Farmers from the Layou Valley area are requesting that Government step in and provide them a suitable means of transporting their crops from their farms after having been adversely affected by the flooding that occurred when the Mattheiu Dam collapsed and spilled almost the entire contents of what used to be the Miracle Lake into the Valley floor.
Apart from the destruction of crops, the flooding destroyed the Glo Chaud Bridge that connected these farmers to their farms and they are now forced to cross the river to get there. According to some of the farmers, ever since the incident, the river has had a stronger current than before, increasing the risk and danger linked with fording it.
Reece Charles, who is in charge of a petition that the farmers have been circulating, spoke to Dominica News Online about the need for the footbridge to assist the farmers with getting to and from work.
“The farmers need a footbridge for a while because what the farmers have been doing is crossing the river all the while with their load and it’s dangerous to do so. We also used to pay $2 to get to our garden and $2 to come back, now it costs $10 round trip because we have to pass all the way in Warner. We want a pathway, just for our feet in the meantime, because it’s a risk,” he said.
Making reference to a reported $300,000 that was made available to fishermen of the area after the flooding, Charles said that the farmers have received nothing from the government as yet and called for assistance in any way possible.
Reece stated, “Fishermen got something, but we farmers have gotten anything. We need help, even if it’s just a bus or truck that could help us carry our load because sometimes, on Fridays, our load has to stay because the truck doesn’t have space. So we need something to help us.”
He also said that the petition was signed by a number of farmers from the area and delivered to the Parliamentary Representative for the area Kelver Darroux, this morning. He expressed hope that the help will be forthcoming in a timely manner.
tick tock tick tock tick tock tick
labour powwwwwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMFAO
That’s what happens when you have been misled by your ‘X’ on election day – no help but we continue to support the tricksters.
AGAIN negative you guys really must that every news thats being post the same @$$e$ type negative>>>> MAN LIKE BLESSINGS from ST JOE SMH one day u will relise its to late for you
Something is seriously wrong. We blame the youth for staying away from farming. After toiling for so many years, our farmers have to plead for a bus ride! Don’t they have pick up trucks in Layou? We need to invest heavily in feeder roads and farm transportation. Give farmers the incentive to invest in their farms
URGENT APPEAL
PLEASE HELP THE STUDENTS OF THE PORTSMOUTH SECONDARY SCHOOL. THEY HAVE A LAB WITHOUT ANY LAB MATERIAL NOR DO THEY HAVE A LAB TECH. CALLS TO MINISTRY TO DO SOMETHING HAS BEEN FUTILE.
THE PM HAVE TO SEE WHERE HE GETTING THE MONEY FROM TAKE YOUR TIME
WELL I GUESS ITS BACK TO BORAT
Reading of this situation and seeing it in real life is another thing. It is quite obvious that the farmers need help in order to get to their farms. What will it take for the relevant authorities to assist them? The loss of a few lives? Do we want to hear that a farmer got carried by the current out to sea? God Forbid!!
I am appalled at the seeming insensitivity of the authorities on this matter. The farmers are hard working and independent, they do not want hand outs, they are simply asking for access to their farms so that they could feed themselves and their families.I am sure if one of the government officials or their strong supporters was directly affected, I think that they would have responded in a more expeditious manner.
Today is the farmers of Layou, tomorrow it may be some other community.
By the way Layou’s disaster is not yet over, the situation there today was bad enough, and could get worse if the rain continues.
A temporary bride in that area would assist. I’ve seen it done in other places, why not Dominica?
HAHAHAHA
ME TOO
BOY U GUYS FUNNY
AFTER THE GOVERNMENT BUSES FROM BELLS OR CAMPBELL DROP THE STUDENTS TO THE ITSS THEY SHOULD DROP THE FARMERS TO THEIR FARMS AND RETURN FOR THEM AT 4PM.
Dominicans claim to have the best gov running Dominica, that the country have ever seen. I wonder why these stories seems to be commonplace everywhere in Dominica you turn. Farmers begging for help, fishermen begging for help, youths begging for jobs, people begging for food, people begging for money to pay bills, contractors begging for projects, truckers begging for work and so on..
Is it me or is something really wrong in the country?????????????????????????????????????
It is you
even in the absence of evidence the truth does not hide..not for long at least….beware the followers of jim jones.
@anonymous…
i pity the fool
HA NICE ONE
I hope their pal.rep do not direct them to the “red hospital”,that’s where their bones will stay;Why is it so difficult for Govt.to deal with farmers?every affected sector has been assisted,why the farmers?”next level”to get us hungry.
This is truly a disgrace. The farmers are the backbone of this island. Mr Darroux stated in the Chronicle on Friday that a bridge across the river was too dangerous how bizarre and stupid! If a film company was here they would have constructed a footbridge right away. It is far more dangerous that the farmers are risking their lives every day crossing the much faster flowing Layou River! There is a Bailey bridge (a bridge in segments)at Belfast which we believe could be used as and when! The two parliamentary representatives for the stricken area have not been by the farmers at all. The home owners, who Mr Darroux says he is going to see if the Government can help them, has not told these home owners this and Mr Blackmoore – well what can we say!
After reading some comments posted on DNO I have a question. Is there such an entity as a Public Works Department?. There was one when I was growing up. The PWD should respond to disasters, such as the one faced by the people of Layou, in a timely manner.
27 million dollar palace.
and thats not too much to ask for
THOSE GUYS DONT HAVE TIME FOR THE FARMERS,THEY ARE SPENDING MORE TIME WORRYING ABOUT WHO IS DRINKING RUM PUNCH OR RUM IN BARBADOS.
next level???……. patat!!! hmmmm
who have eyes to see let them see, who blind and have ears to hear let them hear.
what the hell these famers have to beg for help;help should come without asking, weather you blue or red the nation must be fed.
Aasl…please do something for them