Dominica: Skerrit moves to clarify contract for new homes

The prime minister of Dominica has used a press conference to clear up doubts surrounding a contract awarded for house building on the island.

The job was given to a Preconco Limited, a firm based in Barbados, which Roosevelt Skerrit said was a “Caribbean company with a proven track record” and that no company in Dominica or the Eastern Caribbean has comparable capacity or experience.

The value of the contract has not been revealed.

But the island will benefit greatly from the contract, he added, confirming that initially 20 homes would be built – not the 1,000 being rumoured.

“The contract is for the initial importation of 20 homes, and not 1,000 homes. These homes will be in Dominica very shortly and from start to finish will have taken just two months to construct, install and complete,” Skerrit said.

“The homes are not prefabricated homes. They are pre-cast, pre-stressed concert homes built specifically to meet the seismic and wind requirements of our region, and offer a safe and attraction home to Dominicans.”

The location of the buildings will be announced next year but WIC News understands they will be constructed in Pointe Michel and the Kalinago Territory.

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Skerrit hit back at criticism of the contract, such as claims that the awarding to a foreign company will deprive the Dominican economy of revenue, jobs and training.

Instead there would be “immediate” benefits to the country, such as port fees, hauling fees, crane and equipment rental, and people working on the project, he said.

“50 Dominicans have already been employee to help consecution these 20 homes and to work on the completion of all the finiteness in these homes.”

The contractor plans to establish a purpose-built concrete plant to meet Dominica’s housing needs, as well as other infrastructure for the public and private sector, he added.

And other than a “handful” of foreign workers, the prime minister said that all the other employees will be Dominicans.

“This contract will offer Dominicans a unique opportunity for Dominicans to gain skills across sectors such as electrical engineering, plumbing, welding, steel behind, speciality fabrication works, as well machine operators and other similar skilled and unskilled labour,” Skerrit told a press conference.

[caption id="attachment_6088" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Damage in Dominica following Hurricane Maria.[/caption]

“This contract will allow us to train Dominicans to ensure we have a skilled construction sector, and if we must face another hurricane or natural disaster, we can do so know we have a labour force which can help us rebuild once more.”

A “key part of the contract” was the commitment to sourcing all material locally where possible, he added, and that the highest seismic and wind safety standards would be adhered to in the new structures.