Dominica: Minister of Housing and Urban Development Melissa Poponne-Skerrit appeared with Permanent Secretary Reginald Severin on a radio show hosted by announcer Dion. The show focused majorly on development and upcoming projects and initiatives by the Government.
Presenting an overview Housing Minister Melissa mentioned about recently delivered 16 new homes presented to families in Eggleston and 26 new homes in Scotts Head. She emphasised that this initiative is changing lives one at a time.
According to her it is giving a sense of pride, hope and security by tackling poverty and homelessness, bringing the dignity. These homes are built after Hurricane Maria and are climate resilient. They have concrete roofs, shatter proof windows and energy saving lights. These homes are built for generations and secure future of the communities.
Housing Minister Melissa said that they are implementing life-changing programs by elevating lives of people. Soon the Government of Dominica will handover other units, which will consider the delivery of 5000 Hurricane Resilient Homes across Dominica.
Melissa stressed upon what Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated earlier that they will become the first ever climate resilient country after the devastation by Hurricane Maria, and it is actually happening.
Furthermore, vulnerable changes are taking place in Grand-Bay Area for relocated people from Dubic and Grand-Bay. The administration is building 91 ne homes in the Grand-Bay Centre Area. Some of them are already occupied and some are still under-construction, which are supposed to be delivered by the end of this year.
Many other things such as 26 commercial spaces in Grand Bay, community centre for Hurricane Resilient Buildings, new church, roads and infrastructure are in progress. Melissa mentioned that 20 residential lots are available for sale.
The Dominica Government is also focusing on new facilities for magistrate court and the fire station. As promised, they are building a modern resilient village designed for sustainable future.
Dominica is also working on many other on-going projects under the Modern Resilient Housing Development Program which are nearing completion in areas such as Vacas, Pennville, Woodford Hill, Paix Bouche, Kenfield East, etc. and will be carried by the end of year 2025.
Melissa highlighted that Dominica is assisting thousands of families in refurbishing their home, during the radio show. The federation is building programmes for young professionals.
As youngsters in Dominica dream to own their land and build home. And the government of Dominica is making it possible. Melissa Skerrit mentioned that between Jan 20 to 24 this year, they conducted a drive to allocate lands at a subsidised prize with offers to public for sale.
Then they received over 900 applications for residential lots and showed that how strong the demand of owning a home is. Melissa recalled in 2022, the government cut the cost of title registration from 13.5% to 6.5% which allows them to make home ownership and is now much more affordable to people.
Government of Dominica also introduced #OK2HP programme for public servants which helps them in getting home loan easily. Once complete, the future housing program in Warner and Cotton Hill area will invite the applicants to view the houses.
Further, they raised the discussion to the most awaited, Roseau Enhancement Project which is funded by the World Bank. Melissa said that they are working in this, but it is a long and detailed process to deal with them. She assured that the work is in progress, and they are at the stage of finalising technical aspects.
In continuation to this project, they have already appointed a project manager, are finalising tender agreements and sorting out the contracts.
As a project representative for Roseau Enhancement Project, Melissa Skerrit will engage with stakeholders, who will be affected, specifically the vendors, who line-up at the Great George Streets, and they are going to start with it soon.
High Street – Old Dominica Club location is another project, on which they are working PANAM sports for this, that is managed through the Olympics Committee. The place will also be used as a stop for Cruise Ships. The lace is a fusion of sports and tourism, e-commerce, culture and more.
The place will show the Kalinago aspect of Dominica’s Culture, as the Kalinago territory is bit far to visit by the tourists, so this place can be used as a cultural display and then for sports in the afternoon.
Dominica is working on many housing projects that will develop the nation and its people considering the future of the nation.