Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

Residents of Bagatelle, Fond St. Jean, Fab and Point Caribe on Friday 18th September, 2009, witnessed the historic occasion of the commissioning of the Fond St. Jean sea-defence and road project on. The 2.33 million dollar(XCD$2 330 000.00)  project was designed by the Technical Services Division of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructural Development and executed by local contractor, Ace Engineering.

The project was initially expected to be completed within twenty-six (26) weeks but was extended to thirty-four (34) weeks to accommodate variations or additional works which became necessary during the execution of the project. 

Speaking at Friday’s ceremony, the Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the area, Urban Baron, was delighted that the project was implemented.

“I think this project is something that we, in this area, particularly Fond St. Jean, Fab and Bagatelle, believe is a major achievement for us and it is a time for celebration.”

According to Kendell Johnson, Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Public Works, the project was born out of the need to reduce the risk of compromised access to the Fond St. Jean village in the event of heavy wave action along the Atlantic coast. Several storm events including Hurricanes Marilyn and Louis in the early 1990’s and more recently, Hurricanes Dean and Omar have caused severe erosion along the coastal road which threatened public safety. Similar occurrences have been experienced in many others villages in Dominica with low lying roads along the coast. In that regard, tremendous emphasis is being placed on the design and construction of coastal protection.

The works, which commenced in January of 2009 spanned from the Fond St. Jean Bridge to the entrance of the village near the fisheries facility.

Mr. Johnson went on to describe the nature of the project undertaken.

“The Fond St. Jean sea-defences and road works comprise the rehab of two hundred and fifty metres (250m) of road and the construction of approximately two hundred and twenty metres (220m) of retaining walls with an average height of four metres (4m). The double surface carriage way is six and a half metres (6.5m) wide with sleeper drains on both sides and two metres (2m) of sidewalk on the eastern side of the road.”

The Hon. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructural Development, Rayburn Blackmoore, told the residents of Fond St. Jean that they should see the new road and sea wall as a means of improved chances of economic development.

“Today, we have a road that is much improved, a wall that is well built. This means, therefore, that your security and your safety have been significantly enhanced. It is now easier for the transfer of goods and services in and out of Fond St. Jean. Therefore, it means that it facilitates commerce; it creates prospects for you in terms of your own economic development.”

This project is part of the Government’s mandate to provide safe public structures to the citizens of Dominica.