Amidst a water crisis that is developing in the volcano stricken island of St. Vincent and Grenadines, the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has shipped 14 pallets of bottled water (420 small cartons and 280 large cartons) to the neighbouring island.
Sent yesterday on the vessel “Promise Kept”, the shipment is expected to arrive today- Tuesday, April 13, 2021, and comes in the wake of calls from Dr Ralph Gonsalves-led government in St. Vincent as heavy ash fall from the La Soufriere volcano has created significant disruption to the regular water supply.
Just this morning at about 6:30am , on the 42nd anniversary of its last eruption, La Soufriere commemorated her anniversary with another explosive eruption.
On Saturday, 10th April, St Vincent’s Central Water and Sewage Authority said that citizens should prepare for water rationing. Earlier this week they also announced that they were actively searching for new water sources as the company has not been able to extract water from the rivers, and at present, only 15 per cent of regular storage is available.
They’ve also said that water collected before the eruption is dwindling; and stated that a limited supply is now available in the green zone; however, 250 gallons will be released to communities on the island’s Windward side.
Speaking on the talk show the Heng this morning, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit urged citizens here on the island, to donate as much water as possible to the affected island.
According to Skerrit, “our goal is to send them more water in the days ahead, therefore if you would like to donate we would prefer it if you do so by using cartons of both the small and bigger bottles.”
Drop off points include the Dominica Import and Export Agency (DEXIA) packing house in Longhouse Portsmouth and Goodwill road as well as the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in Jimmit.
NEMO has also informed that standpipes are being erected in several communities on the western side of the island, bringing relief to thousands of residents.
While Grenada and Trinidad have shipments of bottled water en route to St Vincent, water is being delivered to communities across the island by trucks.
Seriously? 14 pallets?!
Dominica can afford to send tankers of water. Be serious for a minute with your 14 pallets of water. Stupes.
We have 365 rives and we shipped 14 pallets. Why not a tanker filled with water? We need to give them all the help that they need.
May i suggest that bulk water be supplies also in large containers like 600 gallon drum, not just bottled water. Dominica used to sell bulk water to some of the cruise ships some time ago
Admirable! They do need all the assistance they can get at this time.
We need bulk transportation. Fill some 500 or 5000 gallon tanks of water from the vast amounts we have wasting and make a couple boat trip. 90k people going to need water. Plastic bottles are for the short term. A long term plan that will lesson the plastic pollution problem is needed. These pallets will probably only last five minutes.
Dominica should be shipping a tanker of water! Where are our water tankers to ship our water? Those in this Labour Government who had laughed at Arthie Martin, I guess they don’t know about water tankers shipping and transporting bulk water around the world?
Really PM, are you talking to all Dominicans?
Thank GOD we still have Trois Pitons Water from Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd. the company should get a tax break for their donations. If loubiere and Kubuli was still there we could send more. If Nature’s Water was operating we could send more. But at least we still have Trois Pitons.
While the citizens will donate as little as they can, what will you Roosevelt Skerrit personally donate? You are not the government Skerrit, and it is heartless, wicked and brutal of you to ask bus drivers that are being kicked, teachers, small business owners, struggling farmers, etc, etc,to donate, while you with your devilish smile stand one side and look. You are the only Dominican who got a “stimulus package” during Covid. EC$64000.00 a month.. Yet you can’t personally donate?
You have two homes Skerrit. How many Vincys will you be taking in? When?
Wicked Soul..!!
Bus drivers gettig kicked in their azzzzzzeeesss…no money!! Donate some of you wealth too!!
Deceptive Soul..!!!