BCAD welcomes PM housing sector challenge

Paris said his organization is willing to explore the PM's suggestion
Paris said his organization is willing to explore the PM’s suggestion

It appears that at least one private sector entity is interested in exploring a suggestion by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, for the sector to get involved in the housing industry in Dominica.

As a matter of fact, the Dominica Builders and Contractors Association (BCAD) will be meeting on Monday and the matter will be among items on the agenda.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister stated that his government is “more than willing” to provide lands and the necessary concessions to the private sector if there is interest in getting involved in the housing industry by building apartments for sale.

Skerrit stated that the government has “hundreds of acres of land” in areas such as Warner, Elmshall, Hillsborough Gardens, Wesley, Londonderry and Portsmouth and the private sector can either partner with the government on an individual basis or through a consortium.

President of BCAD, Stewart Paris, told DNO his organization is excited about the suggestion.

“We believe that it is some very welcome news and we are very excited that the Prime Minister made that offer,” he said. “We really would like in short order to have an opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister about our interest in the offer he made.”

Paris noted that the country’s leader must be commended for the idea and BCAD would like to take it up.

“We would like to take him up on his offer and work with him. I commend him for it and I can only hope that I can have an opportunity to sit in the same room with him and talk about it and let us work together, both him and us,” he said.

He stated it is “a good thing” the Prime Minister wants local entities to get into the housing sector “rather than having some foreign people” doing it.

“I noticed that he is also willing to give the levels of concessions that those foreign entities now enjoys, so I cannot see any reason why we would shy away from it.
“We would not want to let that idea fall. We want to do our part to make it a reality,” Paris said.

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28 Comments

  1. REASONING
    June 8, 2015

    :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: Skerrit is a gimmick as usual!All this talk is to divert attention from the real issues affecting the island,like his friend and colleague depositing money illegally in a bank and the police are yet to make a move :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?:

  2. June 7, 2015

    @The Real Facts June 5, 2015 “He is the PM. He has his cabinet ministers and advisers. I am certain they all gathered at a meeting, discussed it and decided together, of course”

    You have spoken my sentiment, above. And I hope that those stupid people are only here on DNO, or they are very young people, who do not know how to manage the thoughts of their mind. I say that because I cannot believe that those stupid products are coming from the minds of grown men and women in Dominica

    For people to think that the Prime Minister is simply coming up with ideas, right to the public, not discussing them with his Minsters of Government–that is plain childish stupidity. And with that said, I suggest that we pray for maturity of the mind along with wisdom and understanding, so that might be able to express our thoughts fruitfully–otherwise our country will continue in its slow development–“for the harvest is ready but the workers are few”

  3. June 6, 2015

    As per my comment to a related article where I mentioned that Labourites would take advantage of this most generous offer by our blessed Prime Minister, His Holiness, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit, the proof is right here. Mr. Paris, a dedicated Labourite Loyalist, is quite capable of making this great offer bear fruit in an exemplary manner. The offer is in fact open to ALL Dominicans, but the Opposition will choose to criticize and mock instead of find ways to get involved and to raise funding to play a part and reap the benefits. When Labourites like Mr. Paris, however, seizes the opportunity and makes millions the same UWP critics and naysayers will run to the media screaming foul and venting their despicable jealousies. It’s the cycle of redundant and idiotic politics by the Uneducated Wicked People. So sad.

    • June 7, 2015

      LabourOfLove June 6, 2015

      I would like to agree with you, but God alone in Jesus Christ is Holy. In as much as I am the side of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit–he is in no way holy to me, because he is still a human being; even if he may be in the line waiting for transformation through Jesus Christ. It is bad enough that the larger group of DNO do not like us–please do not make it worse Hehehehehehehehehehe!

  4. Peter Potter
    June 6, 2015

    Since the state coffers are empty now and no more government contracts to be had Mr. Paris has to find other means of deployment. I am sure he and the government will get on just great. If this partnership is going to benefit Dominica remains to be seen. My guess, it will benefit Paris, some Ministers and some die-hard Labour supporters, all at the expense of the taxpayer.

  5. Jaime Lewis
    June 6, 2015

    I commend Mr. Paris for taking the Prime Minister’s offer of crown lands for building the housing stock in Dominica. If purchased at a reduced cost, or even leased at a minimum fee, these savings should be passed on to those who will be purchasing the homes.
    I think Mr. Paris and his company should take it one step further and work with the banks or credit union to offer mortgage loans at low interest rates.
    It would be worthwhile to also have housing set aside for civil servants and those who work with NGOs, young people who are just getting started in life. They may be returning students with students’ loans; affordable housing will assist them tremendously.
    Of course, don’t forget those in the Diaspora who would love to own a piece of Dominica but do not have trustworthy contacts to whom they can entrust their hard earned dollars for building a home. Working directly with a developer would make their dream of Dominican homeownership a reality.

  6. correction
    June 5, 2015

    Watch it, watch it, more jobs for the boys and ways for their friends to open fly by night companies to take advantage of Government lands, legally. Why not open the housing sector so that the same people can own their own private property? Why go through a middle man so he can suck the last dollar from your hand over what belongs to you both, Dominica land?

    But noooooooo, some seeking passports and banking 1.5 mil, now it’s the turn for those mils that banking to take Government land and own huge properties.

    BCAD if u think that invitation was for u, belle beff. U see how the fly by night trucking company get job to build Roseau river wall over Ace Engineering. Is behind closed doors schemes does hatch, am watching and waiting.

  7. Justkum
    June 5, 2015

    On the other hand Maybe..just Maybe Skerrit have some money to give his contractors to invest in apartments on state lands where they can get some kickback…with the way things going in Dominica now, we need critical thinking..All those years PWC struggling, how comes Skerrit didn’t summon Aid bank to make 10 million available to them for them to Build on state lands and manage those apts?..They would ensure a full time income..but I guess the Ideas come whilst we playing by air..

  8. Justkum
    June 5, 2015

    What bothers me with Our people sometimes is the lack of our ability to exercise our imagination and summon workable ideas..In many European and first world countries they pay their best crop of brains to think and generate Ideas because they know that The Idea is an intangible asset with the greatest potential for exponential growth..A single idea can mark the difference between wealth and poverty..but if we don’t think, the Ideas are few and futile..proof in the statements “everybody doing the same thing in Dominica”..”Nowhere to go, nothing to do..etc.”
    We can all agree that this is an idea that can deal with Dominica’s need for proper housing..but i’m almost certain, one thing the PM fail to do is to work out the many bugs of bureaucracy that will haunt this initiative..and address the elephant in the room of low salaries..at what rate will the BCAD rent these apartments to make a meaningful profit? Charity maybe?..Look Grotto need free Labor, where BCAD?

  9. Francisco Telemaque
    June 5, 2015

    Now if the idea, is to build condominium, and Town Houses attached, and sold as an independent unit that I can understand, because the sewer, gas, water, and electrical line are all are independent the same as an unattached single family home.

    Secondly, where it pertains to Wesley one has to be very careful where they build houses at Londonderry; because, there is a place in Wesley where land for an International Airport is identified, had Skerrit, and Rosie Douglas, and the good old boys like Athie Martin who chased the contractors from Trinidad, out of Dominica, the international Airport would be in operation over the past twenty years; hence if one builds houses or apartment buildings in the flight path, that could be a problem for the home owner, because when Skerrit exist, the next government may utilize that place in the construction of the airport.

    Someone need to clarify whether they are talking about building Condominiums, or Town House, because that would make more…

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 5, 2015

      Someone need to clarify whether they are talking about building Condominiums, or Town House, because that would make more sense than the crap about buying space in apartment buildings. And if Skerrit wish is to imitate the Dominican Republic, the units they sell are condos, and town houses, not in Apartment Buildings.

      If the emphasis is on housing development, single family housing is the way to go, a series of houses could built on tracks, like in the rest of the world, would be more appropriate!

  10. Shaka zulu
    June 5, 2015

    I can only sit and laugh at how gullible, narrow minded and how easily fooled we are. In this modern day this is how we want development. The PM behaves like he running a rum shop. Or maybe he is since Dominica is ranked very high on alcohol consumption in the world. First of all to develop housing the private sector will be in it for a profit. Hence they will need a market that can afford. There is also planning that is involved. I am talking about; water, electricity, sewage, roads, garbage disposal plan, drainage, street lights, future growth plans, titles and transfers, disasters and environmental impact mitigation. All this and more need to be considered. Skeritt really dreams of these schemes convince himself they are good ideas and comes and spew to ignorant people. Government need to put systems in place so the country can grow and people can build or but their own homes. We are indeed becoming a socialist state. Let the private sector grow and gov focus on their responsibility

  11. Erasmus B. Black
    June 5, 2015

    As you well know my dear Mr Paris, God had also asked Noah to build an arc to save his people. Reading this article I am reminded of the music of the singer Elton John, viz : ” we are not as dumb as we might look or locked up in the dark. We can sort out the snakes from the animals just like Noah’s arc”. Hope we can all keep concentrating on Noah’s arc this weekend and at Monday’s meeting .

  12. sailsbury farmer
    June 5, 2015

    We cannot say Skerritt don’t want people to make money we have to think and help our selves , team Dominica comes up with great ideas too. Our problems is we send to much of our money away to strange people we have to grow more of what we eat, and take some of the millions and lend it to each other to create the jobs we need at home. We send over $1000.000.000. Us over seas if we can keep have of that back home we would not have to beg the chinese for any thing. But we have no problem being free to give our money to strangers. We have what we want to grow our economy but the university of the westindes did not teach us what to do. I am telling you what to do now go do it don’t fight me and tell me you are free to do what you want with your money stop waiting for team dominica and Skerritt

  13. grell
    June 5, 2015

    Mr.Paris dont go for this deal,i smell a bad rat dont trust Skerrit,then he will blame you for all the things that goes bad,The chinese are giving up on him so he wants to fool the people.Please stay away Paris.Skerrit is a scum.

  14. KID ON THE BLOCK
    June 5, 2015

    Boy, What a vision! Skerro you are the best.

  15. Love All
    June 5, 2015

    Don’t forget that we need a housing project at Castle Bruce for the people of Petite Soufrierre and environ. Not only the area is dangerous to live in terms of land slides but government and utility companies would experience great savings. Don’t be afraid of the political pressure, do right thing.

  16. June 5, 2015

    Well done PM I hope that others in the private sector will follow suite. Far too many business people in Dominica sit on their millons and do not invest in the country. Great positive news for all Dominicans.

  17. Zen Master
    June 5, 2015

    How can one man run a country. Is Dominica a country or another tribal village in the amazon or Africa. How can one man decide what he wants or doesn’t want for a people and country. If political system is such that one individual controls every decision, institution and policy ,how can the people expect anything else but corruption and myopia.
    I am always so amazed that in this 21 century our people particulary in the OECS territory are still pillowing a system of government that was just handed down to us by the colonial masters, a system that has proven to be more harmful to the people. One man decides that h ecan take state lands to give to private contractors is absolute madness. Not only that the other members of cabinet dare not oppose.
    Welcome to tribe #4

    • grell
      June 5, 2015

      Agree with you Zen MASTER sad that our people still live in the slavery days and Skerrit is the master,THE ALMIGHTY WILL DEAL WITH SKERRIT,HAVE HOPE MY BROTHER.

    • The Real Facts
      June 5, 2015

      Why did you make an issue out of it? It is a well-worth challenge for future housing in D/ca.
      You accuse the PM of a one-man show. Do you really know what goes on behind closed doors? He is the PM. He has his cabinet ministers and advisers. I am certain they all gathered at a meeting, discussed it and decided with of course, the PM primarily approving even though he first had the vision. Someone commenced it.
      I reside in another country. The PM releases what was legislated and mandated. Did this solely generate from him or on the advice of some cabinet ministers? It could be from only one cabinet minister and the opposition at that. This is what I am trying to inform you about. Put on your thinking cap and cease your criticisms.
      May the opposition also cooperate with the PM for harmony, peace, unity and progress in D/ca. May the opposition supporters follow suit.

  18. AG
    June 5, 2015

    I recommend Paris to sell passports

  19. Lang Mama
    June 5, 2015

    Clearly Roosevelt Skerrit and his dummies don’t have. You cant run a country on impulse and petulance. If this is an attempt to stimulate growth it is actually a cart before horse ,deurvant deriere system. How can you give private contractors state land to build housing so that they can come back to sell to the people. Private interest does not equally transmit to public benefit. What about finding ways to provide the people with the opportunity to purchase lands for productive purposes; what about implementing and effectively implementing such a program to insure success as oppose to providing land to cronies for their own personal benefit.
    You give contractors state lands to build housing and at the back end the people still cant afford to purchase the houses built because the people cant afford ,don’t have jobs nor job security,
    Swallow your pride Roosevelt take the UWP advise on stimulation the construction s

  20. sailsbury farmer
    June 5, 2015

    You can always tell when a people is in trouble Karl max the white Russian said that. Another American said said give me Liberty or Death. The Blacks ask for give me Jesus I do not have to think on earth because its an evil place, when I get to Heaven I will meet sweet Jesus their will be no more ps in. Who taught Black people all of these things and give them a guarantee to do nothing on earth.white folks savior is green and keep Blacks serving them on earth and be proffesional beggers . There is a Hotel in portsmouth do we have any Dominican any where on the planet to manage it. If we have no one to manage a 30 room motel we are in trouble. Get trained to managed these things and tell Skerritt we have people to do the job, are we going to import some one to do that

  21. sailsbury farmer
    June 5, 2015

    This is excellent we need to build more wealth in Dominica by Dominicans. We can no longer wait for outsiders to save us. We can build quality buildings like any other contractors any where in the world. Enough blue and red its time to create employment for our selves and make some green and keep it all home. Enough talking , we have been talking since the British left, 80 percent of our money leaves our hands and travel all over the world. We are so proud and fee when it comes to giving other people our money. I think we are turning the corner , our problem is we must take care of self family and country first. Please keep your money home spend with your people first only then you will be free. Stop fighting to go to Roseau and work for peanuts. Create your own job. Don’t be proffesional beggers

  22. jodi
    June 5, 2015

    Hooray!! Finally, there’s hope for all of us who wants to own our dwelling houses. Whom can I speak to concerning building?

  23. NKRUMAH KWAME
    June 5, 2015

    Well done Mr. Paris. I only hope that the statement was not a gimmick!
    HOTEP!

    • June 5, 2015

      The only thing the PM makes statements that he know the people want to here and if only we could take him at his word but don’t kid yourselves , their are a wave of corruption scandals out there and they will do everything they can to keep it away from the people, why now look we have someone who is not a Minister depositing all that amount of cash in his account who is going to investigate it and so much more, Mr. Paris should remember many other statements that have been made in the past don’t be to naïve ask yourself what about those larger contracts like the Hospital and so on, we ask you keep an open mind and if possible let’s wait
      We would like to believe this could be true so we will all get to make money and keep it because my people have been crying much to long, I don’t even care if PM adopt some of Team Dominica ideas as long as we get work to do ,but we speaking about a man who don’t want Dominicans to have money in there pockets, I just hope this is not all…

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