by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Government of Libya has agreed to provide funding for the construction of a brand new primary school in the village of Thibaud. This was disclosed in an interview by the Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit after his return from an official visit to Libya on Tuesday, 5th May, 2009.
“As you know the Thibaud Primary School is in a very dilapidated condition having been constructed in the early sixties. The cost of repairs to the school would be well over a million dollars and therefore, the Government took a decision some time ago that it would be better to build a new school. So far, we have started the process of drawing up the plans for that school and we are hoping that the plans can be completed very soon, over the next few days. Originally, we had received funding for the Thibaud Primary School but because of the urgency and greater need in San Sauveur, I took a decision to re-allocate the funds for the construction of the San Sauveur Primary School. So, we are very pleased that we have been able to secure the funding for the Thibaud Primary School.”
Thibaud Primary School
Prime Minister Skerrit went on to say that discussions with the Libyan Prime Minister and also the leader, Muammar al-Gaddafi centred on education and human resource development, the care for the elderly, the environment, greater and deeper cooperation and joint investment opportunities between Dominica and Libya in Dominica.
As a result, the Government of Libya has pledged one million Eastern Caribbean Dollars towards the Yes We care programme and will also fund an environmental preservation project for the city of Roseau.
A technical team from Libya is also expected to visit the island of Dominica later to hold discussions with the Government on possible investments using Dominica’s water resources. According to Prime Minister Skerrit, this is something that needs tapping into.
Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit
“We have an abundance of water. The world needs water. The question is how do we get water to these countries and to the households in need. I believe what is required now is a capital investment to get the process moving so we can create jobs and sustainable economic opportunities for our people.”
Prime Minister Skerrit has also reported that the Government of Libya will be assisting the Government of Dominica through a special loan arrangement to develop a housing programme in Cotton Hill, Portsmouth.
“We have taken the decision to seek to relocate a number of families in Lagoon, Portsmouth and already, the Government has identified and purchased land from the Dominica Social Security for that particular purpose. We intend to take a loan, a zero percent (0%) interest loan from the Government of Libya for the construction of these houses and to create this modern village or community in the Cotton Hill area in Portsmouth.”
A team is expected shortly so that things can get in motion. The plans have already been drawn up for the construction of these homes. |
