Over 70 farmers in the community of Belles will soon have better access to their farms.
The Government of Dominica, specifically the Parliamentary Representative for the St. Joseph Constituency, Kelver Darroux has made farm access roads in Wet Area, Belles a priority.
Belles is highly productive area for dasheen and $200,000 is being spent on the project.
“As the Member of Parliament [for the area], I have listened to the farmers and one of the complaints that they have raised is the conditions of the farm access roads. I am currently addressing that issue. I believe that the work done on this road thus far is of high standard and I must commend the contractors for that. This will impact significantly on the production and livelihoods in this community,” Darroux said. “A lot of times, farmers do not have access to the farms and Government is aggressively addressing the issue of farm access roads.”
The project which involves work on two sections of the road began a week ago and is expected to last for one month.
Two contractors and more than 14 skilled men have been engaged.
Denny Esprit is one of the contractors.
“The road is 14ft long and 4” thick. I am happy that I have the opportunity o do this project as a man from this community. I am delighted,” Esprit explained.
Darroux said the farmers in area are pleased with the work being undertaken, saying he is committed to addressing their needs.
“We have a thriving farmers group in the community with well over 70 farmers. I have made inputs available through the group so that the farmers can benefit. Moving forward, I will continue to meet with the farmers, listen to them and see how best we can address their issues,” he noted.
In addition to road improvements, Darroux says a new bridge will soon be constructed.
“Through the Ministry of Public Works, we will be purchasing a Bailey bridge to replace one of the old wooden bridges. That is a very important move because the farmers have complained that it is not sturdy, especially with load on their vehicles. We want to ensure that that is taken care of. I have made provisions for that bridge to be ordered,” he said.
Over 200 feet of road will be overhauled under this project.
Hello and good morning my people. First I must say that I don’t vote in Dominica therefore I don’t take side rather I want what’s best for our citizens. Now there is a typographical error in the middle of this article. It said the road is 14 Feet long and Four Inches thick but I think it should say that the Road is 14 Feet Wide and Four Inches thick which will make it good for two way traffic. The concern I have is that the concrete is being poured over the dirt and we don’t know the PSI of the concrete which is being mixed at the location. The part they just finish seems to be on the lower part therefore the water is going to settle and erode the base which will damage the concrete. I also wonder if our Government have a Road Construction Engineer on staff or it they consulted with one before they decide to build this road. I just hope it last and benefit the farmers who deserve good road to bring their produce to market.
Tony, that strip of cement is less than fourteen (14) feet wide. I based that on the pickup truck one the strip, they are less than six feet wide, and if you notice there is no room for passing vehicles traveling in opposite directions.
If it was even ten feet wide, there would be the same amount of space showing as that on which the truck is parked, maybe it is not completed anyway!
To Mr Telemaque.
Hello and good evening my people. Mr Telemaque you are smarter than that and please used logic because you can clearly see the left side lane isn’t complete. When it finish it will be fourteen feet wide to accommodate traffic traveling in both direction and please read the article properly. Then you will understand there is a typographical error in regards to the width of the road and you must be honest and give the Government credit when they do things to make it better for our citizens.
Small minds make small things. No foresight! Could they have made that road any smaller?
Typical illiterate Duminican. Are you that stupid that you don’t realize they do half width of the road at a time. It’s embarrassing to see the dumb comment you guys make
Some of u uwp people to quick to critizies we are very appreciative of wat they are doing on the road for us, is we that are driving there every day so is we da know how it feels. Before u guys stay where allu are and make negative comemts take a drive and c wats going on. This is just one side of the road u can’t do the whole width of the road at the same time how the hell farmers are going to pass while the road is being constructed?
What’s the use anyway. We are moving from agriculture.
Roads with no drainage. Who are these who call themselves contractors. How long you thing this road is going to last without proper drainage. I thought the drains are usually the first things built and then the road surfacing comes next. OH BOY!! WHAT HAPPEN TO CARHOLM. I NEED TO GO HARVEST MY AVOCADOS LOL
Good start. This is a one lane. Is there going to be another lane alongside that? If not, too narrow for two vehicles to pass if that is actually the road shown in the photo.
I think the concrete road is the way to go for Dominica when comes to the feeder roads especially. Locals can construct these roads to a better standard compared to asphalt roads, in which the technology is Dominica is substandard when performed by locals.
My advise is to make sure that the ground on which the pavement will be placed be compacted with a roller, or proof rolled with a loaded vehicle. Soft spots should be cut out, maybe up to a foot, and fill with compacted stones. Furthermore, at least 4 inches of stones should be placed before placing the concrete. And of course, good drainage to direct water away from the subgrade.
Man my drive way is larger than that !!!
You sound like a real country bookie suffering from you never thought. Are you that stupid that you don’t realize that is half the road they are doing at a time. to allow farmer to still get to their farms while the road work is done. Real Duminican
To Observer.
Hello and good morning my people. Good comments in regards to the construction of the road because I am look at it and they are putting the concrete on the soft soil. The water is going to erode the base and compromise the concrete and we don’t know the PSI of the concrete which is being mix at the location.
200 feet of road is a big joke- Just about 1 street block in Roseau. Just imagine how far the farmers can get . Now $200,000 is just about the cost of one of those build Boards some of them still in our faces showing deception.
So Labar Ka Twavaille we want to keep pretending that we care about agriculture patching up a network of feeder roads a few feet every time we need to fool the people.
$200000 is less than the PM’s salary, Less than Charles Saverin’s, Less than some of the ministers and cronies. But we expect the farmers to shout God Save the prince. One thing for sure $30 Million on our feeder roads could have made a significant impact on the agriculture Industry and the farmers but we would rather keep the people feeling good in a fools paradise – one crumb at a time
This is all this Labour party administration are capable of., building roads. Can they complete a hotel? Are you kidding , no they can’t look at the Layuo hotel and the morrocan hotel in Portsmouth not completed.Rosaeu prominard will not be completed wait and see.
So what farmers going to drive on that?, A WHEELBARROW?
If what we are seeing constitutes a public road to accommodate travel by motor vehicles something is definitely wrong with Dominicans, and the labor party.
That strip of cement is less than seven feet wide I imagine just about six inches wider. That appears to be a walking trail; a track for walking not to accommodate vehicular activity since there is no room for two way traffic; next thing you know vehicles traveling in opposite direction will come to a stop in front of each other.
The drivers will start arguing, next thing you know there will be bloodshed, entropy, and murder.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha!
To Mr Telemaque .
Hello and good morning my people. If you read the article properly you should understand that there is a Typographical error and it should say that. The road will be Fourteen Feet wide and Four Inches thick. On the left side of the photo which is attached to the article you can see that they are prepping it before they pour the concrete for the other lane. Have you ever went to the poor black areas of Alabama or Mississippi where there are worst roads than what’s being depict in this article. I am sure it will be better than what they currently have .
Well, as I said in a response to your comments above, perhaps the road is not yet completed, they may add another side, in the form of a Free Way, you know that (ting) that you are speeding on Tony.
When I was a kid and the crazy people including guys like Conrad, and myself would be flying on those narrow winding roads, the people (passengers) riding with us would shout; “juice, juice , juice, that meant speed, speed, speed; not realizing we all could have gotten killed by running off the narrow roads.
There will be plenty of juice on that piece of horse back boy!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Please, tell GIS to check their facts before going public. A 14 ft. long, 4″ thick concrete road does not cost $200,000 or take a month to build with two contractors and more than 14 “skilled”! men. I think they made a mistake and the length of that road is more than 14 ft.
By the way, I note that Kelver has adopted the P.M.’s manner of speech. No fewer than seven I’s in two short quotes from him. Yes Kelver, I and I.
Is that the same esprit who jumped from UWP to labour?, if so it is a shameful in your face case of nepotism.
To Nac Vibes.
Hello and good evening my people . Yes it’s the same Esprit and what do you expect from Politicians who just look out for themselves . The same people just keep circulating while other young qualify people can’t get a job.
Just one more thing please make sure that this road gets drainage please this will make a different in how long the road will last. thanks
look at the road, no drains you supposed to make the drains first so water does not run on the road, badly build road already, no drains…
belles does not have the biggest productive farms unlike carholme and artley, I guess they have more votes there
Fix Carholm road for the farmers of Salisbury Kelvar,put politics aside,be a man.