Minister for Lands, Housing, Settlements and Water Resource Management Reginald Austrie has announced that the government is going full speed ahead with its war on pit latrines in Dominica.
“I have heard the opposition making fun of the program which is very, very sad that while the government is seeking to improve the lives of the people of Dominica the opposition does not see it necessary to support every single Dominican having a decent washroom,” he said.
According to Austrie the government will remain focused and continue to deliver to the people and improve their quality of life.
He pointed out further that a lot of emphasis was placed on the renovation of houses under the government housing program since at the time it was necessary, however it has gotten to a stage where there is a need to address the sanitary situation
“We have allocated a certain percentage of the funds to the constituencies for home renovation and for sanitation and we are hoping that we should complete at the end of this phase of the project about 60 to 75 washroom facilities,” he stated.
Austrie added that a request has been made for the release of another $1.5-million in an effort to address the sanitary concerns in six constituencies right after carnival.
In the meantime, Austrie revealed that another water project will soon get underway in Pointe Mitchel and improvements have been made to the water system in Springfield.
Also efforts are being made to install a storage tank in the Grand Savanne area, according to Austrie.
“The tender documents have gone out for at least one storage tank in the Grand Savanne area,” he stated. “With the completion of that tank and the distribution of the pipelines we will see Grand Savanne having potable water for the first time in the history of this country.”
Tender documents have also gone out for the Belles water supply and on completion of that project Dominica will have 100 percent access to potable water, Austrie noted.
He also pointed out that over 3,000 homes have been renovated thus far under the government’s housing program.
DNO: Is it possible to find out how many households in Dominica do not have flushing toilets (W,C)? I thought that pit latrines had been eliminated by setting up public toilets in the various communities. At least that was the first step to ensuring that people with no running water could at least have proper toilet and shower facilities. Maybe many of these toilets were destroyed by hurricanes, because most of them were built close to the sea.
Following public toilets we should have embarked on ensuring that every household had running water in order to have proper sanitation facilities.
Mr. Minister of Health, can you please tell us how many households have no toilets? no running water? This is a basic health issue, and should be a top priority for our country and for our people. There are so many health hazards to not having running water and WCs at homes. What about the health inspectors who used to go around? Could they tell us how many people have no toilets?
When we know how many people are in need of a toilet, then a plan can be developed to engage in this so-called war on pit latrines.
I live in an area in the US where the local government two years ago identified about 200 households without running water and toilets – yes, even in the US these conditions exist. Well, a plan was developed to address the problem. Every year 20 people will be helped – the problem is complicated – issues of titles for the land on which they have their homes, repairing the homes, getting the necessary licenses, etc. A number of agencies are part of the solution, and the homeowners also have goals and responsibilities. There is also a public education piece to solving this problem. This cannot be a one-man war – this has to be a community war on these PIT LATRINES!
reggie my partner it would have been more appropriate to declare war on poverty and joblessness in dominica.
This is part of poverty. It is called raising the standard of living. And by the way, joblessness is being addressed.
ok ok mr Austrie the people of pen-vile presently are not getting water as they should please do your work up there
and sir why do you love the word MILLION so?
Out with Regee In with Mervin hahaha Mervin Paul for Cottage
Gobackmore, oh my god u are mad funny,My glasses is full of tears laughing.But u are so right.
I totally agree its about time these latrines are banned completely. Majority votes for toilets. Dominica needs to be up to the times, moving a little too slow. My opinion.
DNO will one day be no more. I don’t understand this medium and what they stand for.
Not many positive and constructive comments. Most of us are being biased and commenting along party lines. Uwp continue to lose credibility because they cannot see the good in anything this government does. Is that the way the debate they are calling for is going to be? Criticize every idea that comes from the government side. What is wrong with getting rid of pit toilets? Personally I think it would mean the improvement of the standard of living of a lot of our citizens and country in general. But, we continue to be biased and one sided about everything in this country. May the best team win come next general election. Once again, let me thank the DLP for their many great achievements during their terms in power and I would love to see them re-elected to continue the many wonderful projects that they have begun. Change is good sometimes but not just for the hell of it. If we are going to change we should change for the better. I’m still looking for the better. We should not get carried away by our emotions.
so what happens when there is no water. how the toilets flushing. hmmm.. so wha happen to make new friends but keep de ole ones. jus now u will ban outdoor bathrooms too.
so you mean to tell me as I cannot afford a flushing toilet,with your toilet facilities I have to go out in de streets at 1 in de morning to poopoo
but what I hearing there nuh.
austrie allu not easy eh. alas
stupes
I am sure that when one goes from a pit toilet to a flush toilet system then there is a certain level of pride. I dare say that when we thought that we were building. $27 million dollar mansion for pride we totally ignored the fact that we had so many people on pit toilets. My question is – what was our priority when we decided to let te chines build the mansion.
Am I suppose to believe that these politicans are for real.
Am I suppose to believe tat while they building three houses , some build mansion and put the mansion up for sale while building another one these hugs are concerned about people who o to the pit toilet.
But then when someone cannot afford a flush toilet in this day and age isn’t it because the person is simply knocking hard times. I just don’t get it. Te same set of ministers who were giving people houses without toilets are talking about war on pit toilets.
What is wrong with you D N O why are my comments not being put up.
We have to understand a political party is a name, the same party would run very different under Rosie Douglass, different too by Pierre Charles, and now we are experiencing Roosevelt Skerrit, he will go down in history as Diminicas’ most Corrupt Prime Minister.
Among his haters.
Hello and good afternoon my people. First I must say that I don’t reside or vote in Dominica but I want to see our country improve and make the quality of life better for our citizens. The issue with Pit Latrines should be address and we should require that any new construction have flushing toilet with a septic system. This could also create a need for new businesses which would remove the human waste to the plant where it would be treated before it’s discharged into the ocean. Now Mr Austrie is the Minister of four very important agencies within our government and quite frankly I think is to many agencies for one person to be in charg of. We need qualify people with specific skill sets to be in charge of such agencies.
try the war on unemployment.
That would be the day….
We have that too.
By now we all are convinced that Austrie, and all the rest are at the moment fighting for their political life, and in their confusion, and anxiety, they talk all sorts of crap believing that the entire country is satisfied with their performance, therefore anything they claim will be believed.
Nevertheless, when we zero in on any bit of senseless comment they make; and we decide to comment on whatever does not make sense, we have to be careful how we approach it, because if what we say does not make any sense, we could distort the truth in a way that will cause us to loose our own credibility, and cause more confusion in the process:
I read every comment on DNO; that is why I noticed two comments in which calculations were made regarding the cost of 60-70 toilets, there is no accuracy in the calculations of both individuals because they seem to have ignored the presume explanation the politician gave to justify the $1.5 million dollars he spoke about, I refer to the quote in the following:
“We have allocated a certain percentage of the funds to the constituencies for home renovation and for sanitation and we are hoping that we should complete at the end of this phase of the project about 60 to 75 washroom facilities,” he stated.
Austrie added that a request has been made for the release of another $1.5-million in an effort to address the sanitary concerns in six constituencies right after carnival.”
I know I am off the rocks sometimes, but I have not read anything which focuses directly on the instillation of toilets only, he is talking about sanitation in six constituencies. So if we divide $1,500,000.00; that would be 1,500,000.00/6 =250,000.00. So that means each constituency would receive two hundred fifty thousand dollars each. We need to remember also, he said some of that money would be used in the renovation of some homes, and washrooms whatever that means In the English language the place in the house where we bath, and defecate is internationally called a bath Room in every language.
The kind of money he is talking about here is indeed a very small amount considering the magnitude of the project he is talking about, so there again I suspect the majority of people who needs help is not going to see a single dime of that money, there are more than six ministers of government in Dominica, so that tells us as many ministers there are in the country there are as many constituencies, so how can this man only talk about, and concentrate on only six (6) constituencies.
What happen to the rest of the people, he is going to give it all to their party clones; that is the intention, then they will impress the people; elect us, and you will get your share after we are elected. Anybody who believe such gimmicks would have to be a fool!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Greatest ideas in 14 years
Nep
Red Clinic
Toilet War
Do you all realized how disgusting is a pit toilet. We had no water in our area I live we had to get water elsewhere we had no choice than a pit toilet. I think is a very good idea to get rid of those ….houses.
happy there is water where i live now so no pit toilet.
Skerrit give dem toilette they have no food to eat but skerrit give dem toilette
Hello and good morning my people. Well Mr Austrie I see you are the minister of Lands, Housing,Settlements and Water Resources but I have one concern for you to address. A distant family build a house on the front portion of my mothers land which borders the main road. I took this person to Court in 2011 and so far it cost me just over fifteen thousand dollars in lawyers fee but this month the Court decide that they are not going to make him move his wooden house which he build in 2007. This person don’t have any papers for the land nor house plan filed with the Government and my mother has her papers for her land which is on file. This is the village I born in now I can’t build my home on my family land so how do you expect retired middle class people like me to leave NYC and come and build homes and invest in Dominica. What is going on with our laws when a court can rule and allow someone to stay on people land when they don’t have any papers for the land. I am very disappointed in our Courts so Mr Austrie if you or someone in your office read my post can you please address this concern because I suspect that I am not the only one in this situation. Thanks.
Mr earing tpp much swine.. Luk like pig.. Awikked one. Go weh cochone… All too wikked to innocent ppl and it will catch up with allu… Soon!
Some people so lucky. They have a trough AND a toilet.
You remember austrie told Sir Brian Alleyne to go lock himself in a toilet. I think reggie austrie is fascinated with toilets, simply because he is so full of …. and his bocal cavity spews much of this ….
I personally know Reginald Austrie, and I know he is arrogant and have a bad temper. I have told him about it already and I also told him if he continues like that he will get a heart attack. These fellers came from a humble beginning and let fame and power go to their head.
What really bothers me is that, they forget they are Dominicans, and one day they will not be in power anymore, that they have to deal with those same Dominicans. An at the end of it all, they have to die and leave all these fame and fortune behind. Reginald and the others, be humble, serve the people who put you all there with some passion, love and don’t treat them like beggars.
We know some people need help, but sometimes you have to let them make an effort for themselves.
And please Dominicans, Government cannot do everything for everyone any where in the World.
Government ministers look like anything but that.
Skerrit give them toilet check out the calypso by FBI toilet
Every time those ministers open their mouth, , it’s total embarrassment .
Wow, Austrie due not lokk like he misses any meals. Lots of poop!!!
shameless boasting about toilet TRY PUTTING STAND PIP AROUND THE ISLAND SO PEOPLE CAN WAS THEIR MORE OFTEN. a basic way to stop the spread disease
mr. austrie to improve the life of the citizens is to empower them, create jobs for them to provide them with an income and make them independent. You all have reduced so many citizens to a life where they have become mendicant always looking for handouts. Of all the things that China can contribute to our development, that is what of all things, that you all have been reduced to, TOILETS? Toilets cannot feed hungry families mr. austrie, toilets cannot provide for people mr. austrie. It is of no benefit to me if I have a toilet that can flush when I don’t know where my square meals are coming from which will allow me to use that toilet. I FIRST NEED TO EAT before I can SH.T
Way Papa.I had my child on me while looking at the picture and she was crying, when she saw it. She was so scared.
This is 2014 stop talking bout pit laterine
60 to 70 toilets for $1.5 million that’s about $24000 per toilet that’s full of
Maybe thi9s time it is toilet bobol. I wonder how much they are showing on their bill for govt. to pay. Some of them will be “flush” with money. Another scandal coming?
While I do not support these guys, I don’t believe change the facts on the report, except you know otherwise. He did not say that the 1.5 millions was for the 60 to 75 toilets.
60 or 70 toilets for $1.5 million that’s about $23000 per toilet
Thats a minister. Can you clean up yourself please sir?
@GoBeckMore I AM NOW PEE PEE ING ON ME, AND I HAVE NO MOP AT HOME.
Nice contribution to the discussion.
Reggie, you wont even know what that hit you this election. you all enjoy keeping people in a gwagmire of poverty so when you give them a little toilet, they will be grateful and vote for you all, that is sh–ttt! People need their dignity, your political rope is nearing its end and the FFV, ‘favour for vote’ will also go out with this failed regime, chaaa!!!Go teach a man to fish, so he can take care of his own sh****TT!
I have never read such nonsense before…….such low, rubbish from a government minister.
Austrie , I refer to the pit latrine calypso
we can not get a job we can not feed our family what are we going to thank you mr fabian i love when grandbay people can stand up for what is right when you speak the truth you offends the devil when you offends the devil you give praises to god they took fabian for ride and they are now giving our lady a ride the counstituency have been neglected by this administration and every election they look for someone popular in the community to help them capture the seat so they only care about the seat not grandbay we are ready for them this time change is a must gwanbay massive nou pas sot
Stupeeees…..Since when “toilets” is such an important topic of discussion…Honestly I’m fed up of hearing those guys boast so much about giving toilets…Mon Dieu stop embarassing poor people…If you all give a poor man a toilet don’t let everyone know man…Shame on you all man…
Look at the mans picture and you will se incompetence and other things written all over it, but he is one such person managing our affairs.
CAN’T WAIT TO VOTE AGAINST ANY MEMBER OF THIS GANG.
Well with Reggie there is no confusion, what you seeing is what you get and always quantity over quality
But what is dat for me nuh
After 14 years in office hear the man pitch for development……..compare that talk to what you hear coming from Team Dominica.
Toilets? Toilets?
you going to build de soak away for de unemployed people you giving toilets? will you pay for their Dowasco connection to? and de monthly bill?
all that toilet talk should present a clear enuff picture to us……….as a government in power for 14 years all you want to talk about is giving away free toilets for us to sh#t
Austrie you can plead to the electorate till your tongue sweeps every street in Dominica. The electorate has already decided that you all need to go.After 14 years this showS the extent to which you all have impoverished the people.
SHAME ON YOU ALL.
STOP THE CRYING, YOU ALL WILL BE KICKED OUT SOON, BY THOSE VERY LABOURITES YOU ALL HAVE FAILED.
I would give him Toloot job next time around..lol
Austry, you people need to stop telling all these lies, playing politics with feces in a pit hole; people like you should be very much ashamed to be talking about war on feces and where it is discharged, and stored.
This is the twenty-first century, your government is in power for how long? If we associate you people back to the five years of the coalition days; when the coalition government first duty bound act was the shutting down of the International Airport that was in its first stages of development; you will find that your government has been at the helm of the nation for about twenty years, and in all that time none of you great ministers never thought about the unsanitary conditions existing in the City of Roseau, and the villages around the island?
Well, let me remind you that a friend of mine residing in Canada,he maintains a home in Goodwill, he went home to enjoy his house only to find out that when he opens his front to sit and enjoy his living room, the stench of feces which emanates from the pit holes in front of his front yard which is the backyard of his neighbors deny him the comfort of his house.
So, he went to the minister of health at the time who we believe to be the boy representing Dominica at the United Nations right now. the man complained to his so called minister of health, only resolve was “you expatriate always coming here and tell us how to run de country; and he went on and on babbling, I have Free degrees.” Now if a minister of health English is so poor that he is does not know the difference of three, and free what can be expected from people like that.
No wonder the Carib Chief said last week the most important idea to come to the mind of the Labor Party in a decade (in ten years) is to have a fight with feces!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
So, how come all of a sudden you are declaring war on pit toilet and the feces they contain? Where have you been in twenty years while the stench of those same pit holes have been there, causing an embarrassment to our native people, and visitors to our country?
I am not detesting any improvements in the life’s of our citizens; what I detest is the politicizing of it all. Because it is about election time the government has found it necessary to declare war on feces. As I stated in another submission, this so called war on feces in the pit hole will not bring about much change to the stench, unless you intend to develop an nation wide sewer system, which will prevent the storage of feces in an septic tank in people’s backyard.
Just in case you have no idea, be informed they do get overwhelm (they get filled) and overflow, and most of the time runs over unto the property of neighbors. Unless a modern subterranean conduit system is built to carry off sewage your war on pit latrine (Pit Hole Toilet) will return to haunt you!
Finally, when I say you people must stop telling these lies, it is because you sit there lying threw your teeth about the opposition is making fun of your best ideas in ten years of strong hold on the country; who in their right mind would make fun of something like that; if there is any thing to laugh about is the crap your minister Graneau spoke when he made the claim that the war on feces is the best idea you people developed in ten years!
So, in every sense of the word, you are not sincere in any of the comments you made here, it is all hypocritical.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Tell them Telemaque. Yes Sir. Wow, we are so backward still?
This is such a great initiative. Way to go DLP.
rubbish, a you saying that pit toilet is much more important than ROADS, is that foolish we have become just to get hand outs, well they hand outs are going to stop once UWP gets in power.
Look out for the changes that are coming you way.
We have and are still building roads. next!
lol a testament to how we are soo poor
PLEASE READ
My name is Trevor Fabien and I have revealed myself because when it comes to public health my dad, John Fabien was the former minister of health and I feel all this gimmick and stunt makes such a mockery of my dads hard work whilst he was alive and in charge.
These guys are giving us sub standard services and whenever I see them talk about public health it literally brings tears to my eye because they opposed every good and professional idea my dad came up with whilst he was alive.
I speak with knowing what I am talking about because of my conversations with my dad. These so called politicians fight the righteous even when they are in the same team and try to make us believe that they have their best interest at heart.
It is all about self preservation and enriching themselves Dominicans. Has any minister opposed anything that has been put forward ? Oh no, they would not dare. Ask yourself why. It is called saving ones Ass(self preservation to be politically correct)
Rest in Peace Dad
God Bless Dominica and I hope we all pull through this incessant disregard and disrespect to our brothers and sisters by this government. Thank you
Wow. I feel you Trevor.
Wow. Powerfully spoken. And those of us who know its the truth are thankful that you wrote. I worked with Mr Fabien and know what he stood for and also how he was treated.
Its all a stunt for re-election strategy to fool the poorest of the land and to create some image of caring. Sad to use people like that.
RIP Mr Fabien.
Trevor, it is nice to hear from you. I knew your Dad a very honourable man and a good servant to Dominica, CAREC and PAHO.
We met at UWI in early days. Recently, before his death it was sad to know how “despicable” and unprofessional Fabien thought of this so called Labour Party Government. He noted, “my country is now in a state of decadence”. I know, for sure he said so, he has said this to so many other people. May his good soul Rest In Peace
When people with inside knowledge like this young man make such statement, it is profound. Yet, some people will keep burying their heads in the sand. Wake up Dominicans! Wake up. The foundation of this current DLP administration is shaking. What else do some of you want to here?! They should you evidence of the money that was distributed on behalf of the PM and some of you still ain’t believing the corruption that is going on in this administration. Dominicans will you give away you morals and your country for toilets, whatever infrastructure these people build? If you don’t want to stand, I will. I will stand for upright governing of my country!
Did he say something?
It would be nice to let us know some of those ideas that they fought against.
Thank God for Skeritt, in time to come Dominicans will have a comfortable and uninterrupted place to do their thing. The residence of Roseau should be glad for the country people.
So long Cecil was mayor of Roseau but we still have people in the place we call city that use pocham or plastic bag living in back of yard. At the same time we have a big sewer running under the street. What about that Cecil?. Thank God for Skerrit? He is Jesus Christ then?
cecil you should use the word resident instead of
residence.
Please Austrie, lets go full speed ahead as regards the eradication of corruption in Government. Full speed ahead in creating jobs especially for the youth. Full speed ahead in an effort to bring the G.O.N matter to closure. Full speed a head so that the Governance of the country can be put in the right hands. Full speed a head and call the General Elections so you and your jokers can get the hell out of office in order that Dominica can be the best place to live, work and be happy.
where and who should i contact for a toilet .
lol I want one to, look I hear they give the baby machine what she wanted so she will not go on the stage with the girl and they will get her votes. hear the news now I think I heard that they were not paying for votes and in possie they giving plywood and toilet you have to register with a man by the name of E nanthan and the ticket from the us with D sylvester
Just follow your nose!
Be careful what they might ask you to do to qualify to receive a toilet.
Pte Michel, has always been put on the back burner by both political parties, I hope this time they keep there word.
Time to get this out of managing Dominica. Sad that this has continued to happen for so long. A real shame.
DLP is more talk and little work.
I used to respect that party but not anymore. Today DLP stands for Dominica Lazy Poohpers, that’s why they want toilet now.
LoL
So funny. ROTFL.
Many big boys benefited from the DLP in the days of John. They only knew the party by the name Dominica Labor Party, today it is unbelievable the things they can write about the same party.
Austrie, are you giving a political speech or developmental?
You just don’t know when to seperate the two. You have been in office for far too long and needs a break which your party will get next election.
i agree.
Mervin invited him to leave politely, but the next challenge he gets wont be polite, itl be earth chattering for Austrie. 18 years of failed representation in the Constituency. change is inevitable…