“Massive mobilization” with Dominica’s international airport will commence soon—PM
In an announcement, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit disclosed another update about the island’s most ambitious project yet.
There will be a “massive mobilization” on the construction site of Dominica’s international airport later this year, Dominica News Online has reported.
“Later this year, you will see massive mobilization taking place,” Skerrit said, referring to the international airport project. “You will certainly see earth movement towards the end of this year, but certainly in the first quarter of 2023.”
“We made some changes to the design of the terminal building, and it will be an international airport that you will see nowhere in the Caribbean,” he added and revealed that a health centre will be erected on the site, too.
By 2026, the airport is expected to be up and running.
The prime minister clarified the confusion about the contractor and who will oversee the project.
In 2021, the Government of Dominica and MMC Development Ltd. of the Montreal Management Consultants Est. (MMCE) signed an agreement to finally get the airport project off the runway. MMC Development Ltd. has been a longstanding partner of the government in building residential homes for the citizens affected by calamities and was trusted enough by the government to be the developer for the airport.
“It is MMCE that will enter into a contract with the contractor because the risk and the liabilities are with MMCE and not the Treasury of Dominica because we have no sovereign guarantee on this contract,” Skerrit explained.
The Dominica International Airport is fully funded by the Citizenship by Investment programme of the island, and “it is MMCE that has to raise the funds” and “utilize the CBI Program to finance the construction of the airport.”
“This is one of the most amazing ways that we have been able to advance our project,” the prime minister shared.
The role of China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (or “CR5”) for the project will be overseen by MMCE.
Last month, it was announced that CR5 would undertake the design, construction, supply, completion, testing, and commissioning of the international airport meant to serve as a premier global gateway to Dominica.
Skerrit disclosed that CR5 has been in Dominica for the last eight months for the airport construction.