It was just under one (1) year ago that we assembled here to witness the signing of contracts to undertake the construction of forty one (41) new houses in the Carib Territory, funded by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, at a total cost of EC$2.2 million.
Today history is being created and the Sineku Resource Centre is once again the venue where we are launching yet another major project aimed at bringing further development to the residents of the Carib Territory and by extension the people of Dominica.
Ladies and Gentlemen I must pause here to extend special thanks to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for their interest in funding the Carib Territory Community Capacity Building Project. This is the largest single infrastructural investment to date in the Carib Territory at a cost of EC$8.6 million.
When the project was first submitted for the consideration of the CDB in 2001, the Dominican economy was in the midst of a crisis. At that time the Government could not incur any further debt and therefore the Carib Territory Community Capacity Building Project was temporarily placed on hold pending an improvement in the economic climate.
In 2006, as the economic circumstances improved, the project was resubmitted and was finally approved by the Bank in December 2007.
CDB has been a partner in advancing the development of the Carib Territory over many years. Interventions include the Dominica Rural Enterprise Project (D-REP), construction of the Kalinago Barana Aute, the Sineku Resource Centre as well as the Co-Water Report which examined crucial development issues within the Carib Territory.
Interestingly, it was as a direct result of the Co-Water Report of 1998 that the Carib Territory Community Capacity Building Project was developed.
For its part, the Government of Dominica has made its own interventions in the Carib Territory and to the Kalinago people.
In the field of education, increased opportunities have been made available for students attending secondary schools and institutions of higher learning both here and overseas.
In September 2008, a brand new school bus was presented to the Carib Council to transport high school students.
Presently the Government of Dominica, with the financial assistance of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is undertaking the construction of a new primary school at Salybia to accommodate students in that catchment.
Even as I speak, major improvements are being made to the existing water system. This involves the construction of a new intake on the Crapaud Hall River, a 45,000 gallon storage tank at Bataka, as well as a new supply line to the existing storage tank at Gaulette River. Once completed, residents of the Carib Territory and Atkinson will have access to a better and more reliable water supply.
Presently, the forty one (41) houses which I referred to earlier are nearing completion and soon needy families from the various hamlets will have access to improved housing conditions, all part of the National Housing Revolution Programme financed in large part by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in collaboration with your Government.
Again, with the assistance of our friends from the People’s Republic of China, an additional forty (40) houses will be built in the Carib Territory at an estimated cost of US$1.4 million.
Furthermore, the Government has approved the establishment of a special facility at the Government Housing Loans Board for public officers from the Carib Territory and Atkinson to undertake the construction of new homes. The loans granted will be at an interest rate of 4% and the requirements of the loan will take into consideration the unique nature of land ownership in the Carib Territory. I have been advised that disbursement from this facility will be available to qualifying persons within the next month. I wish to urge you to take advantage of this opportunity.
I am sure that you will join me in extending our deepest gratitude to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their contribution to these projects.
My dear friends, this government has made every effort to meet the needs of the Carib people. The ongoing programs in the Carib Territory are valued well over EC$20 million. In a recent interview aired on DBS Radio, the Carib Chief confirmed that all the projects which I have mentioned here are being undertaken in your communities.
I however acknowledge that while we continue to make progress in the areas which I spoke of, there is much more work to be done.
I therefore call on you, the Carib Chief and the Council to lend your support to these initiatives and continue to strengthen collaboration with Central Government as we seek to bring meaningful and much needed development to the Kalinago people and to our beloved Waitukubuli.
We are satisfied that the project which we formally launch today is consistent with the dreams and desires that you have expressed and I have no doubt that you will do everything possible to ensure its successful implementation.
May God bless you. May God bless the Kalinago people. May God bless Dominica. |
