It is now official. The Roseau to Portsmouth road once referred to as the West Coast Road has been renamed the Edward Oliver Le Blanc Highway after the former Premiere.
The road was officially commissioned following major rehabilitation and resurfacing works by the China Railway 17 Bureau Group.
The project was financed with grant funds from The Government of the People’s Republic of China at the cost of $100 million dollars and was officially handed over to the Government and people of Dominica during a ceremony in Mahaut last week Friday.
The new highway which allows for much smoother traveling begins at the new Dominica/China Friendship Bridge in Roseau and extends into the northern part of the country, ending in the town of Portsmouth.
Prime minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit delivered the feature address at Friday’s ceremony.
The Dominica leader explained that the commissioning of the E.O. Le Blanc Highway was just one of several initiatives of the current administration to change the perception of the island by nationals and foreigners alike.
“This is indeed a historic day for Dominica. For as long as I can recall, the informed view has been that for Dominica to advance economically, particularly as a preferred tourism destination, greater attention had to be given to airlift, infrastructure, hotel accommodation and things to do… When this Dominica Labour Party Administration assumed office twelve years ago, we deliberately and ambitiously embarked on a strategy of attempting them all at the same time… When we visited the capital city of Beijing in the People’s Republic of China in 2004, this was one of the first projects I presented to the government of China for consideration. I wanted this highway modernized for all the reasons and benefits that previous speakers would have outlined; but also for the sake of silencing those who felt that its deteriorated state was constraining the aesthetic and economic development of Dominica. Coincidentally this evening, this highway is being commissioned a few days before the start of the vital third test [match] between West Indies and Australia at the Windsor Park Stadium, that project you will recall was the first installment in the package of developmental assistance projects gifted by the People’s Republic of China to Dominica.”
Prime Minister Skerrit noted that despite the voices of skeptics at the start of the project the administration knew it was a necessity and pursued it and is now proud of the achievement.
“I want you to reflect this afternoon, ladies and gentlemen on the economic and aesthetic significance of the pairing of these two projects. I want you to acknowledge not the foresight of those who pioneered this initiative but more importantly to take note of the short-sightedness of those who opposed them and insisted all along that they were not necessary and important to Dominica.”
The West Coast Road Rehabilitation Project was one of four pillar projects agreed upon when the Governments of the People’s Republic of China and Dominica established diplomatic relations in 2004.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their assistance with the project.
“We’re here to say a special thank you to the People and the Government of the People’s Republic of China because they have helped to lessen the burden that a project of this nature would have placed on the backs of the taxpaying public of Dominica… This evening we [also] pay reverence and respect to the life and works of our former leader and distinguished visionary, Edward Oliver Le Blanc.”
China’s Ambassador to Dominica H.E. Wang Zonglai also addressed Friday’s ceremony. He mentioned the growing relations between the governments of Dominica and the People’s Republic of China.
“The Chinese People have a saying, before building your road to prosperity, you need to build a road to your village. Just like the Dominican Government, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to building and operating a network of communication and places an emphasis on the work of assisting the economy and the social development of the rural and broader area…”
Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore addressed Friday’s ceremony not only as Minister for Public Works but as Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency. In his address he referred to the growing relationship between the Chinese and Dominican people.
“What has transpired by way of this road project my dear friends is not simply getting a road but what we have seen is an interaction of persons that belong to two different cultures and we have learnt from each other. The work ethic of the Chinese is something we in Dominica must emulate if we have to get to the Promised Land, if we have to realize the promise of prosperity. It can only be attained by commitment and hard work. The Labour Party [Government] therefore has as its mantra to take you to the next level and we’ll do so by propping you up, by putting you on your feet so you can walk and run, feel it and fend for yourself.”
Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore presented a plaque of appreciation to Mr. Wu Wanliang the Deputy General Manager of the China Railway 17 Bureau Group Co. Ltd, while Prime Minister Skerrit presented one to Mrs. Ethel Le Blanc and another to the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Zonglai.
The highway was blessed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire while the cutting and unveiling of the Edward Oliver Le Blanc Highway Sign was done by the Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, H.E Wang Zonglai and Mrs. Le Blanc, widow of the late E.O LeBlanc, former Premier of Dominica.
The completed project marks the continuation of efforts by the current administration to rehabilitate the island’s road network.