Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South constituency, Joshua Francis, has sought to discourage politicians from using the devastating fire which recently occurred in Silver Lake as a means of scoring political points.
The fire, which swept through a section of the village on Monday night, claimed two eight-room apartment buildings, which were occupied by sixteen families.
Speaking on Q95 FM’s Matt in the Morning on Wednesday, Francis emphasized that the welfare of the people must be put above all else.
“In situations like that, I would hope that we do not take the opportunity to score political points, but politics is what it is…” he said. “I want to urge all political players and activists not to take a situation like that to score political points, but to put the interest and the welfare of the people at paramount importance.”
Meanwhile, the Roseau South MP accused the Labour Party Government of continually neglecting the views and responsibilities of the United Workers’ Party.
Francis claimed that despite several attempts to contact the Prime Minister, he had been excluded from the government’s efforts to assist the victims of the fire.
“I would have expected the Honourable Prime Minister to consult with me or engage me as part of the process of assisting the people of the Silver Lake community. But, we have seen a divisive political movement on the island where the leadership of the government of Dominica fails to consider the views and responsibilities given to the Opposition members,” he divulged. “As the Parliamentary representative, I have the Constitutional right to represent the people of the constituency, and I think it would be appropriate had the Prime Minister spoken with me.”
In a recent statement, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said that the families which were affected by the blaze will be provided with clothing, food stuff, all necessary supplies, and $1,000.
Francis stated that the government, thus far, has fulfilled its promise to the fire victims who are currently being housed at the Bath Estate Resource Centre and Roseau Primary School, and are being provided with food and clothing.
“With togetherness and optimism, I can only hope that things will get better… In the immediate scenario, it would appear that the fire victims are, in fact, getting assistance,” he conceded.
He promised to continue monitoring and scrutinizing the situation on behalf of the victims, to “ensure that their lives return to normalcy and that they go through a healing process, they will be comforted, and things will be better.”
The Parliamentary representative for the Roseau South Constituency is using this opportunity again to attempt at bridging the gap between himself and his party colleagues. In so doing he has again opened his mouth to showcase his hypocrisy and cunningness. He was on the scene early enough during the blaze. Kudos to him. His leader who orchestrated his removal from the much-vaunted position of Deputy Political leader was also on the scene before the PM. Was this out of concern or was it to score political points. When Linton posed for a photograph in which he was depicted handing over, giving or helping to move a “BLUE” barrel of ? to a resident of Silver Lake, was that simply an act of compassion for the residents or was he seizing the opportunity to be portrayed as a caring person and so score some political points? If we agree that Linton was doing that out of concern, why should the PM’s actions be less honorable . Why is the PM scandalized by the likes of Sikiri et al?
Sick Dominicans shut the hell up. Allyou like yen yen buz buz buz around the bobo. Bon Dieu are you guys going to bring the crosses in the year 2017 I beg allyou please make changes say good things and the Lord will bless your country.
No political issue, we’re just glad to see that these people are getting help and we all should chip in. If the UWP Government thinks it’s for political gain then they should assist the people as well. Right now, the focus is on the people and i’m sure they feel secure knowing that the government is looking after them.
Sikiri sit down and shut up before you hurt yourself……… Foolish!!!
But I don’t understand Joshua Francis at all. If the Government didn’t help them people wouldn’t you all make political mileage out of it? The government is helping you don’t expect the government to make political mileage out out it too for its prompt response tolling helping EVEN WHEN ITS NOT LABOUR CONSITUENCY. Isn’t that dynormic leadershil that is working? See the government is treating them just as T-savanne disaster. So it is politics brother. How u want to play your politics as pal rep and the government should not play its own as general pal Rep? Bro as a layer and one who suppose to be intelegent boss stop thinking like your leader. Be it political or otherwise.
Always there like in Montego Bay fire , potey sortie pretender; shameless, we want a bye election. this look suspicious ; there must be further investigation
Very well said , Mr. Joshua, but according to the saying, the horse has already bolted from the stable. When the Prime Minister publicly said their should be no radiothon, who do you think he was talking to. All Dominicans know that Matt in the morning show has become famous for its radiothon. According to Laborite, Q95 is the voice of the UWP and DBS, Kairi are the voices of the Government. Their was a press conference concerning the fire at Silver Lake, Q95 was not invited. The Prime Minister told Dominicans who have a house for rent to house the people of Silver Lake, telephone numbers will be given to Kairi and DBS so as to contact the ODM in case they need further information. You reported on Q95, you made telephone calls to the Prime Minister, he never returned your calls. You met him at Silver Lake, you were ignored. He held a meeting, your name was not even mentioned. He didn’t even have the courtesy to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Linton.
Hahahahah but who know Lennox Lenton? Wat role he came there to play? (NOT POLITICS TOO)? Them people in sivel lake should run him out for treating Joshua the way he did. Shame he doe have. Dats why he prentend to get a txt msg when no one was taking him on ITS SIMPLE BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS HIM. So get the point. Y should Skerrit make him feel important? If he was a leader he should know just Wat to do. He didn’t even walk with a $20.00 to give them or a box of water to shear. He come justvto show his face so people can say oh I see Linton was dre. This man have no heart for people. No compassion. Only for him self. Idk y sikiri is amount these people. He was bulldozed by the very Foundtain Lennox and the rest now because he signing the workers sound they back in his feet. Isnt dat politics too? So wen Joshua says no politics all that is politics in silver lake. But it’s two different kind of politics, one to genuinely help ppl coming from the Govt/PM and another just want to b seen.
Mr. Francis well done.see to it that the skerit and his labar ka travay mis reps are doing what they promise. Monitor their every move and ensure that they are correct respectful and conscious of the needs of the victims. These people are both physically and physchologically traumatised and needs emotional support. So all them labar big mouth tune just calm down and put the needs of the residents of silver lake at top priority.. that said. Continue to pray all Dominicans for a speedy solution in terms of proper housing for the victims…
Mr. making that more politics than anything; As for d Matt! Just listen to him on Q95.
Good thing Skerrit ain’t checking YOU ALL UWPites with all you BS! All you ALL can do is run on Q95 and cry to Matt!….. Mat!…. YES!….. You there with me?…. Yes…. Go head!….
This is the same DLP,the same inept,clueless,team that’s trying to use you as the conduit to spread division in the UWP.Think they love you?.Labourites donot even love themselves,let alone for you?They want Roseau southback,but Roseausouth don’t want them.
% talk for your selfs you smelling cabbage water lots.
The Pm has moved quickly to help the victims. We should applaud that.
We have never in the history of Dominica seen a government which shows
such compassion on the needy
Rubbish.
He moved quickly to score political points.
He wants to buy those constituents. He loves Dominicans to depend on him instead of giving them the opportunity to be ndependent.
the rubbish is the chifonay clothes from the barrel LL bring up there that for allu to study
If he move slowly you all complain, if he move quickly you all complain, if he doesn’t move you all complain, wtf is wrong with all you uwp supporters?
Joesphine it may be so according to you . But never in history have government have move so swiftly in similar incident . It a genuine move .
When something good is done by government applaude it . Donr be a party boom boom fly
Why was the Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South constituency Joshua Francis the first Politician on the scene. Why was Linton on the scene is it not to score political points. Why are you being so silly with such comment referring to The PM saying quote “He loves Dominicans to depend on him instead of giving them the opportunity to be independent” If you or your family were in the situation as those people at Silver Lake I wonder if you would write such nonsense.
i dont know how to say that to you but maybe when you wake up from your sleep or when you get the news you will understand with my govermment its not about compassion its all about the 17 seats if your one of them you will only see on one side like a fish
I am not part of this we…Why should I applaud a man who has destroyed a country,and has it dependent on passport sales…NEVER! EVER!!!!Skerrit never had anything in him looking likr LEADERSHIP,,,so Dominica and Dominicans are paying dearly for their wickedness!!
When will you stop writing nonsense, we are going into a new year 2017.To say you are not part of this we and why shows how insensitive you are to your fellow Dominicans in times of such tragedy, you are so blinded with your political partisan beliefs and dogma that it robs you of the ability to show empathy.
Compassion my rass.. how come he was not compassionate like that to any other fire victims in recent times. Silver Lake people have been forcefully rejecting and insulting Skerrit and his labour operatives. They’ve offered them crazy stuff in the past, and all these people did was rage war and threaten to take and not vote. Now he’s focussed on them ONLY because it’s a catch 22. Who wouldn’t take a grand and new house or anything else when in dire straights after loosing everything? ALL I am telling Roosevelt is watch his step because not everybody is for sale even in poverty and this may well be his unraveling. Take them for granted, think you can play in their head, you have no idea who you’re up against collectively. Dominicans too wicked to even praise Skerrit for using tax payers money as a ploy to get at people. Doh worry we will eventually know how the fire truly started! He damn out of order to by pass the elected parl rep and have Josiah in the people face.
“Compassion on the needy..??” May I refer you to Dr. Francis Severin’s lecture on autocratic government and leader. Where do you think that Skerrit is positioned under this scheme where poor and vulnerable are taken for granted. Where were you and Skerrit while you all were building your empires, comfort zones in housing, banks accounts, travels, migration etc. vs these poor people living in squalor, a non operational toilet. We saw it with our eyes while there and Skerrit and questionable team should have been introduced to the public toilet.
Pm has moved quickly my foot. This man is a political opportunist preying on people in need. Where has h been all this time, I will tell you . In Dubai, Singapore, UK, Morocco etc etc etc.
That’s the DLP mentality unfortunately, trying to gain political points at any cost. Bunch of Desperados running this nation to the ground
Ha Ha said the clown
Joshua, you are making it political. You are allowing the people who chastised you to use you for political gain. The PM is a wonderful, caring man, he will take care of the people. To the people of Silver Lake, hold strong!
There is an “i” missing in that name!
I thought so too!
“Wonderful ma…..????” Please define this…I mean really tell us and the poor people he has neglected for years, what n earth this mean. You can start by saying………”This opportunist man called Skerro…….” Please complete
The parliamentary representative for the area is correct.. There should be appropriate consultation to move forward to help these people.. This tendency not to consult is rather immature and NOT in the public interest.
Dr Shillingford, you of all people want to advise politicians about consultation on matters affecting people’s lives! Isn’t it strange that you did not consult with your colleagues on the DAAS Board when you made the decision to negotiate with then DAAS Treasurer Dr Thomson Fontaine for his purchase of DAAS land at Rosalie!
The matter at hand is not so much a public interest, but rather a direct interest in the people who are affected by such tragedy, the general public can only show sympathy by giving emotional and material help to the victims of such tragedy, it is who in the kitchen that feels the heat.
When people lose their home and possessions in such a tragedy, it is human instinct to fulfill their basic needs, to get them on their feet. Do we need consultation to override the natural instinct to help, consultation will only prolong the suffering of these people, stop the nonsense political correctness and do what is needed.
How is it not public interest? isn’t it tax payers money LORD SKERRO going to use to take care of the Silver Laker residents that were affected?
Mr Francis, enough exhibiting the Mr Nice Guy when you deal with the PM and his Cabinet members. The PM’s dismissal of you over matters concerning your constitutional right, as the MP for Roseau South was troublingly distasteful and his antics continues to bother me. He will never recognise you in whatever relief effort he extends to the people of Silver Lake, so I’m urging you – with the help of Q95 FM Radio and both UWP & Labour supporters plus the Diaspora put your own relief plan in place to help members of your constituency.
I stand ready to make a substsncial donation towards the appeal/relief process.
Well said
It is the rank and file as well as the leader of the opposition who openly demonstrated that Mr. Francis
is unworthy to hold office and cast him out of there executive of the UWP.
Why then must we blame the Prime Minister ?
If he is unfit for office he is also un fit to be consulted!
The matter at hand is how to get those people of Silver Lake back on their feet after such tragedy not about how the Government treated Mr Francis, this tragedy is more than Joshua Francis.
It’s a couple days after the tragedy and have you seen any effort by The UWP and Mr. Francis coming together as you suggested to help raise money for the people of Silver Lake, what this tells you, and why you should be the one to make such suggestions, don’t you see the incompetence displayed by people who want to be elected to run the affairs of the Country.
I salute you for steeping forward ready to make a substantial donation towards the appeal/relief process. May i ask, why do you need a middlemen especially a political party to make such donation.
Hello and good afternoon my people. First I want express my sympathy for the families that lost their possessions and apartments. I saw when the apartments were being build and I felt that the Government shouldn’t build apartments rather they should build single family three bedroom homes. We know that some families have troublesome children which could lead to such incidents but if they are in a single family detached home then they can only destroy their home. We have enough empty land where we don’t have to build such buildings so please rethink our plans of rebuilding for the families.
I agree with but with one comment which disturbs me and it is “””””””We know that some families have troublesome children which could lead to such incidents …….”
This statement is worrying and misguided. There is no such thing as “troublesome” children. Please be careful as to how you wish to define, describe the natural growing behaviour of children…”
Children are a challenge and parents need to know how to listen and practice good parenting…..
Hope this is helpful
To: Viewexpressed
Hello and good morning my people. Well maybe I should have said that some children play with matches which could lead to this type of incidents. Overall we didn’t disagree and we recognize that it’s in our best interest to build single family detached homes for the people who lost their homes.
Now to the people who gave me the nine thumbs down. I am quite capable of defending my positions so please attached your displeasure to my post. In that way we can have an adult discussion .
Wow, so now you are an expert on child development. When someone like you have written so much nonsense on DNO what makes you think that what you have written is helpful, it’s not you are so laughable.
Sikiri sit down and be quiet. The people of Silver Lake were in an emergency situation needing urgent help and attention and you here belly aching because the PM didnt waste time to sit with you hold your hand and sing Kumbaya??? Go deal with your case…then spin back when and if acquitted
We know the record of this corrupt Labour Government, taking advantage of vulnerable people under tough circumstances.
Well done Hon J. Francis. You are on the right track. We are looking forward to the Radiothon
Guy, right now you are irrelevant, you stand alone, you had you opportunity, and you screwed it up, who in their right mind will trust you?
Then again only in Dominica, if you have to give free you might get some people who like freeness on your side!
I am not sure on what cloud ypu are living but u are dead wrong on this one!
Agreed!
Politics is a waste of time process, that only causes separation among the foolish.
… P.S. I only agree with the title…
Thought he said to not use it for political reasons….. then in the same breath he chastises the Labour Party
Its no chastising…it is disciplining Skerrit and his Labour government. They need to be disciplined.
Do t prey on the poor and vulnerable.
It’s not chastising,,it’s exposing Skerrits dirty tricks!!!
But it seems you are doing just that
the pm is a fast moving man don’t have time to waste. the cash is at hand.
That is exactly what they are doing. Tired use Dominicans and Dominicans like to be used
Well this situation can be handled by the government. If it was like Erica, where it is a huge problem the government would have reached out to you all which he did.
Skerrit had the DLP candidate for Roseau South with him at the site of the fire instead of the duly elected representative. There is no greater politically partisan animal in Dominica than Roosevelt Skerrit
Skerrit wants Roseau South,,,,Roseau South dies nit want him!
That is how skerrit is a one man show down
But GOD is GOOD
Consult with you for what? You playing politics as usual. You were missing for several months, you were a no show in Parliament, the issues of your constituents were neglected as you gave your personal affairs priority over the affairs of the constituency. So just shut up and crawl back in the hole in which u were hiding for the past several months..