommodate?
    4. In case of emergency will the emergency Shelter be able to house at least 20% of the population of Layou and St. Joseph?
    5. Assuming it can only house 20% of the people, what will become of the remaining 80% in case there is a real emergency in the area?
    6. So that’s all Skerrit did for the people in 19 years of DLP?
    7. So after 19 yrs are the villages of St. Joseph better off or worse off?

  13. April 23, 2019

    We are not fool’s Mr Skerrit, your time has come for you to go.

  14. The Evangelist?
    April 23, 2019

    DNO before I comment on the article above please allow me time to warn my people about that LIAR, Jesus called the Devil.

    People, remember the Devil will come with great fury, knowing that he has a short time.” Rev. 12:12

    Remember the Devil came to steal, kill, and destroy. Jn 8:44. Yes he will promise you the world for your worship, just like he did to Jesus Matt. 4:9. But just remember he is only concerned about power and not you!

    Remember whenever the Devil opens his mouth, he does so because he is a prolific LIAR by nature and there is no truth in him or what he says Jhn. 8:44
    Remember to resist him steadfast in the faith when he comes 1 Peter 5: 9-10

    Now concerning what PM Roosevelt Skerrit said, honestly speaking I don’t pay him any mind because we know he is not making these promises because he loves people but rather because he wants their vote. He had enough time and money to build a shelter in every constituency if he wanted. But he knows St. Joe is gone so…

    • Joseph John
      April 25, 2019

      I like the way you “do not pay Skerrit any mind”. That statement is the biggest lie of all, and that makes you the biggest liar of all.
      When a political leader invade a Heads of Governments Conference, like a terrorist, to which he was not invited that is a walking lie on steroids. How can a political leader use his diplomatic passport to fool security and protocol : to put the safety of officials at risk, to put the safety of Heads of Governments , their advisors and CARICOM workers at risk, to put the security of a friendly nation at risk? With THE BIGGEST LIE OF ALL. THE GREAT IMPOSTER.

  15. %
    April 23, 2019

    Just look at the file photo..The picture sums up the trickery and deception which characterises this MISLEADER called Skerrit!!
    20 years of real retrogression!! D
    Most Dominicans voted you for two holes on the side of your face,(not for competence), now they are catching hell under your bad governance..But it’s practically over!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

    • Karl Orndem
      April 24, 2019

      When he smiling and he talking its always a mislead. Something vague that cannot be substantiated or just the pain old untruth. the smile and jovial way his words being presented is just to throw you off and not take too much heed of what he is saying.

    • St. Joe Person
      April 24, 2019

      % my boy, get a life because, you are irrelevant! We the people of St. Joe we are poor, well educated and proud. Please take the MOTHER Hen back to Layou Park. Doctor 🥼 KING/ queen, we got your back. We are the majority and we stand predominante! Unkile Lenox Linton, who goes overseas begging people for money to fund his lifestyle, the actual heroes of the DLP are dedicated servants rebuilding the island and making sacrifices to the People of Dominica. No % get a job living of people as a parasite is only growing your ego.

      • Ibo France
        April 24, 2019

        Uncle Joe, can to list some of the sacrifices that the government ministers have made pre and post Maria that you have articulated so well? Have they taken a pay cut? Has the BLOATED government been reduced? Has the PM cut back on his overseas joyrides? Please support your utopian statement with concrete evidence. By contrast, the Sherrit-led DLP concoction has done monumental harm to the financial resources of Dominica and irreparable damage to the once pristine image of the country in the international sphere.

      • Karl Orndem
        April 24, 2019

        what is his lifestyle? please describe.

    • 💕Me💕
      April 24, 2019

      Lenox Linton what do YOU do! On a daily basis you are seating waiting for a bone to drop so you could jump on it! Act of nature Maria, devastation caused irreversible damages to the island. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE towards rebuilding the island? We could see through you as a CON man, a snake 🐍 oil salesman and a desperate deceitful deceiver.

      • %
        April 24, 2019

        @Me
        You must have been sitting behind the chalkboard at school .No my friend for the 14time, I am not patriot Linton. He is obviously my role model though!! Wish I could articulate like him, walk like him, exude love of country like him, write like him, have you and Skerrit tremble like him .So I am just one who loves Dominica, unlike you and lazy Skerrit.
        Skerrit Must Go
        Skerrit Must Go
        LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

      • Karl Orndem
        April 24, 2019

        lennox and skerrit are not the only representatives of the party. When i vote, is not lennox or skerrit name i seeing on my ballot

      • Joseph John
        April 25, 2019

        Well The Hon. Mr Lennox Linton has been campaigning in North America to raise funds. His last stop is in New Jersey. On this fund raising tours he keep telling Dominicans why they cannot come to their native land to vote. Can you imagine that he wants to deny people of their fundermental human rights, their democratic rights while trying to take their money ? Is this a new scam ?
        Let us remember that you do not have to be in Cabinet to do something positive for the people . You are a “leader” you have to lead especially in the worst of times . The worst of times test our true grit, our true character.

      • Joseph John
        April 25, 2019

        Me, The idea of a many purpose activity center to be used as a shelter during disaster is a great one. Skerrit has been called lazy by opposition forces who only know how to talk, incite violence and make trouble. So If this center is visualize by a lazy mind, give me more laziness, give me an excess of it.

  16. %
    April 23, 2019

    The true cost of these facilities will eventually be found (not forgetting the $16 000 000.00 bridge)).Do what you want .Give the electorate gold watches, earrings, shoes, TV, computer, even streets to walk on, but your trickery and deception has been exposed!!! You are going out!!! You have failed Dominica in so many ways ..Shame on you!!! You are scared to death, and i know why, and the electorate knows why too.Wicked leader!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

  17. April 23, 2019

    As the election gets closer, the sweets get more plentiful. Less than a year before an election was due in one of the islands, I would wake up expecting to dodge pot holes, but they were mysteriously patched in the middle of the night after having to dodge them for over 4 years. I used to say the Night Patcher strikes again. One party in another island gave out a $500 dollar check in December of 2009 to each Electricity customer, which the party called Electricity Rebate, but after having the 2010 election, and the party won reelection, electricity rate went up 85%.

  18. Gouvelma
    April 23, 2019

    Elections are in the air and communities where Skerritt feels that the opposition is too strong are being promises streets of gold. I wonder if the so called structure is comparable to those in other islands or if they are according to Dominica’s 17th century standard.. Skerritt is feeling the heat and is singing a sweet song in the ears for the koolaid drinkers. Ok Skerritt. When will Marigot get a modern hospital capable of dealing with mass casualties in the event of one at the nearby airport? When will the six houses in Morne Jaune commence? When will the Grand Fond road be given attention making it less treacherous? When will the multi million dollar contract signed with the Barbados company come realization? How do you sleep at nights being such a liar? When will you account t for the funds and supplies received in the aftermath of hurricane Maria? When will the rest of the weevil infested food supplies be given to pork farmers rather than playing politics with them?

  19. WeNiceMan
    April 23, 2019

    Same ole recycled nonsense! When the hell is election again!?

    • Lin clown
      April 24, 2019

      %,when UWP was on stage the Christian man,the Bottle man from St. Joseph.The Yan Yan man from Layou built houses bought Dump Trucks,cars buses even bicycles,and paid for everything in 4yrs.All contracts in the St.Joseph area belong to DOE DOE husband.Never paid social security for workers.4yrs of massive corruption.The people of St.Joseph voting LABOUR again.

      • Joseph John
        April 25, 2019

        Mr Lin, The DLP is accuse of giving stuff to Dominicans. They say every week people are receiving from the Red Clinic. That lives are saved when people are rushed to other countries for emergency medical treatment. That people are receiving building material, scholarships and houses. Is that so wrong ?
        But the opposition is never giving. THE OPOSITION ONLY KNOWS HOW TO TAKE.
        So they want us to desert those who give us help and support. And admire those who take from us. Can I call them outlaws ? They just take.
        So if giving is wrong , give me more.

  20. Lol
    April 23, 2019

    but DNo you could put the picture of the project so your people will not say its a lie.

  21. Ibo France
    April 23, 2019

    Listen out for the international airport, geothermal and the state-of-the-art hospital in Margot next. Elections should be held annually as the people will be inundated with all of their needs and desires. Everything this man does is ultra-carefully done for political expediency. These things are important, no doubt, but the timing. Dominica needs a robust economy that will lift hundreds of poverty- stricken citizens and residents, every year, above the poverty line. The government should create an enabling economic environment for most Dominicans to fend for themselves. There was once a thriving middle class in Dominica. Skerrit’s misguided policies have decimated it. Presently, in the country, you now have the very poor, comprising the vast majority of citizens; the very rich, comprising mostly of Ministers of government and a few business people. This antiquated strategy of bringing gifts at the last second will not work this time around.

  22. Unknown
    April 23, 2019

    Blah Blah Blah, stop talking and start actually doing the work!!

  23. April 23, 2019

    ki million ,,,, stpssssss,,, you doh tired fool people

    • Maybe
      April 23, 2019

      Pm you such I don’t no you only go in the villages with about 85 percent of the people trying to put there life together financially so you can buy there vote stop your crap and create jobs

    • ????????????
      April 23, 2019

      Why don’t you all get educated on construction things or things that you do not understand? A house costs so much far less for a multi purpose centre which in sq ft will be much bigger that the average house. Go get some learning in things you do not understand and you will be surprised. For example a timber house one bedroom, you would need posts, for the roof and elsewhere; for the foundation probably concrete – sand stones, blocks. you will need boards, nails, Plyboard for partition, and outer walls. and most importantly the labor is important unless jean journee assists. But you know no coud main these days as in the olden days so persons want their hard cash. So does this not add up? It is time for you people to face reality. Without this, you cannot understand nothing at all.

  24. weh
    April 23, 2019

    What about the new mansion that you have under construction, will that be a hurricane shelter?

    • Karl Orndem
      April 24, 2019

      I does call it a citadel.

  25. Neville
    April 23, 2019

    Haven’t we got a great and generous PM. We will have (I believe it when I see it) a multi-purpose emergency shelter but we won’t have a new hospital in Marigot or Portsmouth. Nor do we have a completed and fully functioning hospital in Goodwill.

  26. helloooooooooooooo
    April 23, 2019

    why every project has to come up to “millions”?? but yet it doesn’t look like it is worth “millions” anywho i hope you keep your word Mr.Skerrit.

    • JBaptiste
      April 23, 2019

      The answer to this is kickbacks. The standard operating practice of Caribbean and African leaders.

    • carlty
      April 24, 2019

      A simple 2, 3 storey residential homes in Dominica worth almost half a million US dollars. And sadly as inflation and other financial, economic, ecological and other factors come into play, it will only sadly get worst.

    • %
      April 24, 2019

      You are definitely not a St Joe person, but an inveterate liar like Skerrit..Thanks to make me aware that I am a ripe mango..Your stone won’t pick me though, while I get under your red skin. All your animadversion and/ or censorious remarks will just glide from my back.
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

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