The Government of Dominica has pledged a series of targeted improvements for the community of Belles, including upgrades to the health centre, the village roads, and the community playing field. The announcements were made during a recent community meeting, where Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Senator Oscar George outlined the initiatives and gave timelines for implementation.
Health Centre Upgrades Announced
Prime Minister Skerrit confirmed that the Belles Health Centre will undergo significant refurbishment. Plans include the extension of the facility, enhanced storage capacity for medical supplies, and the creation of more private living accommodations for on-call staff.
Skerrit noted that the current setup is not ideal for extended service, particularly for the district nurse, who has limited access to basic amenities. He promised that the updated facility would include a shower and kitchen, improving both working conditions and service quality. The design phase is expected to be finalized soon so that works can proceed “in short order.”
Village Roads and Housing to Be Addressed
The Prime Minister also acknowledged concerns over deteriorating roads and housing challenges in the community. He indicated that government equipment will be deployed on Monday to begin drainage clearing and surface preparation work along key village roads. The Ministry of Public Works, along with local contractors, will supervise the mobilization.
In addition, housing assessments will be carried out by the Ministry of Housing in the coming days. According to Skerrit, the aim is to identify vulnerable families and implement a phased housing support plan. He noted that funds have already been allocated and contractors are ready to begin the process.
Playing Field Work Set to Begin
Senator Oscar George, who also serves as Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, confirmed that work on the Bells playing field will begin next week. He stated that funding had been secured to advance the project.
The Bells playing field project is going to start next week. We got the funds, we got the equipment, and we are going to move to get it done.
Oscar George, Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports & Community Development
He described it as a commitment made by the government and one that they were now prepared to deliver on.
Community Engagement and Follow-Up
Both officials thanked the residents of Bells for their input and patience. The government indicated that further updates would be shared as work progresses, and community members were encouraged to engage with their parliamentary representatives to ensure continued communication on the developments.
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