Dominica: Post-hurricane developments ‘making good progress’

The post-Hurricane Maria building work in Dominica is gaining traction, with a number of developments starting to take shape – and one nearing completion.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has shared the first aerial images of the Bellevue Chopin site, one of four the developments planned for the next two years that will bring around 1,000 new homes to the island.

Writing on Facebook, Skerrit said: “As promised, the first phase of housing units in the Bellevue Chopin housing development are nearing completion and I’m pleased to share these aerial images of the units as they receive the finishing touches.”

CHECK OUT MORE IMAGES ON THE WIC NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “[My family] are waiting to move in. But for now I want to say thank you to Mr Prime Minister and everybody who has worked on this.

“I did not know where to go after Maria. Now I am feeling blessed for the future.”

It was announced at the end of last year that the government of Dominica was partnering with Montreal Management Consultants Est. (MMCE) to work on building climate-resilient infrastructure.

The Bellevue Chopin development will provide 340 residential units, as well as a commercial plaza, farmers’ market and football pitch.

On Dominica’s east coast, 330 homes will be created. The development will put 66 units across two buildings in Castle Bruce, La Plaine, Grand Fond, San Sauveur, and Delices.

On the west coast, Grangetown and Cotton Hill are both to received 68 units.

The Roseau City Square development will see 100 residential units as well as 50 commercial areas.

According to MMCE, they are “steadily” working their way through the scheme.

Project manager Chris Timmins, speaking at a press conference in December 2017, said the work would “provide a much needed addition to the housing stock in Dominica.”

The building work is being funded by the island’s Citizenship By Investment Unit, with funds from the programme.

It is reportedly the most extensive project ever funded by a CBI programme.