Hurricane Hugo rehabilitation project

In the Leeward Islands, the project will focus immediate attention on restoring 11 KV primary distribution lines and 230/400 volt secondary lines that were damaged in St. Kitts and Nevis; if requested, similar efforts will be launched in Antigua, Barbuda, and Montserrat following more detailed assessments. The contractor, Lloyd Electric Company of Texas, will work with the national electrical power departments as well as other donor agencies providing disaster assistance. In Dominica, activities will take place in four areas. (1) The project will help rehabilitate 6,000 acres of banana crops by providing funds for the purchase of fertilizer. Farmers submitting hurricane damage claims will receive 50% of the fertilizer as a grant and the other 50% on credit under their regular credit lines with the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation (DBMC). The project will also provide fertilizer, planting material, and hand tools, which will be supplied through the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), to help farmers produce 750 acres of food crops (e.g., trellised passion fruit, mangoes, papaya, and root crops); this will guarantee Dominica"s food security and keep post-hurricane food prices within the grasp of all sectors of the country. (2) Since in addition to project-financed fertilizer the DBMC will supply chemical inputs for crop production, the Consortium for International Crop Protection will be contracted to analyze the environmental effects of these applications and present its findings to the MOA and DBMC for action as needed. (3) The MOA will receive a grant to purchase and distribute fishing supplies (e.g., buoys, nets, temporary docks) and repair boats and boat sheds for some 500 artisanal fisherman. (4) Finally, the project will support efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Works to rehabilitate the storm-damaged road system, emphasizing the removal of landslide material, reconstruction of 10 seawalls on the west coast, and the restoration of a Bailey bridge.