Report. ‘Sometimes it’s completely dead’: Three months after violence in New Caledonia, what is daily life like in Ducos?

Donimambo and DucosThis was the sad assessment issued by the government at the end of June, three months after the incident. Devastating fire and the riots that rocked the lives (and futures) of dozens of business leaders employee.

Obviously, in Ducos, cars drive on Baie des Dames Road, the main axis that serves the industrial area, but it is no longer the anthill we once knew. Today, even at rush hour, traffic is slow and the landscape oscillates between desolation and restoration. On the one hand, storefronts are blackened and collapsed, on the other, employees wait for customers at the entrance of the store, which is still open despite this.

In the mornings, when Ducos comes to life, the area’s bakeries and cafes are at their busiest. Over a hot drink and a croissant, it’s an opportunity for workers to discuss and talk about their daily lives, which have changed a lot. Nathan has worked in the neighborhood for more than two decades as a sales consultant. “The atmosphere has changed a lot” According to him, it started in May. “Some people look at us badly. I hear people talking in the aisles and we are surprised at what they say. It’s getting boring.” Nathan, a witness to the racist comments, said the father of two was able to hold on to his job and cling to hope every day that things would improve.

Paul, who works for an earthmoving company, feels the same way. On this Monday morning, he started his day’s work at the corner of a small street, accompanied by workers. The dock a few meters away from him had been completely burned down by the fire. It was still difficult for him to adapt to the environment.

It is no longer like before, when people don’t know whether to greet each other or not. People start to doubt.

Paul, an employee of an earthmoving company

For thirty years he had lived through this crisis, this sudden stop in activity.It was like a crushing blow.” “They called me at 11 p.m. and told me the pier was on fire, and we started praying with my wife and kids.” He recalled, his eyes filled with tears. Every day, Paul would be distressed by new phone calls with bad news. “Because I’m worried that my workers will lose their jobs.”

Thousands of people are unemployed today. 20 000 According to the latest official estimates. Maïté has noticed this in recent weeks. Every morning, as she drinks coffee on the terrace of Ducos Le Centre, she helplessly observes the scores of workers clutching resumes in their hands. “More people are looking for work than before the crisis. They’re going to restaurants to see if they need cooking utensils, for example.” said Maïté, who has worked in the administration of the Centre Tower for eighteen years.

For many, the financial situation is catastrophic, and the word is often weak. An unnamed entrepreneur from Rue Reaumur lost 60% of his business. He had lived there for ten years and had received no financial assistance from the government, to which he was not entitled. He was forced to lay off his employees and “Next we will close” He explained in a disappointed tone. It was obvious that the client was not there, and “The atmosphere is terrible. We are all going to die, it’s just a matter of time. We have no reason to believe in the future” He concluded. The observation was more than bitter. A little further along, on the Route de la Baie des Dames, Claude watched the cars driving in front of the store he ran. “We didn’t give that number, that’s clear. Sometimes it’s completely dead” The thirty-year-old explained that he was worried about the future of the company and his own position.

David is one of dozens of worried business leaders in the area. He has lived in Ducos Le Centre for 18 years. When the unrest began, his tobacco press was looted at least seven times; he lost 60 percent of his stock. “I had planned to expand the venue, but I’m not doing it anymore, just like recruiting. A year of the project means I don’t know anything anymore” He said.

The misfortune of entrepreneurs today is that they can no longer develop.

David, Entrepreneur at Ducos Le Center

The revenue allowed us to cover our expenses, but activity came to a standstill. “I used to be a go-getter, but now I’m depressed and sad because I have no future.” one of the oldest businessmen in the area concluded.

In this recession, some brands have no choice but to find solutions to continue generating turnover, as long as they can, thus preserving business and employees. Selling under tivoli, as in the market, is the option chosen by Thomas, store manager at L’Agachon.

The store, which specializes in fishing and diving equipment, was looted and then completely destroyed by fire. A front-to-back view of the storefront is striking: it has lost all color, replaced by black and gray. But at the foot of this desolate landscape, Thomas has set up a makeshift store. “We have the desire to continue and we try to sell on the roadside. We select and take as many best-selling items as possible” He explains. But it is a difficult job as Fridays and Saturdays are the only open days and everything has to be delivered to the site in the morning and removed in the evening. “We have just found a venue and we don’t know if we can be assured yet, but we have chosen not to open the business anyway.”

Others, in an effort to do better, chose to focus on the sale of basic necessities from the start of the crisis, when initially they sold nothing at all. The goal: to diversify, but also to show solidarity with the population. Rice, oil, pasta, and even baby diapers, which were scarce commodities at the beginning of the crisis, now found their place on the shelves of bazaar-style stores. And so, packages of rice quickly rubbed shoulders with stuffed animals and flashlights on the shelves. “I remember the first few weeks, we saw pallets of rice being delivered to the front of the store and there were crowds of people there” A passerby told us.

If the shops are open and cars are driving during the day, the feeling of insecurity seems to still exist. The Last Fire Ducos dates back to July 30. Police are nearby and regularly check motorists in the area. But how can we operate calmly in areas that are severely affected and close to certain high-risk communities such as Camere. Threats, extortion or targeting of certain business leaders “Hooded Band” Those who roam the streets, security has not really returned to Ducos. An association of business leaders is being formed, and its members hope to work together to develop a surveillance service in the area at their own expense. A large company in the industry has a security guard who patrols every night on a bicycle, watching over shops and even the streets.

“Abuse still exists, we are never safe and I remain vigilant” Jeanne, director of the gardening store Gamm vert, confided. The latter lives in Boulouparis and takes the road ‘My stomach was filled with fear’ He joined his company and committed many robberies and lootings during the riots. “We can no longer access our premises and just two months later we can start cleaning” She said. The company’s turnover has fallen and in order to continue its activity the latter must adapt to the needs of its clients and, in particular, their budgets.

A few meters from the sign, a man also lost his life on the first day of the riots. The spot made many people anxious, especially Mary Jo and Bruno, who lived nearby. “Some young people who are not neighbors still come to cause trouble. We are always on guard because we live behind the fuel depot and we are worried that they will set fires.” The father confided that three months ago, he did not hesitate to send his son to Mare to take him to a safe place.

Fences and barbed wire, this is the new “decoration” of Ducos Le Centre. Staff and customers have already arrived early in the morning. Snack bars and restaurants are open, which allows many people to gather in difficult circumstances, because more than a dozen restaurants in the industrial area have been set on fire and are closed to the public. At Bullitt’s restaurant, Harmony noticed that her customers were there regardless. “I have regular customers and some who don’t come, and there are fewer and fewer snack bars and restaurants open, so there are a lot of people. I even have unemployed people coming to spend money.” she explained. With businesses banned from selling alcohol, she said, there seemed to be more people on the patio than before. But now it seemed like it was only a matter of time, as many Ducos employees told us they have been experiencing financial instability.

The Tobacco Press opposite also had a high turnout, which according to tobacco manager David was explained by the public visiting the only post office in the area. “None of the other posts around here are open because they’ve been destroyed, so people don’t come here anymore” He commented.

Three months after the first destruction of Ducos, it is time to clean up and clear up. The remains of the burnt sign are still there, but slowly they are starting to be cleaned up. The moment of reconstruction is coming, as entrepreneurs hope to continue their activities and have their businesses resurrected from the ruins, which for some is not without a sense of humor. One of the dealers in the area prominently displays on its storefront: “We’d love for you to try our vehicles.”