Dominica News Online has learned that concerned local truckers have lined up on Bay Street in Portsmouth at the start of construction on the Fisheries Complex in that community.
One trucker told DNO that they are not calling the action a protest just yet; however, he said the men are concerned that foreign workers are being sourced when there are a number of truckers on island who are out of work.
As of 9:00 a.m., he said, truckers were attempting to negotiate with the Japanese contractors responsible for the project.
One eye witness told DNO that about a dozen trucks were lined up on the road leading to the market.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held in December for the US $7.5 million dollar Japanese-funded project.
DNO will provide further details on this development as they become available.
well as far as i have heard the possie truck drivers did not want to carry any huge rocks/bolder on their trucks, they only want to carry chipping and sand…. so i guess dem people had to look somewhere else. What i know ;)
We shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but I’m siding with Nigel here. Even if is the Japanese that’s giving it to us for FREENESS, why can’t the gov’t say, “look, hold up, we have dumpers, tippers, excavators in d’ca too. we want some of our people on this project.”
THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION, PEOPLE!!!
I don’t think it’s fair that even with CSME, that sub-contractor, whoever he is, have to bring in Lucians?! No way!
But as I said before, all that is the next level. The next level can be up or down. YOU be the judge. Nobody have to be ashamed of what party they voted for, but you got to admit that in this Possy truckers business, the government WAS NOT looking after dominicans’ interest.
Yeah, start calling me names. Like water off a duck’s back.
The government gave permission to the foreigner to bring the trucks in. I don’t want to hear those truckers. This is the ‘next level” they all voted for. Possie – LABOUR POWER
I know that it is not just about getting the fisheries complex. I am in full agreement that these types of projects can be used as a means to generate employment and have money circulated in the economy. However what I am trying to say is that with grant projects in particular the gov’t does not have much say in who that is to be employed on these projects. So the people that are saying see how they vote labour and the doh have work that is an ignorant and stupid statement.
I would like to know more about this sub contractor. Is he a dominican. And did he have the absolute authority in the selection of truckers and other matters. To me the situation was not entirely in the hands of the Govt of Dominica.
@ SENSIBLE
I think u should read my post prior to this one. It’s not just about getting the complex ok? people want employment, people want money to be circulating in the town of Portsmouth not all going back to St. Lucia.
If they can come out and say they negotiated with the Portsmouth truckers and their prices were just too exorbitant then well mayb we’d be saying the truckers too greedy and not side with them. Otherwise, local people supposed to gain employment on the project.
If you read what unknown member said, its the subcontractor not the Japanese who decided to bring in trucks from St.Lucia. ….
i have gotten a chance to relax and look at the situation. maybe the truckers have a right to protest. and i think the contractor is full of shit for employing foreign workers when there are capable workers on the island. added on top of that the trucks are not licensed to operate on the island and the drivers dont have Dominican drivers license.
i think our government failed in securing employment for local workers. even if it is free but at least there is room for negotiation.
NO ONE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT 5 YRS SHOULD QUESTION WHAT HAPPENS, ANYTHING GOES, THATS THE MANDATE THAT WAS GIVEN TO OUR GOV’T, SO STOP THE FORCING AND CRYING JUST GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND SHUT-YOUR-MOUTHS. IF YOUR TRUCKS CANNOT FIND WORK GO TO THE OFFICES PROVIDED TO YOUR PARL-REP MAKE A REPORT AND U WILL BE GIVEN A CHEQUE NO QUESTIONS ASKED THAT IS THE NEXT LEVEL EVERY AND ANYTHING GOES. THEY DO IT WRONG THEY SHOULD JUST TAKE THE DOMINICANS TRUCKS WITHOUT EVEN ASKING THEM AND GIVE THEM TO THE LUCIANS TO DRIVE AND DON’T GIVE THEM ANY PAY FOR IT, STILL THEY SHOULD SAY NOTHING CAUSE THATS THE NEXT LEVEL
Domonican people are too damn stupid. The japanese government is giving a grant project. They giving us the fisheries for free. It is up to them to seek the best method of doing their business. If sourcing truckers in dominica not efficient for them or it too costly then so be it. What should the PM tell them to do? If you dont hire dominican truckers then dont give us no fisheries for them to pack up and go and for the fishermen to loose out. Come on man. I can understand if it was a government funded project then I would support the Truckers 100%. But is dem japanese that giving us the fisheries so back up. People comming here and say see what labour do. Boy i ashamed to say i dominican sometimes because of people like that. Too damn stupid.
what is the complaining about nah possy? this is the next level, u all laugh already, this is certainly the next level just laught it out, u never know what u going to get when u go to the next level, so short the heck up just slide to the next level. lol
WHY ARE DOMINICANS SO IGNORANT AND STUPID LIKE THE ONES TRYING TO MAKE ALL THIS A POLITICAL ISSUE.
A FOREIGN COMPANY IS FUNDING A PROJECT WITH THERE OWN MONEY, DONT U THINK THEY WOULD HAVE THERE OWN EQUIPMENT TO MAKE THE PROJECT CHEAPER.
GUSH U IGNORANT BASTARDS NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND READ AND SEEK INFORMATION BEFORE U MAKE STUPID COMMENTS
ALWAYS PUTTING POLITICS IN EVERYTHING. ELECTION IS OVER. ITS TIME FOR NATION BUILDING SO SHUT UP IF U HAVE NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO SAY
I have said befor and i will say again, i you doe have nothing to say? HUSH YOUR DAMN MOUTH.
You that Dominican Queen “my foot” you must have some mental problem of some sort, because here we are talking about fisheries and trucking, you talking and making big noise wee, about garden and line…..LOL…. girl, you de best. Just add DRAG between Dominican and Queen and see if it doesn’t describe you better…..SOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you UNKNOWN MEMBER #1 for enlightening use on the situation. We are behind you guys 100%
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!! BECUZ JUNIOUR HERNANDEZ AND ALL THOSE THAT SAYING THOSE TRUCKERS WRONG SHLD REALLY PUT THAT IN THEIR PIPE AND SMOKE IT. HOW CAN U AGREE FOR SUCH A THING TO HAPPEN IN PORTSMOUTH? THAT IS NONSENSE AND IS TIME POSSIE PPL STAND UP !! PROTEST !!! LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD ! AND YES JUNIOR IF YOUR HEART HURTING YOU GO AND TELL D “RING LEADER”. YOUR 2 FACE. I SURE U SMILE UP IN HIS FACE. GO TO HELL !!!!!!!!!!
Infrastructural development is also supposed to be a means of providing local employment to skilled and unskilled labourers, and therefore to have indirect effects on the economy through circulation of money.
It’s not just about gettin a new bridge or sea wall. So I’m not feeling this business about ST.LUCIAN TRUCKERS AT ALL. Possy people stand by LABOUR FOR TOO LONG, for when we FINALLY GET A MAJOR PROJECT, possy people not being employed??!! NONSENSE!!
BLOCK THE ROAD, do what all you have to do man.
This is an effort by ME as a local trucker involved, and have a keen knowledge as to what is going on, compared to the idiots against us. Please allow me to address this matter at hand.
First of all let me say that i am very much disappointed with most of the comments i read on this matter, for it’s the first time I have seen an argument being held without even knowing or having a dim idea of the real matter at hand.
This country has been granted a fisheries complex by the Japanese, which no one is more greatful than we the HARDCORE LABOURITES !!!. The Japanese then contracted mister “S” with his skills and experience to come to Dominica to undertake the project, FINE!!!…….Mister “S” then, with no authority by the Japanese Gov or The Dominican Gov, subcontracted a TRUCKING company from St Lucia to handle all earth movement on that said project. These trucks and machines in question also come with drivers and opperators for all of them, the trucks are Vat free, Duty free and Tax free on fuel and everything they use.(Hence no money stays in Dominica).
That being said, without an amicable agreement being reached within the space of two weeks before past Monday, work has begun with this Lusian nationals, driving on public road from Calihaut to Portsmouth.These drivers are not even owners of work permit of this island which is required by every country.DOMINICAN, CAN YOU GO ELSEWHERE AND DO THAT? I will answer for you, NO!!!!
We are not stupid as most of you all think we are to jeopardize our relationship with these Japanese, but FOOLS are those who think we would. If the trucks and machines were owned by the Japanese, then noting can be said or done, because the project was a gift to Dominica, BUT MY GOD, how can the person the Japanese subcontract from japan to assist the on the project just call his St Lucian padner to use his 4 bump trucks and 3 excavators, loader and crane EH? When we have more and better quality that those brought here?
NOW TRY TO PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT
AND THE PEOPLE CALLING NAME AS TO WHO DID THE FIRST PROJECT ON THAT SITE BE A MAN / WOMAN AND CALL .. AND SAY IT TO HIS FACE ..
If this is the way that our people respond to local man fighting for his daily bread,….. where can we go? Look around at other countries and you be the judge
Please people!
I would hire any body but these Dominican truckers. They are unreliable and good for nothing.
Dominicans feel that even if they work for you and that you pay them, in reality they are doing you a favour. What the heck??? That is the attitude of Dominican works!!
It is evident in the lack of poor service that they give. No one knows their job. If you go to the ministry for something, the same people who’ve worked there donkey years, cannot direct you to another person who directly impacks their job.
I called the Ministry after a small hurricane two years ago. I wanted the animal services in the garden. I do not sound Dominican, and even if I did that was not the reaction that should have been given. Apparently, the line at the gardens was not fully functional as yet when I called. The operated answer, asked to be transferred to the gardens, she asked me to hold and then answered, “De lines dem not working nah, it have water in it”
What the heck?? Is like no one learned from our famous embarrassment quote, “A jay wind blow and a patche fig fall”
EDUCATION!!
We need our people to be educated in the customer service aspect. To learn to show up for work at the appointed time, to come prepared, and to actually do the work.
Soooo many sad stories of poor work and service by Dominican’s that it’s not even funny.
JUNIOR HERNANDEZ I SMELL PUREEEEEEEEEEEE JEALOUSY !!! GET WELL SOON…ALL U POSSIE PPL TO LIKE TO GRUDGE ! I HOPE UR NOT ONE OF THOSE WHO SMILE IN ” THE ONE U REF TO AS RING LEADER FACE. SHUT URE MOUTH ABOUT THINGS U DUNNO ABOUT. WHEN HE DOES BE GIVING ALL THEM OTHER FELLAZ WORK FROM VEILLECASE. LOOK NOW THEY HAVE ALL JOBS, SKERRIT BUTTER THEIR BREAD. SO WHEN U SEE PPL STANDIN UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS KEEP URE RASS SHUT !! MY PPL DONT LET NO OUTSIDERS COME AND TAKE BREAD FROM ALL U MOUTH !!! BLOCK THE DAMN ROAD !! AND JUNIOR WATEVER UR NAME TAKE A HIKE ! IDIOT !!!!!!!! U VEX HE DIDNT CALL U FOR A JOB? MAYBE U CAN WASH UP HIS TRUCKS FOR HIM AFTER THEY FINISH WORKING. HAHA
So what’s going to happen when the OECS Economic Union is ratified this coming June? Skilled workers will be able to work in any state within the OECS. I do however blame the government for keeping people in the dark when it came to this project.
I am in agreement with the creation of jobs for Dominicans on such Projects, I know such Projects require dumper lorries to transfer rubble and the like. I ask those truckers have they got such vehicles? If not, the contractors or government can provide the vehicles(dumpers) and employ the local drivers who already are acquainted with the locality for dumping/transferring purposes.
The CSME is mentioned and Dominica is a forerunner for the success of this System, I hope the protesters understand the importance of the scheme which will allow free movement/employment for member participants in the Region. Most importantly, it is a known fact that the Japanese or Chinese are employment diciplinarians and when a Project commences, it is expected to be completed without unnecessary delay. For the good of the Country, I hope this will be taken in consideration by the truckers or any other employees so that we are not left with a WHITE ELEPHANT. Please think of the long term benefits this project will provide for us
Jungle is not INFERSTRUCTURE, IS INFRASTRUCTURE….and you even put it in caps too. Ok now you know.
i kno for a fact that most of the truckers in possy r hardcore labour so its no a political thing. i support the truckers 100% they should be getting jobs on the project. i can’t see st.lucian truckers allowing something like this to happen in their country so why should we
Ok people, the fact that we voted the present Government back into office doesn’t mean that we must turn a blind eye to that which does not seen to be right. I am fully in agreement with those truckers who wish to feed themselves and their children. The fact that the project is a gift from Japan shouldn’t mean that only Japanese should be contracted. Various aspects of the project should be evenly distributed whereby skilled Dominicans are not left out.
which one of you is surprised by what transpired today in Portsmouth? i for sure am not.
I would not be surprised at all if the local truckers were never in the picture.
I support the truckers .. this thing needs to be clarified before the project moves forward.
too often projects are undertaken without consultation with the people. this is just another glaring example.
MWEMEM you need to goa nd learn what CSME means, I am a true born Dominican with a Dominican Passport. All the Japanesse havfe to do is go back to therir country and see who stands to loose. It look like is Dominican money that spending for the Complex, not one cent from the treasury that spending. Two days on the job and all you protesting , go get the facts and then talk. The same one that heading the protest is the same one that clear the grounds alone and get all he big money. Where were you all, did he give you a trip during the two weeks? Be a leader and not a follower.
Why cant we do anything in this country peacefully, we are a God fearing or atleast thats what we say and in everything we do there is controversy, Remember Dominicans what is going on around us today, is time we stop being bias and open our eyes and ears before we leap forward, God is watching our every move and one day ONE DAY he will get fed up with our nonesense, this project has just started u guys could have atleast wait to see what is going on before trying to stop the food that is suppose to be going to your own mouths.
It is not Dominican tax payer’s money paying for this fisheries. Who built the Marigot and Roseau fisheries? Why do people like to cause trouble to try and get their way?
WELL, WELL, WELL. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, BECAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. WHAT GOOD IS IT TO THE COUNTRY FOR INFERSTRUCTOR TO BE BOOMING AND THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY ARE NOT EMPLOYED? TO ME I RATHER AVE THE PEOPLE WORKING AND DEVELOPING THEIR LIVES THAN TO HAVE INFERSTRUCTURE. IS TRUE WE GETTING THE PROJECT BUT THE MONEY IS LEAVING THE COUNTRY. THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR A COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT.
Well well .
Dominica is definitely on the next level; No work fo rlocals but foreign workers are employed? In Portsmouth the town or rather city of Labour. well well well. Take that. You have not sene anything yet. In February IMF coming dominica, 400 workers going home, that is when you will see protest.
Heavne help us all. Next level, look out it coming.
LMAO.
Junior Hernandez, who ever you are, you not from portsmouth, we doh have dat kind of surname here, so hush you mout! alu fink we going and stand up dere and let foreigners take break in our mouth, we not layou people camem, we want work or those lucians going back where they comout, you fink a project can come in lucia and dominicans going to get work before lucians? well this time we want to see who “dog is lass”
Before you people go backing the truckers & encouraging them to block the project why don’t you do a little reseach & find out why the contractors doing major works in Dominica don’t like dealing with the local truckers?
Ask some of the contractors doing big road jobs about the nightmares local truckers give them. Dominicans have to realise that the sucess of these major projects comes from management ensuring productivity from day to day. This is impossible to acheive with local truckers as they will be there today, but not the next day but then show back up when they feel like & expect to be welcomed back. It don’t work so Dominica. Grow up & face reality.
The world has moved on……….some attitudes in Dominica need to catch up.
I’m sure this can be resolved quickly. Most of these contracts usually have a provision that will employ a certain percentage of local subcontractors, laborers and truckers. Hopefully, this one is no different.
Stop playing politics in this matter. Portsmouth is being taken to the next level and not alrighty nor anyone is going to stop Portsmouth development. We in Portsmouth have sacrifice alot and too much for anyone to take it away. Trucker you will be employed because the four st lucian trucks cannot do all the work, and learn to carry boulders this is what is being carried now. The time for sand and stones will come.
The project is only two days old. They only started on Monday gone. The ring leader of the protest is the one who cleared the land and transportted all the debris by himself and his trucks. Did he employ any other? He got the big money. Why today you are leading a protest to employ local trucks? why you did not share the first bread? Another thing any foreign company who is contracted to do any work they always bring one or two equipment, the people brought only four dump trucks, can the four trucks do the work, they will employ others but the job is only two days old. Another thing the Dominican truckers say the only carry sand and stmall stones on their trucks, what the peopleare carrying is huge bolders to backfield the sea. I want to understand why are these people trying to stop the development of Portsmouth? It is Portsmouth time and no one is going to stop its sucess. and development. We were being laughed at for we were not being remembered, don’t try to stop our development. The people who are protesting don’t remember CSME ? The people are our neighbours in St Lucia. If I was the Japanesse people I would just pack up and leave.
well from the headline, the project seems to be funded by Japan so its likely they have there own people work on the project. this is all good but i would imagine the government made an agreement therefore allowing its local truckers to find work.
i guess its all business. if its cheaper to bring your own truckers then why not.
i think Dominicans need to grasp how the world works. clearly they dont. This is a major project and i would imagine the Japanese got there own construction firm and these firms usually have there own equipements, thats all there is to it.
tell this truckers sit there***down
So u mean to tell me that a project of this magnitude and the Gvt didnt stipulate in the contract that local trucks and labourers be used??? Come on man..so u mean to tell me that as a resident of Portsmouth i have to sit by and watch foreigners do the job that i am capable of doing and getting money which will be leaving my island??? Come on Parl Rep. do some reepresenting here..
@ Concerned.. wat u mean that the truckers stopping the first big project?? If this isnt addressed now..wats going to happen in the second,third or fourth big project???? We shouldnt be importing wat we already have here. Sometimes its not only the Cost-Effectiveness of a project u have to look at the social impact too.
hope this gets resolved soon.
well i would like to no from the truckers if at all the made efforts to speake with gov when they heard about the project being signed or if they just expected gov to give them the job ?then we will be able to cast remarks .to every storie theres 3 sides let us here all 3 first
I voted labour and i say truckers if you all see a need to satnd for ur rights take it thats ur right and if what you all saying is true you have every right to protest
This is a no brainer. Why aren’t our truckers working? They should be the first in line. Hold strong truckers you have our support. We did not put the DLP back in power to put up with that nonsense. I still have faith in the government and believe they will work something out.
Well is not labour party y’all vote nuh. Now y’all can’t get labour to feed y’all family. I thought the country would be running sweet since majority vote red… Well what we reap we shall sow. Who Vex LOST!
All too often we jump on issues without knowing the full story. That being said, please note that there is ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY!
I am wondering, who is the financier for that project? Did the government receive a loan to construct this or was it sponsored by another country?
I asked these two questions because if it is sponsored by another country example China, they most likely will bring in their nationals to work on the project as in the case of the stadium…
On the other hand if it is a government funded project, I am wondering why weren’t locals given a chance to work on the project…
Maybe DNO could enlighten us, not sure whether they have that information….but I await the government’s response on this issue as well as the Truckers Association or whoever is leading this protest.
Am working right next to the project and trust me these trucker’s won’t leave the area now. From my work place to the market has trucks lined up on the left side of the road and the have blocked the entrance where the lucian’s trucks were suppose to come out.
Well that’s our next level and it’s rather sad for Portsmouth first big project and it’s stopped by our own local trucker’s what a catastrophy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take u all stand brother man. do what u have to do. but peacefully. ok
Good job truckers, stand up for your rights and i think more people should take heed to that action. Always make sure that when the gov signs any project deal, that local interest are taken into consideration.
Way to go
That’s all you ‘next level’. Take it.