Gov’t takes aim at pit latrines in Tete Morne

pit latrineResidents of the Tete Morne Community may soon say good bye to pit latrines as EC$ 100,000 has been made available from the government to kick start the process in eradicating them.

The cheque presentation was made on Wednesday by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit during the  14th inauguration of the Tete Morne village Council.

“I want to say to the council within your three-year term with your Parl Rep, I would like to ensure that we eradicate pit latrines in Tete Morne,” he said. “I am giving you a first cheque to start the process and that cheque is in the amount of EC $100, 000.”

He urged the council to remain committed and say positive things about the country, noting that there are some who are only interested in negativism.

“It is easy to criticize but when you put your shoulder to the wheel and when you look back you don’t see those people who criticize you,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile MP for Grand Bay, Justina Charles wants the new council and the community to collaborate and work together.

“That is very, very important,” she stated.

Charles noted that there have been negative comments about past councils and is encouraging those who can do better to come forward to make a contribution to the community.

“I am hoping that is what I am seeing today … that instead of sitting and speaking negatively we are now coming in to make our contribution to the development and improvement of what is happening in the Tete Morne community,” she said.

In October of 2013 the government declared a “war on pit latrines” which is a continuation of government’s Home Renovation and Sanitation Programme.

The communities of Castle Bruce, Kalinago Territory, Atkinson, among others, have received financial assistance to construct modern washroom facilities to replace the pit latrines.

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49 Comments

  1. The Facts
    April 21, 2015

    That latrine looks horrible and even upsetting. In this day and age one would think that such would not be still used.
    Dominica has approximately 365 rivers; some may be streams. Nevertheless, water should be flowing easily through pipes to the various villages as Tete Morne. They should not have that problem with water.
    If the people of Tete Morne are experiencing this problem, something should be done to rectify it.

  2. Tabo
    April 20, 2015

    Rubbish, Rubbish, Rubbish. Some of the people do not know how to flush, or no more can they use Newspaper.Tete morne have a history of water shortage. Most people residing there would rather have pit toilet, rather than flushing toilets because of water problem. 99.9% of Tete Morne population either traveled or have relatives living abroad. The pit toilet also fertilized the ground to produce better organic vegetables for the market. People from Tete,morne are not that desperate. What they need is a powerful water system. Return that money to Skerrit. If he really wanted to help the people of Tete Morne he should think of building a hotel there to create jobs for our people. Leave their latrine alone. They have them there for many reasons. They need jobs.

  3. Skrit 's Advisor-Flush it
    April 18, 2015

    PM Please save a few as monuments to ur VC days. So the kids who never used em can have a direct knowledge of how we were gastrointestinal disposal. Also how we became and to engrave in their minds we are fullof it.

  4. nope
    April 17, 2015

    I still do not like the idea of these make-up to cover up the real ugliness. Maybe I did not read the entire article well, or maybe some things are implied. War on pit toilets I am all for that. We could do with a healthier environment, but does this mean that a public convenience area is going to be set up or each home is going to be given water (for free) to maintain these toilets? Hope they know that as weird as it sounds some training is going to be needed since some of these people would not know what to flush and what not to flush. No more can they use newpaper. What we need to do is provide the tools and avenues for the people to get out of their own poverty.

  5. UK Dominica
    April 17, 2015

    Dam is you do dam if you don’t . You Dominicans are a bunch of ungrateful people.
    Every where else in the world people are responsible for their own home environment. The gov is helping you guys to eradicate primitive behaviours.
    Leave the PM alone he is trying to bring DA into the 21 century this is what the previous governments lacked.
    I cringe when I read how DA people are treating their own people with ignorance and abusive language why? this is not called for.
    Embrase the changes.

    • Ma Moses
      April 17, 2015

      Indeed, it is very sad to use abuse language to your own people. Unfortunately, in our case we were set an example by a leader with a degree in English no less, with phrases like”Go to hell, it is none of your damned business. Those bastards!”.We are even “to free” according to him. Who are we to argue? We do as the leader wants, follow him and abandon our pit toilets.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      April 18, 2015

      I think you are as ignorant as the people of Dominica you classified as ignorant! Here you wrote; and I quote you:

      “Every where else in the world people are responsible for their own home environment. ”

      We know that if someone decides to build a house, it should be constructed with indoor plumbing, water, toilet, bathroom, ect, ect. The primitive days are not over for more than eighty (80%) percent of the people in the country!

      You must understand people are born in Dominica, lived for more than a hundred years, and die as in the case of my late grandmother, and never had gainful employment. Instead of Skerrit talking crap bout declaring war on feces, he should be creating employment opportunities for people to do as you said in the quote above, wouldn’t that be much better?

  6. Me
    April 17, 2015

    No jobs but fewer pit toilets. We are getting there, the economy is improving

  7. So we come
    April 17, 2015

    How about we talk about the real problem here. Is POVERTY that incessant among the people of tete morne that they can’t afford to self-finance a toilet in their homes? Whether these folks are young, old, or in-between, on average, they should have enough of an income to install a toilet in their homes! This is NOT a luxury item in 2015!

    I’m all for charity and helping those in severe need, but the village of Tete Morne isn’t a sudden newly form impoverished area, so if in the past 20-30 years the people in that village could not amass enough savings for such basic infrastructure development, we need to ask what benefit to the economy has been all the grant funds, petro caribe arrangements, and all the passport money we’ve brought in. We have seen no marked increase in employment to help people help themselves, instead we are supposed to be impressed by these embarrassing exercises of “charity.”

  8. The Facts
    April 16, 2015

    DNO, do you think your heading is a suitable one? It smears of sarcasm. It appears to be a trait of yours. You will not get me angry. :lol: :lol: :lol:

    The people of Tete Morne should be elated that they will have new latrines. I hope they will be constructed suitably for this twenty-first century. Will they be able to flush? Will there be sinks – to wash their hands with soap, probably liquid soap; hoping they are not stolen? An afterthought, the bottle would have to be tied to avoid theft. :lol: Or they will have to bring their own.
    For sanitary purposes, a modern toilet room should especially not be without a sink that the users could wash their hands after using it. It should also contain paper towels. For an unsupervised latrine, these may not be possible. These amenities may also increase the cost.

    • Titiwi
      April 17, 2015

      Poupou smears Facts (…or things like peanut butter and jam), I think you meant to say “smacks” perhaps. Maybe your mind was too occupied with latrines? Have a nice weekend.

      • The Facts
        April 17, 2015

        You do not know who I am. I will not make you wise about me. I am fully aware that not everyone who comments is of the identical educational background and status. People are also known by what and how they write .
        One English word could have many meanings and also with various words under that one word. It depends how you use them.
        There are some who correct others as if they are well-versed than them. Prior to correcting others, ensure that what you state is correct. Otherwise you would be considered an uneducated, show-off fool.
        While no one is perfect (everyone makes mistakes sometime or the other). If someone corrects me and I realize that I am wrong, I will humbly admit it and state, thank you. This is also having class, dignity, respect.
        No one is beyond learning. All of us could learn from each other. I admit, I do not view myself as an expert. I simply utilize my intelligence, as taught, and also cultivated through the years to adulthood.

      • The Facts
        April 17, 2015

        We must ensure what we teach and correct, we, ourselves are correct.
        The English language is tricky. From what I have been told by educators, it is the most difficult language to learn. One English word contains other words and meanings, used in various ways.
        Read the following carefully and you arrive at your conclusion based on your mentality. However, ensure you use the correct word and/or wording.

        To smear one’s name.
        He “smeared” her name all over the place.

        Smear – spread, mark, smudge, blotch, stain, coat, daub.

        Smear definition – smear defined: The definition of a smear is a dirty marking, messy stain or a smudge, or “the act of saying or doing something to harm someone’s reputation”; their name and undermining them also in what they say and do.

        From the word, reputation, you should deduce what is the meaning of the word “smear” and that I used it in its correct form.

        It appears you never heard of it and are obviously not well-conversant with it,

      • The Facts
        April 17, 2015

        Smack:

        Have you heard this one, “Smack in the middle?”

        Smack: spank, slap, clout, hit, strike, punch, cuff.

        Likewise a sentence. Sentences could be written differently also by different people yet could relay the same message and meaning.

        Note the difference between “smear and smack” and the various words/meanings.

        Who is smarter than whom? You could learn much from me.
        You think you are smart? You are the poupou, small titiwi latrine. You are a disrespectful, crude and rude person and do not know how to communicate with your fellow-Dominicans on this Website. You give yourself and your country a bad name.
        You have much to learn. You try to humiliate people but it fell on you and made you out to be what you are.
        The next time you correct anyone, try to be smart and perform a research prior to making a fool of yourself. You need to take a course in communication and respect for others. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

  9. Love All
    April 16, 2015

    That pit latrine in the picture is really well built I would have no problems to use it.

  10. ????????????????
    April 16, 2015

    All od you criticizing and not seeing any good in anything that is being done. Time to put all your money to all your mouth. Go ‘Tete Morne and connect water for all who havenot got pipe borne water and then come back to talk. Too much talk and no action. What are your contibutions those who have nothing good to say. The one who talk about the International Airport do your homework about how Airport works and either you make a monthly contribution to the Maintaining Airport fund or go use your mouth to look for Donnors to help build the Airport. Too much ctiticizing talk and no real tangible action from you folks. Everything is a criticizing and all you cannot even contribute something to a needy person or a scholarship for a child or something to make someone smile. I guess all you always frowning;.

    • ????????????????
      April 16, 2015

      Sorry
      Donors and of instead of od

    • The Facts
      April 19, 2015

      Some D/cans expect the government to do everything. When he has done some which is what he can do at the time with more to be done in the future, they complain.
      These people will be punished for their unkindness and ingratitude. They are not doing their government, their country, other nationals and themselves a good service. They will not escape.

  11. winston warrington
    April 16, 2015

    The eradication of pit latrines is a universal program endorsed by the World Health Organization. ECD 100,000 will not go very far; but it helps. The transition has to be planned and preparations made to locate the facility where it can access water and an effluent discharge field without polluting the water table. Sanitation is more sorely needed in Dominica than an airport. Please consult a professional before you install.

  12. I am Dominican
    April 16, 2015

    Lang Mama, ‘Hodi moin manje Stakedaddy epi Titiwee. Oun mal kaka chembay moin. Merci Bondieu pou flush toilet moin. Malgraysa!

    • Titiwi
      April 17, 2015

      Sorry to give you indigestion bro. but I’m glad you got it out of your system.

  13. I am Dominican
    April 16, 2015

    I can’t keep up with the everyday rubbish in the comments box. Too many cockroaches. Please bring out the Baygon.

  14. Thorbjørn Jagland
    April 16, 2015

    I was just reading No excuses by Kyle Maynard then i turned to DNO and read this, is this Govt serious? A toilette is more important than an international airport. The world is laughing at us….

    • The Facts
      April 16, 2015

      No! The laugh is on you for what you stated. :lol: :lol: :lol:
      You must reside in Dominica and are not aware of the goings-on in other countries and what is stated especially about smaller countries, some of what they observe, hear about and, who knows, see on TV.
      In this era, the world will laugh if they are aware that Dominica, a country has such types of latrines. They are referred to as toilets and/or ladies and men’s washrooms, more the latter two. This is when Dominica will be called backward. The new latrines will, no doubt be sanitary. Learn something good.
      For now, the international airport can take a back step. People are still getting to D/ca. For years they have put up without one. They must exercise patience.

  15. way papa
    April 16, 2015

    I still like pit toilets, Just keep it clean Old school style

    • The Facts
      April 16, 2015

      Are you serious? No flushing? You have not yet got accustomed to flushing the toilet? :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • Titiwi
        April 17, 2015

        Oh well, at least you cannot contaminate the handle or push with a pit toilet Facts. You ever considered that? Pressing that push or handle with your refined hands, that has been touched by how many people after doing their mess? Bon santay! Personally I always use a piece of tissue for that operation. I have always wondered why they didn’t think of making a flush toilet with a foot-operated flushing mechanism.

      • The Facts
        April 17, 2015

        Small Titiwi, do you know me and my lifestyle? Some of you make comments as if you know the person and they are at par with you. Know your place.
        I prefer to be respectful and discreet. It appears you lack both. There are some unmentionables which should never be mentioned. Learn some class and dignity and have respect.
        The discussion here should pertain to what others can learn; not unbecoming language. I am not interested in conducting such a conversation and language. Direct your filthy comments elsewhere. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  16. Lang Mama
    April 16, 2015

    I am giving you from personal bank account which I can the sum of $100,000. Smfh in disgust. Real /maniku governance and Agouti politicians

    • grell
      April 16, 2015

      Support your statement,really i cant believe this and these people sad man.this guy just dont get it.In ALASKA AND DOWN SOUTH LATRINES ARE STILL BEING USED.SKERRIT WAKE UP MAN.LMAO

      • April 17, 2015

        Why would we want our people in the middle of the night to go out in their yards, some distance away from the house in the pouring rain and cold to use their pit latrines?

        Some of us can get up from our beds and walk straight into our bathrooms, do what we have to do and go back to bed. Why not care about those who are less fortunate that us? Is that how some of us really think? How terrible that there are people who hate to see others life improve.

        Mr. PM I am with you. Do your best to get rid of all the pit latrines one at a time until none of us have any use for them.

        As a young child I was afraid of the deep hole of the pit latrines and always believed I would fall in and nobody would find me. How many young children have that fear and we as adults are unaware? As a child I would get myself sick and constipated out of fear of the pit latrine.

        Young, old & in between; a number 1 & a number 2 we must all do daily. A toilet is one of the necessities of life.

      • April 17, 2015

        In ALASKA it is called the “HONEY BUCKET” so D/ca is not backwards if they dont have flushing toilets.ST. MARTIN they still use pit latrines and these are worst than the one in the picture.This one is really neat.

  17. Malgraysa
    April 16, 2015

    “The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks” – an adaptation from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Perhaps the P.M. had better reflect on the fact that, almost invariably his at the centre of what he terms “negativism” ( the English dictionary lists negativity but not negativism!).
    He complains that “when you put your shoulder to the wheel and when you look back you don’t see those people who criticize you”. Perhaps that is because they may have overtaken you Sir! Look forward instead.

  18. hodi
    April 16, 2015

    a toilet set is $400 and lets say 400 to install it so that is a total of 800 dollars. now if we divide 100000/800=125 toilets and installation….

    so in tete morne alone have a 125 houses without toilet… I wonder if many of these houses have pipe borne water and electricity.

    • Titiwi
      April 16, 2015

      Hodi, the initiative is good but of no use if the people are not able to look after their new toilet. I mean, if you have flush toilet you need a ready supply of water that has to be paid for and also, at least a septic tank. Just to put a ceramic bowl on top of a pit toilet is not hygenic and only cosmetic. There must be trap to seal of the sewage from the bowl. Their should also be a facility for people to wash their hands. Eradication of pit toilets with out improving overall living standards is futile. Maybe we are doing it because we are getting grant for it from overseas so at least it puts money in somebody’s pocket to circulate.

    • Love All
      April 16, 2015

      What about the building plumbing face basin etc?

    • April 17, 2015

      You forget the digging of the septic tank and the other one it goes into when the tANK IS FULL.WHAT ABOUT CEMENT AND WORKMANSHIP AND THE PLAce to put it

  19. stakedaddy
    April 16, 2015

    I am giving you a Cheque of one hundred thousand..DNO please help me to understand something..IS THAT MONEY COMING FROM MR SKERRIT POCKET OR BANK ACCOUNT..and two…IS THE GOVERNMENT MADE UP OF ONLY ONE MAN MR SKERRIT??? WHY cant he say the GOVERNMENT OF DOMINICA INSTEAD OF I AND I AND I…guess its a true saying..in the land of the blind the one eye man is KING….

  20. Titiwi
    April 16, 2015

    Govt. takes aim at pit latrines. God forbid they hit a bulls eye!!

    • The Facts
      April 16, 2015

      This is DNO’s sarcastic headline. :lol:

  21. Stroller
    April 16, 2015

    I applaud the Prime Minister highly for that positive step to help alleviate the standard of living for the Tete Morne people especially the elderly and infirmed living alone. On the other hand I hope this large sum is properly managed and the MP for Grand Bay plays her part to make sure that there is transparency in the whole process. The people of Tete Morne/Montine are questioning why there was no free and fair election and this bunch was just put in behind close doors. I am all for young people playing their part in national development but those in the council now need a lot of guidance and supervision as they have no work experience, older ones open your eyes. Wish you all the best.

    • April 16, 2015

      Only the Labourites will be getting toilets.
      Tetmorne will be nice for them only :lol:

      • Tjebe fort
        April 17, 2015

        Personally I think they should paint them all in red!

      • Titiwi
        April 19, 2015

        New campaign slogan : “Labour kaka twavay!”.

    • The Facts
      April 16, 2015

      No free and fair election? People repeat what they hear as some parrots do. If they had not heard of it, they would not have stated it and would not know the difference, if this did in fact take place.
      Some people will believe everything they hear without thinking and asking themselves or others, is this really true? They will assume that it is factual. These are the gullible ones.
      Know that there are those who love to stir up trouble because they did not win the election and/or the majority of votes to be elected. Election is over! They must move on. . . .>

  22. jodi
    April 16, 2015

    This work is going tooooooo slowwwwww!!!

    • The Facts
      April 16, 2015

      Why not lend a helping hand? The more hands the better and faster. You could do your country and nationals a favor by volunteering. This will be a good deed on your part.

      • Titiwi
        April 17, 2015

        Lend a helping hand? A bit of an unfortunate phrase in this context, don’t you think so?

      • The Facts
        April 17, 2015

        Little Titwi, you are a negative person. If you had a happy, interesting and peaceful life you would not harass people on this Website. You would be positive and conduct a decent conversations/discussions.
        You should try offering a lending hand. It would do you good.

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