The Prime Minister of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that over three hundred Dominicans are presently employed on the international airport project.
He made the announcement while speaking on Kairi’s Heng Program recently.
“Work is going on satisfactorily, we are on schedule. There are hundreds of Dominicans, over three hundred Dominicans, who are employed directly on site and the numbers will be increasing and they are still looking for additional workmen and workwomen,” he said.
He pointed out also that many people are employed indirectly and are benefiting indirectly, “Whether it’s from the purchase of cement, the purchase of construction material, the purchase of food items, purchase of agriculture items, the purchase of diesel from Petro Caribe.”
Furthermore, the prime minister stated that many people from Wesley and Woodford Hill are selling more because there is an increased population in these areas due to the construction of the international airport.
“There are several people who come from out of the area who are working there,” Skerrit stated. “Some who found places to rent in Wesley and Woodford Hill as they work at the construction site.”
Meanwhile, he said by the end of this year one will appreciate what the runway looks like.
“When you go there you will see a lot of excavation taking place,” Skerrit said. “By the end of 2024, you will have an appreciation for what the runway looks like, and so one can say we are seeing something.”
He went on to state that his government has to purchase cement worth over US$20 million.
“That is not to mix concrete, that is just to mix with the soil for compacting,” Skerrit explained. “So, you can imagine how much cement you are going to need when you are talking about construction of the runway, [and] construction of the building.”
