Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

The formal handing over of the Fond Melle Water Supply Project in Castle Bruce took place on the thirteenth of January, 2010. The facility was donated to the people of Fond Melle by the City Council of Zaragoza in Spain at a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand East Caribbean dollars (XCD$150 000.00).

According to the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Water Resource Management, Hon. Ivor Stephenson, the project was led by three (3) main visions. These included:

1. To re-establish the spring as the center of village life
2. To promote the understanding of the history of Castle Bruce and Dominica
3. To empower youth through education and service learning

For years, the people of Fond Melle were without the luxury of pipe borne water.

Spain’s Ambassador to Dominica, His Excellency Jesus Silva, said that his Government sees the project as worthwhile one and views it as money well spent.

“The fact of me being here today and being able to see that something has been so well spent that with very little money a lot has been done and especially the many people with families and children that will be benefitting from something like that. It is certainly not only a reason for compliments to you and to those who have made it possible and to the people that have been so wise in using the funds but also is a moment of joy for us to see that the money has been well spent. I can report back to Zaragoza telling them that the job has been well done.”

The Spanish Government has pledged to continue to fund similar projects in the community.

Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the area, Johnson Drigo, was delighted to see the completion of the project and described it as a significant project for the people of Fond Melle.

“The people of Fond Melle have lived in this area for all their lives. But as you know, we have an abundance of water in Dominica but it is not always easy to get the water to the homes especially in small communities in rural areas. Therefore, this is a significant project for the people of Fond Melle.”

The project was signed in 2004 by the Government of Dominica and the City Council of Zaragoza, Spain. The project is expected to restore the integrity of the fresh water spring in the area.