Salisbury farmers have taken the bull by the horns and undertaken an initiative to repair a section of their dilapidated farm access road.
According to a release from the Salisbury Enhancement Committee, the farmers recently undertook a road repair exercise in the ‘Salisbury Heights’ farming area. “The goal of the exercise on that rainy day was to make that section of the Salisbury Farm Access Road accessible. The farmers filled the huge holes in the road with boulders which they found in neighboring farms and cleared some of the drains along the road to reduce the amount of water that flows on the road”.
The release stated that “on that very same day, a vehicle of one of the farmers who came out to assist got stuck in the mud and was assisted by another farmer”.
It said that the farmers who use this road, cultivate several crops including bananas, dasheen, yam, christophine, citrus, tania along with a wide range of vegetables, the majority of which is sold on the export market.
“One can only ask how possible is it for a banana farmer to produce bananas for the export, transport the produce on his pickup for 40 minutes on dilapidated farm access road conditions to get to the port and somehow the bananas will be flawless and of high quality?”, the Committee questioned in its release. It said the export market regionally and international requires produce that is of the ‘highest standard’ and Salisbury farmers pride themselves in the quality of produce that is delivered to the local market and to the supermarkets in London.
“But without proper farm access road this will not be achieved therefore the maintenance of proper farm access roads is paramount to the stability and success of the Agricultural industry. Yes, the famers can keep laying boulders in the road to get to their farm, but without sand and cement to bind it, all their heavy lifting will be futile”, SEC pointed out in its release.
“We therefore urge the Heads in charge of Farm Access Roads to assist in the rebuilding and maintaining of these roads. The farmers try their best to to produce at the highest standards please meet them halfway”, the release concluded.
The Salisbury Enhancement Committee has also issued a warning to motorists, especially those interested in visiting Segment 9 of the Waitukubuli National Trail, ” if you don’t have a 4×4 Pick Up, don’t try to access the Salisbury Farm Access Road”.
Prime Minister Skerrit announced recently that Salisbury was among areas in the country that his government had identified for feeder road rehabilitation.
However, Parliamentary for the Salisbury constituency, Hector John, told DNO that this project is to be undertaken under the EU Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) facility and while he welcomes his constituency’s inclusion among the beneficiaries of this programme, it is not expected to come on stream until somewhere around the middle of next year.
” What Salisbury farmers are asking for is some assistance during the interim because of the extremely poor condition of the feeder roads in the area”, John said.
A group of farmers from that farming community recently protested against the poor condition of feeder roads leading to their farms by driving their vehicles around the city of Roseau.
Below are some photos of the Salisbury farmers at work. All photos were submitted by a farmer from Salisbury.
If anyone cannot realize the importance of feeder roads to farms to the economy of the island they should not be writing comments on DNO. Farmers trying to patch roads every now and then is not the answer….hats off to the salisbury farmers.
And who is that talking about impunity to politicians like it is a distant image. My dear, what do you think the Caribbean Court of Justice is, and its right here on us now!
A 27 million dollar mansion for Savarin to go and SHON in and supporters grudging farmers their right to demand feeder roads. And all of them have their GA vehicles spreeing every sunday.
so who else to help you lool
pm fix them people road
All you fellas should labor next time
first of all the need to widen the roads…..only one vehicle can be on the road…the small dump truck taking up the entire road……widen the road even if it is a farming area….
use the road.
you guys have had this problem for so long…all you did was complain, complain, complain.
I have heard people bashing the government for assisting the poor who are unable to help themselves, but the farmers have a livelihood.
if each farmer were to donate a few bags of cement and what not and took the time to fix the road, then they wouldn’t be having to beg like the others the detest so much.
yes, the government has a responsibility…but the situation in Dca has always been like that. Politics plays a part in everything… so it’s up to the people to help themselves.
Skeritt not helping your guys…farming is your bread and butter, so stop complaining and help yourselves.
if people keep waiting on the govt without trying to assist themselves, then they’ll forever be stuck in the cycle.
Show that govt that you do not need them.
Change is MUST, but ONLY, when there is an option.
shut yr big mouth. Because we are from Salisbury. Damn retarded!!!!
No I quite agree with the “i’mWondering”, you see whether you are from Salisbury or anywhere else on the island I do think that we need to step up and be counted as self-dependers if there’s such a word. We are the ones using the roads, rivers and the rest…we should treat it better, respect our pockets more too. While the government is there to set the tone there is only so much they can do. So while we make our request to them and they haven’t gotten to us yet we shouldn’t hang around and let things fall to such deplorable conditions. There’s what we call here in Dominica “Community Day of Service” Why exactly should we wait for a tiny pot hole to become a crater by that day and say we will ask the government for money to fix it then. What happens in the meantime? I am 30years old and that’s not so old to remember a time when the people of my community never let politics or politicians hinder them from making their surroundings a place to be. On any given Sunday or Saturday you just see the neighbourhood come out and fix the road they live on …some cook the food, others bring the juice, some bring the rum and dominoes while the othere work the mixer and pour the concrete…No government minister there to take the praises just us…I enjoyed those days. I moved away now to have my home elsewhere. But I am sure they still probably do things to spice up their area from time to time. Stop being so dependent..DOMINICA IS NOT A WELFARE STATE…DO IT YOURSELF THERE’S MORE SATISFACTION IN IT.
y could day not do that befor it get in that state.government my ass all the time politics that have salisbury ppl like that.
“Yes the government has a responsible”..that where your sentence needs to begin and end, so I pray that todays protest will echo your 6 word sentence to those in charge.
Not only is it a shame on the government, it is also a shame on the farmers who use the road.
you guys have had this proble fo so long…all you did was complain, complain, complain.
I have heard people bashing the government for assisting the poor who are unable to help themselves, but the farmers have a livelihood.
if each farmer were to donante a few bags of cememnt and what not and took the time to fix the road, then they wouldnt be having to beg like the others the detest somuch.
yes, the government has a responsibility…but the situation in Dca has always been like that. Politics plays a part in everything… so its up to the people to help themselves.
Skeritt not helping your guys…farming is your bread and butter, so stop complaining and help yourselves.
if people keep waiting on the govt without tryign to assit themselves, then they”ll forever be stuck in the cycle.
show that govt that you do not need them.
Change is MUST, but ONLY, when there is an option.
You don’t deserve a reply
very disappointed in the labour party government,look @ the farmers trying to fix this access road to feed their family,politics should not be part of this pm,very sad how to you live with that.
I am Looking at these photos and at the same time listening to this song by Nassio Fontaine ” Freedom At Last” and a feeling of sadness overwhelmed me. How can a government ; how do men with a conscience totally disregard the very essentials that people need to survive , to become independent. 30 years ago our government at the time recognize the importance of access roads to farmers. In 2013 we are looking at the access roads that not even goats can traverse much less for donkeys.
What is overwhelming is that I know for sure that some of the ministers in government have become multimillionaires while our overburdened farmers can’t get access to their farms. What a great injustice. All of that while we are led to believe that a $27 million dollar mansion is worth more to the people than the access road needed for farmers to make a living.
By the time the “lasssy” falls off our eyes in Dominica the criminals in government will already have great impunity.
Malgre sa!!. Is that how we treat our farmers? Or is it because they are in an opposition constituency? After all they are Dominicans too.
Where is the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Public Works?
keep up the good work hard working me.n May God bless you don’t just do it one time do it all the time. Is not every man that is parro and sitting by the road side and waiting for govt to do things for them. When youre a farmer you have to do what you have to do you do not have a monthly salary to get AND although you may be providing food for others no one is providing roads for you
All men with boots on the ground. You guys are really hard at it. God will give you strength.
Salisbury farmers are always hard working. They are very ambitious. They will continue to succeed. I applaud you my people. Politics or no politics, stick together and get the job done.
I blame skerrit, how can a 27 million dollar palace have priority over your own people who need better roads to feed their families just a show of the utter wickedness of that pm from vielle case.
The farmers have to blame their parl rep not the pm. They should ask for material to take care of the road on community service day. Good effort anyway althought it is late.
Are you serious? On community day of service ? ALAS you all must behave now. Really? Do u think this s a one day job?
And we have other communities in Dominica getting roads re done that were not even as bad? Many areas (labour strong holds) have concrete roads going all over to key supporter houses.
One concrete road goes directly to my parents house.. I know…
What planet do you reside on. Please
You talking nonsesnse. The amount of work to be undertaken three cannot be accomplished for Community Service Day. The task to be undertaken and the resources required cannot be accomplished in one day but over a very lengthy period of time.
You speak like someone who does not eat locally grown produce but live on fast food.
Shame on the Government that’s how u treat people come election u will spend sleepness night in Salisbury trying to buy votes for $50:00, giving chicken, rice, sugar, and other amenities but Salisbury people should teach him a lesson at the polls
Politics is what has this country the way it is. Soooo much potential on this island. but these brainless short sighted idiots in government and Opposition cannot this of ways to move this place forward. Its only destructive criticism and negativity.. Drive me nuts!!
This is what I find so idiotic about our politics, and it’s been going on for ages, and one would THINK that they would learn from their mistakes – okay, so the constituency didn’t vote for the person from your party, so you punish them by not providing the essential services you’re supposed to provide? Do you think that will make them vote for you the next time? Have you not heard of the time-honored saying “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”? This begs a question – exactly WHAT will you say to the people of this constituency the next time around in order to convince then that they should vote for you?
That country haven’t got Government man.They saying the young people lazy but as far as i can see, these guys look like hard working guys to me.They a crying out for help to no avail ,so they are trying their best.This is so sad ,even if i had to vote for that government after seeing that i would change my mind.
hello all Salibury people are hard working and independent. Just for yr info
Can’t you read?I am supporting you.
I don’t think you can read properly.
I know this administration have let people of Dominica down in a lot of ways. But do we believe that the next one will be better. There is one Farmer who is from Salisbury living in Coulibistrie. He has lots of land. Why can’t he contribute more. Because his wife who just died and was Skerrit’s supporter, he punished her until she died, and he just got married, and don’t care anything about his 11 children with his wife.
I know the Prime Minister and the crew is not good, but those on Q95 is not no example. The government cannot do everything for everyone. Sometimes we have to help our selves. Some of these farmers are just as greedy as the present administration. Too much hatred and bitterness in this country. UNITE, UNITE, UNITE. A HOUSE DIVIDED, CANNOT STAND. WHEN THEY LEARN TO UNITE AND SEE DOMINICA AS OUR DOMINICA, THINGS WILL CHANGE.
I know Q95 started as a good FARMERS PROGRAMM, but now it is too much politics, and they mix Christianity with politics. It is not going to work. STICK TO THE POINTS, AND UNITE.
If, that is the case then. one love we should not be paying license for our vehicles!
Awahha wee that looking just like Tete Morne Road, The only difference it leading to peoples homes and not a farm.
why u crying? hahahah lol
its just a frigging shame
didn’t the PM say yesterday that the roads in that area was being repaired? How can people defend this type of man
he said the village road not the feeder road and yes we can defend him because we know all the facts.
this is shame on the government, just because they were not voted in in that area, but we will survive and we still voting UWP..WE ARE STRONGER NOW
It’s all in your mind. Tell you all parl rep to come into parliament and represent you all. He is using all this nonsense to make political mileage. It’s all politics to him.
I hope that these hard working men and women can be encouraged in their effort to fix the roads that lead to their properties. Hats off to them.
This is not so only in Salibury this is so all over the island. You know our farmers have to work so hard on their farms and still have to work so hardon roads. COMMUNITY SERVICE MY FOOT. This I’d the respondibility of government. Thst I’d why we put them there. If a farmer unblock a culvert or patch a pot hole that I’d honorable but to spend your redources on building a road that is beyond community service.
What is sad is that the crooked adminidtration strike a deal with Petro Caribe on the backs of the same farmers.
shame on this government of this country for not hearing the plight of the poor how long will this farmers keep on suffering to get to their farms one can understand the fustration they are going through hold on farmers dont give up god never gives us more than we can bare keep on working guys please dont give up love u guys you are the backbone of this country
Dear Farmers,
What have you all done to the government of Dominica that your roads should be like this?
Isn’t this the question that was asked of some citizen towards the south of the island, by Skerro?
While these farmers may be applauded for taking the initiative at creating a “better” road for themselves, it is a shame that this is what they should resort to because no assistance is forth coming from the government.
The neglect of the nation’s wellbeing is evident!
hey guys lets allow our roads to get to that condition and then show the world the photos and demonstrate in town when people come for independence celebrations. That’s why we did not come out many years ago when we were given all the cement to assist ourselves, that’s why we the same farmers decided we not in that. today we in that and let the world blame sherritt.
hahahahahahaha.
What has Hector John been doing for his constituency for the past years since they voted him to represent them in parliament at the last election? By the condition of these roads it would seem nothing at all, apart from boycotting parliament, spending thousands in court fees trying to undermine the democratically elected government and following Edison James and Lennox Linton as a yo-yo although he is the official leader of the opposition.
All the time Hector spent boycotting parliament could have been better used in parliament arguing for funding for projects like these in order to help the farmers in his constituency.
It is high time voters from Salisbury open their eyes and minds and vote for a candidate who can better represent them in Parliament. Hector John is useless.
Hector John is doing what an opposition has to do “expose the areas where the Party in power is lapsing.
Stop Blaming Hector He is doing His job.Skeritt on the other hand with His strong Majority in the house can direct the resources of the state where they will and that is why the Salisbury road has been neglected.
So dont blame Hector please!
Salisbury road has been neglected since UWP when their MP was the Minister responsible for roads. Hector John was his buddy and never advised him to pay attention to the farm roads today its skerrit’s fault. In their time in Opposition DLP did not just talk they served they got scholarship in Cuba and other countries. This UWP has not idea how to be an effective opposition.
@Eagle- Eye: You are such a pie hole. Haven’t you heard Hector John for years now writing on a few occasions to the minister responsible and even the prime minister to have the road repaired and they never responded positively to any of his request? The non repair of the road is deliberate because the constituency did not vote for skerrit. Skerrit figure he would be hurting the people of Salisbury but the pictures are worth thousands of words and exposes his vindictiveness and misadministration.
Have you seen a copy of the so called LETTER written by Hector John? Have you ever heard John invite the PM to come visit his constituency to see their needs NO> One day after a UWP Anniversary Press Conference Edison and the PM was visiting feeder roads in Marigot. So continue shielding Hector John from his responsibilities. Feeder roads are bad all over Dominica I these times we had to prioritize and now we have secured the funding to address feeder roads wait and see. We cannot do a little on a feeder road its a waste of resources rain will simply wash it away. we have to deal with the roads once and for all so be patient Salisbury.
I am so happy you said ‘arguing’ rather than ‘requesting’ because apparently that is what it takes to get the government’s attention!!
Eagle-Eye? you sure you not Bat-Eye? The repairs of the road are the responsibility of the government, the Parl Rep has been calling for it’s repair from the beginning, and you sit here accusing him of a lack of due diligence? Your statement, bar none, is one of the most backward. You need to get those cataracts in your eyes taken care of because you can’t see past your nose, maybe because your nose is wedged between two cheeks.
AMEN! Just because they are the opposition they think they have to wait till they are in power to help. No.. UWP do something NOW! that’s why they elected you. Yes it may be harder when your party is not in power… who says it’s suppose to be easy! Do your job and represent the people of Salisbury and prove your party should be in power.
EXACTLY
evil eyes your an idiot
Exactly what is wrong with Dominica. To many Dominicans have become convenient liars and would rather make excuses for under performance , crime and deception.
It is sickening to know that we have people like Eagle Eye operating in Dominica against the wellness of the country. To many Dominicans putting party before our country. Now we have no reason to question why we are in the top 5 worse economy in the world.
@ eagle eye. you are are jack sprat.. hector john doesnt have to be in parliment to push no point to any government about ensuring that dominica farm roads must remain in good motorable condition..THIS IS OUR BREAD BASKET.. that s the work the government must do, its mandatory EAGLE EYE..BUT YOUR REDS EYES CANT HAVE YOU SEE FROM THE TOP OF THINGS CLEARLY so all you see is hector john and not that this government have failed to perform their sworn duties to the ple and for that they should have no need for oppsition pressure.. if a man have to maintain his children thats just what he must do so no one should have to pressure him to do so cause if he fails to do that this man is worst than an infidel….WASH YOUR EYES EAGLE EYES.
even if you are red yellow blue or white we should be one people
i hate Dominica politic
the government should be a government for all
i was in a country i saw husband and wife each for opposite party they walk in hand in hand each to post there vote that’s my type of politic
Well done, Prince,Lymos,Boaw,Mc Lean,Secko and the others, hats off for you guys
The men did not repair roads they built some road. Ma gwey ca? this is the state of the roads to the men farms this is more evidence of this dlp wickedness. CHANGE IS A MUST!
Were where you Josh Shaw when Earl was Minister responmsible for roads. Did he address the feeder roads in Salisbury? NO we know what he was doing? Hector John was right there did he advise his friend to do anything about these roads? NO.
that’s why change is a must
Oh Lord we ask you to help these men, as they struggle to help their family and to put food on their table. Give them the strength and courage, let them know that you are with them in their struggles. We ask these blessings in Jesus name. Amen
the conditions this road is in,this farmers need assistance,know doubt about it,that is nonsence,come on public works division
Skerritt must be looking at these photos and saying, ” Take that in all you skin; next time vote for me and you’ll have some Tarrish.”
All that is in your face Mr. Skerritt. Don’t think for a moment you stand a chance – come next election. Somebody must be shaking in their BOOTS.
Thank God we have a few Dominicans who believe in hard
instead of those lazy red clinic people
I feel sorry for those farmers. Every year, the round trip journey to their farms gets longer, their trucks get more battered, and so they make less return for their efforts.
That road is a beautiful part of the island, and if fixed, it would make a lovely trip for families and also be very interesting for tourists – the views are amazing up there (as well, there are fresh rivers, wild watercress, wild strawberries – amazing!) – and I am sure charging tourists to visit that area, see fresh produce growing on trees, and sample some of Dominica’s natural resources would soon provide some income to keep the road in good repair.
Well done to the farmers for taking matters into their own hands, but it is a shame it has had to come to that – money to repair the road was promised a long time ago.
The Sprit of togetherness! Congratulstions ! I love that working together for better DOMINICA
These farmers have to be applauded for reviving the community spirit that existed especially in rural communities in D/ca. It is regrettable that the roads have been neglected for so long. I understand why. However, the fact remains that this area of Domincia as well as Carholm are some of the most fertile areas on the west coast and all efforts must be made to enhance their potential. We cannot say that we have done so in the last 20 years.
I hope that when its turn for improvements under the ongoing government project comes on stream, these improvements are done in a manner that will last for many years to come.
Hats off to the farmers.
“We cannot say that we” hmmmmm. You can run but you cannot hide your pers on, special interest and the reason for your blatant lies and propaganda. What does we mean yiu piece of s*****t. Didnt you blame the opposition for the terrible roads. Why don’t you and your thieving comrads talk about the $27 million dollar loan for a mansion built by chinese. You bunch of criminals, volere, avilere too you think we are unaware of the abuse that gi on with young women looking for opportunities?
Your time near and the illgotten gain will tofais all ah you #*?#+#!
@Peeping Tom: While you applaud the farmers why you don’t say shame on the government for allowing a feeder road to be deteriorated to such deplorable conditions? The Parl Rep Mr. Hector have been calling on the government for years now to have the road repaired and they have refused to help the farmers.
Yes boy you good. I would love to see some pictures of this road 20 years ago or even in year 2000.
Fact is, your government is not fit for purpose.
Hopefully you realize that the thumbs down resulting in your many hidden comments is not because of haters but simply because people are sick of your biasness and sick mind. Your comment now received thumbs up because you somewhat expressed the truth even if you carefully navigated your way to the partial truth.
I do hope your conscience get the best of you PEEPING TOM
These roads need proper drainage to support the roads condition hats off to these farmers for taking their time to repair their roads. We have a principle that idea that the roads belongs to the Government. In one way that is true but the Government vehicles don’t get damage on it, our vehicles are the ones who get damage. Keep maintaining your roads and life will be a breeze. ONE LOVE
Only Salisbury that can happen