PM Skerrit shares update on construction work at St Joseph Constituency

Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit shared glimpses of visit to St Joseph Constituency in this week’s episode of Annou Palé, released on March 6, 2022.

In the episode, the Prime Minister informed about the new Health Centre to be constructed in the constituency. PM Skerrit discussed the construction update with the Health Minister and his team and a bit changes were proposed by him.

Prime Minister was quoted as, “I have suggested some changes which I believe maybe more sense and in terms of what we seeking to achieve. So the idea is that we will build a health centre and let it be completely for health and wellness purposes. Will be administrative structure on fees and better amenities for the staff and we will move to construct a residence for district doctors”.

Kent Edwards, the Minister for Health Wellness and New Health Investment, claimed that this health centre would be the main health centre in the central district. As Dominican government has always been a government for the health of the people and primary health care being the major aspect of health the Caribbean country.

He further emphasised that the health centres in the region have been very paramount in the health of the people of Dominica. “As a result the government and the health ministry have decided to build a health centre in the St Joseph area to augment the healthcare system in the health district,” the health minister stated.

He further assured that the health centre would be well designed and well detailed. It would consist a separate maternity sector, a separate area for the doctors to conduct the examination, pharmacy, and a residency for the doctors (outside the campus of the health centre).

Edwards further outlined that it would be the main health centre of the central chief health district. He further stated that the CNCDs are the main health issues in Dominica and we want to have the health centrals ready and waiting for the people to come to get their health checked.

The Health Minister further stated that the health centre holds significance and any resident may come to undergo routine check-up.

He concluded with a hint and stated that the government has been planning something big for the residents.

Basketball Court is important to the St Joseph Constituency on across basketball nationally. The court will cover all the elements and improve the markings to the acrylic painting markings on it. “The drainage system will be, indeed, enhanced along with the basketball court. So this is more of the interventions we’re doing here,” PM Skerrit stated.

The Prime Minister further praised the history of the communities, residing at the St Joseph constituency and the government has been planning to re-develop the huts to provide better housing units.

The ministry of housing and land have been mandated and now, he himself along with housing minister and the team will go back to the villages to discuss the changes with the community, the PM added.

He further underscored, “There are 60 families we have taken up, most of the younger people with children, so you don’t want to have a situation you create challenges to existing life. So we have to go back to the community and redevelop them and have them repopulated”.

Richie Austrie, young community member of St Joseph suggested that the construction of a fire station would be better idea. The young member stated, “It is a great opportunity for the youngsters that the prime minister and ministers came here to see us despite of their busy schedule. He further acclaimed that the construction of the health centre is a very positive for all the residents as it is lower down in the village and will be more accessible and if you connect put a fire station.”

Furthermore, Prime Minister Skerrit witnessed final opening of the Hillsborough Bridge. He underscored that this project was essential for the infrastructure.

He further commended the minister of public works for the leadership, and the staff for the technical administrative support. PM Skerrit further proposed some works to be done on the other bridge (parallel bridge).

He further shared details on the completion of the road, adjoining the live valley. The road holds utmost importance in term of agriculture, tourism, and communication through the shorter distance to the airport and other communities.

He was lauded the appreciation done by the residents of the constituency, “I am very happy to be here. The construction of the road has not completed yet but the folks there are so excited about the road”.

Following the full construction of the Hillsborough Bridge, the team will look up for the Young Valley Bridge and the section from the York Valley Bridge to Junction at Sultan, the Prime Minister further claimed.

He added that the Dominican government has been enhancing the lifestyle, communication in the midst of the challenged posed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic, where many countries (including Dominica) witnessed a massive drop in the revenue generation.

He further highlighted the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has resulted in the increase on the oil prices and termed it as ‘external shocks’ as the nations across the globe have been impacted by the circumstances in Russia and Ukraine.

PM Skerrit further expressed pleasure for the completion of the construction of the bridge with the help of the local funds.

Minister for Public Works – Cassanni Laville, thanked the public for their cooperation as well as patience throughout the implementation of these works. He added that the bridge was totally damaged due the flood caused during the Hurricane Maria hit the nation in 2017. The damage massively damaged the southern pair of the constituency and the residents were compromising.

He further shared the updates on the ongoing or upcoming projects in the area and also explained that the ministry of public works conducted some critical investigations as the constituency has been situated at the riverbed. “We tested a pile and applied load to it and monitored the deflection of that pile to get an idea about the repair of that particular pile. So that the bridge is protected from any of the natural calamity,” minister stated.

The Parliamentary Representative for St Joseph Constituency – Dr Adis King, mentioned, “I must say today is a good day to be a parliamentary representative of St Joseph. I said this because the best day in the life of the representative is when you are able to deliver the promises made to your constituency”.

She further underscored that all of the area will be transformed it will not only benefit the St Joseph but also the western district of the island.

As the parliamentary representative of the constituency she extended thanks to the finance minister and the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.