Minister of State in the Ministry of Public works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy in Dominica
Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy in Dominica holds a supporting executive position within one of the most infrastructure and technology-focused ministries in the country. The role is designed to assist the primary minister in managing a portfolio that spans civil engineering, national utilities, telecommunications, and digital transformation. As of 2022, this position is held by Honourable Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite.
Responsibilities and Scope
The Minister of State assists in formulating and implementing policies related to public infrastructure development, utility regulation, and emerging sectors within the digital economy. This includes monitoring national projects, supporting digital governance, and ensuring coordination among divisions responsible for electricity, water, telecommunications, and transportation.
The role involves contributing to the development of resilient and climate-adaptive infrastructure, maintaining critical public assets, and supporting the transition toward more efficient and sustainable service delivery models. It also entails representing the Ministry in parliamentary sessions and stakeholder consultations, helping drive policy actions through legislation and administrative reform.
Public Utilities and National Infrastructure
Under this portfolio, the Minister of State supports efforts to upgrade water systems, improve road networks, maintain public buildings, and ensure the continued modernization of electricity grids. Oversight responsibilities include coordination with agencies such as the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO), the Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC), and regional infrastructure consultants.
Additionally, the Minister of State contributes to post-disaster recovery planning by facilitating damage assessments, supporting reconstruction efforts, and integrating climate resilience frameworks into project design and procurement processes.
Digital Economy and Telecommunications
A major pillar of this role is advancing Dominica’s digital transformation goals. This includes supporting the deployment of digital public services, the expansion of broadband infrastructure, and the creation of regulatory frameworks for e-commerce, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
The Minister of State works closely with the Department of Digital Economy and other stakeholders to strengthen digital literacy, promote digital entrepreneurship, and enable access to digital services across public institutions, rural communities, and the private sector.
As Dominica advances toward a more connected and resilient society, this position plays a critical role in ensuring the country remains on pace with regional and global digital development benchmarks.
Institutional Collaboration and Implementation Support
Collaboration with international donors, technical experts, and regional agencies is an integral part of the position. The Minister of State often liaises with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the World Bank, and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on joint programs that fund or regulate national initiatives.
Through these partnerships, the Ministry continues to receive technical assistance and investment for road improvement projects, national utility upgrades, and the design of e-government platforms. The Minister of State’s role is vital in translating these investments into efficient on-the-ground execution.