Roseau – The Dominica government says it will grant next month, a construction contract for the international airport on the island’s northeastern coast, less than six months after inking an agreement with the Canadian-based Montreal Management Consultants Establishment Limited (MMCE).
The government has said that the one billion dollar venture to be situated on land between the Woodford Hill and Wesley villages will be funded under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI).
Under the CBI, Dominica provides citizenship to foreign investors who make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the island.
“Fellow citizens, we continue to make good progress towards the development of our international airport. I can report to the nation that several key milestones have been realised to date. The 31 homes being built at Joe Burton, are almost complete and we expect that families will move into their new homes by January next year,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced.
“We have completed the construction of the lab where all of the material testing will be conducted for the international airport and the equipment is now being installed. Site clearance has started, and this will facilitate continued geotechnical and other site-specific surveys. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed and mitigating measures identified, are being addressed.”
Skerrit said that a local expert has been contracted to ensure that all historical artifacts unearthed are salvaged and preserved for posterity.
“Over the next few years, the Wesley/Woodford Hill area will be transformed into a hive of activity with business and employment opportunities for all. In the site preparation, earthworks, and construction there will be jobs for our people both skilled and unskilled, and in the provision of equipment and
materials. There will be opportunities for those providing services, catering, shops, entertainment and for our farmers and fishers. The opportunities are endless.”
He said that a construction contract for the international airport will be granted in December and that as “construction progresses, we are simultaneously pursuing route development”.
“We are engaging in discussions with airlines operating in target source markets, so that when the airport is completed, we would have already secured Dominica as one of the new and exciting destinations on their routes.”
Skerrit said that tremendous interest has already been generated by the direct flights from Miami to Dominica which American Airlines will operate from December this year.
“The response has been so encouraging that American Airlines has informed that they will increase their number of flights to Dominica, from two times a week to three times a week, from January 5,” Skerrit said, adding that “these flights will increase trade, tourism, business and foreign travel for Dominicans”. (CMC)
