Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has issued a robust defense of quarrying operations at Deux Branches, directly countering environmental protests surrounding Dominica’s international airport project. During an official site inspection last Thursday, Skerrit presented detailed evidence challenging what he characterized as misinformation-driven opposition to the critical infrastructure initiative.
The Prime Minister emphasized significant environmental improvements at the quarry site, noting that engineered controls have effectively eliminated mud runoff and maintained clean access roads. These measures, he asserted, demonstrate the government’s commitment to responsible environmental management throughout the development process.
Historical context forms a crucial part of the government’s argument. Official records confirm that Deux Branches served as a quarry site in both 1969 and the 1980s, providing aggregate for the Hatton Garden-Portsmouth road construction. Notably, this infrastructure has demonstrated superior durability compared to contemporaneous projects, attributed to the exceptional density and strength of Deux Branches stone.
Geotechnical assessments by independent experts have verified that the quarry’s materials meet exacting international standards required for major airport infrastructure. The government maintains that using locally sourced, quality-approved materials represents both economic prudence and environmental responsibility, contrasting sharply with the impractical alternative of importing aggregate from distant sources like Canada at substantially higher cost and environmental impact.
Skerrit framed the international airport as a transformational national investment that will enhance accessibility, reduce travel expenses, expand tourism opportunities, generate employment, and strengthen economic resilience. The administration positions the project not as environmental exploitation but as responsible development utilizing national resources for national benefit.
The government’s statement concludes that development decisions must be guided by factual evidence and scientific assessment rather than emotional appeals or alarmist rhetoric, asserting that Dominica deserves progress grounded in reality rather than paralysis driven by misinformation.