Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has provided a positive mid-construction update on the country’s high-stakes Wesley International Airport project, confirming that work across multiple key segments of the development is progressing on track to expectations. Speaking at an official press briefing held on Wednesday, Skerrit broke down the current completion rates for core components of the infrastructure project, noting that site-wide progress remains solid. According to the prime minister, preliminary earthworks and culvert installation are now roughly 78% finished, while construction of the airport’s main runway and connecting taxiways has hit the 60% completion mark. Equally notable progress, he added, is being recorded on other mission-critical facilities that will enable the airport’s full operation, including the main passenger terminal building, dedicated cargo handling complex, air traffic control tower, and on-site fuel storage farms. Beyond construction timelines, Skerrit moved to address lingering public concerns surrounding the project’s raw material sourcing operations, stressing that all aggregate extraction and processing activities are being carried out in full alignment with the Commonwealth of Dominica’s existing national laws and regulatory frameworks. The prime minister underlined that the administration remains unwaveringly committed to upholding all required environmental protection standards throughout the construction period. In a further clarification of regulatory approvals, Skerrit confirmed that the Physical Planning Division formally granted the necessary operating permits for the Stonefield Aggregate Site and Stonefield Crushing Plant in May 2026. To clear up widespread local speculation about potential mineral extraction, Skerrit explicitly rejected unconfirmed reports of copper mining or other non-construction related mining activity taking place in connection with the airport project. “I want to reiterate that there is no mining operation taking place and no plans for copper mining or any similar activity,” he said, adding that the Stonefield quarry exists for one purpose only: to produce the construction-grade aggregate required to complete the airport build. Skerrit added that the government continues to adhere to all formal regulatory processes for the project, including mandatory environmental impact assessments and ongoing independent oversight by relevant national agencies. Framing the infrastructure development as a generational investment for Dominica, Skerrit described the new international airport as one of the most transformative public works projects in the island nation’s modern history. Once completed, the facility is expected to deliver widespread economic benefits, including immediate job creation during construction, expanded stimulus for local business activity, and a long-term foundation for growth in tourism, cross-border trade, and foreign direct investment – opportunities that will benefit Dominican communities for decades to come. “We remain confident in the progress being made, and we will continue to keep the public informed as works advance,” the prime minister added.
Prime Minister Skerrit says the international airport progressing well across the board
