Government targets World Bank for climate resilience projects

Dr. Kenneth Darroux, Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries has disclosed that talks are in an advanced stage with the World Bank for over EC$ 90 million for projects to make Dominica more climate resilient. Darroux made the disclosure during a press conference on Wednesday.

He said the Cabinet approved the plan in 2012 because traditional ways of addressing climate change and environmental issues was really not producing anticipated results.

"I am confident that the implementation of this project will show the world that the people of Dominica stand ready to play our part and that the international community they stand ready to do the same," he said.

The project is expected to be implemented over a 4-5 year period; it is a continuation of a process which started a few years ago when the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) was launched in which Dominica was one of six pilot countries in region. The aim was to produce a strategic document to guide Dominica towards climate resilience.

The project is to be implemented in several areas of Dominica and may begin in May 2014. These areas , projects and costs include: Pont Casse to Bois Diable (EC$ 7.4 million); Bois Diable to Castle Bruce (EC$ 7.3 million); Castle Bruce to Petite Soufriere (EC$ 13.7 million); Castle Bruce to Hatton Garden (EC$ 15.8 million); Dubique Phase I Cliff Stabilization and Road works (EC$ 11.9 million); West Coast Water Project Storage Tanks/Water Inventory ( EC$ 8.1 million); Capacity Building for Adaptation to Climate Change ( EC$ 3.78 million); Formation of Spatial Data Management System ( EC$ 4.725 million); Improving, Expanding of Climate Change & Seismic Monitoring Network (EC$ 0.976 million); Agroforestry, Food Security & Soil Stabilization (EC$ 6.074 million); Sustainable Land Management( EC$ 1.63 million); Construction of Storm Drains (EC$ 5.285 million); Project Preparation Advance (PPA) (EC$5.434 million); Contingency Component for Emergency Response (EC$2.717 million). Total: EC $94.821 million.

The financing allocation for Project Management and Monitoring during implementation will cost EC $4.74 million.

Dr. Darroux said a grant of EC$ 5 million will be provided for the setting up of what he called a project management unit. Part of the responsibility and will also involve the processing of the project package to be submitted to the World Bank.

The EC$ 5 Million will also be used for the purchase of equipment, vehicles, as well as funding of working team to get the project started.

"We have been allocated funding from the climate investment fund in the amount of US$ 21 Million, of which US$ 12 Million is grant financing and US$ 9 Million is what you call highly concessionary financing".

Darroux also added that financing of US$ 17 Million is expected to come from the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) and the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP), which is a regional project being undertaken by the world bank which is running simultaneously with the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR).

"So we are talking about a total investment package of US 38 Million approved by cabinet," he pointed out; and added that this investment package will seek to begin addressing the deficiency that was identified in the strategic programme of climate resilience.