Carib Sand & Stone (CSS) responds to letter “Questions concerning state of Pointe Michel road for Minister of Works”

Dear Editor:

Our company, Carib Sand & Stone (CSS) is referenced in the letter dated Thursday February 24, 2011 captioned “Questions concerning state of Pointe Michel road for Minister of Works,” which is published on your website. The letter which was signed by “Born and bred Dominican” distorts the good image of CSS in several ways and attempts to damage its good name through a controversy with the Hon. Minister of Works. CSS is a good corporate citizen of Dominica. Therefore, in order to protect the good name of CSS, I am writing to clarify this misinformation and set the record straight.

CSS, A Dominican Company

The letter refers to Carib Sand & Stone as “a French company.” The Dominican public needs to know the truth on this matter. The truth is that Carib Sand & Stone is a DOMINICAN company. Carib Sand & Stone was established in Dominica on December 7th, 2005 by a group of people of Caribbean origin. CSS is registered in the Commonwealth of Dominica. The company pays taxes and dues in Dominica, meets most of its operational expenses, and pays salaries to its employees in Dominica. Specifically, twenty-five (25) people who are “born and bred Dominicans” are employed by Carib Sand & Stone. Further, Carib Sand & Stone is not a subsidiary or a branch of any foreign company.

CSS, a good Corporate Citizen
Since start of operation in October 2006, CSS has contributed significantly to the local communities of Loubiere and Pointe Michel but also to Dominica in general. CSS has contributed through community development initiatives, involving the village council, churches, schools, various associations as well as individuals. In addition, since 2006, CSS has contributed in excess of EC $2.7 million by way of crushed and raw tarrish to the Government of Dominica, payment of taxes, dues,  social security and Value Added Tax (VAT).

CSS, a environmentally conscious company
Quarrying is not neutral to the environment, to the landscaping in particular. This is the nature of this industry. Nevertheless, we have implemented a number of mitigation actions in order to minimize the impact of our activity on the surrounding ecosystems. The protection of the pristine Caribbean waters and the Solomon reefs are among our daily concerns. With regards to the specific  condition of the Solomon reefs, we have engaged since 2007 an independent diving company who performs a quarterly check of the reefs. The available results, which are also communicated to the Fisheries Department, indicate that the reef remains healthy in particular around the concrete jetty built in 2008.

In short, Sir, our company is we believe a good corporate citizen of Dominica. CSS takes and will continue to take its social responsibility very seriously. Far from Dominica and Dominicans being victimized by CSS, the relationship between the Government and people of Dominica and CSS is one that benefits both sides. We at CSS have great confidence in the future of Dominica and in the long term potential of the manufacturing sector in particular. That is why we intend to continue to broaden and strengthen this relationship far into the future.

Jean-Yves Bonnaire
Managing Director

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16 Comments

  1. From All Angles
    February 25, 2011

    First of all, since when has it become the responsibility of any company or business to fix the public roads for any government? The responsibility lies on the Government of Dominica to ensure that the roads are properly maintained. Even in light of this Carib Sand and Stone has ensured that the environment surrounding the quarry has been properly maintained and beautified. I seem to recall that CSS has embarked on numerous clean up campaigns from Loubiere back to Pointe Michel and the people of that area did not even show up to assist. This appears to be nothing more than a smear campaign against a company that has done nothing but good for the community and this country.

    • good job Bonnaire
      February 26, 2011

      Kudos to the CSS company for their swift reply. Well said and thank you for the explanation, together we all can move forward.

  2. born and bred Dominican
    February 25, 2011

    The question is could ean-Yves Bonnaire operate a quarry in the eu or french territories under yhe conditions that he does in Dominica?

    • mmmmm
      February 25, 2011

      Well then come and take over non “Born and Bred” … So you can talk and talk. If you “Born and bred Dominican” seating on your money then it is persons like Bonnaire who must come and do what you will and cannot do>

      What are the conditions that They operate the quarry? You come with this and then you can comment.

    • mmmmm
      February 25, 2011

      born and bred Dominican – read again and again the above article by the Managing Director and rewrite something better next time!

      Come again!

    • hy
      February 25, 2011

      It is always important to do some research before making statements.

  3. John oh
    February 25, 2011

    They sit on there laurel and do nothing as soon as some good is done in DA, there they come BLA BLA BLAING, why dont they go away? Nothing is being done about exporting water let some one from outside do it , then there they come again.

    • mmmmm
      February 25, 2011

      Well said John oh!

    • hy
      February 25, 2011

      You should get some facts on water export first before making comments.

  4. GOOD
    February 25, 2011

    Fantastic response Mr Bonnaire.

  5. worried dominican
    February 25, 2011

    there goes the political bull,it has been over ten years since the road has heen in this condition,the peson is not blaming the company they are asking the one of many ministers that is running our country.

  6. mouth of the south
    February 25, 2011

    *drum rolls* let the drama begin,,, all fox will come out of the rat hole,,,, we waiting on the minister of works to give his views

  7. GO FIGURE.....
    February 25, 2011

    WHO OWNS THE COMPANY????…

    • stupes
      February 25, 2011

      People sit by and do nothing to develop their country and then criticize others who do and others who take an initiative. why don’t you ask who owns the 40 plus CHINESE BUSINESSES in ROSEAU, why don’t you ask who owns several tourism businesses all over the island…….why are you only concerned about CSS ownership. Come on, put things into perspective. These guys are not fly by night idiots, they ARE serious hard working businessmen creating employment.

      • Thanks for the sense
        February 25, 2011

        Thank you very much for this piece, it seems our people really have no common sense of any sort

        • simple mind
          February 28, 2011

          since we get a bread even it soak in sea water ,all sense gone.

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