Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford has publicly disputed claims that her Council was consulted in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed quarry at Deux Branches, a project tied to Dominica’s international airport development. Her statement posted on her Facebook Page, comes amid mounting concerns over transparency and community engagement in the decision-making process.
Sanford explained that the Kalinago Council was listed as a stakeholder in the June 2025 ESIA, but in reality, no consultations were held. She confirmed with former Chief Lorenzo Sanford that his council also had no discussions regarding quarry activity during their tenure. The only outreach the current Council received was an email from the Physical Planning Division on March 3, 2026, and a meeting with the Parliamentary Representative on January 22, 2026, which she said yielded no substantive comments.
The ESIA itself has been the subject of controversy. Community group Save Deux Branches fought for months to make the documents publicly accessible, criticizing the government for initially providing only three physical copies in Roseau with limited viewing time. No copies were placed in the Kalinago Territory, despite the quarry’s proximity and potential impact on the community. Activists eventually scanned and distributed the documents themselves, ensuring wider access.
Concerns raised about the ESIA include conflicting versions of the report, inconsistencies in site mapping that overlap with the Northern Forest Reserve, and the absence of identified experts or detailed scientific assessments. Critics argue that the report fails to reference international treaties protecting indigenous rights, such as the Escazú Agreement and ILO Convention 169, and does not adequately address principles of free, prior, and informed consent.
Sanford thanked community members who delivered a copy of the ESIA to the Kalinago Council office, allowing residents to review it between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. She emphasized that despite repeated communications to ministries and government leaders, the Council was excluded from meaningful dialogue.
The dispute highlights broader issues of transparency and accountability in Dominica’s development projects. For the Kalinago Territory, the controversy underscores the need for genuine consultation and respect for indigenous rights as the country advances its international airport project.
Community groups have urged citizens to read the ESIA and submit feedback to the Physical Planning Division before the March 30, 2026 deadline, framing the issue as a test case for how Dominica balances national development with environmental protection and indigenous participation.
You can read the full ESIA report at this link: https://drive.proton.me/urls/7FT26PRJDM#lUjtHboCR4ek
Thank you Annette for exposing this to the public. If your account is true then this further reveals the blatant and manipulative lies and abuse of those in power.
This should be even more of an issue than it is, if not for having been lulled into a state of complicity by the torrent of similar lies and abuses. The intent seems to be to overwhelm not knowing which falsehood to address first until most give up entirely.
A similar phenomenon that has been happening with a certain foreign power mad leader and the effect he has had on his country…
this matter is more serious than de ordinary man would think.
So the Kalinago Council itself is being snubbed by it’s own government eh. This actually exposes de Minister for Kalinago Affairs as well as de related Parliamentary Representative.
De government dat cares eh…… boasting off it’s attitude of positive engagement.
How long has this project been going on?
De Kalinago Chief and Council is afforded no respect at all……….. Government dat cares?
And I bet you dat planning authority is well aware of the failure of the government to engage the council and the general community at large.
This is an endictment on the PM and his government and it will come back to bite at de next general election.
dat bite will travel beyond Dominica.
The false impression of this government is now exposed in an official capacity.
And it coincides with the disrespectful attitude towards our true patriot Nasio.
The Kalinago Council deserves an apology.
de attitude of the government…
The Kalinago Chief, Annette Sanford, is a person of impeccable integrity. A more morally and ethically person you would not find easily in this present world of moral decadence.
Let”S not forget when she was taken to a secret location just before a general election and offered a deal by a Roosevelt that many would have grabbed with both hands but she promptly rejected it. That’s principled individual, a person of unwavering honesty.
Meanwhile, Roosevelt has surrounded himself with spineless liars and stooges. They will butcher the truth to conceal his dishonest and fraudulent conduct. We are fed up with his tired lies.
Annette Sanford should not be trusted.She was nominated to the position of President,she accepted the nomination knowing full she was gainfully employed at the state college contrary to section 21(2) of the constitution.She told the world Skerrit had offered her $120,000 not to contest the Kalinago 2019 election on a UWP ticket.She said she would make the audio available to the public.Seven(7) years later she cannot make the audio available.Sanford want black people to pay to visit the Kalinago territory.Deux Branches does not belong to the Kalinago people,it is not Kalinago territory.Nasio Fontaine is a DREAD,enemies of progress and development,in the 70s they ran people from their garden and threatened them forcing to government to pass the dread act.
From your estrogen filled gibberish which is driven by your zealous support for a malignant narcissist (Roosevelt ‘Satan’ Skerrit), there is no thinking coming from you.
Annette Stanford’s character is unblemished. It is as clean as Jesus’s police record. All the good lady is doing is looking out for the best interest of her people. A more selfless and altruistic person you would not find.
She is doing precisely what genuine leaders do. Put country and people first and not herself. How noble! If she were to ever gain the highest political office in this land, what a wonderful place Dominica will be.
While it is true that you and I butt heads now then we can definitely agree that our laws are badly in need of review for us to stand a chance of addressing the crisis of ethics and downward spiral of our society.
Therefore, I propose a law that bans any narcissists of accusing other narcissists of the same.
Yes, many people might be affected this would include you EGO, but we all need to make sacrifices in ensuring the greater good.
Based on a cursory glance at your many, many… utterances you certainly seem to support the greater good…
oh I jest, such a law would be contrary to the principle of free speech which I support for both you and Labour Power and for myself too….