The Dominica government has announced a EC$120 million road rehabilitation programme along the east coast of the island.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that the project, which would include the Emerald Pool, the most popular and accessible volcanic black sand beach, and the Kalinago Territory, comprising eight villages where the island’s indigenous people reside, is among major initiatives to be undertaken by his administration in 2021.
“The improvement of access to the east of the island has begun with the mobilisation of the contractor on November 23. This project which is valued at EC$127 million will have a significant economic impact to the communities in the east,” Skerrit said.
He said the redesigns for another major road project in the south of the island are being undertaken and the feasibility studies and preliminary designs for the road in the north of the island have already started.
Skerrit said that the road rehabilitation project is expected to be complemented by the development of the cargo and cruise ports.
“We are in the process of upgrading our health facilities across the island. We have built and renovated various primary health care facilities. Phase two of the China-Friendship Hospital will be handed over this month and a new Marigot Hospital will be completed by mid-next year.,” Skerrit told a private sector breakfast.
Skerrit also told the private sector representatives that his government has embarked on a project that will further upgrade the digital sector.
“We are advancing our transition to a digital economy that will among other things allow for streamlining of government’s services and facilitate the delivery of services and payment of all transactions online.
‘We have already begun the process, which will be completed in the first quarter of next year. We will also be developing the legal framework necessary to protect businesses and consumers. We will develop a cybersecurity policy and have a cyber response team that can provide training and support on cybersecurity matters,” he said, noting that in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, there has been 90 per cent internet penetration on the island with increased bandwidth speed for homes and businesses.
CMC
