A US $84,500 project which started last February was handed over to the Dominica Association of Local Community Authorities on Friday, January 22nd.
DALCA’s project to mitigate the effects of disasters in Bagatelle and Fond Cole got funding from the Japanese Government through its Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Programme.
With those funds a building was retrofitted to serve as a hurricane shelter with wheelchair ramps for the physically challenged in Fond Cole.
A fire hydrant and a storm drain were also installed in that community.
Chairman of DALCA, Yoland Jno Jules reported, “The activities in Fond Cole comprised the retrofitting of the Fond Cole Hurricane Shelter to meet the approved required standard as outlined in our Shelter Management Policy. The construction of a 125 foot storm drain was a continuation of the efforts of the Office of Disaster management to protect property and improve sanitation.
Emergency equipment has been installed at the shelter which includes water tanks and fire extinguishers.”
The second part of the project was the construction of a storm drain in Bagatelle to curtail the radical flow of runoff water in the area.
The storm drain is 1,000 feet long and Jno Jules says it served the residents well and saved lives and property during TS Erika.
Local Government Commissioner, John Fontaine, says the relationship between DALCA and the Japanese Government is worthwhile.
Deputy Head of Missions at the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad, Masatoshi Sato, represented the Japanese Government.
“In February 2015, the Embassy of Japan signed the grant contract…and since then, a great deal of work has been invested in the successful completion of this project. I am truly pleased that this much-anticipated end has finally arrived through our combined efforts.”
[Photo: Fond Cole Hurricane Shelter and Bagatelle Storm Drain]