UPDATE: Many communities were saved because of river dredging says Austrie

Austrie and Isaac were part of a visit to some areas in the north of Dominica

Deputy Prime Minister and MP for the Cottage constituency, Reginald Austrie, has reiterated his position that vulnerable areas in Dominica were spared the effects of the torrential rain which lashed the island over the past few days because of river dredging undertaken by the government in those areas.

Austrie, accompanied by a team which included the minister for Disaster Management, Joseph Isaac as well as personnel from the Public Works ministry and other agencies, visited some affected areas in the north of the island on Sunday.

He said what was most significant for him, was that the areas which were considered to be most vulnerable, were spared.

“I mean Coulibistrie, Colihaut, Jimmit, Checkhall, Loubiere, all these communities which were flooded during Maria, they were spared. ..and that is simply because of the dredging operation undertaken by the government immediately following the passage of Maria,” Austrie stated. “And many people, especially those in the opposition, criticized the government for spending millions of dollars in clearing and dredging these rivers and here comes probably as much rain,,some people describe the amount of rain as what we got during Maria. I don’t know I can’t confirm that…but with all that rain and Coulibistrie, Colihaut and even Checkhall and these areas which were dredged by the government, they survived.”

However, Austrie pointed out, some areas in the north did not fare as well.

“But the North  River in Portsmouth, the Tan Tan River, these were not dredged. That is why you had most probably, flooding occurring,” said the Cottage MP. “It also tells us that we have to continue dredging. It’s an expensive exercise but [it was] for the protection of life and property…and had we not done this dredging, had we not gone through this elaborate exercise  had we not gone through this very expensive exercise, the damage would have been much worse.”

He said it’s imperative that dredging begin immediately in the North River, the Tan Tan River and at One Mile.

“You have to dredge in the North River bridge because the bridge is a pretty tall bridge, almost 15 feet and debris was able to block it and to threaten lives downstream; so that river has to be dredged,”  he stressed. “The Tan Tan River…if you walk up the village, you’ll see an island of silt with coconut trees and mango trees growing in the middle of the river and that has to be removed,” Austrie added.

He said a major exercise also has to be undertaken in One Mile (Portsmouth).

“Because that river which is supposed to end in India River, it is blocked along the pathway. We not sure how high or how much dredging that has to be done but we have to move. Otherwise, we’ll continue to have blockage on the One Mile stretch,”  he noted.

Austrie said Dominica Strong  has promised to move some of its equipment to the area this week to begin dredging of the rivers.

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40 Comments

  1. Jonathan Y St Jean
    November 13, 2018

    Come on Austrie, Loubiere is not in the north of the country where most of the rains fell. Therefore it is a stretch for you to claim that the communities in the South were spared because of the dredging exercise. You heard Skerritt say that there is too much politics in Dominica. So what are you going there for, blaming the opposition for statements which may or may not have been said about the dredging. You are the deputy leader so where is the leadership? Are you openly challenging Skerritt? Austrie, rise like dough 😄

  2. RandyX
    November 13, 2018

    Austrie, how many of Dominica’s 365 rivers have been dredged under the DLP regime. If memory serves its 3 out 365. That about sums up what this government has achieved in 15 years. Stop talking BS, Austrie! You can’t sell us stale fish anymore. Just wait for the next election, will will show you guys the door.

    • Jheri Curl
      November 13, 2018

      What 365 rivers?
      Can you name 100 rivers?
      a ravine isn’t a river

  3. Dominican Pariot
    November 13, 2018

    What is the UWP solution to the climate change events impacting Dominica? I hope is not to blame Skerrit or to criticize Austrie about Tay Tay. Climate change issues are real and will be with us for a long time. Even if the DLP government is voted out, the flooding, Hurricanes and other climate change events will be there. All this foolish evil talk makes no sense. Pm Skerrit and the DLP sees building resilience as the way to combat the projected onslaught of Climate Change. I am waiting on Honorable Linton and the UWP to tell Dominicans what plans and programs they have to deal with Climate Change. Stop the sillly games and come up with real working solutions which are well measured with projected costs.

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 12, 2018

    For the past months  this guy Austrie is running off his mouth talking nonsense:

    Watch this: dredging is an excavation when carried out underwater, in shallow seas, or freshwater areas (rivers) with the purpose of gathering up sediments, and  widening waterways. The technique is often used to keep waterways navigable, and creates an anti sludge pathway for ships and smaller vesicles, and boats!

    Dredging does not stop flooding, if anything it enhancing flooding, and we see the effect of that in Trinidad recently, where practically all of Trinidad under water. And if dredging was that effective, the billions of damages cause across America annually, would not happen.

    They found a way to spend taxpayers money getting some for themselves so the did it; but as for saving communities as Austrie noted is absolute nonsense!

  5. Abby
    November 12, 2018

    All them man belly big boy!! These guys are not hungry at all!!🤔

  6. Possie
    November 12, 2018

    Austrie not looking healthy at all. U can see it in his face and body. That’s not the Austrie i knew.

  7. draino
    November 12, 2018

    It would be useful if the drains alongside the roads were cleared so that they actually worked – that would help stop road flooding. Flooded roads are dangerous and the water staying on the road makes the road surface fail faster. Basic maintenance.

  8. Look It
    November 12, 2018

    Sorry, but some of the damages being assessed are as a result of TS Erika in 2015. We are now in 2018!!!! Temporary bridges
    Undermined or altogether destroyed river walls
    Road failures
    unacceptable bypasses
    ………………………..and all this administration has truly offered is the dredging of rivers.

    Such a sad and disappointing revelation!!!! BUT SPOUSES ARE FLAUNTING BRAND NAME BAGS & SHOES WORTH 1000usd +………..PASSPORT VENDORS ARE COLLECTING MILLIONS PER MONTH…. all of the cabal bank account heavy, heavy, heavy….. while the poor and vulnerable have to suck salt.

  9. Air Dominica
    November 12, 2018

    “The captain NEVER there, Air, Dominica on remote control” Where was the captain? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLl8wgnl294

  10. Mannie
    November 12, 2018

    Is the PM not on Island again?

    • Neville
      November 12, 2018

      No, he’s probably in New York again or Dubai. Mr. not interested to n DA

  11. "Go To Hell"
    November 12, 2018

    May their remaining days in office be as bitter as vinegar, turbulent as Hell and full of pain, sorrow, confusion and panic, as the days of murderers that are awaiting their death penalty days. These guys in government are too damn evil and wicked. Let them keep planning to jail the opposition for absolutely no reason whatsoever but the Lord the righteous judge will deal with them

  12. jamie
    November 12, 2018

    Austrie you need to do more walking,Dredging of the rivers will not solve the propblem,Dominica is being run by an evil empire,and water washes away evil,unless the evil stop the rains will keep on coming.

  13. spy eye
    November 12, 2018

    the north got 4 inches of rain, mr austrie can you tell us how many inches the Roseau area got. I heard you say we got that rainfall was the same as Erick. BS

  14. Carltymas
    November 12, 2018

    This is good that some communities were saved. This is to show the importance of river dredging. It must be continuous i.e. when there are heavy rainfall and there is rapid river current, we dredge the excess rubble.

  15. Laundrie
    November 12, 2018

    Given that the only way dredging is effective is to keep on doing it, this is great news for anyone who receives an income (that originates from international climate change/disaster relief funding and elsewhere) from leasing heavy equipment to the government.

  16. Roland Alan Mitchell
    November 12, 2018

    Mr Austrie.

    You have to understand that many trees have rotted away in Dominica since Hurricane Maria. Therefore 1 year after the event, the system of tap roots which helped hold back land slides and water is loose. Therefore small amounts of rainfall will have a big impact in terms of flodding and land slides.

    We have to replant trees and grasses to help hold back land and release water slowly. Contact UK environment agency for advice on how to do this. Clearing rivers alone is not the whole answer. This can lead to faster river flows, and great volumes of water coming down rivers at speed, damaging bridges and housing in the river plain.

    You have to make a study of this, and model what can happen, to find solutions. Roads will ned improved drainage. and culverts must be continuously cleared, so that they can remove water from damaging roads.
    Low lying coasts must be protected by sea defences. Remember that sea levels are also rising due to glacial melting.

  17. Original
    November 11, 2018

    What is considered dredging? Cause the Roseau river for one looks the same as it did post hurricane Maria with the soil and this could be said for many other rivers which has been considered dredged. So how are we to consider what is dredging and how effective is it truly in the application or is money just being thrown at a problem without results?

  18. November 11, 2018

    Let us continue fervently to do all that we can, we allow the guidance of God throughout our efforts to maintain the safety of our people and the beauty of our Dominica. Let God’s Will be done, for the sake of our peace and tranquility.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      November 12, 2018

      Shut up Elizabeth!

      Deal with what I showed you ” %” wrote on DNO about Roosevelt resilient Dominica, and what “Roosevelt Friend” wrote.

      Roosevelt Friend wrote; anything Roosevelt build today, tomorrow whatever he build yesterday fall down today oui!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      So, go back and respond to that on the forum! If you carefully Elizabeth one of Roosevelt resilient bridge that I believe is the one fat Austrie went and jump up and down on it; bouncing up and down as a rubber ball, and then declared it safe and sound with lots of resiliency, cannot be destroyed by wind flood or fire.

      Give an account as to why you believe you and Roosevelt resilient bridge did not withstand flood waters with less potential than what came along with Erika, and Maria?

      There is a curse on somebody, and unless that person is out of the way, each year while that boy Punjab is in power Dominica will continue to suffer the same fate!

      The curse of Dr…

  19. Watchdog
    November 11, 2018

    Mr Deputy PM please remain quiet on the stuff going on riggt now. The rain n bad weather continue to expose the failure of your government. Dominicans got great reasons not to vote you guys because of poor leadership n inability to move the country forward after Maria. Please do yourselves a favour contact Dr Keith Michel of Grenada for some tips on how to run a country n how to bounce back after a disaster. You guys say climate resilience but dats a big joke with Bailey bridges, bad roads n poor renovation work for poor folks…. Time for change..

  20. JAH KAL
    November 11, 2018

    Portsmouth Portsmouth people kama is a …… ross left u guys stayed silent God is not sleeping accident in one mile now major flood, cement plant coming in picard we will be hearing more later white people demonstrating for u what is really going on.

  21. JAH KAL
    November 11, 2018

    Austrie where is the minister of communication I can see u and judas portrating something is it the prime minister to come and his deputy I am just asking .U all must go the sooner the better.

  22. Ibo France
    November 11, 2018

    The country is badly in need of a government that is solution oriented and one that puts people first. Skerrit and his bodyguards put themselves first, second, third and even fourth. The administration’s failure to construct proper roads and bridges and adequate drainage systems, also the lack of proper dredging of rivers and building of retaining walls, is seriously jeopardizing the lives and properties of most Dominicans. I now guess the government would appeal to donor countries for assistance. These usually generous countries are currently suffering from donor fatigue. This is a procrastinating, visionless regime running the affairs of the country. Where common sense and vision is lacking the people suffer all sort of indignities and inconveniences.

  23. November 11, 2018

    Thank god there no life lost so far Dominica I have to say is very bless with the kind of weather we have been having compare to brazil land slides were so many dead. California were so many dead in paradise
    by wild fire a hole city wipe out by fire people lost homes and all they work for we must say that we are bless and we must continue to pray 1 year ago we all were crying this is a change of time lets work together help our neighbors keep our heads up we will survive (DOMINICA STRONG)

    • don2fresh
      November 13, 2018

      A real testament to malice and contempt in our people’s heart. This comments and other’s like it where people are praying for God’s blessings, and thanking God that lives were saved are getting such a negative feedback. :cry: :cry: :cry: . Boy politics is really a dangerous element. I praying that God touches Dominica in many ways than one.

    • don2fresh
      November 13, 2018

      A real testament to malice and contempt in our people’s heart. This comments and other’s like it where people are praying for God’s blessings, and thanking God that lives were saved are getting such a negative feedback. Does this not concern us? That we dislike a comment saying help our neighbors and keep our heads up Dominica Strong? :cry: :cry: :cry: . Boy politics is really a dangerous element. I praying that God touches Dominica in many ways than one.

  24. %
    November 11, 2018

    Austrie stop fooling yourself…You are praying for the dredging to be tested,but your prayers will be answered especially as your work appears to be cursed. Anyone with just half a brain can see the incompetence,stupidity and ineptness written all over your face.
    You look tired and burnt out.Square peg in wrong hole.I know that some members of the opposition visited the north,I will listen to them instead..You all wrestle with nature,so stop using the term resilience out of context.
    Fools using the word “resilience” as a joke ….
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  25. Channel 1
    November 11, 2018

    …….. and more communities in Dominica will be saved from y’all fellas when the electorate dredges all you out of government ‘shortly’.

    I repeat that the worst disaster to ever hit Dominica during the period 1978 – 2018 is Category 100 Hurricane Skerrit.

  26. Roger Burnett
    November 11, 2018

    I do not believe that the rainfall that we have experienced over the last few days is unusual in the history of Dominica. What has significantly changed, particularly over the last twenty-five years, is the clearing of land and the extent of the built environment.

    Additionally, we are now experiencing the adverse effect of building on flood plains. Melvin Hall being a prime example.

    Clearing debris from a river is one thing, but deepening the river bed so as to create a potential water chute is another, particularly when boulders taken from the river bed are piled to the side. A river in its natural state widens rather than deepens in its lower reaches.

    Furthermore, it beggars belief that we continue to build bridges with mid-stream piers.

  27. Child of Itassi
    November 11, 2018

    Austrie boy I care about you and have some advice for you. Check your health and GO ON A DIET. You looking like a heart attack waiting to happen. Your constituents need you. If you not going to take my advice, please wear brasier before going out in public like that.

  28. Too late
    November 11, 2018

    Wait that not de one they say that cooolay de bakery?

  29. What a shame
    November 11, 2018

    Isaac your bakery decuoulay now man

    • %
      November 12, 2018

      Money flowing you see.He will soon be voted out.
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  30. Red Fool
    November 11, 2018

    Wow Austrie taking credit for communities that were saved? Austrie since Maria you and Skerrit didn’t dredge the Dose Danne, Thibaud, Blenheim, hamstead, Calibishie Rivers and yet those communities were saved. So what makes you think is dreading that saved us, though we should always ensure our rivers are always flowing. I guess you need to start dreading the seas and colverts communities could always be safe. Is that your way of saying and admitting that the reason Erica and Maria did so much distruction and took so many lives is because you, Skerrit and the DLP administration FAILED to dreadge the rivers and as a result, you all had to buy Judas Iscarriot and create a ministry for him and
    he said first thing we need to dreadge the rivers? I believe that’s what you just said indirectly

  31. Jokers Headquater
    November 11, 2018

    Isaac is on a mission to plant a million trees in 2019 but Austrie saying ” clearly…. We have to remove some trees and stuff which are in the middle of the river causing the obstruction.” What do you do with these jokers on a wet Sunday afternoon? Maybe where Isaac planting his million trees today might become a river tomorrow that will cause new obstruction?

  32. J.john-Charles
    November 11, 2018

    One string of The minister’s bra is on a go slow, or better yet on strike.

  33. LifeandDeath
    November 11, 2018

    Initially I couldn’t tell if Austrie was wearing shirt, but then I realized all the man needs is a little train up for D cups.. :mrgreen:

    Nobody can blame gov’t for adverse weather but yes Gov’t is responsible for the lack of a “resilient” bridge at point round 3 years after Erika and millions boasted in CBI money. C’mon!!

  34. ALLUUREADY
    November 11, 2018

    Just a thought – Thats a proactive view, to assess areas affected and trace back to why they were affected and how to prevent it in the near future. Hope fully the civil engineers and look ahead and think big in terms of over-engineering solutions which can be a proactive strategy to prevent surprises. Water management from top to bottom seems a key factor, it’s important to take into account where the water from each ROOF drains into, that alone can cause FLOODING, we probably have 10 times as many homes today from 25 years ago. #watermanagement

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