by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
On the 26th of January, 2009, Government Officials and residents of the Carib Territory gathered at the Sineku Resource Center to witness the official launching of a historic landmark project, the Carib Territory Community Capacity Building Project. The project itself has been in the making for over ten (10) years and dates back to 1997 when the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica requested moneys from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to fund a water project for the Carib Territory.
Dr. Charles J. Corbette, Development Officer in the Ministry of Carib Affairs, gave an overview of the project. According to him, the project is jointly funded by the CDB and the Government of Dominica to the tune of 3.2 million US dollars (USD$3 200 000) or 8.6 million East Caribbean dollars (XCD$8 600 000) of which 2.486 million US dollars (USD$ 2 486 000) comes as a loan from CDB with a grant of two hundred and fifty-nine thousand US dollars (USD$259 000) from its special fund resources. Over 1.6 million East Caribbean dollars (XCD$1 600 000) comes as counterpart funding from the Government of Dominica. The loan is payable in thirty (30) years inclusive of a ten (10) year grace period at a fix interest rate of 2.5% (two point five percent) per annum.
Dr. Corbette went on to say that there are major benefits to be derived from the project inclusive of poverty reduction.
Dr. Charles J. Corbette, Development Officer
in the Ministry of Carib Affairs
“The major benefits of the project are as follows: reduction in poverty through improved access to physical, social and economic resources; improved agricultural output; increased net tourist expenditure and increased in employment and income.”
Parliamentary Representative for the Salybia Constituency, Hon. Kelly Graneau, thanked the Caribbean Development Bank, the Government of Dominica, and former Carib Chief, Garnette Joseph for their efforts in seeing the project to fruituition. He singled out Mr. Joseph for his hard work that he placed into seeing this project through.
In the meanwhile, Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, spoke of Government’s continued efforts in assisting the Kalinago people and pointed out numerous projects being undertaken in the Carib Territory.
“For its part, the Government of Dominica has made its own interventions in the Carib Territory and to the Kalinago people.
In the field of education, increased opportunities have been made available for students attending secondary schools and institutions of higher learning both here and overseas.
Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit
In September 2008, a brand new school bus was presented to the Carib Council to transport high school students. Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit
Presently the Government of Dominica, with the financial assistance of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is undertaking the construction of a new primary school at Salybia to accommodate students in that catchment.”
More of the Prime Minister’s speech is available here.
The primary objective of the programme is to enhance the capability of residents and institutions in the Carib Territory; to plan and manage development interventions and to provide and to provide basic infrastructure and support systems for income generation. This will provide an enabling environment for investment in small and micro enterprises.
A complete and in depth report is available here under the features section. |
