Dominica: The Prime Minister of Dominica was present at the Housing Recovery Project handover ceremony alongside other prominent members of the government. The fifth edition of the Housing Recovery Project handover ceremomy was hosted on Monday where 42 beneficiaries received keys to their houses.
Prime Minister Skerrit expressed his excitement and delight for the beneficiaries who received the keys to the newly constructed houses. He promised that his administration is working hard to provide homes to deserving Dominicans.
He asserted that shelter is a basic need for all living creatures whether humans or animals. Accordingly, he understands the significance of the government’s housing project for the beneficiaries.
He stated, during his address that he is happy for the beneficiaries who would get the keys to their houses at today’s handover.
“I know what it means to own your own home” said the Prime Minister.
He claimed that he can understand what it means to be able to walk in your home and to sit and to enjoy the ambiance of it.
The Prime Minister said that the quality and aesthetic appeal of all the houses that are being constructed under the HRP is the same.
“Homes in all communities across the country were all made with the same considerations” said Prime Minister Skerrit.
The Prime Minister said the government of Dominica has been dedicated to providing homes to Dominicans. He also added that housing did not become a topic for discussion until after Hurricane Maria devastated the island nation in 2017.
The Prime Minister noted that the government had built many homes before the hurricane. He claimed that providing housing to the people of the country was the centrepiece of the government’s policies.
In light of this statement, Housing has been a priority in the Skerrit-led administration of Dominica. After the hurricane, the government has redoubled their efforts in this direction. The prime minister reached out to the various governments of the world seeking help for Dominica.
“Housing was one of the main issues I placed before the World Bank.” claimed Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
During the handover ceremony, PM Skerrit also talked about the extraordinary partnership between the World Bank and Dominica.
He stated that at the time of contracting the financial agreement with the World Bank, the project was to replace roofs. “That was the original project, we had to replace roofs because everybody’s house was damaged.”
Over time, the government redefined the project to allot new homes, which required changing the financial agreement. The government then got the World Bank to agree to make those changes.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit extended his sincere gratitude to the World Bank for their extraordinary partnership and collaboration. He acknowledged that it was impossible for the World Bank to change the conditions of the financial agreement once it had been signed.
However, when he wrote to the organization with the proposed changes, they agreed to cooperate. To this, PM Skerrit said, “In this world, friendships matter, trust matters. The confidence in your ability to use the resources given to you, matters.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Melissa Poppone-Skerrit was also present at the handover ceremony. As the Minister responsible for housing, she was delighted to be a part of the event on Monday.
She asked the beneficiaries to take good care of their homes after they receive them and take pride in maintaining them. Minister Skerrit said, “Your homes are an investment into your future and the future of your family.”