PRESS RELEASE
Roseau, Dominica: July, 2026 — The United Progressive Party (UPP), under the leadership of Joshua Francis, is calling on the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and good governance by making public the contracts governing the country’s largest infrastructure projects.
These projects –
1. The International Airport – contract awarded to Montreal Management Consultants (MMC) and China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CR5)2. The Cable Car Project – contract awarded to Doppelmayr Group (Austria) with ABL Holdings and
3. The Cabrits Marina Development – contracts awarded to Range Developments with a separate international marina operator to manage operations after completion (operator not yet publicly identified)
4. The Dominica Geothermal Project – contracts awarded to Ormat Technologies Inc., Kalpataru Projects International and Iceland Drilling Company
represent investments amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars and will have far-reaching implications for the nation’s economy, environment, public finances, and future generations.
While the Government has regularly highlighted construction milestones and projected economic benefits, the Dominican people remain largely unaware of the specific contractual terms under which these projects are being executed. There is also a strong suspicion of “sweetheart” deals. This lack of public disclosure and parliamentary oversight raises important questions regarding accountability and the proper stewardship of national resources.
The United Progressive Party believes that the citizens of Dominica have a legitimate right to know:
- What are the financial obligations of the Government under each contract?
- What guarantees or concessions have been granted to contractors or developers?
- What procurement process was used in awarding these contracts?
What cost-benefit analysis exists for all of the named projects? - What performance standards, penalties, and oversight provisions are contained within these agreements?
- What are the long-term financial implications for the people of Dominica?
Transparency is not an obstacle to development—it is the foundation of public trust.
The UPP therefore respectfully calls upon the Government to:
- Publish the full contracts, together with any amendments, relating to the International Airport, Cable Car, and Cabrits Marina projects.
- Disclose the procurement process used in awarding each contract.
- Provide Parliament and the public with comprehensive financial reports detailing the source of project financing, contractual obligations, and anticipated long-term liabilities.
- Commit to making future contracts involving major public infrastructure readily accessible to the Dominican people.
This request should not be viewed as political opposition to national development. On the contrary, the United Progressive Party supports sustainable development that is built upon transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The people of Dominica deserve more than announcements and ceremonial groundbreaking events. They deserve access to the agreements that will shape the country’s future and determine how public resources are managed.
Good governance demands openness.
Democracy demands accountability.
The United Progressive Party remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the interests of every Dominican and ensuring that government operates with the transparency and integrity that our Constitution and our citizens expect.
For Media Inquiries:
Lofty Durand, Public Relations Officer
United Progressive Party Communications Office
Email: communications@uppdominica.com
Disclaimer
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of Nature Isle News (NIN). Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@natureisle.news