News

A 1.5 million dollar river defense wall is currently under construction in the Colihaut constituency as the Government of Dominica continues to build resilience around the island.

Colihaut has always been extremely vulnerable to flooding a fact that was proven by Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and further cemented by Hurricane Maria in 2017, as both disasters caused tremendous flooding resulting in significant damage, loss of property and even loss of life.

Since then the Government of Dominica has undertaken projects aimed at building resilience and protecting the lives and property of the residents.

Member of Parliament for the Colihaut Constituency, Hon. Lady Catherine Daniel stated that this wall will give residents a sense of safety during the hurricane season.  

“They are progressing quickly. The hurricane season is coming and Colihaut has always been very vulnerable to hazards caused by storms and hurricanes, so I think this will help put the people at rest. So they are working in the interest of the people to give the people that comfort in case anything happens during the hurricane season,” Hon. Daniel noted.

The Member of Parliament outlined some of the work currently being undertaken on the project. She explained that the project started at the most vulnerable part of village which she pointed out as the entry point of the river during a disaster.

“They are building the toes for the wall. They have excavated the area where we are going to do the first trench because it is a long wall going all the way own to protect homes so we are building it in trenches. So this is the first part which will be eighty-five meters. So we have started. We had to talk to the people to find pout the best course of action because since we are doing it in trenches we wanted to the most important part first. So we started at the point where the river broke in and enter the village and cause all the damage so that it can protect the village,” the Colihaut Parliamentary Representative explained.

Hon. Daniel went on to thank the constituents for their patience and understand leading up to the commencement of this important project.

“I feel very relieved. I see progress and the contractor is very committed. He works fast and so I am confident that before the start of the 2022 hurricane season, we will have some level of protection. I just want to thank the people of Colihaut for their patience and understanding. I know they see things moving on now so I just want thank them,” Hon. Daniel added.

The health sector in Colihaut was also boosted as a former resident of the community, Mr. Emmanuel St. Louis, donated medical equipment to the newly built Colihaut Health and Wellness Centre.

Mrs. Theresa St. Louis who spoke on behalf of her husband stated that despite living abroad for many years, her husband has never forgotten about his hometown.  

“My husband is a son of Colihaut. He has been away for some time but he has always carried Colihaut in his heart and he always will. Since he was a young man living in Colihaut, he has always believed that anything that God has blessed him with, he should share with the place that made him the man that he is today. This health centre has proven to be the ideal place for this Colihaut community to benefit from so we humbly donate to the health centre these few items in the hope that the items will contribute to the already excellent service that is now in place,” Mrs. St. Louis notes.

District Medical Officer for the St Joseph Health District Dr. Keevian Burnette welcomed the donation saying it demonstrated the compassion of the St.Louis family.

“This donation is very good for the people of Colihaut and not only the people of Colihaut but the district of St. Joseph. So I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. St. Louis for being diligent and compassionate and for being a blessing to others. You are great people and your legacy shall live on,” Dr. Burnette noted.

The Member of Parliament, Hon. Daniel also expressed thanks on behalf of the community noting that the St. Louis family has always been about the development of Colihaut.

“I know his family and they have always had this passion for the community and that is the Colihaut I knew; where people loved this community and did what it took to make Colihaut a better place. And so it is with deep appreciation and thanks on behalf of the community of Colihaut that we accept this valuable gift. It is not quantity, it is quality and the spirit that we give,” Hon. Daniel added.