by Mervin Matthew,
Government Information Service
 One of the longhouses at Silver Lake
Residents of Silver Lake are expressing their heart-felt gratitude to the government of Dominica, who pledge to construct a housing project in the area. For over thirty-two years, Silver Lake residents have been living in deplorable living conditions since the passage of Hurricane David.
However, Honourable Minister for Housing, Reginald Austrie, announced last week that the Government of Dominica will soon be undertaking the much-needed housing project in the community.
 Hon. Minister for Housing,
Reginald Austrie
“For a while now, the Government has been looking at the housing situation in Silver Lake. Just recently, the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister has made some three hundred thousand dollars (XCD$300 000.00) available for the construction of an apartment block building in Silver Lake. The land has been identified and we have a design. Right now, what we are doing is making a few adjustments to the design and I am hoping that by November this year, we can see work beginning on this very important housing structure for the residents of Silver Lake.”
Hon Parliament Representative for that community, Ambrose George, explained to GIS News on Thursday how proposed project will benefit families there.
 Hon Parliamentary
Representative for the
Roseau South Constituency,
Ambrose George
“After this facility is constructed, we will move the families in one of the longhouses who will then occupy the new facility. Thus, enable us to demolish the whole facility and rebuild. It is a first phase of a number in series of rebuilding and reconstruction that is to take place in the Silver Lake area.”
GIS News visited the Silver Lake community on Thursday, 1st September, 2011 to seek the reaction of residents to news of the impending project.
Esther Belleau, chairperson of the Silver Lake Development Committee, spoke on the behalf of the residents of Silver Lake.
 Esther Belleau,
chairperson of the Silver
Lake Development Committee
“Oh, I think it is a blessing because most of my life I have been living here and the housing condition is very terrible. About two years ago, the Prime Minister came to look at the condition of the place and you could see the sadness on his face when took a look at all the homes to see the condition that families are living in; children, the roofs, the flooring, it is terrible. Tears were in his eyes and he promised us then that he would set us up. He would make the homes more comfortable. He would make living conditions at least to a level for the people of Silver Lake can accept.
These houses came about after Hurricane David. It was like an emergency building but for more than twenty-five years, people are living in these conditions and it is terrible: no water facilities, no toilets, some of the homes do not have electricity, most of the time, the families pray for only sun. So, I am very happy that they took a stand to come and renew the homes for the people.” |
