In keeping with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s recent promise, the head of families affected by the massive fire which occurred in Silver Lake, on Monday night, have each received $1,000 from the Government.
Although there were no reported injuries or deaths, the blaze claimed two eight-room apartment buildings, which were occupied by sixteen families.
At a presentation ceremony at Bath Estate, on Wednesday, Minister for Social Services, Catherine Daniel, urged the displaced residents to adjust, and make the best of the situation.
“You must adjust. You cannot have things the way you had it when you were up at your place. No matter how small your place was, I know it was your home,” she said. “You have to make the best of what you have.”
Daniel pledged the government’s continued support to the victims, until they are fully resettled.
“We are going to be with you all until we give you that level of comfort that you so desire,” she stated. “We can’t give you all everything that you have lost, because you have memories within those things. But… we will do everything possible to make you all happy.”
Additionally, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture, and Constituency Empowerment, Justina Charles, advised that the people protect the vulnerable among them, and look out for each other.
“I also want to ask all of you, while you are not in your home environment, to be very careful—more so to the vulnerable among us… I want us to make sure that we look out for them, for their protection and their well-being…” Charles commented. “All of us must look out for one another.”
Meantime, Minister for Housing, Reginald Austrie, reiterated the Prime Minister’s vow that Government will move swiftly to resettle those displaced by the fire.
“We’re going to review the designs, look at the designs, and to set a definite date when we can start construction. But I can tell you it’s going to be quick, it’s going to be swift,” he assured.
Austrie claimed that although the Government has done its part in making funds available for the construction of the apartments, administrative challenges hindered the process.
On Tuesday, The Prime Minister said that six apartments are under construction, and instructions were given to resume as early as Wednesday morning.
That’s the only Caribbean Government I see who does give homes and money like crazy when thing like this happens and it’s a good thing.
It’s a good thing if it is given across the board by that action everyone would receive the help needed but it doesn’t happen that way, what the PM is doing is using politics to gain vote because that’s all he expect to get from the families . .PM comes in on a gold horse with a lot of gifts and promises which we all hope he keeps, but he was disrespectful to the political representative for Silver Lake Mr. J. Francis care about his residence so if PM think by showing up with all his gifts that the people of Silver Lake will turn against Mr. Joshua .Francis that will not happen.
That’s very good that the government can assist as small as it may be…
We’re all our brother’s keeper….
It\’s a good thing if it is given across the board by that action everyone would receive the help needed but it doesn\’t happen that way, what the PM is doing is using politics to gain vote because that\’s all he expect to get from the families . .PM comes in on a gold horse with a lot of gifts and promises which we all hope he keeps, but he was disrespectful to the political representative for Silver Lake Mr. J. Francis care about his residence so if PM think by showing up with all his gifts that the people of Silver Lake will turn against Mr. Joshua .Francis that will not happen.
So that money was there all the time then? Wow!!!! And the public servants begging for an increase. Keep it up Hon. Dr. ROOSEVELT Skerrit. Make everything about politics.
Swift help for the victims of Silver Lake. Sad to know this occurred to you. Take heart. As your government stated you will be helped. You will get new buildings/apartments, etc. Have patience. God be with you, help you rebuild your life, what you lost to a certain extent. May He bless you.
If the Gov’t is “Of the people, by the people, for the people,’then all Dominicans would appreciate that it is Dominicans who are providing the money, the financial assistance to the victims of any disaster.’
If the Gov’t is ‘of ONE MAN’,One man taking the power to dictate to fellow Dominicans, to influence and control all institutions of state, Police, judiciary, IPO, Electoral Commission, Local Gov’t, ((Village Councils), Parliament, to disallow participation by citizens in National development, to award important National projects to those overseas firms that people here could do successfully, to sell ordinary and diplomatic passports to all and sundry, to neglect food production/agriculture, then many foolishly would think that is Skerritt handing over his money to the fire victims and so deserves the cudos.
Skerritt has compromised the proper investigation of that National tragedy, of that disastrous fire, by ordering a backhoe to CLEAN UP BEFORE investigation…
Wait a minute, there was a presentation ceremony? After a disaster, the help to the people must be ceremonial? Wow, look it!
I find it is very strange at that time a portion of houses got burnt where were the children and the old people were they playing bingo I want the police to investigate the matter.
The Bigger the Burden, The Greater the blessings. Keep hope Alive, When the people say no! Jesus says Yes. Soon we all wish we were living in Sliver Lake. Just wait and watch. Labar ka Twavie, Sliver will turn into Gold Lake to the envey of others. only in Dominica. we read it first on D.N.O.
Well said Clayton and I am not going to introduce politics. I am interested to know if the Member of Parliament was present at the ceremony? If he was, did he speak and if he did why DNO did not record his words. Just inquiring and in no way mingling party politics.
Just to remind us. Deceased Pierre Charles made it a policy that whenever Government hosted a function, the Member of Parliament for the Constituency would be invited and would also hold the microphone and speak.
I thought Dominica had something called a Housing Revilutionion?? Was it for the same evil and wicked ones,who lie,steal and cheat?When evil is ruling a nation,then the result is destruction!!!
so u helping some people in a desperate situation and to give them money you have to go and make presentation and give speech and so on . using the peoples misfortune for your political gain . thats a new low
I hope the $1000 will be at least on a monthly basis for the next six months until things are back to normal with them. In my opinion, their situations are more serious then Krazy who was given five hundred thousand. HHVW which was given five hundred thousand and the church which was given five hundred thousand. Skeritt has been boasting money is no problem, if it is a one time payment, therefore I expect him to reconsider, like Blessings would say, that is chicken feed.
It is imperative that the govt. responds to it’s peoples need, and not to spend $2m in a bye election only and that little bit of money which SKERRIT as a one man Govt. is spending for it’s citizens compeer to that which he is making in the passport is like drinking a table spoon of water
De government doing as doh is beg we begging
U guys are obliged to help us we taking everything
And still not voting that wicked government its time
U guys pack up and goooooooo
The fact is…… they have received assistance….and it is from the Government.
It is the proper and legitimate role of Government to assist as much as possible in these circumstances and to avoid bringing politics into it..These people need help..and stop there
You know there are some who will ignorantly bring politics into it. Their comments depict much.
Which country in the world does a government not take advantage of every opportunity to gain popularity points?? Yes a government is supposed to do these things and it is also the responsibility of the government to inform people of what it’s doing, whether it be capital projects, assistance, schools, whatever, because then we would say ‘we don’t know anything that’s going on, we just seeing projects and people working’. Of course any government would tend to share info in its favor, which is a natural human reaction to any given situation. It’s the government, it’s politics. There will always be a political agenda whether government or opposition. See how quick Joshua reach up up there ‘calling on the government to assist’ when he knows full well that the PM will be front and center, especially in such a key constituency. So Joshua had no political agenda? As long as you have politicians, there will always be a political agenda.
But of cause the Government the one man Government have to help the citizen in situation like those, but that does not give the PM the right to stop any one else who would like to help out he behaves as a dictator, well those groups or individuals who want to help the families should do so and ignore the PM actions..