Environment Minister halts all dredging in Batali River

Darroux

Environment Minister Dr. Kenneth Darroux is calling for planned activities at the Batali River to cease until the matter can be discussed.

On Monday, residents of Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie protested against a decision by Wacky Rollers to dredge the river to make way for a river tubing facility at  Batali.

“The plan is to try to have some work done on the river to try to increase the flow to the proposed route of the Wacky Rollers operation. From where I sit and from what I have been apprised, I think this is a case of bad public relations and you cannot blame people for from being threatened when their livelihood and their day to day activities are being threatened,” Darroux said.

He said developers have the civic duty to meet with the people who will be affected when such projects are proposed.

“I have spoken to the Planning Division and instructed them that all activities be ceased immediately until we meet with the various stakeholders. By that I mean fishermen, residents, people who use the Batali River for recreation, owners of Sunset Bay. I even suggest that some sort of study be done,” he said.

Darroux said a plan must be put in place and “deal with this thing in the correct way”.

Meantime the General Manager of Wacky Rollers Philip Rolle told a local radio station that he may cancel plans for a river tubing project at Batali.

“I was basically thinking of forgetting about the whole idea. If you want to inherit an industry and you get this negativity, then one has to wonder if it’s necessary because you don’t want people coming in there to enjoy themselves and they get negativity. I guess we just have to sit back and wait until the Layou River is fixed. That means 30 people will be without of a job,” he said.

The company believes residents may have misunderstood their plans.

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44 Comments

  1. shaz
    December 13, 2011

    I quote.”I guess we just have to sit back and wait until the Layou River is fixed. That means 30 people will be without of a job,” That’s right partner you wait on your Layou River and live ours alone!!! Hear you with your “30 people will be without job” Oh please give us a break if you really cared about “people” you would not even think of coming to destroy our livelihood.All you care about is your pocket

  2. November 29, 2011

    along with the people of Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette, we are truly happy for the decision to stop the project. Please do not get us wrong, we are in no way against development and if the circumstances were different we would certainly welcome the initiative.

    Just to recap, Dredging the river is a hazard. We should learn from the Tropical Storm Ophelia Disaster. We certainly do not want a repeat of that.

    On the other hand we wish Mr. Rolle well in his endeavors and hope Wacky Rollers can get back up and running soon.

  3. save our environment
    November 23, 2011

    Is it the same Kenneth Darroux, Minister of the Environment, who supported Gardakhan in building an asphalt plant close to the Layou village? Although Gardakhan had no prior permission from Planning Division, he had already ordered the equipment to build.

    Layou villagers expressed their concerns about the negative impacts on their health.
    They protested against that asphalt plant close to the village and the poisoinous cancerous fumes that would emanate from the plant. TYhose concered paid no heed. The villagers were bawling for help from their Govt. No help was forthcoming. The project went on regardless of the people’s cries. Planning Division still gave Gardakhan permission although he had disrespected the institution and acted initially against the law. Gardakhan succeeded in building his asphalt plant there.

    However, Govt. and Planning Division rejected a proposal by PWC the local Co. seeking permission to also build an asphalt plant in the same area. What is your policy on environment protection and conservation? What double standards. Or is it because Gardakhan has more influence on those in authority? Favouritism? Kick backs? What?

    So why the semmingly turn around by Darroux? The issues in both cases have some similarities as far as environmental issues are concerned. In the case of layou, the community was taken for a ride and disrespected Big time. All now so, the health risks of villagers are huge. So Kudos to Darroux then for what?

    It was the pressure from people in the community. They decided to speak out to prevent the dredging of the river for the said river-tubing project, not the environment Minister who stopped anything. The villagers rightly spoke out because of the possible negative effects the project would have on their lives and the environment.

  4. Lover
    November 23, 2011

    So is jus so a company can just start to dredge a river. This affects all Dominicans, not just the people in the area. Magwe sa Wacky Rollers! Don’t threaten to cancel it; cancel it and WAIT!

  5. AP
    November 23, 2011

    Dominica needs an overhaul of it’s building and environmental planning/permitting laws, if there are any. This would not have happened if proper laws/rules were in place.

    • Anonymous
      November 23, 2011

      @AP If you kept yourself informed, you’d know that that this isactually in process right now!

    • Dion
      November 24, 2011

      I could not have agreed with you more. We talk environment but we walk pollution. There should be specific regulation dealing with the use of our rivers given the nature of the resource and the potential which exist for contamination of the rivers.

      Let me take the opportunity to call on the people of Salisbury to stop dumping garbage in the heights of Salisbury which is impacting on the Batali rver and to call on environmental health to do their work.

  6. We the People
    November 23, 2011

    What gave Philip Rolle the right to come into a community and do as he pleases without consultation with the people and having done an environmental impact study?

    So he comes in, messes up the river and the surrounding environment and then what? He digs out and the people are left to clean up his mess?

    This is one decision I will totally applaud the minister for. He did the correct thing in stopping this project. Too often things are done vie ki vie in Dominica. Somebody wakes up with an idea and just does it without regard for the consequence on their neighbour. You have to respect the community.

    Bravo Mr. Minister. We are behind you 100%.

  7. Voice from the North
    November 23, 2011

    Why is it that the Minister is so quick to stop this project and yet even after demonstration in Layou he allowed the construction of the asphalt plant in Layou? I agree that the Batalie River would disrupt the use of the river by the people of Coulibistrie and Morne Rachette. Will the Asphalt plant in Layou not disrupt the lives and health of the people of Layou?
    The Minister wants some sort of study to be done. I agree But wasn’t a study needed for Layou asphalt plant location as well?
    It appears as if our politician only seem do things where they have an interest. If Gadakan a foreigner, was allowed to set up shop in Layou then why can’t a local company be allowed to do its business in its own jurisdiction?

  8. GoBeckMore
    November 23, 2011

    Though I commend Dr D, there should have been a community meeting on the matter prior so that the people would be sufficiently educated.

  9. When will we learn?
    November 23, 2011

    When will we learn that the our natural environment doesn’t like being messed about with. Witness the dissaterous consequences at Antrim. The Minister deserves credit for stepping in and likewise, the community for voicing their concerns.

  10. nigel
    November 22, 2011

    I BELIEVE THE MINISTER IS RIGHT. AS A BUSINESS MINDED PERSON YOU CANT COME INTO A COMMUNITY AND CARRY A PROJECT WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND EXPECT THE CITIZENS NOT TOO OBJECT. PEOPLE LIKE MR.ROLLE AND HIS LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY FEEL IS A SHAME. U CAN TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE BECAUSE I AM PRETTY SURE NO ONE FROM THE COMMUNITY IS EMPLOYED AT WACKY ROLLERS SO WHO IS REALLY BENEFITING???????

  11. wondering
    November 22, 2011

    Where is the department of planning in all this? Did Mr Rolle get permission from planning? If yes, why was the community not involved? Was an EIA done?
    Any way Dr D you are doing the right thing. Some one has to answer for this……….

  12. One Love
    November 22, 2011

    8-O DARROUX …. boy you mad or what? . . I respect you , but your head doh good . . . HOW CAN YOU ACTUALLY “HAKE A DECISION” about something?

    SKERRIT out-of-state: TONY out-of-state: and you actually took a decision on a matter??? HOW DARE YOU??

    PROTEST IN N.E.C.School and neither ParlRep nor Minister DARE do something about in in dem two absence;

    PROTEST IN PUBLIC WORKS and neither ParlRep nor Minister DARE do something about in in dem two absence;

    PROTEST in Coulibistrie AND YOU “DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT:?? YOU WILL FIND OUT – – –
    dem man doh like fast and forward likkle bways . . .all the same I respect you for that

  13. Really?
    November 22, 2011

    Alas Alas Alas. The uneducated are really equiped to live in a world that no longer exists? What type of study is the Minister talking about?

    People log online, do your research. What is wrong with River Tubing?

    Dominican’s cry for development but we kill the very development every chance we get.

    I am sorry for our next generation. Since Dominicans are infected with a disease that causes them to oppose everything.

    I mean everything that is proposed is being opposed. Why can’t we leave certain decisions to the experts?

    • leah
      November 22, 2011

      This isn’t about tubing. It’s about dredging. It’s about rerouting a river & how that will affect the area.

    • We the People
      November 23, 2011

      You must be the biggest Jackass out there. Who said anything about river tubing? It’s about the destruction of the ecology for profit. In the mean time, the local residents be damned.

    • Interested
      November 23, 2011

      It’s about the environmental impact of the proposed activities

    • Dion
      November 24, 2011

      The answer to your question is that nothing is wrong.But something is definitely wrong when you try to divert a river without the advice of a water engineer. When you take certain actions in the environment it will answer you in no uncertain terms.

  14. Look It
    November 22, 2011

    What he say dere? He ‘inherit an industry’? The only fing Rolle inherit is a cigarette factory in de middle of Roseau dat need to move. He ain’t never inherit no industry!

    • A tourist
      November 23, 2011

      “If you want to inherit an industry ” Thats what he says and Dominicans Have being asking to inherit tourisim u get the point.

  15. Cerberus
    November 22, 2011

    Good decision Dr.Daroux and I applaud you for it. Let commonsense, decency and consideration for others prevail

  16. Balaw
    November 22, 2011

    Dem coulibistrie people too stupid! But what can i say, ignorance is bliss

    • Dion
      November 24, 2011

      You gave yourself the right name and you will get caught in a stupid net.

  17. justice to be served
    November 22, 2011

    Batali River does not belong to the Rolle family, it belong to the people, so tell Philip Rolle, yes if he thinks he is too big, to discuss his plans with the people, then the people would enjoy is absence, he will have to wait until Layou river fix.

  18. R- TRUTH
    November 22, 2011

    Politices is hurting ‘DOMINICA’them ppl rather there ‘RED CLINIC’over an honest days pay.better mus come.

  19. Reader13
    November 22, 2011

    Dude, negativity?? There are pros and cons to every action. Do a study and go about conducting business the right way. 30 people were out of a job after the Layou River flood anyways. However, I do believe with a little patience and research your business will be off the ground again. We have 365 rivers eh.. :)

    • WIKILEAKS
      November 22, 2011

      Good Point

      • WIKILEAKS
        November 22, 2011

        He will be met with the same protest the next river he selects

  20. Letmetellyou!
    November 22, 2011

    Tell Rolle to Rolle OUT!!!!!!!!!

  21. coco
    November 22, 2011

    Our ppl is so uneducated.my god.river tubing is a good business especially if we say tourism is one of our main industry.this ppl need to get their facts straight before they just go ahead and protect.

    • c.bruce
      November 22, 2011

      YOU ARE NOT THINKING STRAIGHT

      YOU DO NOT DESTROY THE ECOlogy TO SERVE ECO tourism.

      you are distroying a river to serve tourist.
      HOW SICK CAN ONE GET.

    • Asterix
      November 22, 2011

      I would think sunset bay would welcome more tourist in the area to enhance their business

      • Interested
        November 23, 2011

        I am sure the river is an attraction for their guests. If it is in some way harmed then they will suffer. They have a right to be concerned as well

    • eye la
      November 22, 2011

      The ppl are certainly not uneducated. I’m wonderin if mr Rolle ever to the time out to notify the ppl properly. Things must be done properly

      • Interested
        November 23, 2011

        I am sure the river is an attraction for their guests. If it is in some way harmed then they will suffer. They have a right to be concerned as well

    • nigel
      November 22, 2011

      RIVER TUBING. WHEN A BUSINESS COMES TO A COMMUNITY U EXPECT THERE TO BE SOME FORM OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY BUT FROM WHAT I KNOW NOT EVEN ONE PERSON FROM THE COMMUNITY IS EMPLOYED AT WACKY ROLLERS. THESE COMMUNITY RELY ON THERE FISHING AND U WANT TO MESS THAT UP JUST TO PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKET. THOSE ROLLE PAY TAXES FOR THAT BUSINESS??

  22. REASONABLE
    November 22, 2011

    Meantime the General Manager of Wacky Rollers Philip Rolle told a local radio station that he may cancel plans for a river tubing project at Batali.

    “I was basically thinking of forgetting about the whole idea. If you want to inherit an industry and you get this negativity, then one has to wonder if it’s necessary because you don’t want people coming in there to enjoy themselves and they get negativity. I guess we just have to sit back and wait until the Layou River is fixed. That means 30 people will be without of a job,” he said.

    The company believes residents may have misunderstood their plans.

    Please Mr Rolle!!! Be sensitive to the plight of the locals. Its not that they want negativity but do the thing right. All must be content with the plan.

    • c.bruce
      November 22, 2011

      I AM SORRY ABOUT THE JOB SITUATION MR. ROLLE, BUT ITS NOT WORTH DESTROYING THE SCENERY
      …its basically a contradiction in terms.
      thank you sir for using your head and being a steward of our nature island

    • Just sayin'
      November 22, 2011

      How can the residents “misunderstand the plans” when the residents were not told of the plans?

  23. DA to D Bone
    November 22, 2011

    Thank you Dr. Darroux

    • go
      November 22, 2011

      first time a minister do d right thing.

      i guess skerrit will call him up and curse out, cause d speaker is d mother in law

      good job, darroux

    • c.bruce
      November 22, 2011

      I WOULD LIKE TO APPLUAD MR. DAROUX FOR USING HIS HEAD.

      • disgruntled
        November 23, 2011

        I too would like to applaud mr daroux for proving that he is a bigger idiot than i initially thought he was. when they the construction of the asphalt plant by a river, where was he? when oil was going down the river, where was he? Mr. Daroux, best you just pack yourself in a corner

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