Farmer receives assistance from PM

Ambrose asked for assistance at a town hall meeting in Mahaut
Ambrose asked for assistance at a town hall meeting in Mahaut

A female farmer from the community of Mahaut will soon have better access to her farm in the Layou Park area, thanks to the intervention of the Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Amelia Ambrose of Mahaut brought forth her concern to the Hon. Prime Minister during a town hall meeting in Mahaut last Thursday august 6th.

Prime Minister Skerrit agreed to visit her on Monday and that promise was fulfilled.

“She had an issue with her road so I took a decision this morning to provide her with the necessary support. We will be hauling the tarish here for her and laying it at no cost to her. That should be done before the end of this week,” he said. “Also, based on her request, we will be providing her with a quantity of fertilizer for her farm. The Director of Agriculture is there and I have indicated to him to continue providing her with technical support.”

The long time farmer says she is indebted to the Hon. Prime Minister for his support.

“I had my access road but because of the construction of the abattoir, I had no access. Three months after, I had to cut a road on my own and I needed assistace. I tried my best but nothing,” she said. “So I asked the Prime Minister for assistance in Mahaut and on Monday morning at 9, he was here to see me.

“Such rapid response and I am so grateful for that. I never thought it would be so quick…He’s keeping it real,” Ambrose said laughing.

The Hon. Prime Minister says this is precisely what the town hall meetings are all about.

“It’s about hearing from people their concerns and about the things which are happening. To hear what issues they have with the Government or the system and see how we can respond is a practical way,” he said.

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64 Comments

  1. Tout Twele
    August 15, 2015

    Some lawyer should volunteer to do pro bono work with Ms Ambrose to recover the cost of cutting the new road less the amount paid by Mr. Skerrit. He is a sly guy. He realized there really could have been a real law suit because of the incompetence of the Ministries of Public Works and Agriculture and as a result he quickly tried to butter up the lady. Somebody come to her assistance to help her get real compensation.

  2. The true
    August 14, 2015

    I am pleased for Mrs. Ambrose because she is a very hard working woman with an Independent and strong mind. However I view the Prime Minister intervention as an indictment of the Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency Mr. Rayburn Blackmoore who was Minister of Communication and Works for a long time and we can also say the same thing of the Ministry of Agriculture. Mrs. Ambrose did say the problem was as a result of the construction of the abattoir and just think of how long it is under construction which speaks volume. Well we can now accept Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit statement which he made some time ago that he has an ineffective Cabinet of Ministers and I will stay away from the degrading name he called them. The point that Dominica is being govern by one cylinder one man government is not good for the country

  3. Me
    August 14, 2015

    And the Government Information Service finds it necessary to issue a press release on that??
    They really must be scraping the barrel to find good news on Skrit.

  4. island girl
    August 13, 2015

    Whatever happens to ‘ask and u shall receive” The lady assert herself and confronted
    The Prime Minister and he responded .and yes she said she is indebted to him
    that is being thankful and gracious and in my view that was being thankful
    I think is a matter of ‘dam if u do or dam if u don’t”. What is he did not help that lady
    it would be a different story
    I think the Pal Reps need to keep forums like this to hear the “bread and butter” issues
    of the”‘ little man ” who is struggling

  5. indira Ghandi
    August 13, 2015

    Aye,aye. It seems like Roosvelt Skerrit has the whole govt. In his front pockets and the countries money in his back pocket.
    This tells me that all the ministers are dumb or incompetent. SKERRIT RUNSall the ministries
    He should fire all the ministers. They are useless.
    Dominicans open your eyes.

  6. The Real Facts
    August 13, 2015

    Lady, I am pleased you attended the Town Hall Meeting and addressed your issue directly to the PM. I am also pleased that you received immediate help and are now able to go to your farm without hindrance.
    You are an example to others on how to handle a situation with dignity, grace and respect. I hope others learn a lesson from your demeanor.
    Happy and productive farming! God bless!

  7. Me
    August 13, 2015

    I’m happy for Ms. Ambrose but in doing this Skerrit is showing up the impotence of his govt. depts. He is talking about unity but he is making enemies in his own circle of govt. by doing this. He will say of course:” So you don’t want me to help the poor lady”. No, your govt. depts. should be enable to help this lady, that is the problem. It should never be left to him to do this. He will end up the lonely man he really is.

  8. August 13, 2015

    While I am happy for Ms Ambrose,
    Is she the only farmer in Dominica?
    The farmers in Dominica are in need of assistance; not one farmer.
    Ms. Ambrose, you do not own Roosevelt Skerritt anything.
    As a law abiding, hard working, tax paying citizen, you have a right to good feeder roads to enable you to support yourself and family. :-P

  9. UserName
    August 13, 2015

    The issue….“I had my access road but because of the construction of the abattoir, I had no access. Three months after, I had to cut a road on my own and I needed assistance. I tried my best but nothing,” she said. Question: when did construction of the abattoir commence? When did the female farmer actually lose her access road due to the construction of the abattoir? How could she have tried her best but to no avail? Did any public officer associated with the project take note of the situation which arose? Did the project not consider due diligence i.e. compensation for loss of access? Was the Min. not informed via the relevant machinery of the gravity of the situation? Given her action of cutting a new road implies private ownership of land and irrespective of the quick response by the PM and now portraying all is well, Govt just escaped a law suite if proper legal advice was sought. They know that’s why they responded. Similar MO for the airport car park. Victims of the…

    • Tout Twele
      August 15, 2015

      Some lawyer should volunteer to work with that lady(pro bono) until compensation is received.
      Help her recover the costs of cutting road to her farm, less the amount provided by Mr. Skerrit. I think he realized that there is an opportunity for a law suit, thus he protected himself by buttering her up.

  10. Fedup #1
    August 13, 2015

    Something has to be wrong with this story. Is the PM taking the funds out of his pocket or is it part of our taxpayers money? The gov’t needs to adopt a more systematic approach to solving the plight of the poor. It can’t continue to be done so haphazardly with 1 man receiving the praise for it. When is this nonsense going to stop? I am really fedup of all the nonsense that continues to go on.

  11. DA transformed in2 BS under Medard
    August 13, 2015

    The long time farmer says she is indebted to the Hon. Prime Minister for his support.
    THATS WHAT GIVES MEDARD HID HIGH LMAO!
    Is that the RED CLINIC on wheels? His first person style indicates upsets sensible peeps.
    That’s what U get when U elect B-Sters into Gov’t.I condem DNO for the title of the news cast..It is silly Tim.
    write in a neutral way am not here stating U support the backwardness in power. But help represent D/can press effectively monitor your staff’s inabilities the buck stops with you. I know U can do better but have a proof reader for the less fortunate amateurs who employ.

  12. August 13, 2015

    Skerrit saw he almost lost Mahaut in the last election so he is trying to solidify his base.

    • DA transformed in2 BS under Medard
      August 13, 2015

      Sounds like a Top police in 1995-6 after a plane went down outside Calibishie.
      He said & I quote ” I shall be forever grateful to the guys in the north who went out there in the ocean when the Melville Cutter could not. The guys were well know drug dealers.
      I knew DA had gone to the dogs. who was in power then? Now we have a Neo DLP emanating from the DFP making a similar comment.. So question is How do we move forward with opportunism with human faces?
      When U have black mail , DFP?NEO-DLPMail dictating who eats/survive U get suicide poverty, human trafficking,Drugs, Prostitution add yours readers.
      We are done done done.The youth have grown up seeing corruption around em and being exposed to it how can they be diferent? Sad but so true. Go 2 hell go2 hell when one ask questions.
      Irony is he is caught in a web now wants peace and co-operation for 4 more yrs to do what Skerrit et Al?
      I guess he must be watching replays of Sadam, Ghadaffi and how they went down.
      The…

  13. way lay lay
    August 13, 2015

    they even throw expired tear gas at the people of Salisbury because they made a scene so attention would be given to the road they rely on to do their farming. Mr skerrit help them too. help them. is their tax money too

  14. Warner
    August 13, 2015

    We need a town hall meeting with the PM too so we can get our back road and other roads fixed and street lights, for years we wrote letters and requested them.

  15. Brutus
    August 13, 2015

    The woman said she lost the access road to her farm because of the construction of the abattoir which is a government project. She also tried to help herself by cutting her own road. It is only fair that the government provide assistance which is in the form of hauling and laying of some tarish. Is that too much?

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      Should he be criticized for complying with her concern and request?

  16. August 13, 2015

    Everything that Skerrit does is about retaining hold to his power.

  17. Ambra Battilana
    August 13, 2015

    LOL Your 15% Vat he taking to fix your road and you indebted, not his money, best he remove the 15% Vat so u can use it yourself and fix your road :lol: :lol: :

  18. too late
    August 13, 2015

    ummmmm did she receive assistance from the Pm or the government of Dominica or even the ministry of agriculture?

    • 4-cars
      August 13, 2015

      No! You should not have asked this question, since you all already know how all help come solely from the boss skerritt. That’s how corrupt works. :lol:

  19. Zbigniew Brzezinski
    August 13, 2015

    Skerrit love people like Ambrose who follow orders, docile to authority and show gratitude after paying taxes to skerro. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      Some of you are bad eggs; not of good minds. Never a compliment; always debasement. You are sad sacks. One day you will be punished.

  20. Mwen Enkor
    August 13, 2015

    NONSENSE! Why is the PM doing that? Where is the minister of Agriculture?
    This is exacty whet he does to receive worship and Praise as the Almighty Skerrit.
    Continue to worship him and you will get what you want. Real Antichrist.

  21. 007
    August 13, 2015

    Pay attention people hear what she say I’m indebted to the pm.

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      She really means she appreciated what he did and is grateful.
      Cease putting meaning where it does not belong.

  22. Jack
    August 13, 2015

    This is the kind of action you need to build a nation, Mrs Ambrose has always been a worker all her life she is in middle age still working, she never went to the red clinic begging for free stuff. So now the people who works for the Agriculture department should get out of their fancy office in Roseau go on her farm and teach her how to grow food and get better yields to make more money. That’s the kind of model we need in Dominica, if we see a model that’s productive we should say it.

  23. I am Dominican
    August 13, 2015

    The woman did not block the road. She did not throw bottles, stones, and fire bombs at the police. She acted in a civilized manner.

    • Revolution
      August 13, 2015

      Begging at a townhall meeting u want to see all Dominicans tell skerrit our taxes paying his salary so get to work
      he spend enough vacation time in Manhattan

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      You can call her a respectable, hardworking lady. She is indeed a model to especially the youths.

  24. Jack
    August 13, 2015

    Great job that’s the way you build a new nation, the British left us high and dry we have to do it our selves. Praise the prime minister for quick response , that’s what you call leadership.

    • Views Expressed
      August 13, 2015

      That what you call buying friends,,,,taking advantage of poor and vulnerable people

      • The Real Facts
        August 13, 2015

        Shame on you! :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

    • Hold Them
      August 13, 2015

      it wasn’t quick like that for the people of bawi, just saying. but the vibes is ok.

  25. bumble bee
    August 13, 2015

    UNITED WE STAND,DIVIDED WE FALL.
    Government is instituted for the common good , for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people, and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men. John Adams.

  26. way papa
    August 13, 2015

    Go Mr PM flaunt your money for farm access road in farm access road in Salisbury people face!! Tax payers money must be yours! So this proves we really under a dictatorship….

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      You have a severe problem and of the mind.

  27. LATITUDE-D810
    August 13, 2015

    GREAT GOING P.M, KEEP IT UP, YOU ARE KEEPING IT REAL.

  28. Bawi boy
    August 13, 2015

    And salisbury people are getting shot at for asking for the same thing, not just for one person, but for an entire community. Ah magwesa!!!

    • Titiwi
      August 13, 2015

      That is what Mr. Skerrit calls unity!!!

  29. Jonathan st jean
    August 13, 2015

    In 4 days this sole farmer’s request for road access to her farm is solved and the prime minister can find the time to visit that farm and ok the assistance,whilst it’s been years that the Salisbury farmers(labourites,UWPites,independents) have been seeking assistance to repair their roads,and it’s still not done,despite promises given.Also the prime minister promised to visit the Salisbury community and meet the people,and 3 months later he can’t find the time to do so.This is sticking his finger in the eye of the Salisbury community,and bringing Dominica’s democracy to a new low.The sad thing about it is this man has no shame because it it clear to any one that this is not how a serious government deals with national development .This is nepotism at its wworst.The PM says his government is committed to the development of the agricultural sector yet he shows that it’s only lip service.Does he care that the rest of the Caribbean is hearing of this travesty.?

  30. winston warrington
    August 13, 2015

    The lady said that she was denied access to her farm because of construction of the abattoir. Is this not a compelling case for government subvention?

    • SMH
      August 13, 2015

      SO what is the difference between her situation and Salisbury’s? Skerrit needs to be fair for once in his , overpowered life man.

    • Titiwi
      August 13, 2015

      Winston, she also said that she had asked for months without response! Does this mean that indeed Mr. Skerrit IS the Government?

    • Me
      August 13, 2015

      Winston intervention, not subvention.

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      . . . And immediately so? Of course it is. It is the height of wickedness for them to criticize him for providing immediate assistance. They lack common sense.

  31. Zandoli
    August 13, 2015

    Lady don’t be a fool. They should have done that as a matter of principle. They denied you access to your farm, then they let you cut a road on your own (something they should have done) and now you are behaving like they have just saved you from death’s door. That is classic example of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      Were they aware that they denied her access? I am certain not.
      Did they let her cut a road on her own? Certainly not. They were not aware of it.
      The lady was patient. Imagine all what she did without making a fuss.
      She respectfully brought it to the PM’s attention and it was promptly dealt with. She did not protest. She is a great lady.
      Hats off to the PM and his team.
      Some of you are incapable of giving compliments. You lack appreciation.
      You should commend her and also the PM for promptly responding to her concern. She has every reason to be grateful.

  32. Cyrique
    August 13, 2015

    I’m very pleased for this woman. Bless her. At least it was worth her going to the Town Hall meeting. The other thing is this. It looks like a case of damn if you do and damn if you don’t The PM calls a Town Hall meeting where issues were raised one woman has successfully brought her plight to the PM and you’all are bougonaying!!! Be glad that the PM has responded positively to her plight !! Oh cho man!!’

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      It shows he has empathy and is a sensible person. He does not deserve the flak that they give him. These people lack loving and grateful hearts. My view of them? They are not nice people. Their words give them away. It appears they enjoy being mean.

  33. Moin meme
    August 13, 2015

    This is the NONSENSE that characterizes this DLP dictatorship…. undermining established institutions to brainwash the weak minded. As usual, i don’t expect the church to condemn this and they will come to me with the “New Evangelization” and expect me to take them seriously.

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      What you stated is nonsense. I state this respectfully. not because you are respectful for you depict you are not but because I am.
      You are :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  34. Louis
    August 13, 2015

    Is she a labourite?

    I am asking as I am sceptical as to whether the PM would have extended the same treatment to a non-labourite.

    The PM needs to treat all Dominicans the same, irrespective of their political affiliation. Until he starts practising this, Dominica will continue to be unstable and undemocratic.,

    • MAHAUT
      August 13, 2015

      yes she is

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      She approached him at the meeting and informed him of her concerns. He responded. I do feel whether she is a DLP supporter or not, he would have acted in likewise manner.
      What type of person are you to think otherwise? Give him credit for that.

      • Pato
        August 14, 2015

        So why did he not offer the people from Salisbury the same assistance.

        Why did he have to ignore their pleading for such a long time, that they were driven to air their frustration?

        Mr Skeritt is a master of naipulation. Period.

        He has castrated out people. Period.

        And now the man has the audacity to ask for unity, when he is the supreme divider of our people.

        Those are the facts. Period

  35. SMH
    August 13, 2015

    So hold on….. Salisbury residents have been begging for assistance since God knows when…Even went as far as protesting…. and because this Mahaut resident most likely supports Rayburn, she gets assisted? smh… Every Dog has its day…..

    • BEB
      August 13, 2015

      Did’nt u read that her road was damaged when the gov’t built the abattoir , so they had the right to rebuild her road. She did not protested , blocked road and damaged vehicles as u did in Salisbury

  36. Thorbjørn Jagland
    August 13, 2015

    thanks to the intervention of the Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • ThatISDominican
      August 13, 2015

      I am Salisbury.

  37. memoi
    August 13, 2015

    wow. One woman where the DLP won their seat got access to her farm in a few words and an entire village who depends mainly on agriculture to survive and also produces most of the islands vegetables/food had to demonstrate , beg, cry, get shot at, arrested to get a word from the DLP. Am I reading the passage properly or am I missing something? tell me if there is something wrong with that story. Sad times in Dominica, sad times.

    • The Real Facts
      August 13, 2015

      He did not ignore them. The mistake they made for a few days was to protest. They could have handled the situation better and amicably.
      I do think they had the support of their leaders who instigated this protest, thinking, by doing so they could get help quicker. But they made the situation worst for them by delaying the help they could have received sooner. Look at what they did, to obstruct traffic and D/cans who were going about their business.

  38. SAVARIN
    August 13, 2015

    mahaut is not the most productive farming community, as a matter of fact mahaut produces more skilled workers in the field of the building industry, layou farms are more than 90 percent abandoned and thief of provision and burglary of homes are high.
    unlike Salisbury who is the main farming community in dominica… THE REST SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

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