DOMLEC pulls plug on Marpin in Morne Daniel

breaking newsDominica’s electricity company DOMLEC has disconnected services to cable company Marpin’s office at Morne Daniel, DNO was reliably informed.

Sources told DNO the plug was pulled on Friday morning and more offices could be plunged into darkness soon.

The action follows failure by the company to pay what  Dominica News Online understands is a whopping $1.7 million electricity bill to DOMLEC.

Sources with knowledge of the matter told DNO that the company has been struggling to keep its financial commitment to the power company.

The source said a promissory note to have the bill paid was signed earlier this year but several months later, it remains unsettled.

DNO understand that the company’s office in Morne Daniel has a back up generator.

It is unknown at this point how much of an effect DOMLEC’s action will have on the company’s operations.

The company’s manager, Perickson Isidore, told DNO on Friday morning that he was in a meeting and could not comment.

 

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95 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    December 2, 2013

    I see opportunity > to implement solar. Right on top of that building.

  2. local
    November 30, 2013

    interesting

  3. syl
    November 30, 2013

    I blame Domlec for letting an electric bill so high before taking action. If it was a poor person they would have disconnected it within two months.Is it poor management that’s why the bill was’nt paid?

  4. Malgraysa
    November 30, 2013

    How soon before Domlec pull the plug on Govt.? This going to be very interesting.

  5. Toomatoe Tomato
    November 30, 2013

    If UWP did not sell DOMLEC ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

  6. Hmmm
    November 29, 2013

    But didn’t they say that Digicel wanted to buy? U cant pay ur bills then sell or join forces and get back to the top!

  7. on the run
    November 29, 2013

    if they had not taken Mr A to court all that would of not happen

    • bluered
      November 29, 2013

      Amen. Let them feel it now

  8. STUDENT
    November 29, 2013

    Skerrit at least could have spoken to Hartley Henry( his Bagian advisor ) to allow the Barbadian owners of DOMLEC to give MARPIN an ease up. After all, you’re suppose to know people who know people – What’s up with that? Looks like the joke is on you

    • FAST N FURIOUS
      November 29, 2013

      You seem to forget is UWP that sold DOMLEC so take what all you get!

    • Anonymous
      November 30, 2013

      Skerritt is salt man. Allu want to put him in everything!

  9. Listening!!!
    November 29, 2013

    Jeff Baptiste it time for LIME to put forward a bid to take over MARPIN. Because with the right management this will be a lucrative investment.

    Whoever owns the cable customers will be the king in the telecom industry….. because all data which is the financial future of this industry will be channel through your cable box(Smart TV) in next 5-10 years and voices will just be a free commodity.

    • Jay
      November 30, 2013

      With due respect to Lime I think that the new major shareholders of Domlec have first call. Not only are they a major creditor of Marpin but are also significant players in the cable entertainment and communications field and I’m sure that the previous American shareholders of Domlec would be more than happy to make a similar deal for their stake in Marpin.They know whom they are dealing with and could divest themselves of their stake in Marpin with the minimum of fuss.

  10. .......
    November 29, 2013

    All the profits domlec domlec does make every year they can give Marpin a breakdown. After all, it was Marpin that fought hard to monopolize telecommunications services in this country. If it wasn’t for them other telecommunications places would be dead broke fighting against cable n wireless. And look at cable n wireless today. Can’t we now say that Marpin tried? I think they need our help n support right now in prayers

    • Malgraysa
      December 1, 2013

      Garcon, don’t you read? The DID give Marpin a breakdown, they pulled the plug! (..perhaps you meant to say “give Marpin a break”?).

  11. Valda Bruno-Durand
    November 29, 2013

    come on SAT this is your opportunity, free connection or free first month for all new connection, make the people an offer they cannot refuse.

  12. yes sa
    November 29, 2013

    ebeh they will increase the fee from 57.50 to 100.00

  13. anonymous
    November 29, 2013

    Marpin too wicked to be owing a bill so high, Domlec more wicked than marpin to let it get so high. I feel so sorry for dominicans like myself working everyday, paying social security and in the end we will get nothing upon retirement. Please Dominicans the most I can say is, little how you can save for your own future cause there are a lot of mangers that take your money and make themselves rich. Nothing for you.

  14. Long Tolly
    November 29, 2013

    Well you have your own business management and accounting concept as simplistic as it is. Hey who can fault you for demonstrating you multiplication skills.

    G0 figure Marpin revenue is so great in a wonderful economy that they refuse to pay DOMLEC because Marpin figure that DOMLEC aught to be doing well in the same economy. So since politics should be left out let me just say congratulations to the people who are directly responsible for a well performing economy. It is an economy that puts us at the forefront of the Caribbean economy.
    I hope that the people responsible are not so bashful and modest to avoid claiming the credit and praises.

    I must shake my head – when they claim that we were doing well it was meant to imply that credit is due but when the battlefield conditions are truly exposed they blame the world economy. It is sad that our political directorates make themselves unanswerable to the people. So while they disseminate lies and coverups the country is on a express train to Doomsville Colapsia

  15. ERA
    November 29, 2013

    Really Marpin was ever unable to pay it’s bills before the economy had been cremated by the current administration. Please educate us.

  16. Lotto Time
    November 29, 2013

    A so called friend of mine once was in a difficult situation and ask me for help and i told the person to play the lotto , because that’s how i pay my bills by playing and winning , so i think Marpin management should put together and play lotto especially Big4 to pay the bill.

  17. 100% Dominican
    November 29, 2013

    Hmmmmm, now maybe Domlec will take over Marpin TV Company or at least a significant share of it! The problem is that Domlec, from what I understand, was sold to a Barbadian company right under the nose of the government of the day (they claim that they had no idea it was happening). As a result of this, the share, if passed on will benefit Bajans and not locals. Sad fact………

  18. patriot
    November 29, 2013

    When you take little boys from the field and place them in high offices any thing is possible.
    Doninicans take note, beware of Linton and his band of cut throats.

    • joseph theophille
      November 29, 2013

      what nonesence you talking???? what linton have to do with what is going on under the labour party? you think every body are fools like you?

    • had cor da
      November 29, 2013

      who you calling little boys, so the pm is a little boy to. the man take office recently with the company in trouble.

  19. Kathy
    November 29, 2013

    If I don’t pay my cable and internet bill they will disconnect it. If I don’t pay my Domlec bill they will disconnect it and they won’t let me run up a million dollar plus bill before they disconnect it. The problem is that if Domlec shuts off power to Marpin every Marpin customer is affected especially if our services are cut off because of Marpins lack of action. They need to come current with their bill and then Domlec should NOT let them run up a bill like that again. In the meantime it is the consumers that are affected.

  20. Anonymous
    November 29, 2013

    Guess social security will take our money and pay up. I hope when I retire I get my money after paying contributions all these years. Real bad investment by Social Security

  21. November 29, 2013

    Suggestions:
    Since when this outstanding bill really started. Should not have happened. There must be an explanation why Marpin is not paying the bill. Is there an issue with Domlec we know nothing of. Marpin should say something. The Board of Directors is well equipped with management capabilties so what is the problem. Is the foreign company taking out too much management fees. They have to stop immediately, Directors reduce your fees and management take a cut until the situation is resolved. Maybe management is too top heavy.
    The shareholders should deal with the matter promptly by injecting some equity into the Company with the necessary adjustment. Is the building (2nd floor) being rented or did the govt crowded out the private sector by putting the call centre in a govt owned facility? just asking.

    • Gee Gee
      November 29, 2013

      Totally agree….

  22. E
    November 29, 2013

    It may be an idea for the many Dominicans who love the TV to collect money to give to MARPIN so it can invest in solar energy – a good Christmas gesture. Solar energy is free and abundant, like sea water.
    In that way MARPIN never has to pay an electricity bill again. The energy cost will then be for maintenance of the panels only. MARPIN is local and provides jobs, and a service that Dominicans want.

    • Malgraysa
      November 29, 2013

      So what do you do when you want to watch T.V. or send your e-mail at night when there is no sun? use a battery?

      • Anonymous
        November 30, 2013

        alas mar gway sar you have so much big mouth on dno and you don’t even understand how solar panels work? idiot they store energy, jeez and to see how u like to criticize skerrit and anybody u think is for him. shame on you go back to school both you and linton,.

  23. Lang Mama
    November 29, 2013

    Soon Marpin will have to cut their own internet cause Marpin cannot pay Marpin for the internet bill.

  24. 2 CuTe
    November 29, 2013

    And i crying , i doing better than marpin man :mrgreen:

  25. smh
    November 29, 2013

    Domlec cut my light for $197 d other day a d see how much marpin owing….magwe sa

  26. Citizen Kane
    November 29, 2013

    Well … the PM paid to bring the Miss World Pageant to Dominicans … so now i calling for a Marpin bail out … This is an essential service!

    Skerro, Pay MARPIN 2K4 light bill and I will vote for you!! Cuz i cant do without my MARPIN!

    • anonymous
      November 29, 2013

      You will find time to read and help your kids with homework.lmao

    • whydoweblameeveryone
      November 29, 2013

      why is the government shouldering all the blame for whatever goes wrong in the island. Dominicans we are better than that. I know its election time but some of the posts are not warranted. If the government paid as you imply for my world than i guess he paid for his service, Marpin however should in turn pay for their service. even trade. Let’s get all the facts first before some of us comment, never know a constructive comment might be a turning point in the right direction for some of our problem in the nature isle.

      • Road Inspector
        November 30, 2013

        Is not the end of the daY marpin mUst vive

    • Malgraysa
      November 30, 2013

      Is your vote that cheap?Malgraysa.

  27. african queen
    November 29, 2013

    Ron Abraham spirit on them; only he can bring this company back Ron Abraham

    • November 29, 2013

      this is the gospel truth the evil that people do live with them Ron is getting his rewards now for his own thing. God is not a Police.

      • bluered
        November 29, 2013

        true say. karma is a b—h

  28. OMG
    November 29, 2013

    A lot of Marpin customers are not paying for their service and that is the money that has to be used to do any payments.

    Marpin customers who have not paid but getting service are the ones that caused that.

  29. Frenz
    November 29, 2013

    Body guard I wouldn’t like your job
    Snake in the grass they know no luv
    Politicians drinking human blood
    Concrete heart can hold no luv.

    When people love they don’t lie to those they love. They don’t tell you that your poverty is in keeping with the world economy when their own economy is stronger than ever with millions hidden in the banks.

    When the rain falls it never fall on one man house top:

    ” Before you jump in the ring you better go pay your bills” well truckers cyan pay their bills; UWI cyan get paid; Venezuela cyan get paid; civil servants settle for kubawi; road workers cyan get paid ; Dapex groveling; State College electricity bills cyan get paid.

    The lips of the righteous teach many but fools die for want of wisdom.

  30. WHO VEX VEX
    November 29, 2013

    We like to put politics at the front of every thing bad thats going on, good thing i will think 4 my self and i will look at all angles to figure out why things went wrong, and it all comes back to management.

    Say 10,000 people Dominica paying $80.00 per month and i believe its more than that cause i paying $160,00 per month 4 cable and internet they should rack up $800,000 per month so that bill should be paid cause that 1 million+ is not a one month bill. if they were paying there bill by the 10th like how they require there costumers to do they would not be in that mess

    • Long Tolly
      November 29, 2013

      Well you have your own business management and accounting concept as simplistic as it is. Hey who can fault you for demonstrating you multiplication skills.

      G0 figure Marpin revenue is so great in a wonderful economy that they refuse to pay DOMLEC because Marpin figure that DOMLEC aught to be doing well in the same economy. So since politics should be left out let me just say congratulations to the people who are directly responsible for a well performing economy. It is an economy that puts us at the forefront of the Caribbean economy.
      I hope that the people responsible are not so bashful and modest to avoid claiming the credit and praises.

      I must shake my head – when they claim that we were doing well it was meant to imply that credit is due but when the battlefield conditions are truly exposed they blame the world economy. It is sad that our political directorates make themselves unanswerable to the people. So while they disseminate lies and coverups the country is on a express train to Doomsville Colapsia

    • Vlad Light
      November 29, 2013

      Of course, because that hypothetical $800,000 is tax free and expense free. No need to worry about things such as wages, depreciation, furniture and fixture. They don’t exist… the only bill is the one to Domlec right?

  31. Listening
    November 29, 2013

    Where were the board of directors and DSS when the white man was running the company into all this debt?

    • funny
      November 29, 2013

      of course bro its a white man fault in all bad things and misfortune happens to this island…poverty, diseases, unemployment, weak education, non-existent medicine, hurricanes, floods..of course its all a white man fault…

      • Malgraysa
        November 30, 2013

        Boy, what would we do without white man? We would have to blame ourselves. Malgraysa

      • Malgraysa
        November 30, 2013

        Did the directors and chairman of Marpin get paid on time?

  32. Tweety
    November 29, 2013

    Everybody calling on the government and sayin They caused that. While I agree the government could have intervened Marpin Board of Directors laps man. How could you have let the bill go on for that long without ateast trying to pay. I bet if marpin had pulled their weight and try to atleast pay a certain but fair amount of the bill Domlec would have postponed the disconnect and allow them more time to work on things.Just a damn shame

  33. Kubuli Kountry
    November 29, 2013

    Anyway, you Dominicans are just a set of hypocrites. Now you all seeing the worth of Mr. Ron Abraham?! NONE of you, not ONE OF YOU called the radio stations, or protested in the streets about the unfairness of it all.

    Today you people want to jump up and down and cry waylaylaylay?? Makes me sick!!

    • Anonymous
      November 29, 2013

      Excuse me…..did u call?

    • Real Porssie
      November 29, 2013

      Thst is not true many people calked the radio crying foul. I heard Lennix Linton for example expressing outrage with the conflictinging interest participation of the notorious layou rivet hotek passport accountant.
      Stop looking for excuses and call the game as is

    • Marlpardee
      November 30, 2013

      U late! Now u know da people are two way switches. When they tell u walk run for yur life. They will give u peepee to drink and cut their neck and say is kubuli.

  34. FRENZ
    November 29, 2013

    In an Three Stooges show Curly decided that in order to get the water out of their sinking row boat he need to drill another hole in the boat so the water coming into the boat can get out. Well if what we have in Dominica is not Three stooges economic management then we could also call it plaster on a “Bobo Wagais”- plaster on a Bobo Wagais only lead to gangrene. The limbs of this country is falling of without the need for amputation with job going south, banks repossessions, crime increase, drug addiction, mass migration, abject poverty.

  35. Mamizoo
    November 29, 2013

    We the people of Dominica should be very concerned , very very concerned. We looking at a company that is broke and our Social Security funds could be in jeopardy – I doh know for sure but it is not unreasonable to be concerned about our SS funds- after all social security own 50% of Marpin company and when a company cannot pay it’s electricity bills that is serious cause for concern.
    The worse is yet to come only because those who are suppose to be manning the ship have been trying to hide the truth but the truth is like gremlins the more you pour water on the gremlins is the more they proliferate and pop up in all kind of places. The lies and fabrication cannot fix the broken economy. Telling the people that it is the world economy cannot restore an economy back to drive mode. In fact the people are asked to throw up their hands and surrender and at the same time there are those who like in the movie Titanic are still playing the violin deck providing false hope and entertainment. The greatest travesty is that those who drove the titanic into the iceberg have secured their rescue boats and have their own rescue plans.

    So when some of us talk about having our kids born in America because we want opportunities for our kids why call us unpatriotic . After all if I have no confidence that Dominica will ever afford my kids opportunities why have my kid in Dominica. Even better yet if the leader doesn’t think that Dominica will ever afford his kid an opportunity then who am I not to have my kids in New Jersey.

    “I don’t have a problem is the world that have a problem with me “

    • Anonymous
      November 29, 2013

      Oh stop the long political diatribe nonsense!!!!Marpin has had issues for donkey years now. it is not the fault of any one administration!!!

    • stupes
      November 29, 2013

      beautiful

  36. Channel 1
    November 29, 2013

    Give back to Ron Abraham his company to operate. That is what MUST be done.

    The man worked so hard to set up Marpin and then through manipulations, the company was wrested away from him.

    Give de man back his company now!!!!

  37. Anonymous
    November 29, 2013

    We need to pray for the company. God bless Dominica

    • Pator Thom ass
      November 29, 2013

      Better yet pray for Dominica ; pray against the evil of con artists, those who come as servants of god, those who claim that god sent them ( by the way all dictators say that – check the records).
      Pray for our country – there is more bad news coming on the horizon. In the mean time continue to ignore your conscience and listen to deceivers-those who would do anything to hide the truth.

  38. hmmmmm
    November 29, 2013

    November is not done as yet an i pay my bill for november already hope my marpin dont cut off

  39. dr.b
    November 29, 2013

    so wait a while, doesnt marpin hav the cash to pay their bill, i mean come on, they av internet, cable, phone. that firm that has der business unstairs marpin not payin der rent or wat. by now marpin should hav more than 2 generators.so which concldes that money isn’t flowing in this country.

  40. Mr Gouty
    November 29, 2013

    Where on earth does a Social Security organization get its self involved in a commercial identity so if the business collapse who will pay the retires

  41. long tooth
    November 29, 2013

    Let’s just pray for Marpin because is families that work there. But I would really love to see the Director’s salaries reduce significantly. Not to make them poor, but just to save the lives of families. Let’s pray Dominicans,let’s pray, we all need to pray. Marpin infront, but who’s behind! This is sad but God is still in control and He is certainly not sad.

    • BRAIN DAMAGE
      November 29, 2013

      That’s waisting my prays.
      Marpin, Domlec and Dowasco are all neighbours and neighbours are always in trouble.

  42. Lang Mama
    November 29, 2013

    World Economic crisis- I must laugh but at the same time be concerned about our social security.

    I do have a suggestion for Marpin though – Citrus , coconut and dasheen worked for Venezuela. So it maybe that DOMLEC is willing to accept Dasheen only cause Venezuela was offered $60 million worth of Dasheen, Citrus and Coconuts.

    Everything is upside down inside out.

  43. mountain
    November 29, 2013

    oh, so that is why i had the interruption in my service a while ago???????

  44. Jay
    November 29, 2013

    Maybe mr. Emmanuel forgot that Domlec has new owners, who will flex their muscles. The previous ownership had also an interest in Marpin, together with Social Security and things were perhaps more cosy. Not so with LPH and their owners Emera Inc.
    They now have a golden opportunity to acquire Marpin cheaply unless the latter pay their outstanding bill in full. Either they can negotiate a deal in return for writing off the debt or force the company into liquidation and snap up the assets. Meanwhile, maybe the Govt. can provide Marpin with diesel fuel at concessionary rates to enable it to keep it going using its own generators….bet SAT would have something to say about that!

  45. Watchman
    November 29, 2013

    OK Folks lets pause and have a good LOOK at the Owners of Marpin! “DSS” Dominica Social Security and WRB an American Group.

    Its my understanding that the Owners are NOT even subscribing to their services;

  46. Oh Boy
    November 29, 2013

    The management team and the Board of Directors of Marpin should be fired.

  47. T bouy
    November 29, 2013

    Where is Ron to come to their help.

  48. hmm
    November 29, 2013

    De country sweet. De country nice. Everything proper. We ARE doing better than most!

    • Anonymous
      November 29, 2013

      This is what I look at to see if the country as sweet as some people make it out to be.

      Whenever there is a photo of the day, everybody gushing about how nice Dominica is and how they want to return. If you look closely, most places have trees and beaches and mountains. These are things we had nothing to do with. It was there with or without us.

      What separates the good places to live from the bad is the standard of living – the day to day experience. When we can turn this country around such that we can have a place where we don’t have to run from at the first opportunity and enjoy the beauty that has been bestowed upon it, then we can truly say “Dominics Nice”.

  49. Anonymous
    November 29, 2013

    next level…….

  50. street side
    November 29, 2013

    anyone one worth his or her salt can tell you upfront that Dominica’s economy is “DEAD”

    Cash flow is a Major factor, it would be wise for Marpin to do a restructure, maybe too many overheads they should try to lease the building in town out and operate from a low cost facility, reduce of the channels as many of them aren’t big on viewer’s choices, the internet age is at the finger tips now…thus reducing cost..so it would be wise that a independent review be done about Marpin.

    That’s why i am not trying to be a broken record But my friend Ron’s idea was to have Marpin as a Media Centre for the caribbean selling traffic to World Wide Networks which would bring much needed Capital and exposure.

    But again it’s the Today’s Dominica, the key hole mindset, timid, small minded approach which is like a leach to the island’s development..

    If Dominica and Dominicans were Big thinkers the Island would not be a looked down island to many.

  51. jean Mahaut
    November 29, 2013

    bommmmmmm!!!! woy i better get cable when i put my home cause i pay my bill before the 10th…Marpin to fleching up wda

    • young patriot
      November 29, 2013

      Lol I agree with u ^

    • Marlpardee
      November 30, 2013

      What goes up must come down. Wealth earned dishonestly will be stripped away from you, says the lord.

  52. bob
    November 29, 2013

    borjay de country really goin dong. all i know is wen dey cut my cable i cuttin der pwel

  53. love
    November 29, 2013

    8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O

  54. bayfront
    November 29, 2013

    Economy in Dominica is doing very well…money is meeting money…thank God for the Dominica Labour Party…..it’s the best the citizens have embrace since independence….

    The Government is part of Marpin 2KT4 LTD, but the bill will be settled soon as a Juvenile leader will have monies paid to them from the ALBA funds..

    Don’t worry Dominicans…it’s how this upside down place called Dominica operates…

    Certified as a (FOOLS PARADISE-DOMINICA)

  55. Anonymous
    November 29, 2013

    Bon Diay!! Alas

  56. Malgraysa
    November 29, 2013

    Only tbhis week I paid my bill. Will I get a refund?

    • Eyeballs
      November 29, 2013

      No, because we need whatever little money we get to pay our bills. You can pay for next month if you want….that will be helpful

      • Anonymous
        November 29, 2013

        lol

      • Malgraysa
        November 30, 2013

        Little money you say? Marpin more expensive than SAT. Marpin used to have a scheme to give you discount when you pay months in advance but no, they stopped that. I guess that improved their cash flow then? Marpin’s head too big.

  57. Doc. Love
    November 29, 2013

    The evil that men do lives with them. Their are many people in Dominica that don’t believe in prayers, I am sure you, Mr. Ron Abraham, believes in prayers.

    • Truth to Power
      November 29, 2013

      Mr. Abraham built Marpin from scratch, certain BODs undermined him and a few weeks later they too left the company…

      Marpin will not do well under anyone else but Ron Abraham…

    • joseph theophille
      November 29, 2013

      give Mr. Ron Abraham back his company and all will be well

  58. Lex
    November 29, 2013

    Sad but some one has to do something one way or the other

    • Malgraysa
      November 29, 2013

      Why? We can switch to SAT you know.

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