Supply Manager of the Petite Savanne Resettlement Committee, Inspector of Police Antonia Moses has called on the people of that community to be patient and resilient as plans are being put in place to ensure that they are relocated to the best possible sites.
She made that statement during a recent interview with Dominica News Online in light of murmurs of frustration from displaced residents of the community on the speed of relocation.
The Petite Savanne was one of the hardest hit areas following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika which severely affected Dominica on August 27, claiming a number of lives in that community.
To date 823 residents were evacuated from Petite Savanne since the area was deemed unsafe and presently some are being housed at Guest Houses, the Roseau Youth Centre, while others reside with other family members.
Moses said there is no need to be angry or overly concerned at this time.
“We are asking them to be patient, we are asking them to remain resilient, we are asking them to have confidence in the Petite Savanne Resettlement Committee and in their Parliamentary Representative that he will do what is necessary to ensure that they are relocated to the best possible sites that Dominica has to offer,” she said.
She pointed out that many things have to be done as part of the relocation excercise.
“For example the necessary soil testing, vulnerability assessment has to be done…we are working closely with government to ensure that when they would have selected a location for our people that it would be the best location,” Moses pointed out.
She said that the moment the Committee isn’t concerned about government’s lack of involvement in the matter, “because government has been very involved and we are seeing progress.”
She noted that the committee was formed to advise the Parliamentary Representative, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, as well as to serve as a liaison between the Petite Savanne people and the government of Dominica on several matters.
Moses mentioned further that most of committee’s objectives have been met.
“Meaning that we had to make sure that our children return to school at a particular date and that has been done,” she explained. “We want to also ensure that the people who had to be relocated that they found shelters and accommodations and that has been working out well.”
She continued, “We also had to ensure that these people are receiving supplies on a regular basis because most of them have lost their income because they were mainly farmers, oil distillers as well as fishing…basically these people are receiving help from the government of Dominica and they (the government) have engaged us from day one,” Moses added.
Moses revealed that a survey had been conducted and the Petite Savanne residents have selected several sites.
“We have received the results, we analyze the data and we are working with government,” she remarked. “We had a technical committee and we have had one meeting with them so far, and we have been having regular meetings with our Parliamentary Representative as of Wednesday 11, we had one and he had advise us on the way forward, and basically what we are waiting for now before we meet the general committee….maybe need to sit and look at two or three locations.”
Moses indicated that the committee is expected to meet with the community of Petite Savanne soon to update them on what has taken place so far.
She encouraged Petite Savanne residents to continue being thankful to God, “for having saved us and keeping us thus far.”
Moses also thanked the many donors on island, in the region and the international community who are lending a hand in one way or the other in supporting Dominica.
The Petite Savanne Resettlement Committee comprises twenty-four members.
Some of the members include:
Chairman of the Petite Savanne Village Council- Edward Thomas
Chairperson- Morris Guiste
Public Relations Officer (PRO) – Roseanna Emmanuel
Treasurer- Daniel Laurent
Clerk- Joanna Hillaire
Member- Starette Titre
Vice President- Helen Francis
Member advising on reconstruction- Lawrence Moise
Acting Secretary- Kimania Joseph
Health Coordinator- Maria Moise
Who is antoina moses ….. where does she comes in that …. who is she representing but how is she that addressing these matters …. Dominica under whos portfolio that is …. why the people that are making the decisions tell the people of petite savanne exactly as it is and not someone of your status …..
I can understand their concern and frustration and are anxious to have a stable home which they are looking forward to. They must comprehend that this is a huge undertaking to relocate them to a suitable location where they will be safe and comfortable.
Patience is really required. It will come. They must pray for patience. They must also thank God for the effort which is being made to relocate them.
Skerrit forgot them, its a long time he havnt mention them, when they start talking, he will come and play saviour
Hello and good evening my people. First I must say I don’t take Political sides in my sweet Dominica. I never been to Petit Savanne but just looking at the photograph that’s attached to this article I must say this is a very dangerous location which is prone to landslides. This place is very mountainous and the soil seems very soft therefore any heavy rain would cause lots of damage. We must give them land somewhere else to rebuild and they can call it New Petit Savanne but most of all they must listen to the authorities and have patients.
Hospital that have “patients”
I had the chance to visit the Island and only felt sad for the people of Pt. Savanne. Those of you who are alive, Jehovah God has spared you through the intercession of his son Jesus Christ. I know it can be frustrating knowing that you have a comfortable home and you have been asked to compromise but look forward. Look where the sun rises because there is daylight after it does and even a period of darkness occurs, it shows it’s majestic face again.
I cannot imagine waking up to the sound of rain and seeing these huge slides go before me. Get relocated and continue living. I would recommend the best way to be a community scheme with modern amenities just for this community, close to another supportive community so that transition would be easier.
We do have land here in Dominica away from mountains and river beds. I pray for you and hope that we can continue to live in harmony. God bless Dominica!
This will be an evolutionary and not revolutionary process. Relocating an entire community is a major challenge for a small island nation like ours.
How much patience? How much longer? Please walk in their shoes before you make that statement,only who feels it, knows it.
I would say that that is asking a lot given their situation and the amount of time DA takes to figure out anything.
While I’m happy that they are doing something to help them, I can’t help but ask, have they forgotten about the petite savanne people who are at the grand bay youth center? I don’t hear any mention of them, all I keep hearing is about those who are in town. I hope they are not forgotten
Give God thanks in everything and at every time. Those of you who are still alive. Give 10(ten) thanks giving services. We too ungrateful. What happen is a natural disaster. You all dissatisfied with Who? God. My friends things could have been worst off. There are too many influential people undermining the process. Those with money, and those without. The under miners are very present and causing confusion and distraction. In the first place , Government had no right to make all you choose location. (Location should have been chosen by those in authority and given to people. Who like it take it, who don’t like it leave it. The money Government need now to relocate, have to now pay for guest houses, feeding, paying utility bills and having to find food for all. This is a tall order and still the people not appreciative of it. Much too much politics. The Parl Rep trying his best, but still we undermining. Bad clergy men , bad negative influencers, bad lawyers, bad X- representatives
I understand what you are trying to say but your tone does not allow swift ingestion. You would want people to ponder and not become further angry at your comments and their situation. All Dominicans have the right to liberty… if God gave us free will who are we not to give others? I think the Government made a good decision asking people to choose. This at least shows democracy to the Pt. Savanne people.
Treat people as you would like to be treated. In this situation autocracy is not the answer.
I am sure that you would agree with me.
God bless Dominica.
OH MY GOD, politics in everything, even that committee redder than blood. those people are going to suffer because I see no moves by the traveling PM to speedily solve their problems… TIME WILL TELL
Do they have to wait until the next General Elections?
IF U CAN Do better go ahead and deliver. Think before you write
Petite-Savanne residents please be patient and allow the Government time to ensure that you are relocated to a safe and satisfactory environment. Remember most, if not all, of you are Labourites and as such enjoy the rights and privileges of being red. As the saying goes: “If you’re red you shall eat bread” or “If you’re red sleep comfortable in your bed’!!! As Labourites you will be taken care of. It may not move as fast as you wish but at the end it will be worth the wait. Our Supreme Leader loves his people. His Holiness, our great, beloved and precious Prime Misnister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit will NEVER forsake faithful and loyal Labourites!!! So comrades be patient and don’t make your blessed PM look bad.
*Prime Minister, the right and honourable, ordained Knight of the most Holy Roman Catholic Church. The great and precious Supreme Leader and Dominica’s saviour!!!!!!
hahahahah funny hahah!
you should add a few more lines to that. His holy subjects are angry with you for just putting one line.
You certainly get them, the non-supporters angry.
I love your sarcasm…….you seem to be so right…….only labourites appear to be taken care of by our Supreme Leader.
LabourofLove is simply tantalizing. We do know it is not only Labourites that will be favored. It is not possible.
…and the sad thing is that there are ACTUALLY Labourites who will take you seriously. They will literally think that you are truly worshiping Skerrit. SO DENSE! SO STUPID!
Antonia, thought I understand where you are coming from but remember no one likes to live in places that are not theirs. The people have lost their homes and either are living at guest houses or other people’s homes where they are not comfortable. I’m surprised they did not vent their frustrations sooner.
Under the circumstances, can it be helped that they are not yet fully relocated? How many well off D/cans have assisted them and/or the government? Everything falls on the government’s back.