United Progressive Party leader Joshua Francis says a future UPP administration would pursue a structured pathway for the possible resettlement of former Petit Savanne residents, while insisting that any return to the community must first be guided by science, safety and proper planning.
In a statement issued by the party, Francis acknowledged that many residents who relocated to Bellevue Chopin following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika continue to maintain strong ties to Petit Savanne and still hope to return to their ancestral community.
The UPP said it believes former residents should be given the opportunity to determine their own future, but emphasised that no resettlement programme should proceed without detailed technical assessments.
According to the party, comprehensive land suitability and geotechnical studies would first be required to identify areas suitable for housing, agriculture, business activities, and infrastructure development.
“The safety of our citizens will always come first,” the party stated while outlining its position on the matter.
Francis said that once the necessary assessments are completed and the relevant technical authorities provide approval, a UPP government would establish a dedicated Petit Savanne Resettlement Fund to assist qualifying residents who wish to return.
The proposed fund would support housing construction and rehabilitation, agricultural redevelopment, farm restoration, small-business development, and the revival of traditional industries, including bay oil production. Additional support would also be directed toward community infrastructure, public services and youth development initiatives.
The party described Petit Savanne as an important agricultural community that historically contributed to the economy of southeastern Dominica through farming, community enterprise and bay oil production.
Francis also indicated that a future administration would seek to rehabilitate and reopen the Delices-Petit Savanne roadway, subject to environmental and engineering approval, as part of wider efforts to improve access and reconnect the area with surrounding communities.
The proposal has added a new dimension to discussions about the long-term future of Petit Savanne, one of the communities most severely affected by Tropical Storm Erika in 2015, which led to the relocation of residents to Bellevue Chopin and other areas of the island.
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