Government of Venezuela to construct fifty (50) model homes in Dominica

The Government of Venezuela will facilitate the construction of fifty (50) model homes in Dominica. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit who has just returned from talks in Venezuela. The Prime Minister said that these ‘Petro Casa’ will be erected in five different locations on the island.

“There is a housing component called ‘Petro Casa’ and I am hoping that I can arrange for the Government Information Service (GIS) and possibly, the other media people to go to Venezuela or Cuba to see those houses called ‘Petro Casa’ made out of PVC and concrete. We have also requested of Venezuela to put a factory in Dominica. I have seen a hundred of those in Cuba, for example, and they are beautiful homes that can withstand category five (5) hurricanes and so forth. As a two-prong approach, I have also requested that some model houses be placed in Dominica so that people in Dominica can get a feel of those houses to see whether they would like those houses or not. We that believe certain Dominicans would receive those houses with great praise. Therefore, I made a request for between five (5) and ten (10) model houses but the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela said no; instead, we will put fifty (50) for Dominica.”

Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit

The Prime Minister went on to say that work on the project will start very shortly.

“It was agreed that this week, on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2008, a team would come to Dominica to visit the five (5) locations that we will be identifying to construct those houses. The whole idea is to set up the houses by tens in five (5) locations around the island. The team is coming to Dominica to look at the locations, slope and terrain of the areas to take the measurements back to Venezuela to build the houses.”

Hon. Skerrit disclosed that although they are model houses, it makes no sense to have them occupied and as such, Dominicans will benefit from them. The houses will be occupied by Dominicans and the houses will come fully furnished.

“Yes, they are model houses, but it makes no sense having fifty (50) model houses around Dominica with no one living in them. People will in fact benefit from those houses as people will be living in them. The houses will come fully furnished: we are talking about beds, refrigerators, stoves, television sets and living room furniture among others. It will be a full package for the beneficiaries of this project.”

The houses will be constructed in Venezuela and transported to Dominica where the local contractors will be taught how to mount these houses up.