Bus drivers stop services at Melville Hall; students stranded

melville hall protest

Bus drivers plying the route between Marigot and Londonderry have decided to stop services, at least for now, because sea water has covered the road near the Douglas Charles Airport in Melville Hall.

One bus driver told Dominica News Online that the sea has been breaching the seawall in the area since Monday.

He said the road is now covered with sea water and bus drivers have decided not to drive through it since the salt water has the potential to damage vehicles.

The action has left scores of students attending the North East Comprehensive School stranded.

Those heading to work are also affected.

DNO also learnt that a bus load of students were drenched on Monday as bus drivers drove through the area.

Road blocks have been set up in the area and many of those stranded are asking for the authorities to do something about the situation.

sea melville hall

Melville Hall sea

 

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

163 Comments

  1. jim
    January 15, 2015

    Some of those bus drivers will pay…trust me.

  2. letitflow
    January 15, 2015

    I can remember when the former administration (UWP) did projects so much criticism were leveled at the government and in hindsight these projects have of stand the test of time. I will just name a few and we maybe will remember all what was said since I seeing so many Hypocrites blogging here.
    The Jimit – Warner road was called a death trap road and up to this day no major accident. .Likewise the Delice – Petite Savane road up to this day no major accident. When the Belfast bridge was redone D/cans say it badly aligned and will cause accidents, up to this day haven’t heard any accidents there. However the west coast road was just redone by the Chinese and I reading in another blog people saying it should be fixed because it dangerous because of the minister’s accident. Look this road/wall redone about 2 years ago also causing more problems now than how it used to be.

  3. January 14, 2015

    My advice for you guys who trying to make mother nature a big issue, they predicted this hurricane season gonna be terrible so pray to God for the worse not to come.

  4. Domnichen
    January 14, 2015

    Anybody remember what Hurricane Katrina did in New Orleans? The sea wall was breached and hundreds of people lost their lives. The US have great engineers; yet that catastrophe happened. Stop pounding on our Nature Isle!

  5. January 14, 2015

    That is a huge problem, the sea water and all. The people who are affected are within their rights to protest. the mepuis and the mauvais lange will not solve the problem there must be a solution to be found because besides the folks from the north east, people from other parts uses the road so this is a National problem.

  6. Looking In
    January 14, 2015

    The Chinese engineers told the supremo that the improvement of/on Melville Hall Airport and runway was a waste of money, but did he listen? NO. Before all this was done, there was very little problem with the sea coming on the road, although there was a broken down wall there for years. It’s time these fellars who knows nothing much, listen to those who know better, and things will improve. That place call Dominica is just going backwards more and more everyday.

    • Me
      January 15, 2015

      Maybe he has a share in the company that built it. Who knows?

  7. big J
    January 14, 2015

    Is it just me … when ever there is a problem in Dominica that affect people. there are those hi-functioning retards who sit around just waiting to bring politics into it. we are all Dominican UWP or LABOUR right we are all being affected, if UWP was in power this would still have happen, in stead of pointing fingers why not work together. no matter which political party leader fix this issue we all as Dominican benefit. Stop making this a political thing.

    • Me
      January 15, 2015

      Big J, you don’t know if this would still have happened if UWP was in power. They are not, remember? That wall was built by a local contractor, approved by the Skerrit government. That is an undeniable fact.

    • Peter Potter
      January 15, 2015

      But this stupidness was not built on UWP watch. It was constructed on Labour watch. So, who should we blame? Perhaps the bishop or maybe the CEO of Liat or the village fool of Wesley?

  8. SMH
    January 14, 2015

    Some people really wearing their ignorance as a badge of honour. The short cuts that were taken when doing this wall is to blame to try and save money. Also the diversion of the money Colas left to fix the lions road and extend the road behind the airport in times like these where is it? Just asking valid questions and i want to hear some ignorant person say this is a lie.

  9. The Evangelist
    January 14, 2015

    Too late though. That we should do a weak before the election. If we had peacefully blocked both North and South of the airport, those DI-AS-POR-A criminals would have stayed out and Dominica would be a totally free place today.

  10. January 14, 2015

    Constuct a Tunnel.

    • Titiwi
      January 15, 2015

      Don’t be daft. That tunnel would have to be below sea level. Don’t you think it would flood?

  11. IMPERIAL PRINCE
    January 14, 2015

    Some one call the engineer. :twisted:

    • Anthony Ismael
      January 15, 2015

      He who shall not be named, does not exist. :mrgreen:

  12. January 14, 2015

    It seems if a hurricane damages all you house you guys will blame the government as well this wall is a proper see defense wall,folks this is mother nature you guys should bare with it til the storm calm down, hundreds of flights cancelled due to mother nature should we blamed the airline company’s

    • Hmmm
      January 14, 2015

      Seems like your the one doing the blaming, the article never said it was the government fault, and this definitely is not a proper sea defense wall so sound intelligent. The government has to rectify this issues.

      • January 14, 2015

        @Hmmm…You should read these comments your colleag posted, i made this comments because of the ignorance , arrogant comments you guys posted not because of the article.trying to be political with mother nature all can say they predicted this your gonna be a terrible hurricane season so pray for the waste not to come, season so pray to God the worse h

    • possie
      January 15, 2015

      it seems like u none of u seek information befor running allu mouth. look at the comment “new york, marigot” made earlier today

    • Vision
      January 15, 2015

      What are you stupid? If this project was engineered properly then breakers would have broken the waves & prevented all this from happening. Get a grip, I experience this daily

  13. Dr.Zero
    January 14, 2015

    Go to all you parl rep, you all voted for him to help the constituency and for representation … All you to stupid

    • may
      January 14, 2015

      Who more stupid than you. The government of the day is supposed to take care of the entire country.

  14. smiley
    January 14, 2015

    i dont agree with blocking the road however this sea wall have been an issue for a long time and have fallen on deaf ears, i am a youth, and i work in the marigot area for a while now, i recently bought my own vehicle and i can testify that something needs to be done urgently. my vehicle is an investment and in just a year and a half i can already see some rust. people please try and understand the peoples plight.

    • 19794eva
      January 15, 2015

      all that and u still don’t agree with blocking the road??? if they didn’t block the road would this article even be here for you to comment on?? im just wondering out loud….

  15. sherock holmes.
    January 14, 2015

    it wasnt yesterday that problem there…
    i sometimes wonder if the pm and co. like the north east people? i doubt they care a darn about them! if they did, they would have fix dat sea wall with breakers from day 1.
    make it worse m/got / wesley/ w/f/hill people doh vote dem so… u think they bother?

    boy sea h20 can wash dem away to a next island… i doubt the pm dem will miss them.

  16. sakway gass!!!
    January 14, 2015

    Was Skerrit working on this project? Gosh Man!!! Tout bargai se skerrit! toneh garcon!

    This is human factor (poor judgement) and mother nature together, causing a slight mishap. You people act like its the end of the world. My Goodness show appreciation for the little you have and think of solutions, stop bickering and crying out loud to the world. .

    Many of you all are familiar with crossing overflowing rivers and ravines, stop acting like its the first you’ve seen water in the road. Yes it may damage the vehicles, but there is no need for a protest and out cry. The sea is rough, it comes over the wall. It happens ALL OVER , Its not the END OF THE WORLD!!!

    Engineers, head to the drawing board!!! Lets keep the ball rolling.

  17. Marigot
    January 14, 2015

    Why does the folks thinking standing up for what your community believe in is stupid? The sea water is not only an addition expense for the people in that area who have to fine money to repair their vehicle more often than the average Dominican , remembering that is the banana belt of Dominica which this government kill. Banana. But I would like those folks who say it’s stupid, just imagine a bus driver, with a bus load of student going to NECS, swerving away from getting hit by a wave of sea water and hit head on unto on coming traffic, are we waiting on that to happen , so we can react? People in the area thanks for being proactive and bring you all plight to light. Marigot people take the lead to combat mediocrity in governance .

  18. Marigot
    January 14, 2015

    i totally agree with demonstration. The kids missing school, that might be what it take to bring attention to the situation. It was an engineering disappointment in such construction. The engineers should have taken a look at the Marigot bay front structure done by the Japanese to combat the Atlantic Ocean but again as Vince said it from who and where it’s coming from, so taking a page from something built under Edison james regime would be too much for the labor government to take. The kids missing school is a minimal price to pay to bring about constructive change to an on going problem. We in Marigot are coming to believe that there is no greater price to pay than standing up for our kids and the future of our community by doing what it’ takes , even if it means sacrificing our lives , since it look like this might be the way to go for the benefit of Marigot and Dominica by extension. .

  19. Dominican
    January 14, 2015

    Sounds like the sea needs to be pushed back further from the wall. Public works, add this to your to do list, please.

    • Titiwi
      January 15, 2015

      This has nothing to do with Public Works. It was constructed by a private Dominican company, Offshore Civil and Marine of Rockaway.

  20. Augustine Lockhart
    January 14, 2015

    For those of you who are unaware of who projects are done in DA .the government is the one at the end to say how it should be done. And most of the time it is to keep extra cash in their pockets.

  21. Anthony Ismael
    January 14, 2015

    Here we go again with poor and inadequate engineering as usual. My guess is, we cannot blame driver negligence for this problem.

    Simply amazing.

  22. A Doubting Thomas
    January 14, 2015

    How many protests since the UWP has lost the Elections? How many more can we expect in 5 years? Here is a mathematical problem for the students to help solve.

    How many protests the UWP has had since they lost the election?

    If in 1 month and 6 days there have been X numbers of protests (find out how many there have been so far, is it I,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or 10? )
    How many protest actions can we expect in 5 years? Because in 5 years they will still be in the Opposition and still blue vex.

    I agree with the person who said children used to walk to school and we used to do it 4 times a day because we used to go home for lunch. They only have to do it twice a day now. So start walking students, that is if you want an education. Don’t allow the bus drivers and politics to deprive you of your education. Like Leadership, Education is everything.

    • letitflow
      January 14, 2015

      Hmmm!!!
      In the era of advanced space travel and a Tablet in every student home (as promised) you recommending students from Marigot and Carib Territory to walk to school located in Londondery simply because a road was diverted closer to the ocean and there isn’t proper infrastructure to break the waves and prevent it from overcoming the sea wall?
      SMFH….

  23. Mahaut
    January 14, 2015

    Doesn’t Pte. Michel have the same problem? Alas PM! They blaming you and not the engineers. ” Eddison’s own has never been a problem;”…..”Skerrit own which was built years later has been a hazard.” I doe envy you nuh; too much stress in that job. Now you have a “hanger for your jacket” creating more problems.

    • Emile Zapatos
      January 14, 2015

      Why the buck stops at the desk of the PM, both Edison James and Prevost from the area have been in politics for over 30 years, and Lennox for more than ten. They are all over 60 years old, but they never notice the problem

      • JoJo
        January 15, 2015

        Emile please, need I remind you that this wall has nothing to do with Edison James, Lennox Linton or Norris Prevost. It was approved by Roosevelt’s Skerrit’s government and built by a local contractor, favoured by the current government.
        In this case the buck definitely stops at the P.M.’s desk.

    • Emile Zapatos
      January 14, 2015

      I think the demonstration is justified to draw attention to the problem, but it is a problem caused by nature so why all those name calling comments.

  24. Janine
    January 14, 2015

    Lang Mama, you are instigating this act so u go ahead stupid.

  25. Janine
    January 14, 2015

    Though I support the demonstration , but the students should have returned home instead of being in the demonstration. Let the Bus Drivers do their demonstration. I’m certain few of the students will be doing their CXC examinations. Were there any teachers on the scene? May be not. Hope those students will put on their thinking caps.

    • January 14, 2015

      I go to this skool we students were standing up for our rights. For our future. OK so if the sea salt eat out all our school buses what are we going to go to skool on. We have children as far as Carib Reserve coming to our skool, what you want them to do walk from Carib Reserve to Loubdondarry. We children stood up and you should commend us for standing up for what we believe in

      • January 14, 2015

        when we were in our skool clclothes we were representing our skool and the struggle the children on the north and north east going to this skool go through

      • A Doubting Thomas
        January 14, 2015

        I do not believe you are a NECS student. As a matter of fact I hope you are not. Just go over your post and you will understand my doubt.

      • Marguerite
        January 15, 2015

        If you want to be taken seriously as a school child it needs to start with the way you communicate. Represent your SCHOOL well at all times. I agree with Doubting Thomas.

  26. cd
    January 14, 2015

    Act of Skerritt, please be informed that Skerrit did not build the wall why? he is not a builder. The Contractor should have known better, so please don’t say Skerritt is Foolish . You are more a fool and foolish.

    • 4u2c
      January 14, 2015

      He is responsible!! Don’t be fool!!
      Hitler did not kill anyone in the war BUT he is responsible…….Never ever saw Hitler with a gun.

    • Malgraysa
      January 14, 2015

      No, mr. Skerrit did not build this wall but Offshore Civil & Marine Inc. did, a company run by a close associate of mr. Skerrit, Francis Emanuel who is also Chairman of Marpin and Hon. Consul for Trinidad & Tobago in Dominica. This project, package IV of the Melville Hall airport improvement programme was valued at $25 million. Mr. Emanuel’s company has also been the beneficiary of other govt. contracts worth at least $16.6 million (as per their own website) over the last six years: Indian River bridge, Tan-Tan sea wall, Scotts Head/Soufriere sea defence/road project, San Sauveur breakwater and Layou river restoration. The company was also a subcontractor to Gaddarkhan for the completion of the Hatton Garden-Pont Casse road.

    • looking
      January 14, 2015

      I agree with you he is never wrong, he is el Supreme. a God

    • 767iirep
      January 14, 2015

      Wow!!!!…. So the builder just took on his own and built the wall right?

  27. concerned citizen
    January 14, 2015

    The people of Portsmouth needs to do the same with the road by the park. It’s over a month now since that road has been dug in order to be repaired and work is yet to continue on that road. The drain is a mess the road is a mess. The drain is an eye sore, a health risk, a disaster risk and hindrance to the businesses which exist there. Is this LABOUR KA TWAVAY? By making the people of the town of Portsmouth suffer at the expense of what? Where is the pal rep in this matter. After all the people of Portsmouth has been voting labour since 1951 and they will still continue to do so no matter what. Hence the reason for the LABOUR GOVERNMENT to do them as they please. It’s time the people of Portsmouth wake up and face reality.

    • A Thinking Thomas
      January 14, 2015

      The people of Portsmouth like it so. Next Election, it will be repaired.

  28. anonymous2
    January 14, 2015

    Another obstacle to overcome in DA. Not easy living here.

  29. Shaka zulu
    January 14, 2015

    Mi deba woy woy woy beda
    Mi deba woy woy woy deba
    An plasse sala

  30. Kalinago
    January 14, 2015

    Divert the road, place it some where else. Not now that road having issues. Stupes.

  31. real possie
    January 14, 2015

    I always find that was pure that was done by that part of the road, even before the airport was redone that was always the problem and when I saw the work was done and sea water was still hitting the road I was like who the hell did that plan. I don’t care who gets vex that there was poorly done.

  32. Proud Marigotian
    January 14, 2015

    This is serious business, why it has to be always about politics, that’s why Dominica cant go anywhere when these ridiculous makes these stupid comments.

  33. Proud Marigotian
    January 14, 2015

    Gasparo Contarini, you are an id10t, so you mean to tell me the kids from the reserve should walk to school. you all really bringing back slavery to Dominica you not serious.

  34. domdom
    January 14, 2015

    what a set of stupid, ignorant. illiterate, backward, people. The world should leave Dominican alone. When will you all stand up and fight.

  35. Mamizoo
    January 14, 2015

    DNO I must confess that I am very disappointed in your report. Dominica is in this position of malaise and the media in Dominica carry a significant chunk of the blame. The people did not just get up this morning and decide let us take this form of protest. DNO you have reported on the matter more than once. I am sure that your reporters have heard the people calling the radio; you have heard Edison James, Izikel Bazille all have brought the matter to the airwaves, the public. DNO you wrote an article when Blackmore and his team from the technical division of Communication and works went to the location to look at the matter. Mr Blackmore promised the people that the matter would be taken care. Please tell me then DNO why did you not find it important to state that the people have been complaining about this matter. I am sure that you have heard the horrible stories about people having to spend thousands of dollars to repair their vehicles not once but multiple times; you have…

  36. Francisco Telemaque
    January 14, 2015

    Talk of road stabilization, and the building of back walls has been going on for more than a century. That particular spot has been a problem for as long as Dominica is in existence. There are three such areas in the vicinity. When the sea is rough the areas are always flooded with salt water, which causes damage to the metal of trucks and cars.

    Salt water overwhelms the road from the South end of Londondeery Estate, where there is a small portion of Wet Land, all the way South to Marigot. The only way to prevent that problem is to re-route the road, and that can become reality by cutting a road through Londondeery Estate, taking it above the airport through a portion of Melville Hall Estate. A bridge will have to be built to cross the Melville Hall River which runs adjacent to the airport. Problem solved; no more back walls will be needed.

    Francisco E.Telemaque

    • Anthony Ismael
      January 15, 2015

      Unfortunately Francisco, your suggestion is much too logical. Therefore it will never get done.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        January 15, 2015

        To be honest, that is the cheapest solution; they will not consider my resolve, for no other reason: than I am a critic of the Labor Party. Secondly, the government specializes in the resurfacing roads and the building of back walls. It will be difficult for them to breakaway from tradition, as specialists of that waste of money trait!

  37. New York, marigot
    January 14, 2015

    I always had a problem with dno headline for their articles. This one is upset me again

    The bus driver saw the sea breaching the wall so she desides she’s not takin her bus and drive through that. The students decide that they are goin to stand with the bus driver and block the road. The students stood in the road to block traffic. As some farmers and other frequent road users from the area came up saw this they decided to join the protest. They then took stones and tree branches to aid the students in blockin the road.

    For those of u sayin it’s and act of nature. This never use to happen 10 yrs ago and beyond that. This only began happenin as they extented the airstrip. To do so they had to build the new road on the corals which is the natural brakers. The sea would roll on the corals and by the time it would reach the road 10 yrs ago it wouldnt have no momentum to cause any harm.

    • New York, marigot
      January 14, 2015

      Had to put my comment in 2 pieces because of word limits on the page. As they built the wall out on the corals there is nothing out there to decrease the momentum of the ocean. The wall is not high enough to revent the salt water from cossing. The wall cannot go much higher because of safety regulations for the flights, eg. In case they need to do an emergency take off from a bad landing. I guess the government decided to cut cost by not makin concrete breakers to place behind the wall.

      The road is even more hazardous for vehicle owners when its dry but not many people realizes that. When the road is dry especially jus after the sea breached the wall hours before the salt remains on the road. When they drive through they raise dust, and in that dust is salt.

      • New York, marigot
        January 14, 2015

        The dust is more likely to go through the lil nook and cranny of the vehicles’ exterior. It will get into the vehicle chasis and on brake components to b more dramatic. The unsuspecting driver/vehicle owners would was their vehicles after that thinkin its safe. When the road is wet the salt stays around the wheel area and if u drive through it it will splash under the vehicle.

        Had they not push the road out into the sea and refused to do sometinf to slow down the momentum of the ocean there wouldnt be a problem. Also the wall is under alot of stress of the constant battering from the ocean. With that it wont last as long.

        So tell me now if u belive that the people should sit back and take this shit!

  38. January 14, 2015

    Boy look joke!!! Uwp drone wants the pm to be god , they want him to stop mother nature.(lol)

    • Francisco Telemaque
      January 14, 2015

      Nonsense: Roosevelt is not a god, he cannot be God, however, rather than spending money on something over and over again, trying to resolve a situation to which there is no resolve. Commonsense should dictate there should be one single solution and that is to re-route road through some place where it cannot be flooded out by rough sea!

      That particular spot has been like that long before my grandmother who lived and died at age 103 years old; it existed long before I was born, and hundreds of years prior to Skerrit’s birth. The problem existed in the colonial days, and if the British Engineers could not resolve the problem, do you believe the god, and little dictator Skerrit can solve the problem? You are defending Skerrit politically, running your mouth, what’s your resolve, say what you believe is necessary to solve the problem as I have done in my previous post!

      Talking nonsense is not a solution.

    • Observer
      January 14, 2015

      Some people are soo ……. you really think all these people support UWP? Do you own a vehicle in Dominica? Would you drive your vehicle through sea water because you support ‘your government’?!!! Wow. This problem can be solved with proper engineering, or simply diverting the road from that area. But that has been a complain for years, and the authorities have been tight lipped. So please stop making yourself look soo small minded.

    • 4u2c
      January 14, 2015

      Stupid comment. Skerrit can never be God and its seems we have a problem in doing work and doing it properly.
      The fisheries is not too far from their, same sea conditions but NO PROBLEM!! Why?
      Think folks, Think!! Don’t come here and make folks think we stupid…

    • 767iirep
      January 14, 2015

      Was it mother nature who pushed back the sea and placed the wall where it is?

  39. Act of Skerrit
    January 14, 2015

    In recent times we have seen two similar sea project work done in the Marigot are, one a little north of the airport, as seen in picture above and one south of the airport commonly known as the fisheries area. The first one to be built was the fisheries project, done by Edison James and UWP, while the later was built by Roosevelt Skerrit and the DLP. Eddison’s own has never been a problem as waive breakers were used to deal with the rough sea. Skerrit own which was built years later has been a hazard to motorists and pedestrian because waive breakers were not put in place. It reminds me of the story of Matthew 7:24-27 of the Wise builder who built to stand the elements verses the Foolish builder who built to show up, while his building could not even stand against good weather, let alone storms. Who then is the WIse builder in the Marigot project and who is that very Foolish builder?

  40. NKRUMAH KWAME
    January 14, 2015

    What is needed is for some wave breakers like those used at the Marigot Fisheries Complex to be placed in the sea INFRONT of the existing wall and even better, to design the wall in the shape of a wave so that the water will not overflow the wall. This does not cost much. Moreover, this issue has been a concern for the users of this road many moons ago and the MP’s of the area have consistently brought it to the attention of Government , but it has always fallen on deaf ears. “They appear to be playing smart with stupidness!!”

    HOTEP!

  41. Jon Carson
    January 14, 2015

    This is another example of a combination of several factors here that include but not limited to: improper and inadequate planning, design, and analysis and perhaps bad constructions or contractor or a combination of both.

    A continuation of lack of vision and waste of taxpayers’ money in implementing quick fix or band-aids projects in lieu of sustainable and life-cycle projects.

    • Johhny
      January 14, 2015

      The thing is the had a Cuban engineer from the area who told them they need breakers cuz the wall is too low or the wall should be built at an angle that it curves back out I to the sea….the contractors wanted to fire the man asking him how a chap like him just out of university can try to instruct a man with years of experience in building back walls….mr Linton had the contractors take ur advice we would not have been suffering so….it’s been a whole month now everyday u have to be driving through sea water…

  42. January 14, 2015

    they need to block the road every morning

  43. zimba
    January 14, 2015

    hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………..
    BREAKERS before the wall !

  44. Titiwi
    January 14, 2015

    Well, well, So much money they spent to extent that runway right into the Atlantic for night flights but now Liat does not want to land there again after dark. No wonder the P.M. was not on that first test flight I always considered it would be better to make a bypass at the north of the airfield to link up with the Caye-en-Boucs road. That would also help the farmers to access their lands. Kill two birds with one stone.

  45. Gasparo Contarini
    January 14, 2015

    We need to put a law to ban protests in Dominica, a simple issue like this can be solved by the children walking to school.

    • PS
      January 14, 2015

      Gasparo, the right to protest/demonstrate is enshrined in our constitution. Are you seriously suggesting this is taken away from us? There are laws against obstruction and public nuisance. Let the authorities use that if they desire.

    • smh
      January 14, 2015

      Will you be at the other side of the road with clean dry clothes for them? Don’t you understand that as a result of no breakers the sea water is always over the wall…..walk or drive sea water in your face….

    • duggie
      January 14, 2015

      Gasparo, to protest is one democratic right. It happens in any democratic state. Are you insance ?

    • Observer
      January 14, 2015

      Oh what a stupid statement!!! Is it students alone that use the road? What about vehicles carrying cargo? Are they not affected to? Should they carry gas, sugar, flour, etc etc on their heads across that area? Wow! And ban protest? Some of you really dislike democracy! But after the years of complain they government will open their…..and speak!

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2015

      why don’t you go walk there and see if you can out-run the sea faster than a bus then come back and tell us?

  46. Enough is Enough
    January 14, 2015

    The sea has been a problem for us vehicle owners for a number of years and i am happy that persons see it fit to protest. Enough is enough!!
    Ask any bus driver or private owner of any vehicle running this route for over 2 years to have a look at the scars of the sea blast on their ride. Some bus drivers need only to lift the mat off the floor and you can see the road beneath, the sea water has eaten away the flooring. One need to be in the situation to know how serious this is.
    There is a Garden road which passes next to the Agricultural station and above the Airport. I heard mention late last year by a minister that this will be fixed. I think this road needs to be worked on quickly in order to help alleviate the sea blast damage to our vehicles.

  47. UKDominican
    January 14, 2015

    All you to stupid and backward when there was no sea wall during the times of Edison James What did he do to stop the sea. Why don’t you lot put Skeritt and his wife to stand and guard the sea wall to ensure that the sea is not in the road idiots. Imagine places like Barbados flood all the time do they blame any body know they are aware that their country is flat and above sea level.

    • Mine
      January 14, 2015

      UKDominican, for our information the road was not in the sea. The road was actually move into the sea while they were extending the airport runway… Why can’t you all do some research before you all post silly questions.

      • observer
        January 14, 2015

        Additionally there was a wall prior to this one. Although damaged. So UK check facts before you assume.

    • concerned
      January 14, 2015

      You are one of the typical Dominicand thriving on ignorance. It is no wonder

    • sherock holmes.
      January 14, 2015

      DOUNCE!

      the late hon. p. charles favourite quote comes to mind.
      uk dominican… i am quite sure you are familiar with it. yes?

    • Ms. Educator
      January 14, 2015

      i think you meant to say ‘below sea level’

  48. Act of Skerrit
    January 14, 2015

    If it were a hurricane it would be considered as an act of God. A tropical storm would also be considered as act of God. However, this one is the act of very poor planning and very poor vision and knowledge of the area. Therefore it is act of man and Mr. Skerrit should be feeling very proud of his accomplishment. Hope no pedestrian gets drown with water while trying to walk across. Charles and Douglas must be shaking their heads now to see this sh…right at an airport named after them

  49. dominica to the bone
    January 14, 2015

    who can stop nature? even though you build a wall high as heaven, thats the act of god. so stop acting stupid

    • Media Bias
      January 14, 2015

      really
      first of all the see cant go higher than it is at the moment
      so poor planning and engeneering is the and was the problem right from the start k
      so why isnt it a problem at the fisheries complex then

      • Media Bias
        January 14, 2015

        the waLL ACTUALLY

  50. FAST N FURIOUS
    January 14, 2015

    So all the stuff on the road other than the sea water blocking the flow of traffic is the sea that brought them on the road?Well Afu Ah wi people ain’t easy!…Hold on Skerro coming with a big sponge to dry the sea water so that you all will pass! Wicked set of people! All one wish to tell you ALL desperate trouble makers..Be careful what you All are asking for!

    • January 14, 2015

      hahaha a big sponge……that one take me….is skerro fault the engineers didn’t do a proper job..is skerro fault the price of food high…is skerro fault gas only went down by 1 dollar…is skerro fault I woke up late this morning…is skerro fault the man at the airport didn’t follow the rules and got fired and finally is skerro fault the hurricane season for 2015 will be stronger….lets blame one man for everything so we can feel better about our sad pathetic lives

  51. Proud Dominican
    January 14, 2015

    Who is suffering in the process with all this road block? Should we tell mother nature not to do what she does best? Bus drivers et al, are you being forced to drive through the sea water?
    To the authorities: Is the action of blocking the road & flow of traffic legal?

  52. UKDominican
    January 14, 2015

    what ever happened to walking, we use to walk miles to school. For example from Grandbay to Roseau nothing happened to us I am 62 and still strong.
    These behaviours can only happen in DA objects before people. tell the children if they are that keen to learn start walk. if it was carnival they would jam or miles.

    • PS
      January 14, 2015

      Please, don’t be simple minded. I know that road only too well. Its about 9 miles from Grandbay to Roseau and no way can you convince me that you walked that every day, there and back, just to go to school! And remember the road was not paved like it is today.

    • Marguerite
      January 14, 2015

      So I guess the students will need a rain-cloak and water boots. They will also need to carry their backpacks in a plastic bag. So because you walked to school in 1970, in 2014 school children should still walk from Concord, Northend, Salibia and the likes to NECS for school. Ehbeh look it!

    • anonymous
      January 14, 2015

      ordinarily I would agree with you, but from someone who is quite familiar with the area, the students would not stand a chance walking on the sidewalk next to the sea as they would be soaking wet from the waves and have to return home anyway. on the opposite side of the road is also not an option as the spray from the waves extend far inland. You have a picture above to confirm what I am saying.

    • concerned
      January 14, 2015

      Do you read your comments before you post?

  53. ????????
    January 14, 2015

    HAhahaha Whilst I sympathize with the vehicle owners re the sea water on their vehicles, I now see soon persons will be asking the Government to stop the natural disasters. What a joke! Where are the suggestions what can we do collectively? We must stop acting like all the issues are the Government’s issues. The sea doesnot always come on the road. So we should be proactive …. Maybe we could think of putting some sea buoys there to keep back the sea water from reaching the road? What are you all saying? Until the Government gets some funding to do a big sea wall project there? Any other suggestions my people? 2015 is about new horizons. thinking, participating, giving ideas, positive vibes. Happy New year to those who continue to give negative vibes … Hope you look internally and now ask what can I do for Dominica … Yes me… for I am Dominican .. Are you!

  54. Citizen
    January 14, 2015

    I the drivers want to withdraw their services they should do that but it is illegal to block the public road. :?: :mrgreen:

  55. smh
    January 14, 2015

    Breakers are necessary. The sea here is always rough and this has been a major problem for all users if the road. They failed big time here when building this sea wall…..no breakers to keep the waves from coming over the wall.

  56. DonK
    January 14, 2015

    I see absolutely no justification in blocking the road. You don’t want to drive your bus, that’s fine, but blocking the road is totally uncalled for and a very selfish attitude.

    This act of road blocking has caused the bus drivers to loose support from the greater public and those responsible, I believe, should be arrested!

  57. Mamizoo
    January 14, 2015

    Could it be that the friends who gave $30 Million for an election campaign were not aware of those fundamental issues in Dominica. Did the benificiaries tell the donors or friends ” you know we a black Sigatoka epidemic, people are loosing their vehicles due to sea blast; farmers can’t get to their farms;hospital out of supplies. My god who are these friends in deed who only care about political campaign only and not our needs.
    We may need to reconsider our friends

  58. Bixby
    January 14, 2015

    It’s amazing what a lack of knowledge will do. Never mind the water that is on the road. The very fact that they operate in that area will cause the metal to corrode. The east coast of Dominica is a very hostile environment.

    I have a wealth of experience in the coated metals industry and the industry does not offer any kind of warranty on metal components of building that are located within 1500 feet from the coast. Beyond that they can get up to a 40 year warranty.

    The water that is on the road is the least of their worries. That could be easily washed off at the end of the day. The longer term problem is where they ply their trade daily.

    • Malgraysa
      January 15, 2015

      You have point there. According to the constructor’s own website, http://www.offshorecivilandmarine.co, that wall is a combination of sheet pile and reinforced concrete. Would that be the best material for such a project, constantly pounded by the Atlantic, especially if the sheet were col-rolled instead of hot-rolled. Maybe you could comment on that. Thank you.

  59. CYRIL Volney
    January 14, 2015

    All the vehicles in Marigot/Wesley/Woodford Hill are rotting out (mine included) because of sea blast coming over that Airport sea wall. Something has to be done about it!

    • Bixby
      January 14, 2015

      Cyril
      The wall has nothing to do with your vehicle corroding. That is the nature of the environment in which you live. Trust me brother, I have been in the coated metals industry for 30 years and I deal with that on a daily basis. We have been making huge strides to combat that issue, but with such close proximity to the ocean there is little that can be done to help you.

      The best the metals industry can do is slow down the process, but in the end the only real solution is to move further inland, away from the oceanic environment.

      You lived in Canada for a number of years, so have I. Right now my car is encrusted with (road) salt. All I do is run it through a car wash and I am good to go.

      As a temporary fix, you need to wash your car more frequently. That is the only thing you can do to extend the life of the metal. No government can help you.

      • Bixby
        January 14, 2015

        Another thing you can do is to wax the vehicle about 3 times a year. That will provide a couple of benefits – reduce wear as a result of salt and UV rays.

    • Marguerite
      January 14, 2015

      But eh eh, you are right man! They giving you 15 thumbs down just for identifying yourself! I sure laughing!

    • Mahaut
      January 14, 2015

      Just abandon that area and your vehicles will be safe; or, you might want to ride a donkey. Does sea blast affect donkies?

  60. Lang Mama
    January 14, 2015

    The people must take buckets of sea water and go purchase it on the private vehicles of the politicians. Do so every day and when they get pros to wash their vehicle pour sea sand on the darn vehicles again.

    • joe
      January 14, 2015

      We are a peaceful nation we will not engage in such violent behavior LANG MAMA!!!!!

      And i hope you know your kingman Lennox Linton is a Politician too!!!!

      • Lang Mama
        January 14, 2015

        You call this violence I call it getting much needed attention. I am no hypocrite and I am not afraid to say what I think.
        Blocking the road is nothing as far as I am concerned. The government is loosing nothing at all. The hospital is under wood aunts and Melleville Hall is well asleep; agriculture is dea.
        So hit the politicians where it hurt them

      • Lang Mama
        January 14, 2015

        Oh yes – I say politician. Lang Mam hold no man up on a pedestal. I chant down all wickedness and corruption in all places – no exception.

    • Titiwi
      January 14, 2015

      I know you are vexed tongue but that is not a good idea.

  61. joe
    January 14, 2015

    I just don’t get it? Are we as a people getting more foolish? I mean what is this blocking of the road to prove a point, what is the point? Can the Ministry or Minister of education prevent the sea from reaching over the wall??

    If you as a bus driver do not want to drive your bus through the sea blast fine i understand just stay at your damn home but you cannot come and block road to inconvenient other drivers who wants to pass through!!!!!! If i was on my way to the airport from Portsmouth somebody would have to answer to me not the police… I think the Police should arrest the perpetrator(s) of such blocking of the public road!!!! It’s time this NONSENSE STOP!!!!!!!

    • Ms. Educator
      January 14, 2015

      Yeah I totally agree with your comment. I mean, not wanting your vehicle to rust from sea water is one thing…but why are you blocking the road to prevent other motorists from getting through?

      I hope it’s not politics at the back of this. Because even if I don’t support and did not the Labour Party in the last election, this action seems pretty extreme to me.

    • smh
      January 14, 2015

      They would put you and your luggage down and you will walk across in the sea water while getting wet to the airport. You people just don’t get it……when passing on a vehicle one has to close all windows. …its very bad…..If you were in the situation your song would be different.

    • me again
      January 14, 2015

      are you seriuos? of course the minister can stop the sea blast. iy was those same ministers and their stupid policies that created the problem in the first place. the sea wall was not always there. it wad they who put it there.

      • Informant
        January 14, 2015

        That sea wall was absolutely necessary, so no need to make it look like it wasn’t. Obviously there has been a fault on the part of the engineers. Government needs to quickly engage professionals to investigate and fix the problem. I believe that some improvements need to done with the breakers or possible putting a few more to break those waves.

        I do understand their concern though as a driver and vehicle owner. Just yesterday I drove through it after landing and asked a villager with a house to allow me to spray off the sea water, so I do understand it.

    • just saying
      January 14, 2015

      you know i agree with you somewhat. however there is something that can be done. the wave crashers or sea crashers whatever they are called (the concrete things that they have by the fisheries in marigot and on the bayfront in roseau etc) can be placed outside of the walls by the airport. this should/could help immensely.

    • Daughter of the Isle
      January 14, 2015

      I agree…what is the point of blocking the road? taking a look at the pictures it looks like some kind of demonstration rather than just refusing to go across because of the salt or sea water in the road. They should arrest those who blocked the streets cause it that could of course prevent someone else who would’t mind going thru that water.

      Its time we as a people refrain from violence and see that when we try to hurt other most of the time we are just setting ourselves 2,3 4 steps backward…ITS HIGH TIME WE RISE AS A PEOPLE, AS A NATION…BLESSED DAY TO CALL!!

    • Mamizoo
      January 14, 2015

      Maybe people like Joe and Fast N Furious would not find it easy to come spew ignorance on the matter at hand if DNO had just taken the time to explain that the people have been complaining for more than 5 years. .What makes Joe think that his trip to the airport is more important than the many people in the area who have had to live thru this experience for more than 5 years. What makes Joe think that the bus drivers and private vehicle owners who must pay a lot of money to repair their vehicles over and over have no right to complain and that he and his ignorant self should be able to take on all the people protesting as he try to make his way to the airport. Only ilk of Joe stature – those who feel that they entitled to make wrong right and right wrong in Dominica. It is the likes of Joe who condemn Charles saverin yesterday for the 47 day strike and today find every loop hole possible to make Charles Saverin a saint today. It is the likes of joe who supported Rosie Douglas road…

  62. grell
    January 14, 2015

    The multi million improvement a joke,wasted monies.

  63. Peter Potter
    January 14, 2015

    Well done boys. That’s the way to go! We all need to stop to put up with the mediocrity of this government. If they don’t listen to reasoning let’s go on the streets and protest peacefully and arrange peaceful warning strikes. They soon cave in. The government was given a last chance by the voters and if they are not prepared to use this to turn things around for the better they need to be kicked out. There is no more time to waste.

    • joe
      January 14, 2015

      Peter Potter you make absolutely NO SENSE!!!!!!!!!

    • just saying
      January 14, 2015

      peter potter stop being ignorant and blue. not everything is political. what you said is not even in context with what is happening.

  64. FAST N FURIOUS
    January 14, 2015

    Just asking! What exactly would you all want to be done? Push back the sea? The authorities to take a huge sponge to dry the water on the road?Divert the road?Nature has to be dealt with carefully.

    • Mamizoo
      January 14, 2015

      You epitomize ignorance. There are many things that can be done- alot. The problem is not nature at all.. the problem is incompetence, victimization and corruption

    • ????????
      January 14, 2015

      Great your really Fast but not Furious … Well said Fast!

    • Peter Potter
      January 14, 2015

      don’t be so bloody ignorant!

    • January 14, 2015

      you just shut stupid

    • A Doubting Thomas
      January 14, 2015

      Boy PM Skerrit and the Government good what power we the people is giving to them, not even they could have imagined. They will the waves to come and the waves came.

      Next thing they will tell us that the PM can walk on water and then they get mad when the people love their PM. PM do like Moses tan, and demand the Seas be parted so the buses can pass through.

      Government should maybe not depend on private transport to drive school children; something to think about, then the same people will cry government is taking bread from their mouths.
      You cannot prevent children from going to school. So each time the sea is high the school and children and parents can expect same thing?

      Or are they saying the school should be shut down permanently! It would be easier to shut down the school than drain the sea water.

      • fantastic4
        January 14, 2015

        if it were next door in one of French neighboring islands all you would see protest because is not only schools that would have been shut down the airport and all would have been shut down ; all you doing as if all is well when we know all is not well. And those of us who are saying is not Skerrit that build wall is ok I agree – but other things that are built good or properly all you quick to say is Skerrit wee that do it! so when it is bad is not Skerro is the engineers, but if it is good oh yes is Skerrit and his vision!! hahahaha all you not easy nah in this country.

    • Wish I Were There
      January 14, 2015

      All that is needed to solve this problem is for the authorities to place some breakers on the sea side of the wall as was done at the Deepwater Harbour and the various Fisheries Complex including the one on the Bay in Marigot

    • Marigot
      January 14, 2015

      Fast and furious the answer for them is right there at the Marigot bay front not in another island but since the recommendation was made by the former pal rep it fell on. Deaf ears

    • PS
      January 15, 2015

      Yes Fast and Furious, divert the road, they should have done that in the first place but of course that would have eaten into their profit!

  65. Doc. Love
    January 14, 2015

    I fully support the actions of the bus drivers. The people of Marigot have suffered to much from the Skeritt led administration. The farmers of Marigot are suffering because of bad feeder roads. The people of Marigot are suffering because of a proper medical facility. The people of Marigot are suffering because of a dislike of Mr. Edison James and presently Hon. Lennox Linton, by the administration. The people of Marigot are suffering because money disappeared from their police station and no significant actions were taken against the perpetrator. The people of Marigot are suffering because one of their sons was allegedly politically victimized, as a result, he cannot feed his family. In my opinion, the disruption of traffic must now move to the center of the village affecting traffic to and from the airport and only then will Government take notice. :mrgreen:

    • Me
      January 14, 2015

      i wonder what you all would have done if that had happened and UWP was in office? Everything would continue as normal, right?

      • Me
        January 15, 2015

        Please note, that blog was posted by an imposter, plagiarizing labour supporter and not by the original Me.

    • joe
      January 14, 2015

      So doc. Love give me an idea, what can be done TODAY that will stop the sea from going over the wall??, So if it goes over the wall tomorrow again are they going to block road again?? The police need to arrest these idiots blocking the road, i hope they know it is an offence to do that!!!!!!

      I waiting to hear their Parl Rep!!!! I also wonder if UWP had won if they would have protested today??????

  66. Lang Mama
    January 14, 2015

    4 years ago Blackmore came on the very same sight and flap his wing and nothing has been done. How do these politicians sleep in peace.
    $32 Million in 30 days! $500 K to bishop; crazy T $500K; $2.6million to Hartley ;
    When people are pretending to be asleep and blind is not water that they need to be doused with but acid or hot scorching water.

  67. January 14, 2015

    Tek dat, afu ah we people. Aryou nah vote labor so labor nah do anything fuh help aryou. Aryou pickney them fuh suffer and car go school fuh learn.

    This is just the tip of the iceberg. Just watch much worse is to come under this incompetent prime minister.

    • joe
      January 14, 2015

      Fire so is Skerrit that preventing the children from going to school?? I swear is the protesters that block the road as if is they alone that suffering!!!!!!

      I now understand why Marigot people would vote so overwhelming for a Dunce Cat, arrogant and FOOLISH man….. BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER…….. What a waste and disappointment in Educating you people!!!!!

    • ????????
      January 14, 2015

      So Fire is it the PM that caused the sea to swell? Answer me! Stop politicizing everything under the sun!

    • Tdot
      January 14, 2015

      But…What goes around comes back around hey my baby…bam bi go tell best! Just watch

    • duggie
      January 14, 2015

      Fire that is how it has been from time. I look after who vote for me. Think is time this must stop.

  68. derp
    January 14, 2015

    better safe than sorry

  69. hmmmm
    January 14, 2015

    It was about dam time!!!!!

    • Give Them chance
      January 14, 2015

      Persons had enough!!! They lucky ppl doe burst the fence and cut across the airstrip to get to Their destinations. Ppl fed up!

  70. hmmm
    January 14, 2015

    So what are the objects doing in the road????? Not sea water that preventing them from commuting na! I know what’s next… Skerrit made the wall.. Never stop this BS

  71. AWADAT?
    January 14, 2015

    At last the bus drivers got some courage!

    • ????????
      January 14, 2015

      True Joe! Well said!

    • ????????
      January 14, 2015

      Awadat courage for what? Soon you will be asking for some mortal to stop Natural disaster. You cannot pass, stay home but don’t prevent another one from passing if they want too. The Dumpers are tall and they can pass … They are the maintenance vehicles if they have to assist. Tall! Should we not stop all those crap 2015! Haterz mentality! Ingratitude mentality! Always complaining always disastified mentality. Stop those negative vibes and say something positive to giving an alternative nicely and not instigating and arousing more negative feelings in persons.

      • fantastic4
        January 14, 2015

        dumpers do not get affected by sea salt? garcon DA really have some really smart people eh boy!

    • XOXO
      January 14, 2015

      Courage to do what? Act stupid??

      • Mine
        January 14, 2015

        Courage to standup and demand the government to do something about the mess the cause, by moving the road into the sea. The sea was not a problem to the people before these dictators made a mess.

      • duggie
        January 14, 2015

        Courage to stand up for justice. It always amaze me how pople just sit and take BS from government.We all have our rights too.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available