Clive Williams, the owner of the house on a hillside in Bena Ravine, Canefield (East) that was ravished by a six-foot high stone last Wednesday morning, says that he has not heard a word from government about assistance on clearing the debris, removing the large rock from his kitchen and rebuilding his walls.
Williams told Dominica News Online that he and his girlfriend had visited the housing ministry about two days after the incident and had received assurance that “somebody would come”. He said she also had talks with a government official as recent as yesterday.
“I don’t know people in government like that so I wouldn’t know who to talk to,” he said.
Williams said however that he had received a visit sometime ago from recently re-elected Chairman of the Canefield Urban Council, Simeon Albert, who had promised assistance. To date this assistance, like the promise of the ministry, has not arrived.
Attempts to reach chairman of the Canefield Urban Council, Simeon Albert, for a comment on the matter proved futile. Attempts will however continue in this regard.
There has been no aid from private individuals or corporations either.
The homeowner said he has done his best to “clean up” but as long as the stone remains inside the house no reconstruction efforts can commence.
“I did what I could,” Williams said.
Attempting to break the rock on his own, Williams said the stone is so massive that his tool merely flaked it. He said he would need nothing shy of a jackhammer to make any kind of impact. And this is a tool he does not own or have access to.
So far Williams, who also owns a second house nearby, said he has gotten sand but is yet to secure blocks, cement and the other materials needed to rebuild. He said a significant portion of the walls that remain would have to be chipped and shaped before he can begin anything.
Meanwhile, at least five people are alive today because of a lucky placement of a tree that not only slowed down the force of the rock that tore through vegetation and tumbled to the bottom of the hill, but also changed its course.
At the time of the impact it was not Williams, but his Rastafarian friend Edward Thompson who was in the house. The incident happened sometime between 2:30 and 3 a.m.
When Dominica News Online visited the scene that morning, the stone, which was about six feet high, was resting in the middle of the kitchen. The scene resembled that of a bombed house: kitchen utensils and pieces of rock and wood were strewn about. The stone destroyed two stoves, a fridge, table, pots and pans and shredded a plastic drum.
Yes my people, all the situation calls for is a helping hand yet still we keep fighting down each other then we ask ourselves why our sweet Dominica is not advancing.. where is the love???? If you know not love you know not God for God is Love.. but God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
open up you’ll heart and show some compassion for each other… Lord i miss those days when people actually cared for each other…
God Bless and Guide as all…
let’s see.. I highly doubt any of his properties are insured. And from an orignal Canefield resident, when they subdivided the estate, why oh why were lots not allocated there? Just maybe it was dangerous, ravine flowing below and all. Steep? Unsafe? I don’t think insurance was at the back of their minds? Usually squatters need shelter and not all the things that come with designing a house….
@Food for thought – how do you propose Public Works gets up and in there?
Insurance – can squatters even be insured? They can’t prove ownership of the land, now can they?
Just giving additional food for thought. I feel your plight sir, but that’s just tough!!!
A rock, a rock,ok? A stone? For crying out loud!
When natural disaster pass, who is seen walking through villages seeing the damage saying they will help?? If not the Gov’t, now why is that?? Regardless of squatter or no squatter, or who has insurance or not. This was nothing more than a freak accident, thank God lives have been spared. Not all of us have been blessed with good jobs, money, land. We have to lend a hand to our brothers and sisters. We are on borrowed time from the Almighty Father. Dust we came and dust we return, we go back to our Father with nothing. One should not try to squeeze or disgrace another for his unfortunate misfortune, My advice if you have nothing credible or positive to say just say nothing.
De man a Rasta, so wat. Comments of smoking weed and rolling the stone, pure rubbish talk, be real my people. He tried to move it he can’t. Government is not obliged to help him I agree but Public works or someone could lend a jack hammer or something.
In life we don’t know what tomorrow brings, this could have happened to anyone of you.
@VALDA BRUNO DURAND: You forget yourself man
When we ask people for help we need to understand that in the persons budget – there is not a heading with our names – and the same goes for the Govt. We are asking with the hope that the answer will be positive, however, even when the budget would have had our names included, there will be a waiting period due to procedures to be adherred to.
@JW:
What are you talking about? The government is not an insurance? What is a government for and worth if it either refuses to or cannot help its citizens in a natural situation such as this?
How many people in Dominica have insurance? If they can afford it they will purchase insurance. You must first know the man’s financial situation.
Even in big countries there are people who have no insurance and who cannot afford to pay insurance.
The insurance companies should make it less expensive for those who cannot purchase insurance.
I have considered that if I were fortunate to win a lottery of a substantial amount, I would approach the government for insurance assistance and with some of my funds to set up insurance for those who cannot afford it.
Some people are fortunate to win as much as $250 and $70M. I believe that these purchase a lot of tickets. I only purchase one ticket. It takes one ticket to win. Some people have won the lottery on one ticket and with their last few dollars.
I like to be positive but it is my feeling that I would not be that fortunate. On the other hand, who knows? Only God knows.
The poor needs to be helped as this man. The government should be the first to offer help. Please do not make this man suffer anymore.
@Watcher:
Dominicans residing in Dominica should be able to do so, all for the love of God and for neighbor. He really needs immediate assistance from the government and from citizens.
sir, call the public works department and remind them of the your situation, they should have equipments that will be fit for the job. in the meantime ignore all the negative comments here
@Anonymous: Yes all the readers and criticizers. Please contribute to assist the man. Whilst arguing and making all issues political, donate something to the family. I do not have to come online to make everyone know what I have contributed but some of you using every situation to be negative.
Spread the love. Give to the people whole heartedly and stop those unsavory comments. You never know when is your turn. You cannot give then do not comment. Those with heavy equipments come go help the man cut and remove the rock. We are the government. We elect some to do the administrative work. Let us move and give whatever you can give since not all has money. He needs a stove, the bed broken down, Refrigerator broken down. Pots and Pans smashed. Give something and stop talking. Action please and love to all DNO Readers.
we live in a small country and expect the gouvernment to do everything,we need to help ourselves and others, UNITED WE STAND , DEVIDED WE FALL.GOD bless Dominica
My heart goes out to you and happy you and your family is safe .. but …
didn’t realize the Gov’t was an insurance company.
My advise, after you fix … buy insurance.
Partner, you are looking very strong there. What assistance do you need there again .Just roll the stone away!
@zuma: I agree with you totally.
The same people from big hole during election you all campaigning strong. nobody can tell you all nothing about the government when all they do is visit the area during election and make empty promises and give out some money or goods. Now you need them, they don’t have the time for you. they already got their vote. the chairman on call already got his vote. His post secure and his bread well butter till next election again. I understand your plight Mr. Williams. But take what you get. And people from that area will still not learn from that. Next election they still voting the same government.
Be responsible for your own self. You have 2 houses and much more by whatever means you acquired them. And you have all your money from all your hard work as a “you know what”. You can fix and clean your house on your own. And all the men you have working for you can help you. Give them some real work to do.
I see nothing wrong with the man asking for assistance. If this massive stone came down and destroyed our house we would be happy for the help. If someone in the house had died from this we would be singing a different song. If the government don’t care then the community should give a helping hand.
@River: e’re one who lambase the man for calling on gov’t getting thumbs up hhhhmmmm now u even going further n sayin he shuld have insurance,,,,though ur not wrong but u n the others dont realise that this is poor people n in D.A when we need help our local gov’t helps us,,,,remember mr simeon albert from canefield council offered help.,,,,it did not come,,,so 2 days ago he went to ministry simple as dat,,,,,no one is saying skerrit should move d stone,,,,,,it seems once people say GOV’T ALLU HAVE SKERRIT IN MIND,,,,,,,the ministries are gov’t ran rite,,,,,so dats why we use the term GOV’T,,,,,it should be clear to allu d man cant move dat,,,,dont politicize the situation,,,,,,,now i never knew peter tosh was in d.a,,,,,,,,is not he i seeing in the back ground dere lol
, Did Mr. Williams asked for help? One can only get help when he or she ask. Man go get all the rasta men and cook some ital smoke some weed, and roll the big stone out of your house.
@angelic:
It makes me angry to read such responses and lack of government assistance for this man.
Common sense should be utilized here. You are wrong to state that the PM is not responsible to assist this man. Indirectly, the government is not responsible for the incident. However, directly it is the government’s responsibility to assist him. It is a priority.
It is a strange situation that the man’s house was damaged by “a rolling stone” while he was asleep. He barely escaped injury or death. Sounds familiar?
Does the government expect him to lift such a huge stone and to break it at that? He needs proper tools to do this and government assistance immediately. It should not take two weeks or more for government assistance. I can understand his frustration. He also has a right to be angry. In view of this I do believe he has exercised ample patience.
If it were the PM and other government representatives homes, they would have been cleaned up the following day, if not the same day.
What is good for one is good for another, whether they are the PM, government representative or not. The man is a Dominican national. He needs government assistance now and not in some weeks. The government should have compassion for him and provide immediate assistance. Period!
@shy:
To be fair and just. This is an act of nature. They did not take the stone and place it in their home. They are not responsible for the stone which damaged their homes and almost killed them.
The government is downright responsible to assist them and with no hesitation. This is the manner in which I know it. Without much ado the government should send workers to assist them and to compensate them for the damage.
If neighbors wish to help as good Samaritans so be it but it is not their. It is the government’s responsibility.
It has been approximately two weeks since this incident occurred. The man should not have to beg the government. The government obviously must have heard what happened and should have taken immediate steps to send help to this man. The government is not fair to him.
What type of government or representative is that who have failed to assist its national for this damage? I urge the government/representative to immediately assist this man. This is their job.
If this was an election year the government would show him love on day one.
@VALDA BRUNO DURAND:
What type of response is this? This is irrelevant to the article above. What are you trying to prove? This response should never be allowed on DNO. Have a heart and common sense!
what the government have to do with that? everything that happen ppl have to cry doe the government to fix it? why can’t ppl get up and move and do something for themselves?
ala if government have to do all this things better everybody stop work and sit down at their home….. don’t you think?
Sit and wait government after you vote for UWP you really expect us to help you poor you
You people are unbelievable!! OR MAYBE YOU GUYS JUST CAN’T READ!!!!
The man said he tried to break the stone, the result – his tool only flaked it! Is not like the man did absolutely nothing to help his blight and waiting on gov’t!!! He said he sought help from Public Works and no-one came, He spoke to the Chairman who says that he is on 24-hr duty, no response yet.So what all you want de man to do? Not ask for help, since he cannot break de dam stone by himself… Public works have jack-hammer and other equipment in dere garage who all you think paying for it? Not tax payers like him? So even if he not working nowhere and not paying income tax you think when he buy groceries de vat he paying is not tax? Get real people!! If it was all you house or all you Grandmother house what all you would say? Zor pas feb pyes, zor two meshastay!!!
Ebben waitteh la wespewe goovelment! crapo will smoke your pipe too!
@ ZUMA
I HAVE THE SOLUTION FOR THE SEXLIFE, THE ORGASM AND THE ERECTION SPECIAL LITTLE TEA, TAKE LITTLE AND LIVE LONG
THE SIDE PANNELS ON MY HOUSE ROTTEN, WHO I HAVE TO CALL, BECAUSE ME SELF PAYING MY TAXES SO IF WHO NEVER WORK CAN GET HELP I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET TOO. BUT SERIOUSLY HELP THE MAN THE STONE TO BIG FOR HIM TO PUSH PUBLIC WORKS SHOULD HELP I SAY THAT ALREADY.
@zuma: stupid stupid zuma…..where the government comming in tht? why is there a government then, oh i remember to cultivate an environment that foster the things on your list. that’s exzctly what they want form a certain sector of scociety believe you me.
there isn’t enough room for everybody, wht if most dominicans had self esteem and a good education. things would be much worst………..i telling you…….., there isn’t enough jobs to go around, why can’t you understand that.
you know come to think of it i am beginning to convince myself that the government is responsible for
persons with low self esteem
persons who cant have an orgasm
persons who have no sex life
persons who cant get an erection
persons who cant make children
persons who has nine children and cant feed them
and the bloody list goes on
persons who commit suiicide
perosns who commit murder
why is the governemnet responsible for persons private and personal problems????
@Food for Thought: I agree fully!!!
MR NOT WORKING NO WHERE …. NOW A BIG STONE COMING IN HIS HOUSE HE CRYING.. THEM MAN SQUAT ON DEM LAND. AND HE WANT ASSSISTANCE
The government can assist if they can but its not a priority… Why do ppl believe that the government has nothing else to do.Maybe a small financial contribution. but do not speak like it is skeritt’ priority..Assistance will come just bear patience..dominicans should stop abusing the governments name
“says that he has not heard a word from government about assistance on clearing the debris, removing the large rock from his kitchen and rebuilding his walls” but what is this eh? First u build your house without planning permission, u squat on land that doesnt belong to u, that proved to be unsafe, not u want government to come and do all this for u. Man u guys taking the joke too far now! Why cant u and your family, neighbours and friends get together an clean the debris, etc. Why is it that u all dont think about the conseqencies of your actions, why is it that we tax payers always hve to foot the bill for ppls stupidity, lawlessness and dont give a …t attitude. My house burn down i dont hve anywhere to sleep and i hve nine children, who the hell send u an make nine if u can only feed one, there are free condoms, plus five bucks will get u three for goodness sake! People we hve to stop this, u build a house get insurance, u working get insurance so when and if something happens you are covered and dont hve to go and beg government and big corporrations for assistance, have raffle, car wash or open an account at te banks and beg for donations. We need to get out of this nonsense as a ppl and not saying that u dont hve to help ur neighbour or someone in need, but this shit just continues to happen and it has to stop period!
@River: Your right…i mean i dont mind they ask for help but they make it seem as if its the government duty to fix ALL of their stuff….they dont understand its more of a favor the government doing them..they not obligated to do this
Well, Well canefield where is your so CALL CHAIRMAN!!! Call him, and keep on calling him… What he say, ” Chairman on CALL… ” call him and again… Wait for him he coming, he by Melvinas.
And sir is not the Government you have to call the CHAIRMAN ON CALL….
leave the stone there boy, everything in life happening for a reason!
but you not serious , why are we always looking for help from goverment. My boy not only have a house but two of them. U cannah be waiting for help is not de ppl dat leaving dere . If no one comes to help , then what , is that stone going to remain here for ever? We like too much hand out . So u have to house why did you not take the precaution of insuring them ? Next thing after de goverment remove de stone , you will want den to give u de two stove and a fridge de stone destroy .
People just like to sit and wait on Government for every thing.
If it was a big money he was getting would he look for Government?
Man them fellas dere boy…….
But, is it government’s responsibility to remove the stone? If it was a stone that got dislodged due to some government action, or was on government property and not secured properly, then I can understand. But if it is just a natural occurence, then I don’t see why gov’t should be responsible. Wonder if he has no insurance on the house? If it’s absolutely not government’s responsibility, then Mr. Williams should bear the responsibility of getting that stone from his property. I hope it’s not people’s fascination with gov’t that gov’t must do everything for them. The public sector is too huge as it is already – in comparison to the private sector. And no, rolling the stone down the hill is not the way to get rid of it responsibly.
Seriously, why do dominicans have to go to the government for everything.
The least he should have is basic insurance coverage so that they would be able to take care of this
situation.
I’m seriously tired of everyone going to the government for every and anything.
Don’t remove the stone! people will pay to come and see that garcon. Make it a feature. Very unique!
It is the same thing that happened to place big stone canefield in the spot where it is today. Big monolith. Daniel Green did not remove or break it. He made it into a gravesite.
At the least the Government could help the man remove the stone, from his tone it seems he not even interested in more than that. Where is Gorvenment for the people when the people need them. Jah……
They could all find time to go prep up Albert in Canefield i guess Albert “NEEDS” were of a high priority
where da government coming in dat??? u build ur castle it break down fix it…ppl too like to think of the government as god…stupessss