It is with mixed feelings that I take part in this very important ceremony today. Mixed feelings because as you all know earlier this week there was the unfortunate passing of the Honourable Pierre Charles, the late Prime Minister of Dominica, on Tuesday, 6 January. Mixed feelings because today, I have the privilege and honour to sign, on behalf of CARIFORUM, a Financing Agreement, which provides for financial support valued at 11.95 Million Euro for Air Access Improvement for Dominica.
Colleagues, I am requesting that we all stand and observe a minute of silence in honour of the Honourable Pierre Charles, the late Prime Minister of Dominica.
Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. My theme today is hope and perseverance – two of the main virtues of the late Prime Minister. In paying tribute to Mr. Charles, many others, including his colleague Prime Ministers, in their messages of condolence to the Government and People of Dominica, highlighted the difficult circumstances under which the late Prime Minister of Dominica took over the reins of Government. They focused on the fact that, despite the circumstances, he paid focused attention to the integration of the Caribbean and tirelessly, despite medical advice, worked towards improving the conditions of the people of Dominica and the Caribbean Region. He persevered in bringing messages of hope to his people.
This project, for which I shall today sign a Financing Agreement valued at 11.95 Million Euro for Air Access Improvement for Dominica, is representative of the hopes and perseverance of the Caribbean people and Dominicans in particular. Initial conceptualisation and discussion on this particular project commenced in 1997. The concept went through a variety of changes ranging from the construction of a brand new airport in Dominica to rehabilitation of the existing Melville Hall and Canefield Airports. The Government of Dominica and CARIFORUM persevered and, with the active support and cooperation, of the European Commission, we have now come to the stage of the signing of a Financing Agreement through which financial and technical support will be provided by the EDF for Air Access Improvement for Dominica.
My deepest regret is that the late Prime Minister, who vigourously pursued the matter, did not live to see this day and did not live to see the commencement of the physical works financed under the project.
This project brings hope for a better life to the people of Dominica. As you are aware, Dominica is virtually “air-locked” (not land-locked) as a result of its mountainous terrain, high rainfall and the huge investment costs associated with airport development and construction. That situation has impeded the realisation of the country's expectations in respect of tourism development and trade expansion. This Financing Agreement will provide resources for the following:
Melville Hall Airport
1. Terminal building and associated facilities including a 500-metre extension of the existing runway.
2. Lighting and navigational aids, which will facilitate night landing which is not possible at present.
3. ICAO compliance to ensure that the rehabilitated airport will conform to international safety standards.
Canefield Airport
1. ICAO compliance to ensure conformity to international safety standards.
2. Improved sea defences to protect the coastline, where the airport is located, from erosion.
This project has significant economic and social implications for the people of Dominica. In the first case it represents a much needed injection of investment capital and job creation during the implementation phase in an economy which has recently been experiencing severe difficulties. Secondly, it opens up avenues for tourism development, particularly eco-tourism development, with consequential positive implications for long-term job creation, attraction of new investments, increased foreign exchange earnings and overall economic development. Thirdly, it enhances Dominica's communications with the rest of the world and with its CARIFORUM partners in particular. Finally, it brings hope to a resilient people who have experienced recent difficulties and who have persevered despite the intensity of their challenges.
The hopes and perseverance, which I have alluded to, are not only those of the Government and People of Dominica. Similar hopes and perseverance are held and displayed by all the Member States of CARIFORUM in one form or another. However, on this particular occasion, as Secretary-General of CARIFORUM, I wish to pay tribute to the Government and People of Dominica for their perseverance. I also wish to pay special tribute to our partners in the European Union for staying the course with us as we seek to bring hope and development to all our peoples.
We are, in the Caribbean family, our brothers' keepers. We firmly believe, in the Caribbean, that we each must take care of all members of our immediate and extended families.
My brother's problems are my problems. His hopes and aspirations are my hopes and aspirations. So it is with Dominica and the rest of CARIFORUM.
Thank you.
