By Caribbean News Global contributor
ROSEAU, Dominica – Although Dominica is very much captive of a global situation beyond the government’s control, prime minister and minister for finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, says, “government is actively seeking innovative ways to keep the wheels of the economy turning to ensure that Dominicans are gainfully employed, through an aggressive construction programme.”
Besides, the government is fulfilling its sustainable development goals to transform Dominica by empowering citizens to own their own home.
“Further economic stimulation and job creation will come from the continuation of our housing programme, and government’s thrust to build 5,000 climate-resilient homes for Dominica’s most vulnerable citizens of which we have constructed well over 1,640 so far,” prime minister Skerrit added. “These homes are architecturally pleasing, well-constructed and resilient. The construction programmers outline will have beneficial impacts on other sectors of the economy, from transportation to manufacturing, mining and quarrying to wholesale and retail to name a few.
“Your government has therefore fast-tracked our public sector investment programme, to bring projects online speedily, and encourage the circulation of more money in the economy. This includes the East Coast Road Rehabilitation Project, and the wider Capital Projects portfolio, which is worth some $427.2 million,” prime minister Skerrit stated.
Meanwhile, the government of Dominica continues to prioritize the need to improve healthcare and COVID-19 pandemic response, the National Health Commission has been engaged in an extensive exercise of stakeholder consultations and a public information campaign, all aimed at enhancing and revolutionizing the way health care is delivered in Dominica.
“The process of consultation has been completed and where practicable, suggestions will be taken on board to ensure that as a priority we pursue a path of accreditation for our public hospitals. We aim to develop a system of secondary hospital care that is more responsive, that delivers value for money and places first-class patient care at the forefront of its mission. The hospitals, health centers and numerous other infrastructural projects that are ongoing at this time have the triple purpose of creating jobs, stimulate economic activity and preparing is for the post-COVID-19 recovery,” the prime minister said.
Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme supports the government’s healthcare infrastructure. The commissioning of three health centres will begin soon while two other health centres are anticipated to be completed before the end of 2020. Construction on health centres in Soufriere and New Town are scheduled to begin soon.
“Dominica is known as the Nature Isle, because of our pristine and serene environment, because of our decades of protecting and conserving the environment and because of the natural attributes we have in terms of our fresh air, our rivers, lakes and hot springs, health and wellness is a major area of potential and existing growth,” prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted, during a recent webinar with Times of India.
“Dominica has the advantage of being a top destination for health and wellness due to its diverse natural environment by the fDi Intelligence – a service under the Financial Times. Over the fiscal years of 2017 to 2019, CBI funds contributed to repairing three hospitals and six health centres while also supporting the overseas medical treatment of 16 children. The programme also sponsors the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital that is scheduled for completion in April 2021.”
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