Sites identified for displaced Petite Savanne residents

Petite Savanne was devastated by Erika
Petite Savanne was devastated by Erika

Coordinator of the Resettlement Program, Lucien Blackmoore, has announced that ten potential sites have been identified so far for Petite Savanne residents who were displaced following the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika.

This he said while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.

“We have identified 10 potential sites so far across the island stretching from as far north where we call the region of Cotton Hill, that is in the Portsmouth region,” Blackmoore stated.

Some of the areas include Colihaut, the Warner flats, “that’s in the upstream of the Jimmit housing area, coming down all the way down to the south region of the country, we are looking at potential areas of Bellevue Chopin,” Blackmoore explained.

He stated the La Plaine area is also being explored since there has been a close relationship between that community and Petite Savanne over the years.

“We are also looking within the La Plaine area because La Plaine is also significant for us since that situation we are faced with is not only a physical one, but we have to be mindful of the social and cultural imperatives,” he remarked.

Blackmoore described Petite Savanne as one of the iconic villages with a very strong culture, “a very strong tradition and of course the people have been seriously affected and we have to be mindful of that.”

He noted that the entire community might not be located to La Plaine “but we also want to make sure in our planning and our response that for those who may have interest and intent of going in the La Plaine area, that we will try to accommodate their needs as well.”

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49 Comments

  1. October 26, 2015

    *Oh gosh* Give Us Strength In Petite Savanne ! :(

  2. hmmmm
    October 25, 2015

    Mr. Blackmoore we all know that your information is incorrect…what is your agenda??? have this information been discussed with Dr. Darroux? we all know that this is not the decided upon location so hopefully you have a good reason for this piece of information.

  3. Jay
    October 24, 2015

    DNO, I understand you reporting this, but the journalist should have reached out to the Petite Savanne residents and got their opinion/response to this. I’d be a lot more interested in reading what they want.

  4. Ronald Volney
    October 23, 2015

    The topography of Dominica makes it beautiful and also curses it. A balance must exist between safety and convenience in habitation. The island is prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes and will always experience natural disasters. Roseau is under threat by an eruption of Mt. Micotrin which could bury it in a pyroclastic flow in 8 minutes leveling and joining Morne Bruce to St. Aroment. This was the case many years ago with the Roseau river carving out the present Roeasu valley. While good intentions are to relocate Petit Savanne in the heat of the moment, it may be that it could be safely rebuilt. The culture and heritage of its people are deeply rooted in its location and and moving is easier said than done. Probably having insurance and risk profiling before building permits are given is more prudent.
    A lesson may be learnt from Montserrat with its recent volcanic eruption and relocation of its capital Plymouth.

    Ronald Volney, former government geologist.

  5. October 23, 2015

    Omg people. Let not emotions be the determinant of your opinions. From the photos it is eay to see that ti.savann is not as safe as we thought. If you use google earth to see the topography of the area, it would be more than obvious that heavy rainfall would cause a serious disaster in that area. In my opinion the people were speared. If we were to recieve 1/4 of that rainfall again, the rest of the already saturated soil would fall and cause more damage. Dominica we love to react to event and although the evacuation of that area was reactive, we cannot simply clear the landslides and allow the people to go back to their homes. They lost alot but it is for their safety. Omg. Sam Raphael will not eeopen Jungle bay because the area is unsafe, but ti.savann people should go back to their jomes when the entire area has as much landslide stripes as a zebra. Smh. Be rational people.

  6. OneDestiny
    October 23, 2015

    I say let the people go back to their homes. I’m sure we can source dome heavy equipment to flatten this, that or the other out. This is madness. I’m sad for the people of Tsvanne. Nobody knows what to do.!! You can’t relocate the entire community why relocate any? Try to make tsavanne “safe” and send the people home.

  7. Uncle Sam
    October 23, 2015

    What makes anyone THINK , that stripping someone of his or her place of birth without even a proper explanation , much more reasonable compensation , will somehow , cause them to Re-elect that government or political party which made this dreadful decision .

  8. #TheRealTalkMovement
    October 23, 2015

    You people should be knowledgeable to know that a storm like Erika with that much rain is a very rear occurrence in fact it happens every few decades and yes its because of climate change but it shouldn’t happen again in a very long time so it’s still habitable….and I personally think ti savanne should stay in the south Grand Bay has potential to be the next big city in DA

    • Tjebe fort
      October 25, 2015

      A rear occasion? That is funny. Only if it hits you in the but my boy.

  9. bougla
    October 23, 2015

    Warner has to be the preferred site. Cant see the logic of moving the people to Laplaine.

  10. Jayson
    October 23, 2015

    Cotton Hill sounds like and excellent idea!

  11. ALister
    October 23, 2015

    I am from Petite Savanne and I am not aware of that close relationship with La Plaine.

    • Dominican
      October 23, 2015

      Stupes you are the exception move on

      • Dafrica
        October 23, 2015

        Someone who is actually affected speaks and this is your response. WOW!!!

  12. Anonymouse
    October 23, 2015

    Only those who lose their houses or want to keep family together and volunteers should be permanently relocated. The community’s people have to be given the option to return home to rebuild. After all, many are self employed right there in Petit Savanne and have earned a better living than the rest of the population per capita, making it the Bay Rum capital of Dominica. The same Dominica stricken with high unemployment.

    Most of Dominica’s terrain is like that, most people live on a hill or in a valley. It is not in Dominica’s best interest to add them to the perpetual umemployment lines. Many are self sufficient in their place. Only those that volunteer should be permanently relocated. Grand Coulibri (Bordio) is closer to where they are used to, and the best area for relocating many of them to avoid the mental traumer that comes with relocation.

  13. October 23, 2015

    Cotton Hill is in Portsmouth which has always been a Labour stronghold so that “political strategy” definitely doesn’t apply. Stupes…come up with something else. Like damn if you do damn if you don’t. Nothing pleases a deeply sad person.

    • Beans
      October 23, 2015

      Was cotton hill reserve for the people of Glanvilla and Georgetown

  14. Shameless
    October 23, 2015

    I sincerely hope the opposition and patriotic Dominicans are not asleep. Look beyond the tragedy and see the political wizardry at work. This will mean new constitutional amendment abolishing the Pte. Savanne constituency, extending the boundaries of Laplaine and Grand Bay constituencies (maybe???) and of course a constitutional amendment establishing new boundaries for all other constituencies. Lets see what other constituencies will be affected…..hmmmmmmm 8) 8) 8) 8) . Keep your eyes opened people the master psychologist is at work and we seems to be falling asleep.

    Assertive, NEVER NEVER Aggressive! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  15. Jeremy
    October 23, 2015

    My dear fellow Dominicans

    Please note, Labour never does anything with an altruistic perspective,; everything about labour is self-promoting. They appear to use every means to ensure that Dominica remains under their domination.

    People, wake up and start thinking and acting rationally.

    • Anonymous
      October 23, 2015

      If you people would be more positive I think the opposition would stand a greater chance of getting into power. All this negativity does is allow people to not hear what the oppositioin has to say and to cling and join with the Labour Party. It’s very sickening to say the least.

  16. Chance lady
    October 23, 2015

    Lagoon people need to be moved to cotton hill from the danger of the sea. Look at point round all that flat land

    • Shameless
      October 24, 2015

      Little do you know who has plans to buy Point -Round at a very reasonable rate for “future” division and selling of lots. That is why I say Dominicans fast asleep while the wolves in sheep clothing take advantage of their naiveness. Time will tell :twisted:

      Assertive, NEVER, EVER Aggressive! :twisted:

  17. Man kind
    October 22, 2015

    I do not think that the replacement of P.S. Residence would and could change or upset any election outcome .
    If a party who wants to form a Gov. Should do so it’s own credit and merit and the populous should have the sight to make the right decision who they should vote to be in power .

  18. Francisco Telemaque
    October 22, 2015

    “We have identified 10 potential sites so far across the island stretching from as far north where we call the region of Cotton Hill, that is in the Portsmouth region,” Blackmoore stated.”

    Yes, “we have identified;” my question, when you say we; who are we? Have pooled all the victims, and villagers who live overseas, together, and discourse a suitable location! The victims, the people who are directly affected should be the ones to decide where they wish to live.

    That sort of comment by Blackmoore seems very political, and the result seems as if it is going to lead to some political gerrymandering!

  19. Jack
    October 22, 2015

    The land identified who owns it, is it the Government, or the Government has to purchace land.? How much crown land does the Government owns. Why does every thing has to be political, because the rulers of the land are politicians.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      October 23, 2015

      Jack the term Crown Land should no longer exists in Dominica.

      The land which nobody owned while the nation was colonized fell under that title, because our country was subjected of the British Crown; meaning all un-owned land in the country then belong to the Queen, or King of England, whichever reigned at some particular point and time!

      We are now a sovereign nation remember?

      So, it would be reasonable that the should now be called the ‘The People’s Land’. We should not even say the government own the land!

  20. The Real Facts
    October 22, 2015

    Some of you have a political problem. Blackmoore speaks of relocating the Petite Savanne people to a suitable location, giving consideration to those who may wish to relocate to LaPlaine and some of you put politics in it. What has politics to do with it? I am certain his mind is far from that. His interest is relocating the displaced people for their comfort. You people are something else. So silly. Where are your brains? Can you not comment without referring to politics?

  21. GrandBayrian
    October 22, 2015

    Does that mean we are down to only 20 constituencies?

  22. LAPLAINE
    October 22, 2015

    WHERE IN LAPLINE? BAD IDEA

  23. PETITE SAVANNE RESIDENT
    October 22, 2015

    WARNER IS BETTER. BETTER ACCESS TO THE CITY

  24. kit
    October 22, 2015

    why not Stowe or Morpo..The fishermen would still be able to do their fishing .. Can’t imagine Petite Savanne people relocating all the way to the North…

  25. real possie
    October 22, 2015

    You people are the best, we a;; know T Savanne is more red than nothing, say thank you nah cause they could put them in the heights of Bawi to win Bawi. You people just complain for complaining sake.

  26. October 22, 2015

    I smell a big dead rat. A political dead rat. Father help us jesus.

  27. too late
    October 22, 2015

    from this photo it seem that people should not be allowed to bild in certain areas

  28. October 22, 2015

    We welcome this gesture as alot of la plaine folks have relatives in TiSavann. Bigg up Darroux

  29. October 22, 2015

    Cotton Hill and Portsmouth should not be an option at all. If you guys can consider Portsmouth why not Capuchine. Capuchine is empty. But why even take the people from southeast and drop then in extreme north. It is unecessary inconvenience. Most of the people want to remain connected with the farm,their fishing ways. You drop then in Portsmouth with no jobs,no way making a living and you are creating more docial problems.

  30. petter
    October 22, 2015

    Purely political….all the sites identified needed people to be flown in to vote for labour. So now move just enough to each of those constituencies. Purely madness…..political.

    • citizen
      October 22, 2015

      Nonsence, everything is politics for all you. Go get work for you to do. Stupes

    • Keep it 100
      October 22, 2015

      Dang never looked at it like that, it’s definitley a possibility. :lol:

  31. lonevoice
    October 22, 2015

    hmmm pretty interesting. You all are most definitely not thinking of the people of Petite Savanne.

  32. truth
    October 22, 2015

    hey i disagree with putting some laplaine and the others where ever. they was all together in the first place in one village. so why not put all the people of petite savann back together as one in one village. i think cotton hill in portsmouth is a very good place since no one lives there as yet . it could be their own little homes

  33. john
    October 22, 2015

    Here they are talking bout housin those people but politics have to come in. Politics have to be the down fall of you people. STUPES

    • Nonsense
      October 22, 2015

      @John…. Amen….these people have a political disease. …everything for them is politics. Can’t talk without leaving polite out of it .as you say politics will be their down fall.

  34. Stanley
    October 22, 2015

    So Mr. Blackmoore is there a political calculation to the resettlement areas?

    • chucky
      October 22, 2015

      to me that look very fishy. say wat you want but that is to ensure securing seats, “NONE IS SO BLIND AS HE WHO REFUSE TO SEE’

    • Titiwi
      October 22, 2015

      Don’t be naive, of course there is.

  35. dan
    October 22, 2015

    well is now UWP won’t ever win La Plaine again if they the move majority into that area…
    but maybe the folks are seeing the light now and could vote for a change as the present vibe is pure darkness and destruction that is continuing..

    • Dominican
      October 23, 2015

      UWP is one scared party eh! All they can see is politics, jeez I am glad I am not one of you cuz I love to sleep at nights. Everything little thing pushed you all to the edge wow what a sad life to live!

    • The Real Facts
      October 24, 2015

      You are concerned about that approximately four years away? You have no clue if you or anyone else will be alive, if Dominica and the rest of the world will be still standing.
      Live and let live. Accept what is occurring and give the new location your blessings.
      Thank God that you were spared from TS Erika.
      You have forgotten what everyone should be doing rather than worry about politics. It is to pray for yourself, Dominica and other nationals. Ask God for life, health, strength and protection.

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