JAPAN HAS BEEN TRUE TO ITS WORD AT EVERY TURN SAYS PRIME MINISTER ROOSEVELT SKERRIT AT GROUND BREAKI

Portsmouth MP Ian Douglas says new Fisheries Centre is just one part of
Government’s vision for the Town

Roseau, Dominica – December 10, 2009 …….. Prime Minister,                             Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit has expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for financing the construction of a US$7.5 Million Fisheries Centre in the Town of Portsmouth. “Japan has been true to its word at every turn and for this we will be eternally grateful to the Government and people of Japan. I want us to extend a special word of gratitude to the Government and people of Japan. Dominica and Japan have had a very long and fruitful relationship. Japan is a trusted ally of Dominica in its pursuit of its economic development,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Portsmouth Fisheries Centre in Portsmouth on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister added that despite the world economic crisis, Japan continues to assist Dominica.

“Japan has stood beside us for many decades and at a time when the world is struck with a global crisis and recession, Japan continues to demonstrate its true friendship and commitment to the Government and people of Dominica.”

In his address, Minister with responsibility for Fisheries, Hon. Matthew Walter highlighted the benefits of the new Fisheries Centre to the Town of Portsmouth and the surrounding communities.

“The project is expected to stimulate economic activity, foster social stability and enhance the standard of living for fishermen in the Town of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. The project will stimulate further opportunities or employment in terms of fishing, fish processing and marketing. The facility will also add value to the overall development of Portsmouth and environs.”

In his remarks at the historic ceremony, Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth constituency, Hon. Ian Douglas, said that the construction of a Fisheries Centre in his constituency is just one element of his Government’s vision for the northern Town. Hon. Douglas, who is also Minister for Tourism, added that in the next term of a Labour Government, his party’s vision for the new Portsmouth would begin to unfold.

“This piece of infrastructure, the Fisheries Centre is the first of many pieces of infrastructure that will characterise the new and developed Portsmouth. I want to give you an insight  into what I believe the new Portsmouth will  look like in ten years from now …. with the new Fisheries Centre, the new Boulevard stretching all the way down to the Indian River and the development of the Portsmouth Bay Front. We want to do a Boardwalk from lagoon going all the way down to the Cabrits. That boardwalk will in fact take you to the brand new yacht marina and hotel which will be constructed at the Cabrits.”

Remarks at the ground breaking ceremony also came from acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Carette,  Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr. Andrew Magloire, Mr. Masaharu  Tokura of the Tokura Corporation and Mr. Kiyoshi Takeuchi from the Japanese embassy in Trinidad.

The large gathering was also treated to cultural performances from a steel band group from Portsmouth and a Japanese group.