Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has condemned protest action now taking place in Salisbury.
He also said conditions of roads in the area are being addressed.
He spoke during a live interview on state-owned DBS Radio on Monday morning.
“The government condemns the action of the Salisbury people,” he said, adding that there are legal means in addressing issues.
“One cannot condone or support in anyway whatsoever the illegal blocking of public access roads,” he stated.
On Monday residents of the community blocked the E.O Leblanc Highway, causing a pile up of traffic.
They say the government has neglected the area and the roads, especially farm access roads, are in a deplorable condition.
But the Prime Minister said the roads are being addressed by the government through the European Union-funded Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM).
“As the people of Salisbury would know, the member of parliament of Salisbury would know, I hope, we’ve been working with the European Union (EU) under the Banana Accompanying Measure to address several farm access roads across the country of which the Salisbury Heights is a priority area,” he stated.
He noted that there has been a delay in the implementation of the BAM but work should begin “in the next months.”
He went on to say that because of the delay the government decided to do remedial works on the most critical area of farm access roads in Salisbury Heights to Carholm.
“As a matter of fact I paid a visit there myself, along with the Minister of Agriculture and his staff and Ministry of Public Works staff to look at the area specifically and once we got there we decided we cannot wait for the BAM to do certain sections of the road,” Skerrit said.
He remarked that the public knows of the government’s position on the Salisbury road.
“We have provided that information to the public so they know of that information,” he said. “There was a consultation with the consultants from BAM where a lot of information was shared with the various farming communities, where some of the roads will be effected, and the stakeholders to indicate to them what has to be done.”
He said work on the Salisbury road is going to in extensive.
“In terms of the works that have to be done, it will be covering ten kilometers of road that is the worst sections of the road in the Salisbury Height, so it is going to be extensive,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the road is going to be the most costly of all the roads to be repaired under the BAM.
“So if the guys were really serious about the roads, the farm access roads, they know of better avenues to get the information and updates on the situation,” he stated.
“Man up my people… In this world you have to spend money to make money. Come together and fix your roads”–@DOMINICAN FARMER May 11, 2015
I share your sentiment! In this world today, we people need to realize that we should first try to help ourselves– until we can get further help, but with hope for help–in the home and in our community.
But there are those who can rightly afford to help themselves, but their mind of mischief and their desire for free fame and popularity–those people do not even care that the pain is on themselves–their family and their whole environment.
What kind of mind would think of blocking a “major road” connecting 2 major cities–on the first business day of the week– if that mind had any sense of caring?
Let Beres Hammond and Destra fix them roads….All you think them jam was for free….Next level…take that!!!!
This protest makes No sense at all. Dominicans are Watching too much television about American protestors. We are not like them, so Why should we act like them. Grow up. There are better and more civilized ways to handle a situation like this. This protest is just an embarrassment. We are not animals, we are not holigans, stop trying to give our country a bad name.
You have no rite to tell the people of Salisbury what they should not protest .. the people in the fire that feeling the heat .. instead of worrying about how it looks try coming up with a solution to help the people of Salisbury feed there families …. u just embarrassing yourself with such a shallow minded statement.
First off, I know that DNO will modify my comment as it always does but albeit, an audience of one is better than none. I just want to say that the Prime Minister is a coward and he disrespects the people of Dominica. Today it is Salisbury tomorrow it will be Saint Joseph or Marigot. It really does not matter. The situation could have defused very easily by Skeritt going to Salisbury and addressing the community. He could have told them one of his many lies and they would have peacefully gone on their merry way but instead he chose to go on DBS (De Bias Station) about an illegal protest.
I thought Dominica was a democracy? In a democracy there is no such thing as an illegal protest. The action that the protesters take may be unlawful but the protest itself cannot be illegal. If a group chooses to protest because they no access to their farms, how can that be illegal? Or if another group chooses to protest because Skeritt is a fraud for a prime minister, it is not illegal.
What happen to them kind of people , u all believe u will kill our p. m. Hell no and do what all u want in 5 more years we still will win election , let hector and lint on fix road for all u , go to hell
fix the place it is for everybody stand and fight
DNO,
Did you check this out before pitting it up. What do I tell my daughter who attends primary school. Did yiu check the first line. Do you read between the lines and see what the writer is technically telling the head of the country. I would advise yoiu remiove this one. It may have been an oversight on DNO part
AA May 11, 2015
Skeritt can take his statement and puck off. There have been too much disrespect of the farmers of this country and this labor administration needs to get up off their asses and start to work for the interest of the country. For far too long we have seen some selected persons become millionaires on the backs of the poor people of the country and the leadership of the country sits around and do nothing.
They need shut down other parts of the country like block the marigot road and the loubierre road to get the necessary support for the farmers of this country.
Did your primary school daughter read AA’s comment? Because, otherwise, her virgin eyes are irrelevant to your complaint about a DNO comment. Lol there’s no reading between the lines here. The person explicitly stated their opinion of the PM’s statement (which, you will note, is different from the PM as a person). Your disapproval is nothing but a clear indication of how puckered your lips are to kiss the PM’s buttocks, dear undercover Labourite, if you would have the lack of sensibility to try and moderate on DNO’s behalf when AA and all of us have the constitutional right to express our opinions here. Sure, you can disagree, but you’re not in a position to tell anyone what they can and cannot say in a public forum, especially when it’s a legitimate concern like that of AA. But then again, it must be an oversight on your part.
You all are approaching hurricane soon and this is how you all are behaving, God is not a sleeping God He will give you all a reason to be quiet.
Although Laborites dont read and those who do read do so with frosted glasses nevertheless here are two articles from the archive. It is also comforting that we need not wait on the account of bias historians who grovel at the feet of corrupt politicians – the archive is there for us all to include those with guilty consciences
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/statement-public-works-minister-rayburn-blackmoore-feeder-road-development/
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/john-wants-roads-constituency-addressed/
The Prime Minister continued, “These guys don’t know what it is to represent their people. Going on a radio programme, and shouting and screaming, is not going to help. You have to engage the Government, you have to engage the public service and it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Representative to bring to the attention of the Government the challenges facing his constituency. I do that even though I am Prime Minister, I do write my fellow ministers on matters confronting my constituency. And I think that’s what has to be done.”
He added, “If you have a challenge facing your constituency, it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Representative to let us know what is happening.”
Skerrit said that in 2012 – Alaways blaming others and fools bite like baygass
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/opposition-leader-highlights-issues-affecting-salisbury/
“I think that if anybody has to ‘make noise’ with anybody on this road, the people of Salisbury ought to be making noise with Hector John. That’s the only person who is responsible for the condition of the road in Salisbury is Hector John. What we have been able to do in Salisbury are things that have been brought to our attention by the Senator, Bentley Royer, but he is not the MP. He is a constituent. He is not the Senator ‘from Salisbury’. And more so, Hector John is the Leader of the Opposition, so he must know his responsibility as Leader of the Opposition and as MP,” stated Skerrit.
Don’t allow mercenaries like Doubting Thomas to spin and lie to you
Dominica much too small for police to get away with brutality
“If these guys are serious about roads and farm access roads” Oh what a scintillating arrogance, hubris and ignorance. I wonder not just how everyday people can stomach skerrit’s arrogance but also how the people around him can even tolerate this behavior. Can somebody educate this guy that the “guys” who are suppose to be serious about roads in Dominica are Skerrit and his cabinet.
The people don’t need information they need action. As far as we are concerned the information that continue to come from skerrit and his gang is lased with lies, lies and more lies. Two years ago he and his yard fowls like Doubting Thomas, peeping tom, Real Porssie blamed the road condition in Salisbury as a direct consequence of the opposition absence in parliament. Blackmore pounded his chest and claimed that he had done his work in the area.
We have been hearing about BAM for 3 years now – The people have been crying for better roads for 15 years but the prime Minister of a country is claiming “…
It is about time that some people in DA are taking some action. I pray to god that in the not too distant future we can galvanize the whole country to rise up in protest for all the evil that the DLP has heaped on the DA people. All that money we hear the PM getting from Chinese and sale of our passports, where is that going. Why after all these years we cannot see whats in the MOU we signed with China.
Now the man wants to sell our country for $200,000 per person and build nice homes for them. Boy we stupid here in DA. You labour supporters who live in a shack, don’t you have reason to pause and ask yourself look at the state of my dwelling yet still the PM promising to build nice home for these immigrants. Similarly, all of you who have your Tee Shirts proclaiming Labour ka twavi, don’t you ask yourself where are the jobs? Look at Kamala and her husband, living high off the hog and they both talking such rubbish, just singing for their supper.$120,000 annual salary for mister
Charles Angelo Savarin what say you?
curfew tonight from coulibistri to layou
Dominican in Edmonton Canada in solidarity with the people farmers and residence of Salisbury and the other communities enough is enough, Skerrit modern techno the world is watching and listening i listened to you on DBS saying that the police have to do what they have to do, Skerrit as a member of the RCMP, I would like to inform you that police officer do not have the right to put his or her hands on citizens expressing their democratic rights peacefully far less sending police officers in military fatigues to intimidate the citizens which as far I can see is the trend in Dominica today, Dominica is no longer a democratic island, this is so sad seeing that Dominican constitutional rights are taken away from them this is so sad
striaght up and straight forward all politics aside, if the Parl Rep was doing his rightful job regardless of the situation with the pm the all of this wouldn’t behave called for… Hector John instead of being on Facebook most the time bashing all of the pm doings.. Push for ur constituency..do your work!!! Stay in parliament and represent for ur people.these are your obligations!!!!!
Wow ! Thats Great; People all around the world are standing up for their Rights. That is Good Dominica!
that is those people livelihood! There are many Salisbury people selling food in the market for people that are against the protest to eat!
Ameritrust behaving as if a yesterday he became Prime Minster.that road has deteriorated to less than a 4 wheel drive road over several years.the problem is that the protesters should have blocked that road years ago besides who can believe anything Skeritt says?l
There is a simple way to deal with the problem. In the interest of promoting national unity why doesn’t the government use this opportunity to show that it is sincere about the “Olive Branch” by simply sending a delegation to the protest and meet with the people. is this too much to do? Someone has to show maturity by stepping up to the plate and having a dialogue. This would promote transparency and sincerity.
well look it. I see this going to turn into Baltimore Riot. Is time for the country to but aside political differences and work for the better good of the country. You can not, put aside these people needs for political reasonings because they didn’t vote for the current party in power. Time for a change Dominica.
“One cannot condone or support in anyway whatsoever the illegal blocking of public access roads,” he stated.
“Dominicans cannot continue to support a corrupt government who are illegally occupying office and abuse access to public funds”…..stated Salisbury and Dominican residents…..
We have been crying for years with no response therefore this action is legitimate and overdue.
If you cannot run the country decently Get Out
Christmas and Carnival are coming too.
Yuh see dat? fuss dem invite demon in dem country an all kinda ting start happen.
good for dem.
The representative has been making requests after requests in parliament over the years. You wait until it reach this stage when the repair becomes very expensive. Mr. PM. a stitch in time saves nine. Always remember that.
Allow the Salisbury people to demonstrate since that’s the only way their voice can be heard. Who is in the pot that’s feeling the heat. Salisbury is part of Dominica so the PM should do his job as he was appointed to. Because the Salisbury people didn’t vote for the Labour party, the PM wants to treat them like
Hurry-up go and get allu tablet …yes the same one PM promised our children in this nation to take pics…… Five more years. Be wise
Farmers need access to their farms. Some are forced to abandon their source of livelihood due to the road condition. PM shut up and fix the road! The people have waited patiently for too long. They pay taxes. They are Dominicans too!
Let me inform PM Skerrite and Kamala that protest action is a Universal; Democratic and Constitutional RIGHT and NOT a Privilege. Salisbury and every other constituency which did not vote DLP is a part of Dominica and the constituents contribute to the back-bone of our economy; VAT just like any other Dominican. Therefore their concerns must be addressed not at the whims and fancies of this Deception Lies and Propaganda Government; and it’s supporters. Any illegal action taken so far is by the Skerrite (RECALCITRANCE) Cabal which blatantly refuses to address the plight of farmers in Dominica for the past 15 years. The Police must show restraint in these circumstances since it is their business to protect the constitutional rights of the people.
Mr. PM after your visit to the Salisbury heights – Carholm area on March 4th 2015, it was announced that work would begin within 72 HOURS because of the deplorable conditions.. the GCOD could not wait on the BAM. In light of this.. has that happened.. did work actually start within 72 HOURS as was promised to the hard working farmers of Salisbury. If so how much work has been done. Apparently not because today is 11 MAY 2015, and is only now the SALISBURY FARMERS protesting. If work was progressing fast and furiously, you think that the farmers would protest and complain. And by stating that the Salisbury is gonna be the most expensive just goes to show the neglect that this area has received in the last 15 years. What was the intention of saying that it was going to be the most expensive… to tell the Salisbury farmers that they are ungrateful…
Good observation. Why does the government allow the infrastructure to deteriorate to the point where it collapses? That was the same point I made in reference to the Marigot hospital.
Thing need not get to the point of neglect where it cost much more to repair or replace it, than it it was maintained over the years. The cost is not only limited to road, but to vehicles and further damage is done to the economy when farmers abandon the industry.
What a waste of time government.
Why are we so quick to look for the government to fix our every problem?…. I am a farmer in Dominica and I did not wait for government to fix the access road to my farm. Farming is how I make my money and thus I am the one with the sole responsibility of getting my produce to the market place; ie : Roseau Famer’s Market and the different grocery stores. My road, which is shared by three other famers, was also washed away and in a bad condition but we came together and decided to fix it. We put our resources together and made wheel tracks in the worst areas. Now, WE are able to get in and out of our farms with less difficulty. Man up my people… In this world you have to spend money to make money. Come together and fix your roads.
While I agree people should not wholely rely on government, there are certain functions the government has to be responsible for, and that includes road building and maintenance. This is a critical factor in nation building. You only speak that way because you have lost confidence in the ability of the government to do its job.
Very valid points…
next time they should of blocked roseau roads…
So why is the PM’s vocabulary so limited? Who is “those guys” & “them fellas?” there is a time and place for everything Sir.
I had to like this one ! It’s not his vocab that is limited.. It is the extent of his contempt for the people of Dominica who he sees as beneath him !
You think they protesting because they no serious about their road.. that’s why they protesting..All of a sudden work will start next month.. you all think we stupid..Salisbury people waited and complaining about the road for 15 years now..You did nothing.. now they put their foot down road work will start next month..
We The Authorities would like to explain that this was expected.
The government in power has a fundamental duty to assist constituencies which were instrumental in electing them.
It may seem unfair that opposing constituencies get neglected in the process, but that’s just politics: The art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.
You may have a say,
but we’ll have our way.
I like your observation. It reminds me of an excerpt from Dame Eugenia Charles’ speech in 1990 – “the whole island will continue to benefit, but no one can blame us if our eyes fall on the eleven that put us in office first”.
I would just add that this being the case, in Salisbury, Marigot, Roseau North, Roseau Central and Roseau South, the constituents should NOT pay any taxes!!
I clearly recall when UWP party was in power, they did developmental work in constituencies that DID NOT vote for them. I guess they practice a different type of politics!
Therein lies the reason why the UWP is not in power.
A good Samaritan is a bad economist.
Skerrit we are fed up with promises. We need action. Fix the feeder roads.
PM Skerritt,
Sir, this kind of dismissive tone in your voice and your attitude just won’t do!
You have to realize that Salisbury is a part of Dominica, just like Vieille Case, Cottage and GrandBay.
So, if you have funds under the BAM, then tell me Sir, what is the hold-up??
I’ve always learnt that you deal with the essentials first. Such as fixing the deplorable feeder roads so that farmers have proper access instead of building a $27,000,000 State Palace. Hospitals before political campaigns.
Of course he will condemn it – lets keep the protest going – depriving farmers of access while you giving ppl money to build rum shop and nonsense like that , You kill all economic growth for our people – Its time to take to the streets – GOODWILL PEOPLE – speak up, demonstrate – Skeritt is a big liar and is vindictive against the ones who did not vote for him , what nonsense is that – THE TIME IS NOW PEOPLE – I AM PROUD OF THE SALISBURY PEOPLE – GET UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS – SKERRO HAVE TO GO…
Shut up and fix the roads Sir!
its about time!!!!!stand up my people….the voice of the people will never be silenced….we are this country… we decide what is good for us…show skerrit and his cronies who has the real power!!!it is us,the people..lets us remind him who put him in power and make him somebody from the nobody he was….seems he forgot!!!
The country nice boy. 5 more years. Zor toh sot. It is just beginning.
As the leaders go, so goes the nation. Is it any wonder that Dominica is becoming a lawless nation? Many people now ignore the law and the Constitution and have become a law unto themselves. The previous words of the Dear Leader to the effect that no law or constitution could keep him back, sum up the thinking of our leaders and Nationals. The scenario now playing out in Salisbury played out on the Anse-du-Mai highway a few years ago allegedly to protest the condition of the water supply. The difference was that they were and continue to be a labour stronghold so their actions were not classified “illegal” and their demands were met. There should never be any justification for lawlessness.
The ppl talking bout the roads need to fix and were as they got all tht rubbish iin there yards to block a road tht is just not called for and very nasty and dirty of the Salisbury ppl
You are such a jackass. If there was a place to properly dispose of these items they would not be in the village. Can you see an old car in someone’s yard? Idiot!
Well if the roads were fixed then the rubbish truck would be able to pass in order to collect the rubbish. chupes
YOu are talking nonsense….real nonsense…….get educated…..join the fight…..or shut up….your democratic right to think before you talk ..
they have to have rubbish in their yard and even by the road side…..pass on the west coast to see piles of disposed white goods and piles of rubbish….. because a rubbish truck broke down monthsssssss ago and they fail to pay the contracted substitute truck to collect the rubbish. SO SHUT UP!!!!! AND HAVE MANY SITS!!!!!!
Skerrit whatever you say or do please take control over the situation from Rayburn Blackmoore. If anyone gets hurt due to police action then all hell might break loose. We know who Blakmoore is and we don’t expect anything good rom hi,
Have you been living under a rock??? Rayburn Balckmoore is no longer Minister for Public Works.
So every time some thing has to be done road has to be block.To get our road fix in calibishie hill we had to to the same dam thing and two days after the pm come an gave us two hundred thousand dollars, its a dam shame on the government. that is the only way we can get these old government to do some thing for us
That is why I love isi they must come and establish in da man
Skeritt can take his statement and puck off. There have been too much disrespect of the farmers of this country and this labor administration needs to get up off their asses and start to work for the interest of the country. For far too long we have seen some selected persons become millionaires on the backs of the poor people of the country and the leadership of the country sits around and do nothing.
They need shut down other parts of the country like block the marigot road and the loubierre road to get the necessary support for the farmers of this country.
Why don’t skerrit condemn himself to hell.the people are tired and frustrated, it’s about time they fight back
when anse du mai people block the road, the parl rep was there because it is a labour stronghold, when layou people block de road, austrie and blackmoore was there, labour stronghold,
now salibury people block de road you skeero go on DBS and like a little boy you beat your chest and threaten violence against the people of Salisbury…
Mr. Pm i doh see with you…over ten years the farmers have been seeking attention for their roads… every time allu kunehing them …how much was budgeted for farms roads…where is the money to start… how long again should they wait? how many more promises? its time DOminicans rise up and demand what they want.,,, every five years you all come and make promises, time for action….more protests to come
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE SALISBURY PEOPLE>
The dictator has spoken. God protect Dominicans
I condemn the wilful and blatant, disregard neglect and victimization of non-supporters the ruling DLP party by the Govt. The govt. is there for all, including opposition members.
I condemn Roosevelt Skerrit for letting thing get out of hand to this point. He campaigned under the slogan “leadership is everything” on an election poster with President Obama of the U.S.A.
Dictatorship is not leadership mr. Skerrit!
Who expected the PM to endorse the protest anyway?
Well I endorse and fully support the people of Salsbury.
I have been hearing them begging for road upgrade for the past 15 years Mr PM.
Lazy government. Shame!!!
Mr PM I think you are in denial of the sad state of affairs on the island.There needs to be more action like that