News

The Government of Dominica continues to make significant progress in its quest to provide potable water to all nationals.

On Monday June 11, 2012, a contract was signed and ground was broken for a 2.3 million dollar water supply project in the community of Grand Fond.

This is major news for the community which has been served by a system built in 1955 and with minor repairs in 1980.

This had resulted in an unreliable water supply for residents.

Parliamentary Representative for the Grand Fond Constituency says the concerns of residents regarding the unreliable water system were grave.

He believes the contract signing will serve as a signal to residents that the water problems within the community will finally be resolved.

“Over the years you have made several complaints regarding the quality and shortages of water within your community.  There has been siltation of organic matter, turbidity and also problems in the distribution lines and supply lines of residents.  Residents in the upper section of Boulevar have had intermittent supplies of water for a long time now.  All of which has been as a result of an aged water system that can no longer meet the needs of our continually growing nation… This new water supply will for sure eliminate these burdens experienced over the years.”

The project includes the construction of a 60,000 gallon storage tank and the replacement of the distribution network throughout the community.

The project design also makes provision for expansion to the neighbouring communities of Riviere Cyrique and Morne Jaune.

The Grand Fond water supply project is the second project to be signed under the Basic Needs Trust Fund 6 Programme.

Residents of the community developed a project document for the water project, which was submitted to the BNTF.

Hon. Ivor Stephenson says the construction of the new water system was one of the promises he made to constituents during the 2009 election campaign.

“In December 2009, you gave me the mandate to ensure that your community was served with a proper water supply. Approximately, two and a half years later you are now seeing the fruition of your needs.”

Bernard Etinoffe, General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (Dowasco) says this project will be a long lasting solution to the water problems in Grand Fond.

The signing of the contract for the water project on Monday marked the end of a series of consultations and negotiations surrounding the design of a new water system for the community.

“The initial design had to be modified several times along the way to ensure that whatever is implemented will in fact meet the needs of the community for a projected period of at least twenty years.”

Minister for Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs Hon Gloria Shillingford noted that the construction of the new system is yet another demonstration of government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for nationals.

“This contract signing and ground breaking ceremony marks another achievement for this Dominica Labour Party Government as we promise to ensure that the people of Dominica are taken to the next level. You the people of Grand Fond, your standard of living will certainly be taken to another level as you will soon enjoy the blessings of improved and consistent water supply.”

Acting Prime Minister Hon. Reginald Austrie is also minister responsible for Water Resource Management delivered the feature address at Monday’s ceremony.

“The Dominica Labour Party government continues to remain focused on the goal of assuring that 100 percent of Dominicans have access to potable water.  Sometimes we view development as roads and bridges and big sky-scrapers but we believe that the nucleus of our development is human development, development in people.  Without a properly developed people all these bridges and all these monuments will come to naught.  This Government is very, very focused; in fact we can tell you that 95 percent of every Dominican has access to potable water.”

The government of Dominica during the last two years has spent approximately twenty-five million dollars on the upgrading of several water systems and the construction of new ones.

George Trucking and Excavation Services has been contracted to undertake the project which is expected to be completed in twelve months.