PM promises completion Roseau Enhancement Project

DOMINICA:  The Hon Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit has promised Dominicans that his administration will complete the Roseau Enhancement Project.

The project was designed to transform the city of Roseau into a modern and more attractive city.  It will include the restoration of roads and bridges, the building of sidewalks and the enhancement of lighting in the city.
A ground breaking ceremony for the first phase of the project, the reconstruction of the West Bridge, was held on Friday, April 22nd.
The Prime Minister indicated that although the project has been somewhat delayed, his Government will ensure its completion.
“I cannot say to you decisively now where the financing will come from but I am saying to you this evening that the Roseau Enhancement Program must and will be pursued and implemented. We cannot have a 21^st century bridge at the entrance of a 19^th century city. Since we are proceeding with this new age bridge we have of necessity to also move forward with our plans to modernize the city. From the outset this afternoon, I am making known the intention of this Dominica Labour Party administration to forge ahead all be it at a reduced paste with the upgrade and modernization of your capital city Roseau.”
The Hon Prime Minister has plans for even further upgrades which will involve the cooperation of private citizens and businesses in the city.
“Additionally, we shall in the lead up to the next budgetary process commence in depth discussions with commercial and residential property owners in Roseau, with a view to arriving at a regime of concessions for the systematic upgrade of privately owned properties in Roseau. There is nothing I dislike more than looking out my office window and seeing some of the tired and weather worn roofs and structures of some buildings in Roseau.”
Hon Skerrit promised to say more on this in his Independence Day message later this year.
The Prime Minister also encouraged Dominicans to take ownership of the new bridge when it is complete and to keep the city clean.
“This new bridge and its environs will only be magnificent and majestic if we adopt a deliberate consciousness and practice to keep it that way. If Dominicans do not litter this bridge and its environs, visitors to Dominica will not litter this bridge or its environs either. It is as simple as this. In the process we shall have its picture perfect beauty still manifested in the months and years of its installation and commissioning. That is what great cities are made of, not just steel and concrete but pride and maintenance.”