Friday, November 6, 2009
Layou villagers protest building of asphalt plant near village
The Dominican.net Newsdesk
Villagers in Layou were out in force this morning blocking the main road into Roseau as they protested the building of an asphalt plant and quarrying works conducted by the Emile Gaddarkhan quarrying company just outside the village.
Police armed in military fatigues and carrying guns faced off with the protestors. They initially attempted to remove the barriers in the road but it was quickly replaced by the protestors. The Police eventually relented and allowed the protest to go ahead.
By blocking the main road to Roseau, commuters coming from the North and the West of the island are unable to make it into Roseau.
For months villagers have been expressing concerns over the quarrying works, which have resulted in sediments clogging the Layou river and destroying some of the fishing banks just outside the village. They also complain about health issues because of the excessive amount of dust that filters into the village.
They are demanding that quarrying operations stop within thirty days and that the construction of the plant be halted immediately. It is widely believed that the necessary permission have not been given to build the plant.
In it’s 2010 budget, the government of Trinidad announced plans to invest US $19 billion in a major road building exercise in Trinidad and indicated that they would source asphalt from Dominica.
Villagers in Layou were out in force this morning blocking the main road into Roseau as they protested the building of an asphalt plant and quarrying works conducted by the Emile Gaddarkhan quarrying company just outside the village.
Police armed in military fatigues and carrying guns faced off with the protestors. They initially attempted to remove the barriers in the road but it was quickly replaced by the protestors. The Police eventually relented and allowed the protest to go ahead.
By blocking the main road to Roseau, commuters coming from the North and the West of the island are unable to make it into Roseau.
For months villagers have been expressing concerns over the quarrying works, which have resulted in sediments clogging the Layou river and destroying some of the fishing banks just outside the village. They also complain about health issues because of the excessive amount of dust that filters into the village.
They are demanding that quarrying operations stop within thirty days and that the construction of the plant be halted immediately. It is widely believed that the necessary permission have not been given to build the plant.
In it’s 2010 budget, the government of Trinidad announced plans to invest US $19 billion in a major road building exercise in Trinidad and indicated that they would source asphalt from Dominica.
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 8:29 AM
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The "Stop Order" so dramatically produced by Mr. Austrie, to whom the physical planning div. reports, was not issued till 25 Oct. 2009 as a direct result of pressure applied by local environmentalists and other intererested parties but as of friday 30 Oct.,2009 it remained unserved as "no bailiff" was available, as required by law and, despite Mr. Austrie's gesture we still do not know if this document was in fact legally served and if so, when?
The govt. has been aware of mr. Gaddarkhan's intention as least as far back as Oct. 2008 when they objected to his proposal as they had their own plans to construct a similar plant, to replace the one at St6ock Farm, which we know understand is earmarked for Anse Gabriel nr. Colihaut.It r5eally begs the question: has mr. Gaddarkhan more power than the govt.?
The govt. has been aware of mr. Gaddarkhan's intention as least as far back as Oct. 2008 when they objected to his proposal as they had their own plans to construct a similar plant, to replace the one at St6ock Farm, which we know understand is earmarked for Anse Gabriel nr. Colihaut.It r5eally begs the question: has mr. Gaddarkhan more power than the govt.?
# posted by 
: November 6, 2009 10:54 AM
: November 6, 2009 10:54 AM
BUT WHERE IS THE PM WHEN ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING, DOES HE NEED A CALL FROM ME AND THE REST OF DOMINICA FOR HIM TO STAND UP FOR HIS PEOPLE. IF WE CALL HIM IT WON'T BE PRETTY.
EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST IS NOT GOOD FOR THE LUNGS AND THIER IS NO CURE FOR IT, JUST ASK THE MEN WHO WORK AFTER 9-11 IN NEW YORK 13 OF THEM IS ALREADY DEAD AND 5 OUT OF 10 IS SICK, AND NO ONE WANT TO COVER THE FEE CAUSE THIER IS NO CURE..........
NUFF SAID
EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST IS NOT GOOD FOR THE LUNGS AND THIER IS NO CURE FOR IT, JUST ASK THE MEN WHO WORK AFTER 9-11 IN NEW YORK 13 OF THEM IS ALREADY DEAD AND 5 OUT OF 10 IS SICK, AND NO ONE WANT TO COVER THE FEE CAUSE THIER IS NO CURE..........
NUFF SAID
# posted by : November 6, 2009 11:16 AM
: November 6, 2009 11:16 AM
I am so proud of the people of Layou.. PEOPLE"S POWER!!!! That's what I mean! You go my people! You make me feel my Dominicaness again! Issue by issue you can take your country back! Peaceful and unrelenting protest! Dominicans are not the third world people these vultures think we are. I just love it when my people stand up for their rights!! Thanks Q95 for bringing it live!
Shirley Allan one who truly believes in the power of the people. It trumps all powers! Continue to use it people!
Shirley Allan one who truly believes in the power of the people. It trumps all powers! Continue to use it people!
# posted by : November 6, 2009 5:18 PM
: November 6, 2009 5:18 PM
Cuodos to the Layou people showing how it should be done. They stared down the State with all its big guns and prevailed. In the end the government promised to revoke the licence to build the plant.
# posted by : November 6, 2009 9:28 PM
: November 6, 2009 9:28 PM
i am one of the young men who were protesting i work at wacky rollers i have been working in this company seen the age off 16. 90 %off the young men in the village work at wacky rollers when the come and put that plant there we are out off a job.so wat are we going to do all ready the government has no employment for the young people so wat are we going to turn to drugs ....hmmm father god help us in da
# posted by : November 6, 2009 10:29 PM
: November 6, 2009 10:29 PM
I must admit that you have a complex age...did you say 16.90%?
# posted by : November 7, 2009 12:16 PM
: November 7, 2009 12:16 PM
That's how all you Dominicans like to criticize people even when there is no reason for the crirticism, and make fools of all you selves.. The man said. "i have been working in this company seen the age off 16. Notice the Period here) Then he continued "90 %off the young men in the village work at wacky rollers when the come and put that plant."
# posted by : November 7, 2009 2:05 PM
: November 7, 2009 2:05 PM
The people have aright to be involve in the decision making on such environmental issues. We need to realize that we cannot eat money and that we should live like our motto. Apes bondie Cest latte, The Layou River is one of our precious resources, and we cannot ignore the health and lively hood of our people. Are we not the Nature Island of the World?
# posted by : November 7, 2009 2:47 PM
: November 7, 2009 2:47 PM
I think the asphalt plant should be in Trinidad because DA does not have petroleum and asphalt is a by product.I also think the material from the quarry should be use to build Dominica instead of shipping the Island away truck by truck.KUDO TO THE PEOPLE ,BIG UP LAYOU.
# posted by : November 7, 2009 8:09 PM
: November 7, 2009 8:09 PM
Quite right, asphalt, or rather bitumen is a by- product of oil refining, particularly heavy, sulphur rich oil, which Venezuela has in abundance. Suppose the Govt. would proceed with allowing the Venezuelans to install a refinery in Dominica. This would give them an abundance of bitumen, not only for local use but also for export. The French, for instance could import this heavy oil and bitumen into Guadeloupe and Martinique without fouling their own environment. They are already exploiting our sand and stone resources under conditions that would not be allowed in their own territories, paying our local workers a fraction of the min. wages that apply in Gudaloupe and Martinique whilst enjoying tax excempt status in Dominica. If we are suffering it is only because we allow it to happen.
# posted by : November 7, 2009 10:09 PM
: November 7, 2009 10:09 PM
An interesting Precedent.Why not use this a effect a domino effect on issues that we are deemed Unlawful.
People Power has orked everywhere and for sure it DEFINITELY can work in Dominica.
Why not take them before the Courts for damages of loss revenue and health violations.
Again i Applaud you Layou Villagers.
People Power has orked everywhere and for sure it DEFINITELY can work in Dominica.
Why not take them before the Courts for damages of loss revenue and health violations.
Again i Applaud you Layou Villagers.
K. Who is going to employ all these Layou residents if there is no work. At a time when politicians suspect that this move might benefit them bc of the up coming elections. Folks sit back n reflect, stop mixing apples with oranges - how do you compare dust from a quarry with those of the towers from 911? REALLY! Look at who the environmentalist/politicians are? some of them have participated only in stoppage of other industries and failed attempts at their own business endeavors. Please tell us what types of industries that are acceptable in D/ca? to provide gainful employment for the unemployed that will reduce crime & drug use in the country. if you're going to stop or protest against one industry that will employ locals, then you owe it to the locals to suggest and implement an industry that is fit for the community.
# posted by : November 9, 2009 9:38 AM
: November 9, 2009 9:38 AM
I SUPPORT LAYOU PEOPLE 100% TO STOP THIS PROCESS.THATS THE WAY LAYOU, I STANDS BEHIND YOU ALL.
RANDY MACHO FROM ST.JOE
RANDY MACHO FROM ST.JOE
# posted by : November 10, 2009 7:57 PM
: November 10, 2009 7:57 PM
I suppoort the Layou people, pity that did not happen in Colihaut. Layou people, Dominicans stand up for yourselves we suffer enough already please stay positive and God Bless you all.
From London/Colihaut
From London/Colihaut
# posted by : November 11, 2009 5:26 AM
: November 11, 2009 5:26 AM
I am away from Dominica, i have to say that i am supporting the people of Layou,Green is Universal, listening to that man saying that the plant in Guadeloupe is operating fine, if this is the case why not open another one in some other part of Guadeloupe. this is not the type of development we need in the Island, what about the health of the people,why not help the country build an international airport, when all our families start to get sick, Mr Prime Minister you have to the into consideration the future of the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, when they will be suffering with all type of breathing conditions, this French man and his families will be enjoying themselves. what about the fishes in the sea, what about the waste , for sure it will be disposed in the sea, come on Dominican please say no and support the people of Layou, this is ridiculous.
God Bless Our Nation
Dominican in North Carolina
God Bless Our Nation
Dominican in North Carolina
# posted by : November 12, 2009 6:46 PM
: November 12, 2009 6:46 PM Links to this post:
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