Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South constituency, Joshua Francis has called on the government of Dominica to work on a national policy for the use of the country’s rivers and and to provide better water management.
According to Francis, who was addressing a post-budget town hall meeting of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), last week, the government has made a lot of effort in providing universal water access to the people of Dominica and, “that is commendable” but, “we have to go beyond that.”
He stated that the necessary infrastructure should be put in place to protect the country’s water catchment areas.
“Another area I was concerned about as far as the budget is concerned is the area of a national policy on water, national policy on rivers,” he said. “At one time we pride ourselves by saying that Dominica has 365 rivers, lately you had not been hearing that. At one time we called ourselves the Nature Island of the Caribbean, you do not hear that anymore.”
He stated that whenever Dominicans travel throughout the world they talk about the natural state of Dominica, the Nature Isle, its rivers and forests.
“In that respect I am hoping that in the very near future that we will see it fit to set up the legal framework to establish a national policy on the use of water and rivers in Dominica, because we cannot wait for our rivers to dry for us to start discussing them,” he stated.
Francis said a serious government puts necessary facilities in place to consider environmental issues such as the use of rivers.
“This is an area of concern as far as Team Dominica, UWP is concerned,” he noted.
In light of drought conditions throughout the Caribbean, he pointed out that recently it was declared that Dominica is the only country that does not have a water crisis.
“There are several countries in the world with water crises … some of these countries had abundant water like Dominica. So instead of just sitting on the bench and not discussing the proper use and management of our water resources we have to take the necessary action, because this is very serious,” he said. “We do not want to find ourselves in Dominica where we have water problems because it is a reality in the world, and in that respect not only we must provide the necessary legal infrastructure, but we must find a way to use our resources to earn foreign exchange.”
In fact, he revealed, some countries in Africa have used their water resources to generate jobs.
“We have to find a way in Dominica to generate jobs, to earn foreign exchange and at the same time to protect and conserve our rivers and our fresh water,” Francis said.
“He even mentioned Girsudel as the best soil for planting the weed” <<<<<@Really August 24, 2015
I like Joshua Francis even if I am Labourite, but I don't like that idea above. What we need in Giraudel is a good playground–with all necessary features for comfort and relaxation–for the young people there.
Please, no marijuana cultivation! I would hate be reading about my young people being arrested for marijuana possession–we do not need this reputation in our village.
I fully endorse that Mr Francis. But knowing the gross incompetence and inability if this DLP regime to do what is good, I doubt we will see that done!
We do have these policies on the books. The question is one of enforcement. Embarking on a tree planning campaign for affected areas would be beneficial to that end. Now would be a good time to hear from the Forestry Division and our forest managers. This always surprises me. If someone asks a question, why is it that the authorities responsible for that area remain silent? There’s nothing wrong with inquiring about our water management policies. I think it’s a step in the right direction. Unfortunately for us, political infighting muddles the water on just about everything on the island.
Finally, someone is thinking straight. We must also encourage the planting of trees. Other places without so much water plant trees and it is amazing the effect of these trees of cleaning the environment. We need a tree planting programme, where everyone plant a tree every year to replace the ones that are being cut.
I concur with Mr Francis, let us preserve what we have, before it is too late
Allyou self that cutting down trees to build houses ,hence the drying up of the rivers.charity begins at home take care of your environment.
Yes, There is no water crisis in Dominica, just poor management policies. Just legislate that all homes need to have properly constructed rain water catchment tanks and septic systems…. For starters. The problem may be that Dominica may have to much water and be taking things for granted as the article seems to be alluding to.
I was at the poorly attended and all i heard from the parl rep from Roseau south on agriculture was to allow marijuana use in “small quqntities” AND TO MAKE LEGAL. Does that mean that when it is in small quanties it is not an offence so we have more zombies walking with their legal weed. He even mentioned Girsudel as the best soil for planting the weed. How can big people talk such nonesense.The rivers will continue to flow to the sea,we have been hearing for years to stop cutting trees close to the watershed are we dumb pretending not to listen? We back to water again,check Sisserou Water,they have the license and not producing!
I am in total agreement with what the gentleman has said.
This is not a ‘political’ issue, it is something that all Dominicans should think seriously about and action taken.
Mr Francis the reason you don’t hear people mentioning our 365 rivers and Dominica as the Nature Island of the Caribbean etc when discussing Dominica is because of the UWP. Everything to do with Dominica now is a debar, a protest and all kinds of negativity from you all. All that negativity is over powering the positive, crippling the country and also scaring visitors away. All that negativity from UWP is doing more harm to the country than the government could ever do.
GaRcon u want national policy on marijuana, u want national policy on water, next think u will want policy on forest u think our pm have time to talk to you fellas, no wonder he let u have it in parliament, we have 1.3 billion dollars to pay back, all u fellas talking about his policies, we need income not policies.
To the ‘Chinaman’ above, you say ‘GaRcon u want national policy on marijuana, u want national policy on water, next think u will want policy on forest u think our pm have time to talk to you fellas, no wonder he let u have it in parliament, we have 1.3 billion dollars to pay back, all u fellas talking about his policies, we need income not policies.’
You should read the rubbish you wrote and analyze!! You seem to not want policy on anything!! You want to leave all in the hands of one man, Skeritt!! Skeritt has already, along with his government, changed the law in order to take some of the most prime and expensive land, and to give it to foreign entities to build hotels on, TO BE RUN BY THEM OR OTHER FOREIGNERS, employing Dominicans for the simple jobs!! And you accept that as ok!! So when they do it again, and again, I guess you will continue to ignore the consequences and to support blindly because Skeritt has made the decision and is infallible!!
Mr. Francis is correct!!!
Joshua, you are contradicting! People do not refer to Dominica as the Nature Isle, yet, wherever they travel, they talk about the natural beauty: rivers etc. We must stop inflicting wounds on our precious gem in order to make a point. You people are doing more harm than good to this Paradise on Earth. It breaks my heart to read some of the postings here. We want to lead Dominica, however, we are constantly throwing punches at this Garden of Eden, how baffling! Stop deliberately hurting the Nature Isle for political gain!
This talk about policy on what was given to us by the Almighty is a waste of time, channel the energy elsewhere! Joshua, you are capable of much more than that, what about the vulnerable children and elderly? I am disappointed!
I endorse what Mr. Francis, is saying.
Is Francis the only member of the UWP attending these meetings. Why is DNO only printing comments made by Francis? Am I to assume that the other members of the UWP have nothing of substance to contribute. Just wondering.
Its good that DNO puts stories from both sides, government and opposition. I wonder why Marpin news is so one sided?, only the government side. News should be from both sides. Informative. People should be paying for news not propaganda.
I agree.Thats why DNO is my favorite.
This concern needs immediate action for as our rivers dry up and our water needs increase, we have no ground/ well water for backup.
stop cutting trees for coal,simple as that