With what he described as a mission to reduce poverty in his constituency and Dominica by extension, Parliamentary Representative for the St. Joseph constituency, Kelver Darroux, has embarked on various initiatives within the constituency.
He has revealed that the project to upgrade housing within his constituency, particularly the community of St Joseph, was nearing completion.
“The Dominica Labour Party Government constructed 30 houses here in St Joseph and they were specifically constructed for the people of St Joseph and Layou and so far we’ve taken special interest in ensuring that the residents here have all the utilities that they require as it relates to housing needs.”
According to Darroux, over $200,000 has been spent to ensure proper drainage within the housing scheme area and two contractors have been employed to undertake the road project within the area.
“We also have in excess of 25 lots for sale to the residents of St Joseph, Layou, Mero and the whole of Dominica. Moving forward we will continue to work alongside the residents here to ensure that all of their needs are met.”
He said the project is an indication of the government’s willingness to keep its promises to the people of St Joseph.
“Priority will be given to the people of St Joseph and Layou. Since I became a Member of Parliament one of my primary focus has been education and housing. Over the next few months we will see significant housing improvements being made in the community. We are currently constructing a house for an elderly lady who is blind and several other initiatives geared at improving the lives of the people.”
The Parliamentary representative also presented farmers in the Belles area with 100 bags of fertilizer.
“The Belles farmers group consists of over 70 farmers and it was put together in 2010 after I became a Member of Parliament. The Dominica government made a pledge of $10,000 toward that group in 2010 to kick-start the activities of that group. Today I made a promise to that group to provide them with fertilizer and this morning I am presenting 100 bags to the farmers of that group to ensure that there is greater productivity particularly as it relates to the dasheen crop.”
Farmers of St Joseph and Mero also received some bags of fertilizer from the Parliamentary representative admist assurances that work was progressing on the roads leading to the various farms.
Other developments which taking place in the constituency, according to Darroux, are the availability of land to young farmers in St Joseph to encourage them to go back to the farms and the establishment of farmers groups in the areas of St Joseph and Mero.
Chairman of the Belles Farmers group, Jerry Maximea, expressed appreciation for the fertilizer donation.
“Although it is limited we know that it will go a long way in assisting the farmers because fertilizer, inputs on a whole is very costly and we know that the farmers will appreciate that from. Our main challenge is the high cost of input, the high cost of fertilizer,” he remarked.
Lennox Linton and Monelle Williams causing real pressure!!!
It is sad that St. Joseph is the poorest community in Dominica. I lived in St. Joseph as a youth in the 1970’s. It was a vibrant community dubbed St. Joe city. In the early mornings on a week day the main street was busy with people; those going to school and working in Roseau, those heading out to construction sites, the farmers and their workers heading out to the farms, Fishermen were already out to bring in their catch to sell for lunch for that day. Seamstresses and tailors at their sewing machines, shopkeepers behind the counters, bus and truck drivers ready to transport their passengers, housewives working at home etc. The Castaways and Layou Hotel were places of employment for the villagers.
People came from other villages to the dances held in the school now known as Matthew’s hall. They flooded the village for the Feast of St. Gerard in October. They left Roseau to jump-up in St. Joseph to the music played by Grammacks. Football and cricket produced some of the best sportsmen for Dominica. We enjoyed going to the savannah to watch the games.
When others outlawed sensay and snobbed bele dancing, St Joseph people held on.
St Joseph ancestors were proud, strong and defiant people.
Carholm, Goule, Artley, Layou park, Belles were lands they toiled proudly for their living. Handouts were not means by which they provided for their families and schooled their children; the many who are in the diaspora and have prominent professions and jobs in Dominica.
The Roman Catholic church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church provided the moral compass for their Christian followers.
This was the village I grew up in as a teenager, which nourished and shaped my upbringing.
I talked to grown-ups about the poverty status and they shrug and say the young people are lazy and this is the reason for the economic situation in St Joseph.
I want to help but where to start?
I write to let others know that St Joseph was a power house once because there was opportunity for its people to work, be proud, independent and leaders of their destiny.
I live in hope that they will find their way back by their bootstraps. It will be difficult but with determination they will find themselves.
God bless!
30 houses reducing poverty take a look at the people living in the houses teachers,policemen,nures most of the person working for donkey years only now they can get a house to redue poverty bondeir what about me that clean toilet when will poverty end i need a house on my salary
I do not care where they fix or improve. I do not care who does it. I support any uplifting or face lift by whomever or wherever on the island. One village at a time. Any improvement anywhere in DA is welcome. More new and beautiful houses to see, which balances with the old and neglected structures.
mr d . go back to teacher rose and tel har that i send you cus you still have your childhood in you trying to represent the people of the great nation dominica . so stay in school dont be no fool. what can 100 bags of fertilizer do for the people of belles.100 bags is just enough to put salt in my food for lunch. shame on you.
The population needs to be increased island wide. Economic activity and job creation is the cure for all forms of poverty. Giving away free homes, although a good political gesture, will not get it done.
WOW! Interesting! After how many years? I tell you election is sure around the corner
Election time coming round, so NOW you want to “reduce poverty”??? Meshastay
Thank you Monelle Williams. Dey fraid. Next constituency please?
Sad times for the people of St. Joseph and by extension Dominica. You were elected to serve the people, you took them for granted. The opposition got DLP running like roaches when the lights comes on. What is you overall plan to reduce the Poverty level in Senjoe, Mr. Darroux?
Darroux was Vince Henderson’s campaign manager, elected Parl Rep in 2009 and it is only now (2013) that he has found it necessary to be on “mission” to reduce poverty in St. Joseph? For this cause L say a big thank you to Ms. Monell Williams. Dem fellas think they can fool us all de time eh. Bob Marley said that everyday the bucket goes to the well, one day the bottom of that bucket will fall off. Kelver et all that day is quickly approaching and we have made up our minds to vote for change. Nothing’s gona stop us now.
Be it resolved that whilst I have supported this DLP government over the years my eyes are now opened to the trickery, deception and lies that continue to propel this party that I onced loved so dearly.
Over and over again we have taken the people for granted whilst we line our pockets as some shall it all and have forgotten about the people’s plight.
Now that elections are around the corner my government has woken up and is earnestly seeking to get out of their slumber by doing things where they feel most threatened. Well the truth is, this movement and wind of change is sweeping right across the nation so to really garner enough support to stay in power you guys have to do this and much much more all over the country. This slide is to rapid and advanced to be contained. Ask for you Kelver, you walk around the place with extended shoulders and a foolish stutter in an attempt to imitate your boss (my dear friends my foot), you discarded and alienated the struggling people of your constituency and now that Monell Williams had to rise for this cause, you afraid.
My dear boy be very afraid because it was Ian Douglas himself who said that Kelver has already lost the seat. He even went on to name all the other seats that he knows a virtually gone to the opposition. In other words ZOR PED LEDE. It is a foregone conclusion that change is a must.
I don’t feel sorry for you guys because I knew it would have boiled down to this at some point. Bad government that only paid lip service to development. Instead of providing equal opportunity for all to prosper they took advantage of the masses and people who were already established in business. Victimized a large number of public offers including their very own like the Williams girl who used to work at the treasury. Now IT IS ALLEGED ministers engage in buying heavy equipment, demanding kickbacks when the help secure contracts, in all sorts of immorality and unethical behaviour. Is that we had put allu there for? Lebane voler ki yor yeh…. change must come.
Wow…….. its amazing how an effective opposition can bring a sleeping government to rise…. grandbay ppl open all u eyes…portsmouth ppl threatened and dey get their land.. do wat all u have to do for wat all u want…..
Is that 10 bags of white powder in the third photo? Boy look money.
The building of thirty homes, and the sale of land in a community, is not likely to have any significant effect in the reduction of poverty in any of the villages in Dominica; since poverty is a state in which people exist for the lack of usual, or socially acceptable amount of money, or material possessions.
Poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities to an absence of material comforts. The only way the poverty level in St. Joseph can actually be reduced, the economic status has to be changed nation wide. If there is a lack of employment, if the majority of people are with jobs, that means they have no spending power, as a result of money not circulating in the country; and as a result the majority sinks deeper into the dungeons of insecurity, and poverty.
If this guy can create a job for every man woman, and child in St. Joseph who needs one, and pay them more than starvation salary, perhaps he could cause a small fracture to occur in our nations poverty, nevertheless; the focus should be on the national poverty which plagues the entire nation.
Even if a free house is given to someone, and that person cannot afford the electricity, gas, water and telephone, food and clothing, would mean they still exists in poverty.
It should be all about the creation of jobs, and finding employment, permanent employment!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
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If u receive a free house don’t u think u have to do something to pay the electricity?
So the Govt give u a free house u want free electricity free water free food .Then u sit and they put the food in your mouth. Tell me a country
that I could gp to and get Free House
lazy aallu lazy. allu droping out of school like its the next best thing. allu like to depend on handouts instead of learning a trade. allu have the sea and land to utilize yet allu want skerrit to give allu the money instead. if a man does not work , he shall not eat. take allu school seriously. boys as well as girls with poor mentality. the same old house allu raised in is the same houe allu living in no improvement. allu r satisfied in the misery. is not govt that put allu like that.
it is interesting to note that it is only NOW that this sort of work is being done on this development site, when these houses have been constructed for at least 6 years now (it may be more).
Quite honestly, I applaud the work of the UWP who has brought about this upheaval in the political climate of this country. For too long the current government has done whatever they please because they have received no strong opposition.
Now it appears that they are quivering in their shoes, getting diarrhea, and scratching their heads as to the next big thing they could possibly do to win the masses favour again because UWP is making headway.
Well, the veil has been removed from the eye of the average Dominican, sadly some are still bought with a bag of fertilizer but I know without a shadow of a doubt that as long as we have an opposition that can keep the momentum, politics in Dominica will never be the same again.
The labour pains that they bare now is the result of their misdeeds- the result is the birth of a people who are disgruntled and fedup!!!!
DNO is this guy crying for his survival in 2014?? why did it had to get this way for such a young vibrant and educated politician, he is now taking stock of the POVERTY levels that his givernment has helped created
Wait a minute! what can people do to please you haters. The UWP has downgraded the people of STJ as the worst off in DA. Now the man has taken the responsibility of creating relief to the down trodden and you are criticizing him? Most of you haters have nothing but idleness and malice in your minds. To Mr. UWP you tried the DOC we kicked him to the curve. You came up with another brilliant man, again, he was clean bowl. Now you are giving us somebody who doesn’t live in STJ like us. To that young lady, as promised take it and run! Ask the one from Layou, she became damaged merchandise. Be wise take what they are giving you and stay in Layou Park.
Wait a minute. Do I hear this right? The UWP has downgraded the people of St. Joe. Papa Bondieu, who has been in charge of St. Joe for at least the last ten years? The UWP? if St.Joe’s people are downgraded thee blamed must surely fall on those in charge. Malgraysa!
I do not find this as impressive. The Dominica Labor Party has been in Office for quite some time now. St. Joseph is one of its constituencies and is recognized as one of the most impoverish village in Dominica. How villagers be satisfied with this? How they hope for better. It is time to try something else, or someone else. I never thought I would ever see St. Joe as one Dominica’s most indigent communities. If it is what the people like and want, then let them have it. But all in all it is a crying shame. Penville, you too.
This government make us see so much misery in st.joe,i done with them,uwp for me this time !
I am pretty sure you family have a lots of land in the Layou Valley. Till the land like your parents and grand parents did; the government doesn’t own you NOTHING! Be leader not a follower! Don’t wait for anybody to make your bed for you. Put politics behind you and strive for progress not distress
lazy aallu lazy. allu droping out of school like its the next best thing. allu like to depend on handouts instead of learning a trade. allu have the sea and land to utilize yet allu want skerrit to give allu the money instead. if a man does not work , he shall not eat. take allu school seriously. boys as well as girls with poor mentality. the same old house allu raised in is the same houe allu living in no improvement. allu r satisfied in the misery. is not govt that put allu like that.
It is people like you I like to call out of your name, you are nothing more than an idiot!
Lazy-ness has nothing to do with poverty in Dominica, people are poor because they lack employment opportunities; one can be the most highly educated person on earth, unless there is a job to engage into, their education means nothing; okay!
Some of the wealthiest people in the world are both high school, university, and college dropout; i. e. Gates, and Bronson; the difference is that their place of birth, which affords every individual to experiment with anything conceived within their mind; unlike Dominica where everyone sit back and let the government or some other clown thinks for them.
Geniuses are seldom born, since we all are born with a blank (clean) slate, what we accomplish in life all depends on how we utilized, or develop or God given talents.
The man who created the first computer search engine, was not born in the United States, Canada, Britain or any of the major developed nation of the world.
He was born and raised in Barbados, and migrated to Canada, for his efforts he got nothing, he is still a poor man, everybody got rich of his invention, due to one mistake; he failed to patterned his invention.
So, for you to blame poverty on people dropping out of school for Dominica’s poverty is hogwash. I criticize my people everyday, yet I recognized that many of us Dominicans are over educated, and we under utilized our educational skills, we spend more time playing partisan politics, and hurting the innocent politically rather than involve ourselves in our proper calling.
Dominican’s go to college and universities, obtained all sorts of degrees, they return home and become political poppet’s to the politicians who are less educated; even doctors: What on earth is preventing someone with a medical degree from going in R&D (research and development) of medicine in Dominica; find a cure for some disease, develop and manufacture the medications in Dominica, hence in the process create employment for the unfortunate.
That would be one way of getting rid of poverty in the country!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Nice houses….
I do hope that the owners of the houses have some responsiblity by even having to pay a small mortgage… on the house which can go towards building other houses for others in need. It should be like the Habitat for Humanity program…..
But great job all around
Good job my hommie. Push the haterz back!!
Why now all this is being done….too late shall be your cry.
Is it because Mornelle has surfaced?
GOOD JOB!!!
I swear none of them can get my vote. ni kelva, ni monel. All of a sudden monel turn jehovah witness-she infront everybody door, she was never a people’s person, now she calling you ten times if she see you ten times! and kelva turn hardest worker-now election coming he doing everything….abeh wait for it!!!
This simply means, she has grown. She has matured. And by your own words she has changed for the better. Change is a Must.
give kelva a break. Gr8 job palrep. Monel can never get my vote!!
But so long kelver has been there . Before him Vince was there didn’t they realise St Joe was a mess.
Personally as a Dominican I feel insulted …Just because uwp is gainning momentum things are being done helter skelter
About one bag of fertilizer per farmer in the group…… Kekeke
Kelver is a decent fella but he put his money on the wrong horse. I pity him really.
Partner,who you fooling,the people os st.joe is tired of you.You are hardly seen walking around,many people in st joe.still do not have acccess to their own private bathrooms.you need to get with the program.
boss trust me best u resign… stand down we need change u KNOW AND SEE THAT n we the ple of st joe know it too… u and the party hv failed the ple.. what u are doing now is good but seriously it cant suffice for the 13 yrs of being number 1 in the island for poverty.. thats just it u all policies have failed to put money in the hands of the people.. u are a good man i believe but you are in the wrong party and its time for change sorry bro we eh voting u.
Too little….too late!!!!!!!!!
it is never too late, too little perhaps!
Election coming work my boy work. One year to rush ‘put Sen Joe back on the map’, win, then…
Does that make any sense for what I see with the houses it took more than a yr to be where its at or are u telling us they rush them so is only three months to be where they at,another one said to late I wonder if st joe people feel that way cause if its to late they will not take the houses they will wait for linton and uwp ok now I get what u saying well Kelver u can get dozers to start breaking them dwn cause it to late.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
kelva you too lie it have more than three years i apply for a land up to now you are playing politics with the houses and the land only people that red that can go there. i have to report you to the pm
Who have eyes will see that the poor and less fortunate are being looked at I wonder what that Jamaican would say when she/he would say about theses houses.
you are brainwashed
@ anon I wld say yes am brainwashed cause when I see poor mallayway getting house land chicken and pig farm,for instance take St Thomas down west of the island they gave them land now they had to get loans to build their homes now SJJ people getting land and house so where wld u rather be?
Wish words of that sort can be pronounced from those responsible in Grand Bay my beloved community. Furthermore, action speaks louder that words.
Now we know that elections are around the corner.
Mr Darroux wake up from your Skerrit mentality slumber…..concrete is not going to solve poverty and deprivation….on the eve of investment outing on a big PR show is an insult to the St. Joseph Belles, Tarou etc people. It is like an abandoned father running to a child neglected for years and oh his graduation you appear with a $5.00 and a pants for the boy just to realise the pants is too small and the child has grown. You have allowed Skerrit to brainwash you with his corrupt politics and now you want to end our poverty……please go away “I Rise” and see light with a UWP government. Change is NOT an option its a must….please go away Kelvar, please go YOU have failed us. We need to work for our money.
Great job Kelver. Good start. It’s never too late for development. On the other hand ensure that Job creation is around the corner because that will really be effective in eliminating poverty. Now i hope this move is not because you feel a bit threatened by Monelle. In that case it would just be another Glanvillia and Silverlake move, if you know what i mean.
It is good to see that the revival of the opposition is having such a galvanising effect for the benefit of our people.If nothing else it shows that competition is healthy, even in politics.Keep the pressure up!
kelver what the heck u doing giving farmers fertiliser are u an extension officer? politics all u want to play u guys will take what all u get
Dear Mr. Darroux – do yourself a favour – get the heck out of government and fast!!!!!!!! Read my lips – get out. After reading this I am none the wiser about you so-called plan to reduce poverty in your constituency.
Tell skerrit too little too late. Only now after all you pockets overflowing with cash! Change is a MUST!
Elections coming……….good move padna all you smart. needed to be done long time but being done at the ‘right time’
Come on Darroux, isn’t your mission commencing a bit late. Your Labor Party had fourteen years to reduce poverty in St. Joseph, you took the people of St. Joseph for granted, now the people are preparing to replace you in favour of Miss Mornell Williams of the UWP, you singing de same old calypso reducing poverty is a must not an option. Garson, pack up and leave them people politics alone, you had your opportunity.
All of a sudden you recognize that there is poverty in St. Joseph, lol. Are people really that gullible?
We the people of D’ica have to wait for elections season to come around for work to be done on the Island and we the people go along with that attitude, the GOVT knows what it takes to get the people to follow the leader, make promises give cash and supplies they will take it everytime. Now since Linton came on the political stage the PM is running like bugs bunny handing out gifts, but we have to blame ourselves for the way we are treated and now we all have to pay the price. POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY .
All we have to do to regain our SELF RESPECT and DIGNITY is to turn out at in large numbers at the polls and vote them out.
:lol:, 100 bags of fertilizer for 70 farmers to ensure greater productivity.
What an insult. You think our people are that cheap Kelver? We are a third world country and you all want to keep us that way? Give us a little kado and keep us quiet? No more!
just as you guys did all over Dominica, you forced them poor and kept them poor for 13 long years and now you found out how to remove from the poverty list because election coming? Boy all you really wicked you know
Santa, boy i think we are the ones to blame for our poverty. We like too much bien san swe.We want goverment to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves.As a people we have become too damned lazy.Curse/ insult me if you want.That’s the whole truth.