Rupert Sorhaindo to lead charge for Botanical Gardens rehabilitation

A section of the Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens in Roseau will be completely rehabilitated and Rupert Sorhaindo has been named to head a committee to lead that charge.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Kwéyòl Wandévou on Monday, Minister of Environment, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management and Urban Renewal, Joseph Isaac, said the restoration has already begun.

“And a committee is in place to take it to another level,” he stated. “Under this committee, chaired by Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo, the Gardens will be comprehensively rehabilitated and reestablished as the most beautiful green space in the entire OECS and the wider Caribbean.”

He said with the design of the Botanical Gardens link road being finalized, he said there will be a “significant ease” from traffic congestion in Roseau.

“The committee is developing a full plan for the gardens which will involve replanting trees, modern landscaping, designing a recreational and urban park for locals and tourists alike to enjoy,” Isaac, who is also MP for Roseau Central, stated.

He noted that having a refurbished green space will help influence the health of the nation.

“Because there is a direct correlation between having public green spaces and the likelihood that we will exercise,” he said. “A vitalized park will provide a space for Dominicans to interact with one another and to host community activities like farmer’s market, flea market and concerts and activities such as this one today.”

The Botanical Gardens was established when Dominica was still a colony of Britain. The area was sold to the government in 1891 by its owner.

 

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58 Comments

  1. ken viret
    February 20, 2019

    does anyone know the name of the owner that sold it to the government?

  2. Joseph John
    October 25, 2018

    We should take this botanical gardens to a higher level. We should establish parks in every community. I know we have our forest reserve national parks, but I as thinking of parks available to the public on a daily basis like our own Botanical Gardens which use to be the number one in the world even ahead of the Kew gardens.

  3. Country Man
    October 25, 2018

    This is another classic example of placing a square peg in a round hole. This committee should be lead by a landscape architect who has experience with such project. Can Rupert reference any landscape project he has managed besides his back yard.
    This is why Dominica ends up with sub-optimal development projects. We are not using our limited resources wisely.

  4. Original
    October 25, 2018

    This is a job which should be headed by local architects and others skilled in the construction industry.

  5. Zes
    October 24, 2018

    People be wise. This is political gimmick. This is bait and switch.
    There are no plans. Wisen up my people. Election in the air. People around.
    This is bait and switch. Skeritt again taking us for fools,.

  6. Diafish jab
    October 24, 2018

    Stop the personal insults and add real tangible value to the island at home and abroad! Haters haters haters

    • viewsexpressed
      October 25, 2018

      Mr Diafish jab, for your information, do not attempt to insult us with silly haters talk. if you are unable to comprehend and see the bigger picture, ask questions of the bigger picture. We will politically development where Skerrit and his failed corrupt Labour Government cannot. They are corrupt to the core. The real picture is this: Skerrit has no plans for developing Domininca and he operates loosely and abruptly and spontaneously to the little things that the City Council is responsible for. Skerrit is a failure, he has failed us and is slippery as he walk and talk nonsense. There are no social-economic Develpoment taking place in Dominica and our local authorities are in debt not raising money to build up their villages. The people of these villages cannot pay house tax, as they have no name, no revenue as Skerrit has killed bananas and agriculture and selling our passports where no one knows where the money goes. Skerrit is a failure and he must Go. Skerrit Get Lost. Leave us.

  7. Tracking Cookies
    October 24, 2018

    Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo though a retired gentleman is very qualified and experienced for this job and should mentor a few younger persons in this capacity. For one thing he is competent in the areas of biology, botany, zoology, and experienced in understanding and implementing government policy deliverables since he was a government minister ( Minister of Education and Sports) between 1990 and 1995 under the Dominica Freedom Party.

    With these qualities outlined above I hope he will begin the difficult job of public consultation with as many stakeholder groups around Dominica as possible as to the outcome we can all agree upon for our Botanical Gardens and the anticipated impact the rehabilitated botanical gardens will have on the lives (physical health) of Dominicans, our tourism product, social interactions, stress levels, study habits of school kids, on cultural preservation, showcasing of our culture, local cricket, the government music lovers band, and on our senior citiens.

  8. talbert
    October 24, 2018

    Hopefully the plan to rehab the gardens will take into account the building of an amphitheater (an open air performance venue hosting of events in a park-like setting), for the hosting of outdoor event, like local acts, shows and displaying our local talent to the tourist, when a ship is in port, and a place to host national and international events. Taking the burden of the back of the national purse and having the gardens be self sufficient!

    • Nature Isle
      October 26, 2018

      Hopefully not. It’s a botanic gardens.

  9. Dr Clayton Shillingford
    October 24, 2018

    DAAS has hosted a website for the Botanical Gardens for years…..https://www.dominicagardens.com/

    • viewsexpressed
      October 25, 2018

      That’s true and these clowns did have the courtesy to consult you all for a projects you all undertake in the interest of Domininca. You see Clayton, your name and that of your professional group is not painted in Red. You come from the school and profession of being objective, passionate and put country first. For others they have to be hooked and be seen aligned to failed politicians. they jump on the boat going nowhere, just for the ride.
      Our intellectuals and distinguished Dominicans, at home and abroad must come together to help how best we can take back our country and steer it to the right development of socio-economic development.

      • Neville
        October 26, 2018

        I agree. We should get together and free our country from this kleptocrat.

  10. Don2fresh
    October 24, 2018

    This is a great plan for the Garden. Rehabilitation of Jack’s Walk hopefully is included.
    PS. For all the people dogging Sorhaindo, the man is heading a committee to develop one of our most beautiful sites in Dominica. Not once did I see the article read that he is currently pledging allegiance to Roosevelt Skerrit. Stop being BiAss. Even though he did, it is his right to support whomever he wants whether you all accept it or not is he lashing out at any of you for supporting who you support?
    I know him as a great man and so he shall remain.

    • UKDominican
      October 24, 2018

      Everything is a committee in Dominica. We hardly have 55,000 people left here now…..that is enough committee. We have a committee in the House on the rare occasion parliament meets but the Speaker obstructs the opposition from expressing themselves. Some committee that is! I suggest we rename her “the Bollard”.The Prime Minister says we do not need an opposition, so do we need a committee for the garden when we know it is the same man that says no or yes to Rupert?. Make no mistake, it is he who decides. I hope the committee members get at least a free lunch and before I forget it, please bring back the parrots to the gardens. They were an attraction to locals and visitors alike.

      • October 24, 2018

        I agree. Most committees are a colossal waste of time and rarely are innovative initiatives the outcome of committees.

        On the other hand, public consultation is necessary and constructive. For this reason I hope Mr. Sorhaindo takes heed of the comments that this news item has provoked.

      • Don2fresh
        October 25, 2018

        A COMMITTEE indicates that the individuals besides government, are involved in the country’s development. This indicates inclusion. What do you all want?! If committees were not formed you all would say that they are doing everything on their own, micromanagement and people don’t know what is happening. Here comes committee which allows people to be actively involved, it’s an issue. SMDH. You all need to quit being so indecisive and all over the place. If you want to vote for your party, do so, but don’t do it with a BS agenda. like hating people simply due to the fact that they are on a committee.

    • Mother
      October 24, 2018

      Rehabilitation of the gardens is a good plan but the appointment of mr. Sorhaindo is flawed.

  11. FEAR, LOVE AND NAIVETY
    October 24, 2018

    Seeking more evidence, as to why they are SINGING FOR THEIR SUPPER – earn a favour or benefit by providing a service in return.

    Some of our people (especially Labour Party acolytes) are going about their daily life in Dominica not motivated or driven by a strong desire or determination to succeed. Their only hope of succeeding is an ever-hungry desire to rely on the Government / PM. Are they just ne’er-do-wells crippling our Nature Isles?

  12. Truth Be Told
    October 24, 2018

    He said with the design of the Botanical Gardens link road being finalized, he said there will be a “significant ease” from traffic congestion in Roseau.
    There you go, it is already a failure! Stop the road through the gardens. Only a pedestrian footpath is needed! This needs to be an absolute green space and the entire gardens should be a recreational, flora and fauna space, not an urban park!
    Nature Island of the Caribbean with the most dilapidated, run down and desertified green space in the Caribbean called a Botanical Garden! Take a look at some of the other Botanical Gardens in the Caribbean; their serenity, tranquility, flora and fauna, water fountain! You all should be ashamed as the Nature Island of the Caribbean to present such a dump as a Botanical Gardens! Build a park if you all want a park, but do not make a fool of the nation by calling an urban park a Botanical Garden. Google Botanic or Botanical Gardens and you will see the beauty that comes up around the world!

  13. Your auntie brother
    October 24, 2018

    We don’t need flea market and farmers market there or modern entertainment. We have fleas and ticks enough already and farmers sell their stuff already every day at the old market that has a roof for shelter. What the government going to do with that then. The gardens should be a garden with no traffic running trough it and no car parking either. Concerts you say. The stadium is standing idle most of the year, costing us money. Green space Joseph? Well all of Dominica is green space and you don’t have to turn the gardens into Disney land for that. Maybe Rupert pension not enough so they give him a little job like that to make Parry jealous? Just restore the gardens Joseph, no entertainment no noise, keep out the rubbish and dirty vehicles and Imay vote for you perhaps.

  14. Looking from beyond
    October 24, 2018

    So you see how the PM a little boy have dem so called big man in his pocket🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😅 This is why the PM have so much power in the country😜😜😜😜😜 shame on Dominican

    • RandyX
      October 25, 2018

      Yes, shame on them! All of them in the dictators pocket.

  15. Ou fou compere
    October 24, 2018

    Johnson Morso Pie visited Canada and went to a fleam Market & a Farmers market & thought two splendid ideas for thee Botanic gardens. Travel can be good but can make one a fool too.
    Because there is a direct correlation between having public green spaces and the likelihood that we will exercise,” he said. “A vitalized park will provide a space for Dominicans to interact with one another and to host community activities like farmer’s market, flea market and concerts and activities such as this one today Issac can take a few goats from Sister Marie’s cellar and let them loose in the gardens. Then there can be goats to shoot when the hunting season reopens.

  16. October 23, 2018

    Rather than a committee, what the gardens need is an experienced landscape designer.

    A few years ago DNO carried a news item about a Dominican landscape designer who had completed a major commission in the UK. At the time he said he would welcome an opportunity to serve his homeland.

    The exemplary BVI Botanic Garden was created from scratch in the 1980’s by the Governor’s wife with the help of prisoners. Mrs. Barwick was an accomplished artist and a remarkable woman. I would often find her in the gardens at the crack of dawn working in her knickers.

  17. Ou fou compere
    October 23, 2018

    Despite a great academic background our professionals have to be at the whims and fancies of a dotish P.M. Rupert taught me at school even today I cab hear him explain Bio to us. When I wrote my exam it was a breeze.I totally destroyed it due to such great tutoring today am ashame he has to stoop so low to a crayfish.
    Life must be real hard in DA.

    • ??????????
      October 23, 2018

      Very disrespectful! That is what is wrong with the people of Dominica. No respect for God, this boils to others and not even themselves. He was a good Bio Teacher yet you disrespect him as chairman of a committe to rehabilitate the botanical gardens. What kind of individual are you? Not even grateful to the man who taught you! But alas you do not even respect the great I am. If you did you would be grateful first to him, then to others. Alas Lord have mercy! Our father commands us to love one another. Many of us do not even love ourselves far less for others. All some of us do is complain about everything and disrespect others in authority and we think that others should say or do what we want. God has given us a free will.

      Having said all this, I agree with the gentleman Mr Isaac, Parliamentary of Roseau to reasons of the green space. I know Mr. Sorhaindo will do a good job!

      • Me
        October 24, 2018

        Dear question mark, you reap what you sow.

      • viewsexpressed
        October 25, 2018

        ???????????????????, no one is immune form criticism. You must mind your Funky Business and read carefully, comprehend before you jut respond. Nothing is wrong inn upgrading the Gardens, the issue we have which is painful to us Dominicans is that Domininca is a t a standstill for development, jobs, producing and selling crops etc, we don’t see that happening.
        So what we see in Skerrit and Bobolistic clowns are “tou cho tou flam ” pieces of wprk here there and everywhere and it is the big boys we see benefiting from it. They are the happy retired ones earning from the Big failed master Skerrit. That is where we are under failed Skerrit and his corrupt Labour government. The big boys protect him and dot care for we struggling civil servants and poor people in the villages where no more crops are produced. You think Skerrit cares and the big boys cares. Domininca is a failed state and the big boys don’t have the aptitude to lend a voice to poor to kick out Skerrit. They happy…

  18. my homeland is
    October 23, 2018

    It is general knowledge the Neo DLP is the DFP & all former DFPites now control the DLP starting with the head of State,P.M etc ow Rupert? Looks like all DFP ites turning DLP but Neo was Gregory Issac ever a DFP ite in secrete? He has had a long history with Rupert good & bad and good anew.

  19. Seriously
    October 23, 2018

    “The area was sold to the government in 1891 by its owner.” I am just going to assume that the article is still in draft form…. Like what is the point of this statement?

    • Me
      October 24, 2018

      Simply to say that it is government property and that they can do with it as they see fit.

  20. my homeland is
    October 23, 2018

    The chair and the minister of/for………………………….. were good friend back in the 80’s and fell out in the 90’s. the former referring to the latter of being ungrateful. He had taught & mentored him and guided him thru his school life.
    Interesting to see their reunification 20 something years later.
    Just my observation. I forgot it’s the Neo DLPnow a merger of ex-DFP-ites and opportunists original DLPites.
    Now, Issac emanates from an original DLP lineage. Changed skin in 1990 & anew in 2018.
    Well all’s good once it’s 4 making the gardens nice again.

  21. hmmmmmmmmmmmm
    October 23, 2018

    farmers market in the gardens? Isaac looks like you gone loco, I will vote for you, I love mad people

    • Ou fou compere
      October 23, 2018

      Then we can conclude you like Dr.Benjie?

    • Ou fou compere
      October 23, 2018

      hmmmmmmmmmmmm,That having been said then U like Skerrit & the bandits LL & his fou passe’ his former god father of the Party Eddie afouahdem not wee bc me ain’t fou
      What about the nice chick living in NY who have de new party? Pappy too?

      • hmmmmmmmmmmmm
        October 24, 2018

        just name them. I love blackmore too, he said in his budget speech he saw the airport drawing/design. im voting for him too

    • Anonymous
      October 24, 2018

      What are they going to do with the old market?

  22. DEE
    October 23, 2018

    That’s the first Botanical Gardens i know to have a main road running right through it ?
    There may well be others , but i don’t know OK.
    I am certain the fumes and all the pollution from the those vehicles passing through will also make it the healthiest Botanical gardens in the entire world .
    Dominica the first , the best , the everything .
    Allu people dow have shame?
    i only asking .

    • Anonymous
      October 24, 2018

      That is the next level according to Isaac the turncoat.

  23. October 23, 2018

    Are we to assume that the link road will be passing through the gardens, as does the recently placed concrete road?

    If so, the two (road and garden) are totally incompatible.

  24. jaded
    October 23, 2018

    The Gardens needs a body of water – pond/fountain. It also needs pathways leading to various themes of local flora.

    • DA Fails
      October 23, 2018

      So long I saying that, Labor party spend 2 million dollars on sprinklers they doesn’t even use anymore, why not make a pond/Foundtain at the back of convent instead? It would still be there

    • Joseph John
      October 23, 2018

      Agreed. More water works. We also need an aquarium, maybe two ; a fresh water one and a salt water one with local fishes.

      • Neville
        October 25, 2018

        Nobody really asked for your input. But since you can’t refrain from giving us another dose of your corrupt wisdom let me suggest we throw Skerrit in one of those aquarium. He would make a great SHARK

    • my homeland is
      October 23, 2018

      On the first request Jaded: We have to bringdown the Fountain man himself Earl Williams alias Instru from the Bx.This will be a big legal issue as he could be arrested upon landing re: Desiree Kentish-John’s funds.
      Skerrit and Gregory Issacs can any of UWP’s fountainologist. That was their idea of beautification of Mamo’s blvd .hmmmmmmmmmmmm said he likes mad and jaded suggested a fountain. Just plant Thompson

      • my homeland is
        October 24, 2018

        So UWP and Jaded already have a fountain hahahahahahaah

      • Ou fou compere
        October 24, 2018

        Nice one my homeland is, I had even forgotten Instru what big mouth. I remember hi talking about UWP know how to cover their tracks LMAO but he could not cover his. Someone mentioned he would be arrested if he puts foot on DA soil. Nah Mr.G is back after skipping town for yrs to the pint he can come and negotiate with the other big Mouth AA. It’s so true D is not a real country.

      • Your auntie brother
        October 24, 2018

        I agree that man should face the music. Never liked him, nor Julius, another floor crosser. People like that too opportunistic and cannot be trusted. That is why I never voted for Edison either but I will vote for Lennox unless he crosses the floor also in which case I will ask God for asylum. lennox I counting on you. My last hope to rescue us.

  25. Looking
    October 23, 2018

    A whole truck load of these retirees who are receiving a pension, got their gratuity and are now back on contract sucking the country dry while there are so many young people unemployed. There are people within the public service who have worked hard and can’t get a reasonable promotion nor get appointed. These retirees who are the main apologists for the governing party and are its biggest mouth piece and defenders, In local parlance they are called “Souceh”. Convincing poor people that everything is good while they are the ones enjoying the “Good times”

    • Ou fou compere
      October 23, 2018

      Skerrit dem giving hand outs & & sewo which numbs the brain so they are useless where thinking is concern.

  26. A. George
    October 23, 2018

    Kindly note its Botanic Gardens
    https://www.dominicagardens.com/a-brief-history.html

    Looking forward to some of these changes… we need more practical green spaces on island.

    • Me
      October 24, 2018

      Botanic or botanical. Meme bete, meme pwel.

  27. %
    October 23, 2018

    Freedomite turned Labourite…Way Papa! Way Papa! Way Papa!
    Domnic Really Finish Bat!!! Job for all the boys Skerrit! It’s coming to an end .
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  28. Shabin
    October 23, 2018

    go and look at St. Vincent, there you can see how a botanical garden should look and feel like, no traffic is allowed to pass, no bypass road for stinking buses and trucks, no vehicle access for cricket players too lazy to walk qui. Rehabilitation is a great plan, but is there nothing more important in this place? Giraudel Road, La Plaine road, Imperial road, Laudat road and all them bridges? Next level for real

  29. AA
    October 23, 2018

    But why are these ministers so much magee nah, you just put down concrete in the gardens and now you coming and talk your crap about rehabilitation. If you all had a plan as to what to do you all would never have placed concrete in the gardens. You all are just dotish

  30. Lead Singer
    October 23, 2018

    Rupert Sorhaindo has been singing for the Skerrit band for a while now. I guess his fellow VielleCase boy had finally served him his plate of food. Well done Rupert

    • Paul Rossnof
      October 25, 2018

      Dominica is a country with the best ‘singers’ on earth. They would kill for a crumb of the double doctors table…

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