$500,000 pledged for war on pit latrines in Kalinago Territory

The pledge was made by Darroux for PM Skerrit
The pledge was made by Darroux for PM Skerrit

The Government of Dominica has pledged a further financial support of $500,000 for the eradication of pit latrines in the Kalinago Territory.

The announcement was made by Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries, Dr Kenneth Darroux, at the official handing-over ceremony of the “Carib Territory Low Income Housing Project” funded by The Government of the People’s Republic of China on Monday, September 15, 2014.

Minister Darroux was representing Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, at the ceremony.

Darroux stated that the eradication of pit latrines is of great importance for the continued empowerment of the Kalinago people. He stressed the health and hygienic benefits of the eradication of pit latrines.

“This is a project that the Opposition have scoffed, they have ridiculed,” he stated. “But I who served as a District Medical Officer for a number of years before entering politics and going around to visit some of the elderly people and seeing the conditions that these people lived in, especially those without indoor washroom facilities.”

He continued, “As I have said on a number of occasions, the whole issue of the eradication of pit latrines is no laughing matter. You can see the joy on some of the people’s face. I have started the programme in my constituency and going around now to see the joy one people’s face who no longer have to leave their homes to access a pit latrine many yards away sometimes under bad weather to access an outside pit latrine. Right now they have the comfort of a washroom right within their very
homes. So this is no laughing matter as I said for both comfort and also for health hygienic purposes.”

The eradication of pit latrines in Dominica is part of the Dominica Labour Party Government’s Home Renovation and Sanitation Programme which involves government making funds available for the construction of modern washroom facilities.

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54 Comments

  1. September 17, 2014

    DLP = Dominica Latrine Party

  2. September 17, 2014

    Do you all know that the people in grandbay had to pay people to dig there own hole on there pocket..i know of one person they bluid the tiolet for and and up till now the hole is not dig yet they want the person son to pay some one else to dig the hole for the two sick people. I want SOME BODY to tell me how much the tiolet is costing the tax payers of the land……

  3. unemployed kalinago
    September 17, 2014

    Hey skerrit can u give us kalinagos the money to try and start our own small bussiness venture instead? Then i can build my own home with my own design and put my own toilet in it? Thank you.

  4. commando
    September 17, 2014

    kenneth what is wrong with u,bro doh let skerritt play games with u,they find u looking like a carib so de best person to send and fool the first and beloved people is u,stand up to skerritt and his wicked government my boy.

  5. JJ
    September 17, 2014

    Darroux you are a doctor. Be specific tell us who in the opposition ridiculed the idea.
    You must either uninformed or simply manipulating peoples emotions to be suggesting that proper pit latrines cannot be hygienic and sanitary.
    My brother it is the practices of the users are unhygienic and unsanitary regardless of the type of latrine.
    We really need a change!!

  6. September 16, 2014

    empower the people by stimulating the economy . let dominicans have the capabilities to do those thing by their own ambition and ability. stop destroying the nation by stripping the people of their ambition and dignity.the people aspire to have economic independence not dependence , it is very shameful that the govt. have succeeded to make dominicans a nation of beggars if dominicans are not careful even their pride will be stripped away from them.

  7. truth.
    September 16, 2014

    Thank you for toilets without water attached.why now election glymics again, for sure we are getting wiser.

  8. time will tell
    September 16, 2014

    how long not long PLEASE MAKE WAY FOR THE BLUE :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • Dominica
      September 16, 2014

      You sleeping in de BLUE-LAGOON! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  9. Anonymous
    September 16, 2014

    Estimated data from the UN’s website (last updated 07 July 2014) indicate that the proportion of the local population using improved sanitation facilities has remained at a much to be desired 81% coverage (1995-2007). Surprisingly the data reveals that the urban population accounts for 80% coverage and more interestingly the rural population accounts for 84%. There was no reported neither estimated data for the period 1990-1995 likewise for the period 2008-2012…. so the slogan is not war on pit latrines, but rather Improving Sanitation Facilities!!!!
    http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/sanitation.shtml

  10. Anonymous
    September 16, 2014

    All well and good to improve sanitation facilities and in so doing, achieving the MDG, Goal 7 in Ensuring Environmental Sustainability. However if we truly understand the goal’s principle then we see that this so called war on pit latrine is yet other means of breeding on the ignorance of the populace and a waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Metadata.aspx?IndicatorId=31

    According to the UN’s definition “The proportion of the population using an improved sanitation facility, total, urban, rural, is the percentage of the population with access to facilities that hygienically separate human excreta from human contact. Improved facilities include flush/pour flush toilets or latrines connected to a sewer, -septic tank, or -pit, ventilated improved pit latrines, pit latrines with a slab or platform of any material which covers the pit entirely, except for the drop hole and composting toilets/latrines. Unimproved facilities include public or shared facilities of an otherwise acceptable type, flush/pour-flush toilets or latrines which discharge directly into an open sewer or ditch, pit latrines without a slab, bucket latrines, hanging toilets or latrines which directly discharge in water bodies or in the open and the practice of open defecation in the bush, field or bodies or water. Definitions and a detailed description of these facilities can be found at the website of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation at http://www.wssinfo.org.”

  11. Pondera
    September 16, 2014

    After three (3) terms in office (14 years) you have failed the people so much that you have to build them proper toilets. What a resounding failure on your part. The morsels from the rich man table. That’s what we Dominican deserve!

  12. great project
    September 16, 2014

    This is just one project among many. We the kalinago people will be most greatful to skerries and the DLP.

  13. Dave Bertrand
    September 16, 2014

    How much is being pledge for the treatment plant for raw sewage ?

  14. September 16, 2014

    Need to know the cost of giving one toilet. Just want to have an idea of the number of beneficiaries.

  15. ex-police.
    September 16, 2014

    i hear you talking but you ain’t saying nothing. ……….. continue to trick the first people of our beloved country,

  16. Anonymous
    September 16, 2014

    The phrase “money down the toilet” comes to mind.

  17. DD
    September 16, 2014

    Darroux and I were college buddies many moons ago – how times have changed. These guys really believe their own crap . They have their own interest and pocket in mind. Wake up Dominica – DLP must go….Dominica is screaming for positive change. These bloodsuckers like Darroux and Skeritt must go….

  18. opinion
    September 16, 2014

    hope you give them money to pay dowasco as well.

    • ????????
      September 16, 2014

      Negative I guess you are … soon you will ask for the toilet paper as well .. then sooner or later a maid to use the toilet paper on the beneficiary? When will you all stop this and give a little credit and stop that negative attitude?????

      • commando
        September 17, 2014

        he is right,toilet to fool them,then dowasco to murder them.he is speaking the truth.

  19. Dumb-in-Ica
    September 16, 2014

    How, just how..can anyone deny the brilliance and compassion of our Divine Leader Roosevelt Skerrit and his prophets. The eradication of pit latrines is a testament of divine and ordained leadership. Our great Leader cares deeply about the poor and disenfranchised people of Dominica and has a special spot in his heart for the Carib, now known as, the Kalinago people. Myself and the entire Astaphan family admire the Jesus-like compassion of our Divine leader and knows that Dominica will only move towards even more greatness during the next 20 to 40 years of the Skerrit administration. Long live Dominica’s Divine KING!

  20. Ravine
    September 16, 2014

    wow, wow. wow something happening

  21. grell
    September 16, 2014

    Jokers just toilets build new home for the people,the dtoilets needs the septic and the suckaways also.Roseau have about 20 pit latrines are the going to get 500.000 also.You guys are so ridiculous.

  22. check yourself
    September 16, 2014

    Kenneth the man doe even like u my boy, I went to school with u u use to be humble and quiet now u become a total joke just like the dlp, are u seriously letting skreeet have u as a messenger to play games with our people, have some type of guebos homie and stand up to skreeet name man

  23. check yourself
    September 16, 2014

    Kenneth the man doe even like u my boy, I went to school with u u use to be humble and quiet now u become a total joke just like the dlp, are u seriously letting skreeet have u as a messenger to play games with our people, have some type of guebos homie and stand up to skreeet and Austrich nah man

  24. yes ii tell u
    September 16, 2014

    What a waste this dlp government hv become.

  25. young fella
    September 16, 2014

    but why they not creating jobs for young people?????????????? what the hell is wrong with this government???? comout there if all u kia do the people work for god sake man!!

  26. Dominica
    September 16, 2014

    Layba is working.

    Up we going!

  27. Historian
    September 16, 2014

    Wouldn’t it be better to create sustainable jobs; decent pay raises so that persons could buy their own toilet and feel empowered? Or is it better to give them the toilets and let them believe that you are the savior?

  28. Expired cabinet pill
    September 16, 2014

    This is just one of the cabal’s new way of buying votes. That’s just another reason why I will never support our relationship with China. China’s support for corruption is just too obvious. But then again because they are a communist country they want to help this corrupt DLP stay in power. But I have a suggestion for Skerrit. Skerrit, you sure need to do away with the Ministry of Environment and physical planning, because clearly they are useless at this time. In the 90’s when I was getting ready to build my house and help renovate my parents house it was MANDITORY to draw a plan and provide certificate of title to housing. Housing would come to visit the site and question everything from size of steel to PVC for toilet. Now a days Skerrit building new houses for people without any plan and no one from housing division visiting the sight. In fact in some cases where Skerrit has spent ten’s of thousands of dollars on flushing toilets, the very land where is iin dispute by family members or neighbors; but yet government puts thousands on such properties. What is happening in Dominica is just pure madness and corruption! Why should I pay money to draw plan to build my house and go through that battle with housing to make sure everything is done per specification and when it is the government time to buy votes they don’t need a plan to build house for their supporters, housing or planning don’t have to visit sight and anybody can do just about what they feel like? As a matter of fact based on what I have seen in my own village, it is the parlrep that paying contractors instead of treasury. corruption! Corruption! Corrution! You are gone Dominica and the sad thing is, I sat there and did nothing when I saw you going down

  29. PaBoo
    September 16, 2014

    Its very shameful to see how we are being empowered in the 21st century. Shame on you guys to call this EMPOWERMENT. The best way to evaluate EMPOWERMENT is by giving us our FREEDOM through SOCIAL JUSTICE and the FREEDOM of SELF DETERMINATION.. All what we getting today and the rest to come is due to us and stop playing allyou dirty tricks with our money. PM so shameful and know his wrong doings thats the the third ceremony in the Kalinago Territory in less than 2 month he not showing his face. Two of the most important ceremonies are the Kalinago Chief and Council inorguration n thee recent launching mentioned above. Suspect he is afraid of Chief Williams and his new Council.

  30. Truth
    September 16, 2014

    A few years ago, this labour government was promoting pit toilet,now they them seelves are agains it,Is that the way you all want to fool the carib people again?where is the rest of their twenty and more million dollars which was allocated for them ,you all said you spet THIRTEEN ,WHICH IS VEY DOUBTFULL ,
    give THE CALINAGOES THE REST OF THEIR MONEY FIRST,
    INSTEAD TRYING TO COME AND BRIBETHEM WITH 500 .OO DOLLARS,
    i HOPE THEY KICK YOU ALL OUT FOR THAT,nO MORE LABOUR ,LABOUR TO THIEF,

  31. I amwhatiam
    September 16, 2014

    don’t forget to give them their monthly supply of toilet paper since they have been accustomed to using something else.

  32. Public Health Nurse
    September 16, 2014

    The good doctor should know that it is not the type of toilet you have that determines how hygienic your sanitation is. As good as this may sound this is can only be seen as another vote catching gimmick. How is this government assisting and preparing the recipients to be able to have the neccessary income to pay the water bills to flush, to buy the cleaning and disinfecting materials. Not to talk about when complications such as blockages,broken parts etc arise.That’s when we will have the poor hygeine and sanitation practices.
    This another example of the DLP at it’s best abusing the innocence and ignorance of the unsuspecting for their narrow political and personal benefit.

    • ????????
      September 16, 2014

      I can’t believe that you are a Public Health Nurse…. you mean you criticizing giving someone a proper toilet. I am sure you have your toilet so instead of criticizing, start working “How is this government assisting and preparing the recipients to be able to have the neccessary income to pay the water bills to flush, to buy the cleaning and disinfecting materials. Not to talk about when complications such as blockages,broken parts etc arise.That’s when we will have the poor hygeine and sanitation practices” That is your job to do — trop parler …..commencer travaille…. good observation so get to work …. educate educate ……

  33. Anonymous
    September 16, 2014

    These DLP guys just don’t get it. Enough of these handouts. What people need are jobs, so that they can build their own indoor facilities.

    They are hell-bent on perpetuating that dependency mentality.

  34. Dominican UK
    September 16, 2014

    build allyou own toilet them. shame on those that live abroad and those working in DA who cannot help their people but wait on government to do everything dfor them. In the Western world some people are worst off than you lot in sunny Dominica right now children living below the bread line in developed countries. they have no work welfare that carrying them some of allyou leave DA and live in worst conditions but no way would attack any Gov past or present . I have never come across a lazy bunch of people like you guys. the bible says God help those who help themselves. Get of your backsides find something to do stop and I quote stop relying on the Gov where will DLP or UWP find money jobs to feed all of you are you guys for real. even if 500 jobs is created what is going to happen to the others that are unemployed. There is no where in the world that Gov create jobs people put chains together sell coconut cheese make a dollar today two tomorrow get out of the rot stop blaiming people. Plant food share with one another give ecah other from your crops allyou would never do that but the poor gov must feed allyou, give toilet, house. allyou making parcheer babies on people account wise up. print it or though print it come out of the rot.

  35. Dominican
    September 16, 2014

    What’s happening to these people who criticise every thing the Government does? Don’t you all know, it’s better late than never? In the United States of America, in the South, pit toilets are very much in use. Instead of always criticising, do something, help.

  36. Itassi Too
    September 16, 2014

    Somebody should be held responsible for state money skerrit is using vikivi in the name of war on pit toilet. In my home village of Vieill- case, from 2005 when Skerrit was made PM, he took tax payers money and built several homes for villagers and installed several flushing toilets. The sad thing about it is since many of those same persons that benifited from such programs have fled the village and those homes are closed down and have become the homes of wood ants. But no one cares because they don’t have to pay a loan it’s tax payers money that taking care of that. In other cases some of those houses are being rented and we the tax payers don’t get a cent from it. This is just pure crap going on in the country and we closing our eyes on them in the name of God bless Skerrit and he is the wisest PM that ever pass in Dominica

  37. Discovered DA
    September 16, 2014

    The descendants of our First people, who defended that blessed land against colonial domination and oppression, are today being ridiculed. Their plight is alarming. Poverty has increased ten-fold among the Kalinago people. Their standards of living have gone down, down, down.

    In all that hardship, Skerritt’s DLP Gov’t. promising Pit Latrines, not job opportunities or serious investments in agriculture and manufacturing, so that the Kalinago people could earn their living and live a decent life.

    The Skerriitt DLP Gov’t. has neglected Agriculture so much that Kalinago farmers, their families, the entire Kalinago territory bawling.

    No emphasis on creating jobs. What is happening to the beautiful arts and craft production/marketing of kalinago? Pit Latrine instead?

    A few politicians and their friends have become rich overnight. Kalinago discovered this unique land. Kalinago have struggled for decades. Hunted, killed, massacred by those with power, money, yet they have survived. They stole Kalinago Land

    The Colonial Masters destroyed the livelihoods of kalinago. Today, the majority are still in dire poverty. They continue to fight for justice, equality and a fair share of the pie, against the greed and corruption of new colonial masters.

  38. Itassi Too
    September 16, 2014

    It’s a shame to see Dominicans that know better and understand what it is to enjoy liberty, allow Skerrit to do all this nonsense and move Dominica into communism, and say nothing. Like the apostle Paul in Gal. 3:1 ” O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…” We just need to insert Dominicans in stead of Galatians. Who have bewitched us Dominicans? In other words, who it is that have caused witches to suck us to the point this grave blindness? Folks, do we not have planning division anymore? I mean if Skerrit really wanted to pledge war on pit latrines, whether in Kalinago, Penville or Roseau, why not allow the planning division to continue to ensure that all new applicants must ensure flushing toilet is on the plan and give an insentive to all existing home owners with no flushing toilet to ensure everyone complies? After all after 14 yrs of misery on the backs of people Skerrit taking state money and play politics all over the country and no one says a thing? Should these persons skerrit building house for and putting flushing toilet for die, will those houses become state property? That’s corruption!

  39. OneMile
    September 16, 2014

    Man, 2014 and politician talking about pit latrine? What a shame. This should not even be an issue in this day and age. It highlights how undeveloped the country is. War on terror and drugs in US. War on pit latrine in DA.

  40. me
    September 16, 2014

    Really. I’m sure this is from the Venezuelan fund….the one which has millions unaccounted for.

  41. Grand Bay Yard-fowl
    September 16, 2014

    Ko-ki-yo-ko!!!

    Gimmicks and more gimmicks as the election draw closer. Only to a gullible set of selfish and greedy supporters who see no wrong even at their expenses. Make my day and vote them right back in, and please do not beg and complain about your sufferings

    • joe
      September 16, 2014

      Careful what you wish for they may just take your advise and vote them in 20-1!!!!

      :lol: :lol:

      Again it’s a democracy the masses will decide when that day is called up, don’t stress!!!!

  42. doh good
    September 16, 2014

    Kenneth u and this dlp are a joke. a real joke or maybe a mess and none of u know how to claen up d mess u yes u the dlp has created in our once lovely Dominica

  43. looking
    September 16, 2014

    $500,000 from their Venezuelan fund…Where is the rest?

  44. September 16, 2014

    Some of our politicians need to be buried in them,
    Whilst doing away with these antiquated facilities.

  45. Channel 1
    September 16, 2014

    …(yawn)….After 14 years of this government, people still cannot afford to put their own toilets in their house eh.

    What a waste of a government. Next please.

  46. Just blaze
    September 16, 2014

    They dont have nothing to eat but Skerrit give them $500,00 for toilet.

    • September 16, 2014

      You seem to be all over the place one time Skerrit is doing wrong another time he is doing good as far as you a concern you a what we call a blade with sharp edges, you cannot have it both ways
      Election is due so spreading money, euipment and other things just to purchase VOTES is wrong people should be able to make up their minds without any incentives DLP is out dated and must go.

  47. John-3-16
    September 16, 2014

    Papamete in 2014 government have to build toilets for it’s population.

    This is a resounding testiment of it’s success after 14 years
    Sa-qeu-gas

  48. committed Dominican
    September 16, 2014

    Man, stop this vote shopping gimmick , pack your bags, clear the people’ s office and get ready to leave.

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