More money for feeder roads

Agriculture Minister Matthew Walter says that in addition to $2 million dollars set aside for feeder roads by Finance Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, a further $5 million is becoming available to service the country’s farm access roads.

The $5 million, according to the minister, is grant funding being made available under the programme known as BAM – Banana Accompanying Measures.

Minister Walter said the $7 million should help rehabilitate a significant amount of feeder roads that’ll facilitate the exporting of bananas and other agricultural crops to generate much needed foreign exchange.

The Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) represent European assistance to help African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries adjust to new trade realities.

The government here had been blasted for, according to its critics, not putting aside adequate funds for feeder road rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Skerrit responded at the time that the $2 million allocation that he had announced was an initial start, and that efforts would be made to find additional funding for farm access roads.

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55 Comments

  1. NEW DLP NEWTOWN MP
    June 12, 2012

    people in KAI_BELL and giraudel also need FEEDER ROADS

    WE HAVE A PARL REP THAT NOT SERIOUS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF OUR PEOPLE

    SINCE I SMALL THE GIRAUDEL EGGLESTON FORTUNE CASTLE COMFORT ROADS ARE THE SAME THING BONDIEU WHERE IS THE PARL REP JIZZZZZZZZZZZZZ POR KU-WEEE ENCORE

    PM SKERRO PLEASE PLEASE WHILE WE LOVE LABOUR WE NEED A COMPLETELY NEW CANDIDATE THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL NO CHICKEN MAN FROM KINGSHILL CAN STOP US NO AMOUNT OF RADIO PRESS STATEMENT CAN FOOL US. LABOURITES ARE SICK AND TIRED AND WE WANT A NEW CANDIDATE…..ITS ONE VOICE PM COME AND TAKE A WALK AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE ONE ON ONE AND YOU WILL HEAR IT FOR YOURSELF.

    NOUS PAS KAR WEH MISSIER !

    E PAS KAR FAIRE AH YEH BAR NOUS

    TIME UP PACK UP

    FIX OUR ROADS AND CLEAR THE WAY FOR OUR NEW CANDIDATE OK BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  2. as I see it #1
    June 12, 2012

    Before I believe anything from the mouth of Mr. Matthew Walter again, he needs to answer the following questions:
    1.What is the current progress of the coffee plant which you promised would be opened by end of 2011? In case you forgot your words, please see DNO atticle on Feb. 14, 2011 at 11am.
    2.Also, are we to still keep our “fingers crossed,” per your advise us on Jan. 5, 2011. again see DNO atticle.
    3.According to Dominica’s Ambassador to Venezuella, Dr. Philbert Aaron, who told us on Oct. 22, 2011 at 9:44am, that “Though signs for the cofee plant were not visible, the coffee plant promised is cominig on stream.” Is that still the case Mr. Walter?
    According to Ian Douglas, all you fooled me once, twice, tree times already, but this time my last name would be spelt FOOLED-Again, if I were to believe anything you all promise.

  3. Original Eagle-Eye
    June 12, 2012

    A step in the right direction from the government. One thing Dominicans I have come to realise either through outright ignorance, malicious political affiliation, or just backward mentality are ignoring the true core of this issue. This is not about politics or a particular farmer. When bananas were in full bloom, before the farmer got paid 73 cents went to the treasury on every dollar to fix schools, pay civil servants, run public services and govern the affairs of Dominica. Today we are indepted to banks and other instituions for loans to pay civil servants and maintain basic services month after month.

    Food security is a global issue, you can’t deny the soil and the hands that feed a nation, who are heavily taxed to appease a group of people who import poor produce that competes with them, while the profits are EXPORTED abroad to foreign bank. These banks then turn around and unlend those funds to improve their own countries. What about Dominica? but one day we will stop being political sluts and alcoholics on paint and face the reality. Just remember that donor countries are facing their own internal struggles in this global economy and it is their tax payers monies we have been getting. Tax payers in those countries are increasingly of their governments to pay attention to their own dire needs, and put a choke hold on giving aid to laissez-faire countries. Stay there still and just ridicule farmers.

  4. 4EvaTru
    June 11, 2012

    they have duty free NAVARAS and they wearing suit and tie in roseau every day? whats up with that.
    thank you anonymous. FA2$% and its alot of them out there. im not hating just keeping it real.And real famers cant get a vehcile

  5. 4EvaTru
    June 11, 2012

    I just hope you all will take care of the roads, clean the drains so water will not damage the road.You all always crying for things and dont take care of it. take care of the roads.

    • Sort demolisher
      June 11, 2012

      That is why you pay taxes to government – fool that is why the beuatiful feeder roads that we had went south.It is government’s responsibility to upkeep the roads; drainage, surface integrity etc.

    • grange
      June 12, 2012

      Do you people really understand the function of your government? Road maintenance is government’s responsibility. Ignorance is a bliss.

      • Anonymous
        June 12, 2012

        once again the govnt have to send a crew to clean your front door shame on you all. you all make me sick.You all will die waiting for the govnt to do things. shame on u all.

  6. Peeping Tom
    June 11, 2012

    DNO: «Prime Minister Skerrit responded at the time that the $2 million allocation that he had announced was an initial start, and that efforts would be made to find additional funding for farm access roads.»

    Thank you PM Skerritt. You have kept your word.

    • grange
      June 11, 2012

      Realy – I thought the PM said that the 2 million would be used only for areas where farmers are serious. Are you saying PEEPING LIAR that farmers doubled up so they are now worthy of an additional 7 million? Aren’t you appologist tired of making fools of yourselves. Is that the way government works – the country’s most viable economic support system you treat like a i dollar prostitute?

    • Concerned citizen
      June 11, 2012

      Politics he playing he had the funds all the time he like people to make no ice and get them all worked up .
      He like attention other wise he cant show off those dimples.
      Well done sleep.

      • Concerned citizen
        June 11, 2012

        Well done skerro

    • Grange
      June 12, 2012

      Boy look at ignorance. “the an initial start? “. English language for so. I wonder why the labor party base is so backward.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 12, 2012

        I say vote Hector John and we will be smart ready, steady, go

  7. isee
    June 11, 2012

    OHHHH you all listening then i see thanks to the famers cry please guys don’t give up keep the fire burning let them fnd money and make sure every feeder road is fix and we can also get market out there for our crops, don’t stop at all guys, keep it burning is now they will know what is RED hot, Laplain here we come.

  8. anonymous
    June 11, 2012

    Real Farmers are constantly being helped because they know their Officers and they always attend meetings and trainings. I AM A FARMER! ARE YOU??

  9. Pedro
    June 11, 2012

    Labour party disband the road unit of the Ministry of Agriculture which undertook over $2,000,000 a year in feeder road maintainance.There have not been a cent spent on feeder roads for the last 10 years. The farmers need at least $20m, just in road maintainance.

    • Peeping Tom
      June 11, 2012

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  10. linky
    June 11, 2012

    we have a minister of agriculture .

  11. June 11, 2012

    …and they sau d opposition not working…
    PRESSAH ON DEM!!!!!!

  12. ROSEAU VALLEY
    June 11, 2012

    When the Minister announced the initial 2 million, I had no reason to doubt that this was just an initial allocation and that efforts would be made to find additional funding for farm access roads. I had a gut feeling that more monies would be earmarked in due course.

    As we are well aware, hardly any amount of money will be sufficient at this juncture, taking into account the poor condition of our feeder roads. Yes, a lot more money is required. However, let’s not be ungrateful. Let’s do the best with the 7 million now available and spend it wisely i.e., where most needed and expected to bring greater returns.

    This increase in funds is a direct result of the pressure of the newly formed farmers association and other civic minded critics who are consistently calling on government via Q95 and elsewhere to do more for the development of agriculture in Dominica. Randy, Mr. Louis and others could pat themselves on the back. This announcement is evidence that the government is listening to the cries of the farmers, even though (He) pretends that he does not listen to Q95. DNO must also be recognized for allowing us to add our varying views to the cries of the famers and to demonstrate the true power of the people to government.

    Thank you Mr. Minister. Looking forward to the next announcement of another 5 million or so in the next few weeks.

  13. Toujou Sav
    June 11, 2012

    Good Stuff.. i saying now the Morne Rachette heights will get some attention..

  14. Anonymous
    June 11, 2012

    A DUTY FREE VECHICL ?

    FOR YOU TO DARK UP THE WINDOWS ?
    FOR YOU TO PUT ON MAG REAMS ?
    FOR YOU TO LIME WHEN YOU SHOULD BE ON YOUR FARM WORKING ?

    IT’S ABOUT TIME GOVERNMENT MAKE INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE VECHICLES PAY DACK THE DUTY ONCE THE VECHICLE IS NOT BEING USED FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.

  15. Portsmouth
    June 11, 2012

    I commend the government for adding more resources towards the feeder roads however I am still not convinced that this government understands the importance of focusing on agriculture and the ancillaries necessary to get agriculture back as our dominant production sector. Is it that the government recognize their inefficiencies and asinine decisions? or is it that they are listening to voices on Q-95?
    In as much as we should welcome the added resources the people must still recognize that 7 million dollars is still not enough to rehabilitate our feeder roads. The 7 million plus trhe 27 million palace dollars would essentially provide at least 34 miles of rehabilitated feeder roads in our country. By then hopefully our public work employees would have had some work , farmers would have gone back to their plantation and our agricultural sector would have been on it’s way to recovery.
    I ask myself- where are the 7 advisors to cabinet and what it is that they do? After 13 years in government this administration is still clueless.

    • Time Will Tell
      June 11, 2012

      EVEN IF YOU GET ALL THAT YOU ASK FOR,YOU STILL WON’T BE SATISFIED,ALL YOU THERE TO DO IS CRITICISE.WHY CAN’T YOU SAY THANKS? HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO BREAD.

    • Peeping Tom
      June 11, 2012

      Portsmouth, it is true that this DLP administration is one that listens even to its staunchest critics. However, you must admit that from the day that the Hon. Minister for Agriculture announced the paltry $2 million dollar sum, there was the general understanding that that sum was a mere «start,» a precursor of more to come.

      As for your suggestion that we have many more feeder roads to repair, well i ask…how do you know what this new sum is earmarked to do? Additionally, would you advise the government to pump scare money in non-producing zones?

      This administration has a plan for agriculture that makes sense in the context of a hostile global economic climate, diminishing interest among locals to farm, yet the realization that agriculture is central to our economic success. Pay the Ministry of Agriculture a visit and acquaint yourself with the various plans and programmes in place. You will be very pleased. :)

  16. Dave Thomas
    June 11, 2012

    How about fixing what we have?

    • drelon
      June 11, 2012

      Dave – before we comment it is good that we understand the issue. The money is for feeder road repairs. These are roads that we had – built by past administrations and was totally neglected by this current administration. Now they are slowly swallowing their vomits

  17. Anonymous
    June 11, 2012

    That is a very good idea, however i hope the eastern end of pointe michel is not left out? the farmers there can no longer travel to la badine, gomer chambpiny, to grow there crops, and to bring them down to marget.

    These roads have been abandon for years , during both administration, I recall growing up, our property in gomier use to produce navel oranges mangoes, coffee, grapfriut excerta, now you can hardly walk thru the road, since hurrican david there has been a huge goumier three that block that road, no vehicle can go thru. The government , has abandon that road for ever.
    [both parties]

    So this time let us focus on that part of dominica the eastern country roads in pointe michel, for the farmers please.

    A native son, who happend to live in California.

    • Sout Man
      June 11, 2012

      I saw a bumper sticker that read, “FARMING IS NOT FOR SISSIES”. So, Pointe Michel “FARMERS” have a fallen gomier tree blocking their feeder road since Hurricane David; ie, since 1979!! Enough said!!

      • Dimitri
        June 11, 2012

        I couldnt agree more Sout man! ENOUGH SAIDDDD! This is unbelievable, and they have GUTS broadcasting that!

        CHUPSSS According to Patrick John, “Is so we come?”

  18. Anonymous
    June 11, 2012

    great!!… now its just a reliable market needed.

    Buy local and export surplus

  19. people voice
    June 11, 2012

    Election promises, thats all it is, and if the road do come is chinese dat going to plant there, watch an alu will see

  20. ron
    June 11, 2012

    Good roads to sell the land for housing.

  21. PROF. WIKILEAKS
    June 11, 2012

    This is a good start, but as a farmer, I need plants, inputs, and a vehicle. A road without these items is of no use.

    • ...
      June 11, 2012

      jeez for a so called farmer you ain’t got a lot – you actually have land???

    • Anonymous
      June 11, 2012

      wey papa. You people really can’t be pleased. Yes eh!!!

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 11, 2012

        So what, you want me to invest all of this and no market then…who I planting for then? Wahts the use?

        I know Met Yo, CIA on the Watch, Portsmouth, Aye Dominique, Roseau Valley, 1979, Ted Williams and our other Blue Blue will support us.

      • poor pitty
        June 11, 2012

        o Se how dumb the laborats are – PROF WIKILEAKS is being the usual A $$$$ and trying to be sarcastic now Anonymous can’t even understand that PROF WIKILEAKS is just trying to cover the shameful face of the government and Anonymous is responding “ wey papa. You people really can’t be pleased. Yes eh!!!” Alas zort mi mourn sort sey laborats ca la

    • Yes I
      June 11, 2012

      and dont 4get u need someone to plant and sell it for u too

    • stupes
      June 11, 2012

      so u want the Government to give u everything. they have a money tree growing somewhere…learn to help yourself.

    • Anonymous
      June 11, 2012

      A DUTY FREE VECHICLE? FOR YOU TO DARK UP THE WINDOWS AND PUT ON MAG-REAMS FOR YOU TO LIME WHEN YOU SHOULD BE ON YOUR FARM WORKING.

      IT’S ABOUT TIME GOVERNMENT BEGIN MAKING INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE ON VECHICLES PAY BACK THE DUTY ONCE THE VECHICLE IS NOT BEING USED FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.

    • Hola
      June 11, 2012

      o Is that the same PROF WIKILEAKS WHO SAID “I put this here to show, that we have much bigger issues to fry than speak of a dirt patched feeder road.
      People we need to start thinking big/thing of great things. Hector is confortable talking about watermelons and feeder road…this is all good for the little villagers in Bawi.
      But we need to elevate our thinking people really. I would arrest Spags for speaking earl williams coshonie…about feeder roads.” I wonder if the DLP is now paying attention to coshonie and PROF WIKILEAKS THE FOOL is applauding coshonie.
      What a travesty- That is what I call arrogance to the highest level. PROF WIKILEAKS as usual you are too arrogant to admit fault but the above quotation are your words. I’d like to hear you defend that.
      Just so you know our farmers were once upon a time independent people who could buy their vehicles cash and pay for their inputs with their eyes closed. The Farmers pre labor party were too proud to be red clinic patients. It was the farmers that built Dominica to the point where the DLP started the destruction of our country.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 12, 2012

        Padna you missed my post completely. I was playing oppossition…what I said above are you people words. These are the things you people say.

        You asked for Mars and when its is given you all said why couldn’t you give venus at the same time.

        Destrucyion of the country…do your research and find out when banana started its decline and you miht be able to explain to your political farmers when it started.

        You might have to do some reseach on WTO/Bill Clinton/Dole/Chiquita/EU/

        why do these pepple like Holla even talk when they don’t what is going on.

        Plant all the “fig” you want we don’t have preferential treatment, there is no 85 cents a pound anymore and this had nothing to do with DA…Just ask spags about our days at DBMC

        LOLOLOLOLOLOL….THEY DON’T KNOW

      • Hola
        June 12, 2012

        Are you serious “padna”the eords are not yours. Dude you are truly elementary. You can’t even understand what you wrote. I will continue to encourage PROF WIKILEAKS to read and develope his intellectual capacity cause regrettably sir you are ignorant arrogant and to proud to acknowledge your disabilities. Thanks for teaching us that a synonym for agriculture is banana – keep representing padna.
        Was it the same PROF WIKILEAKS that said yhat agrarian societies are dedtined to fail. Thanks for confirming the labor party mantra – banana industry is a has been industry and down with agriculture.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 12, 2012

        Holla if you want to engage me let’s debate it.

        Please show me a growing and profittable economy in our region that is based on Agriculture. BTW, Agriculture has a role in our economy

        St. Lucia/ Grenada/St Vincent with much better toplogy, their economies are not agricultural based. Jamaica, flat and fretile is not agriculture based.

        All these countires were able to grow their economies not completely dependent on Agriculture. So to saty here bawling about Agriculture (sine 1978 Independence) we are going to be stuck in reverse.

        Padna, I said asked Spags about our DBMC day….lol.

        We can discuss this for the next century, but I am telling you Agriculture is not gonna move Dominica forward…

        I have padnas that have gone out of their entrepreneurial and investment thirst and have secured market up and down the eastern sea board of the US where there are huge Afro-Caribbean poulation and to their demise, they can’t get true available supply from DA.

        This is not even about politics and DLP and some washed up non-thought UWP. This is reality.

        When you go to NYC for Labour Day, the dasheen and the yams you get in the West Indians Stores are from Mexico…why isn’t it from the Caribbean.

        Holla, you head is stuck into some warped thoughts about the Green Gold and some unwante people….these were the days.

        Feeder ROads are a good thing to have, the governement will source grant funding and non-profit NGO funding to provide better access to farmlands.

        And we welcome that.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 12, 2012

        But Hola, if you want to discuss economic policies that can enable our economy and act as growth engines that can produce real revenue we can talk.

        Never mind my satires here and poking fun at you all…You guys onhere are too political and will not see the forest for the tress even if I point out to you people…but instead will call me ignorant and arrogant.

        Here is your homework…do a quick research on Macro and Micro economic and discuss which one is suitable to Dominica. And how will this approach be integrated into a dynamic world economy.

        As you are it, just do a quick read on the attached html link. Hope you get someunderstanding from the complexties of international trade/ WTO/ Politics and where we are today.

        http://www.globalissues.org/article/63/the-banana-trade-war

    • Ron
      June 11, 2012

      All you UWPites too ungrateful. I give up on all you papa.

    • GAZA
      June 11, 2012

      fool ask for house and wife/husband too.. :mrgreen:

    • patriot
      June 12, 2012

      APART FROM THE PLANTS,INPUTS AND THE VEHICLE YOU NEED I WOULD RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING BE ADDED TO YOUR LIST: A HOUSE
      A CUTLASS
      A KNIFE
      A PLATE
      A SPOON
      A WIFE
      A BOAT
      A PLANE
      A POUND OF BACK & NECK
      A POUND OF SALT
      A BOTTLE OF BABY FOOD
      IF YOU NEED ANY THING ELSE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.(I WOULD NOT LIKE YOU TO CONTINUE BEING DEPENDENT ON YOUR MUMMY)

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 12, 2012

        So no water then?

  22. jahyout
    June 11, 2012

    Thats a good start but i wonder if its the Chines thats going to do those roads also….What is going wrong with my Island and its people…

    • YahMan
      June 11, 2012

      they too lazy

      • 4EvaTru
        June 11, 2012

        GOOD ANSWER

      • GAZA
        June 11, 2012

        lol true

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