LETTER TO THE EDITOR: River pollution at Laplaine

letter to the editorEarly in 2014, I was approached by a local farmer from La Plaine, complaining that to get to his farm, he had to cross a cesspool of pig waste on the main road, and that the problem had become intolerable.

I witnessed and documented a filthysludge meandering alongside and crossing the main feeder road, and flowing into the Taberieriver, a mere stone’s throw away.

An Ecotourism concern on the river bank directly opposite lamented that his guests could not use the river, which was a major selling point of his business.The stench was also sometimes unbearable!

Another business concern downriver and along the beachindicated that villagers had long since stopped using the adjoining pool, which had been the premiere picnic spot in the entire area.

It was against this background that I organized a meeting of all stakeholders in an effort to address theproblem.

Before the meeting, I consulted with the acting Chief Environmental Health Officer who indicated that:

  • A stop order had been served on the piggery operator. She had no information on the status of that stop order. (my investigation at Legal Affairs revealed that no such order or request had been made).
  • Her Department had been conducting coliform tests and they were all normal. In response to my question as to whether this test was the only indication of water pollution, she brazenly answered that this was the only one they could do. (I found out that DOWASCO routinely does a whole battery of tests at minimal cost).
  • I can recall an Environmental Health Officer, to whom I was referred, abruptly ending a meeting on the matter, saying that I would need to see the Chief because he “did not like my tone!”

Re the stakeholder’s meeting:

  • The proprietor of the piggery responded that he would not be attending because he knew everyone would be hostile to him.
  • The Ag. Chief Agricultural Officer, who from inception had taken up residence at the Agricultural Training Centerin La Plaine, suggested, (I was informed) I should give some free dental Clinics in La Plaine instead of meddling!
  • The Parliamentary Representative, a Cabinet minister, to this day has not had the courtesy to respond to my hand delivered letter of invitation.
  • The local Environmental Health Officer, I was informed, left an oral message at the Village Council office, that he did not see any need to attend the meeting because mitigating measures were being considered.

We did, however, have a productive meeting with worthwhile suggestions for a way forward.

But then one takes stock and knows that there are institutions set up, there are people that are paid full time to protect the public interest. However, they are only interested in protecting their own selfish interests and that of those who belong to their cabal.

You talk to some of the same people who are impacted by this  problem and you immediately sense that a red flag is raised once it appears to be a criticism of their party, they will make all kinds of excuses, find fault with everyone else and ignore the problem. In the meantime, I understand that the number of pigs has more than doubled since.

So one comes to understand the magnitude of the problem, the difficulty in moving this huge stone that is blocking the way.

Will more meetings and more talking cut it?

Still I wish Jason and La Plaine well in this latest round.

 

Joseph C. Williams

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15 Comments

  1. FRANCIS PHILBERT
    August 29, 2016

    Why would she order a “Stop Order” if all the water test results came back good? She must step up or step down.

  2. FRANCIS PHILBERT
    August 29, 2016

    Why would she place a “stop order” if all her tests were normal? Do you see the problem? She must step up or step down.

  3. UDOHREADYET
    August 29, 2016

    The rich man heaven is the poor mans hell!
    sounds like you were dealing with a whole lot of incompetent people put into positions or assuming positions they are not qualified for.
    It also seems that their lack of proper qualification has blinded them to the purpose of their employment!

    Pig boy and his swine can start marching into the sea becasue soon they will be herded there!

  4. Community Spirit
    August 29, 2016

    Regrettably it is like this in almost all public institutions responsible for dispensing ameliorative actions to address the concerns of our citizens. In a similar case noise pollution has grown exponentially in Dominica in the last decade with perpetrators hiding behind the red curtain to up the ante on unsuspecting communities with no concern for peoples’ health, peace of mind and productivity. It’s like “once my business fix, to hell with other people”. Such selfishness and unchristian behaviour; Oh when will it end?

  5. Betty Boop
    August 29, 2016

    My God! I can just imagine the stench!

    In my village in the Valley constituency a neighbour had just 6 pigs and the stench could bring you to your knees! Far more for smells on that level.

    SMH. We Dominicans really like to put party before country eh. (Left foot in right shoe, buttons in the wrong hole).

  6. Tj
    August 29, 2016

    Shameful no consideration for others

  7. Common sense
    August 28, 2016

    Can we honestly call Dominica “the Nature Island Of the Caribbean?” With such a situation going on, which affects the ecology in the environment, and so many people, their health, well being and livelihoods, can we really say we are doing our best to improve the lives of Dominicans?

  8. Helas!
    August 28, 2016

    Well done Doc. I do not understand this, does it mean that unless the river is negatively impacted then that stuff should continue to go into the river.

    these people get paid to do nothing and that is what they do. No supervision, Therefore they leave all the work for the PM.

    I notice the Prime minister placed tax on chicken re- concerns on obesity, but may I call on the PM to please help us with that kind of problem, people should not be at home and cannot eat a decent meal because of the stench of POO be it from dog, chicken, pig or what have have you, and also noise pollution a residential place should be just that. Thank you Mr. PM

  9. Stop the nastiness
    August 28, 2016

    The proprietor of the piggery is bigger than an entire community. The people of the community have been pleading to the Environmental Health Dept. for Years to help them solve that problem, but it seems to no avail.

    Th Environmental Health Dept, the Ministry of Health, the Parl Rep all know the problem exist for years, yet no resolving of the environmental hazard.

    While the proprietor could pollute the community, cause much harm as far as the people’s health is concerned, Skerritt’s DLP Gov’t giving away to foreigners, our land (15 acres of Cabrits), passports to make millions, jobs that our workers could do and the list goes on.

    See how quickly and easily they blocked, stopped the project at Lindo park, for absolutely no reason at all.

    So the authorities could easily solve that unhealthy environmental problem. The will to so do, is not there, because……………Pure nastiness, madness disrespect for people in a community to be facing that kind of unpleasant…

  10. curiorcity
    August 28, 2016

    Kid on the block got himself involved, then you appear trying to defend after two years. they, bathe in the said river, they wash in there, drink water from there, bathe in there and you come unrecognized,to the editor.the POLLUTION WAS THE DEAD body,Patrick,short hand etc. get yourself a wife. They just have to clean it for themselves. In your visit look for computers. lose some sleep over tithe best government is in power

  11. Bend it like Beckham
    August 28, 2016

    God is a just God and despite knowing that, a few people who know not the time of departure from this earth continue to risk earthly treasures that none of use can take with us. I will make a bold statement at this point to say the people who choose not to do their work have no faith and belief in God. Today birds, and other animals who are of less value than human beings got a meal. Why are we afraid to do just things in a God fearing manner? We have strayed from God far too long and no money is worth the punishment that awaits us. Check your conscience and be honest with yourself, if this is above your pay grade say so and do not condone this level of dishonest behavior. Only you will be answering to God, so stand up for something or else you will fall for everything. Keep in mind that your children are watching and you will soon get your harvest.

  12. OldMercs
    August 28, 2016

    The Government needs clients at the abattoir otherwise why open a abattoir, Pigs in Merde I think

  13. Me
    August 28, 2016

    Than you Joe. Let it be known that if the price we have to pay for pork production at the controversial abattoir is environmental pollution I will continue buying imported meat instead. This is absolutely disgraceful and unacceptable.

  14. Shaka Zulu
    August 28, 2016

    Joseph there are a few solution to the problem. Get a lawyer who is willing to work on behalf of the people make sure you understand the legal responsibility of the MOH and make sure you understand the legal responsibility of the pig farmer. File legal proceedings on both ends on behalf of the village council. The ministry of health under law has the responsibility to protect citizens first. Length of exposure to hazards play a significant role in long-term health effects on those exposed. It is clear that the folks getting paid are not doing thier jobs. If you cannot find a lawyer demonstrate. 2008 to 2016 is too long. I raised pigs growing up so have nothing against guy trying to make an honest living, but not at the expense of the environment and others healt. This country needs to get it shit together before it is too late. This is what happens when we fail to hold people who work for us responsible. Every stinking gov department needs to be disinfected.

  15. August 28, 2016

    The people of la- plain need to wake up. and smell the coffee [the pig ka ka] LOL,

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