The Roseau Valley Constituency in line for numerous interventions as Government continues to build resilience in every community.
A Cabinet delegation, led by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, toured the constituency on Thursday March 17 2022, visiting ongoing projects and the sites of future developments.
Member of Parliament for the Roseau Valley Constituency, Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre stated that road safety is a priority in his constituency.
He noted that proper drainage is an issue that Government has addressed in various communities in the Roseau Valley including Copthall.
“We took a look at the drainage system and at the road we built in Copthall. It is a brand new road with excellent drainage systems that cost the Government close to seven million dollars. It is almost complete, just some secondary drains to join into the main drain system. That is very significant in the fact that after Hurricane Maria we had a serious issue in terms of the water that was coming from the Morne Prosper hill down into Copthall. That posed a serious problem to use and this new drainage system really solves the problem. So we are happy about that in Copthall and the community is pleased as well,” Dr. McIntyre stated.
The Morne Prosper road network was also visited with special attention paid to the road next to the playing field.
Hon. McIntyre noted that “we need to get that road fixed. We have quite a few villagers in that area that access that road and it has been a little difficult of late. I was really pleased that the Prime Minister could come here and take a look at it that will be dealt with as well.”
The delegation also visited Corso Road which is the area that joins the Morne Prosper Road to the Wotten Waven road. Dr. McIntyre noted that this an important road and Government will be investing in the rehabilitation of that road.
“But that road and that area is of prime importance to us. That is where tourists pass to get to the sulphur springs and the spas in Wotten Waven so it is very important. But let alone the tourists, just for the safety of the villagers as well and those of us who use the road. So that is a very big intervention for us and I think it will do the valley very well,” Dr. McIntyre added.
Minister for Public Works and the Digital Economy, Hon. Cassanni Laville explained that due to damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the Corso Road was deemed the safer alternative for traveling in that area, and the decision was then taken to rehabilitate the road in a phased approach.
“The option on the table right now for further review and consideration is to continue to enhance Corso road. From our initial designs and cost estimates we are seeing that the cost will be in region of 2.9 million dollars hence why we will adopt a phased approach. And that road is very important for general access to the people of the communities of Wotten Waven and it provides that linkage to Morne Prosper as well,” the Public Works Minister noted.
Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit stated that all these road interventions will cost over two million dollars and have already been approved by Government. He reassured residents of the Roseau Valley that these projects will soon begin.
“Several interventions will be made from the junction of the road going to Trafalgar up onto Laudat all the way to the village. You will see some edge failures that we will be fixing. There will be some widening of the roads in some areas to enhance road safety and this is totaling over two million dollars. We have approved this and we are now going through the contractual phases and we will see work starting very soon on these interventions,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.