Passport sales exceed $80-million projection

passportSales of Dominica’s passports under the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has exceeded the $80-million projection made in the 2015-2016 budget, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

“In the budget of this year, we projected we would have raised about $80-million dollars. I can say to you that we have surpassed that projection in the budget of $80-million,” the Prime Minister said, on Monday, at a meeting outlining plans for the new Jungle Bay Resort, to be built in Soufriere, under the CBI.

He did not give a figure of the amount of money that was actually earned under the program.

The funds are being used to respond to Tropical Storm Erika, the Prime Minister said.

Skerrit also revealed that for the past three years, the National Employment Program (NEP) which has provided employment for thousands of Dominicans, has been “fully funded” by the CBI.

“So, the $7-million which I, as Minister of Finance, make available to the Ministry of Employment, that $7-million comes straight from the economic citizenship program,” he stated.

In January 2016, Dominica’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Dr. Vince Henderson said the economic citizenship program had raised about $124-million in six months.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

47 Comments

  1. very very seriouly
    May 26, 2016

    If the government’s job was to be a group of pimps, I’d pat each and every government minister on the back and tell him “Job well done!”

  2. amanda
    May 26, 2016

    we fellow Dominicans would like to know the names of the persons who are getting citizenship. Why is that not provided? We need to know their names and what contributions they are making other than having the passport. Or is it just A PASSPORT FOR SALE private business run by the government.
    Are there any jobs provided by these individuals?
    Are there any development made with LOCAL resources by these individuals?
    Do these people leave on island or fly by night?
    What benefits other than the money are provided?

  3. LifeandDeath
    May 26, 2016

    Oooh my!!..Dem lies making Dominicans BAZOODI…NEP as far as Dominicans know was funded by Venezuela, according to that same PM. Now we’re told it’s the CBI program money paying NEP…

    Do we really believe that those moneys are put into responding to TS Erika? Look at the state of the damage..not one bridge rebuilt yet..Still ti savanne people out of housing..There were multiple donors for the clean up campaign, millions received in AID, still unaccounted for..

    This looks like gross mismanagement of funds from what I can see. I think padna should take a break from this, he’s fast becoming the worse finance minister in the western hemisphere and maybe even the world..

    Only in Politics in third world countries can a man hold the most important position in the country and know nothing about anything related to financial management..The Cracks are beginning to show big time..who have eyes to see and ears to hear???

  4. Mamizoo
    May 26, 2016

    DNO you must fearlessly stand on the side of truth. It is more than time for this God fearing nation to stand against deception. We cannot simply sit by and allow public officials and people Astaphan to lie so callously and then laugh and say is politics. Wait till our children think that it is acceptable to lie at every turn.
    People of Dominica did the PM not tell us that the it was the government of Venezuela who started the sponsorship of the NEP. Why the PM persist on being dishonest even on trivial stuff. Things that are not a national security threats.
    I know Skerrit followers don’t read but I hope someone can volunteer to read to them. In fact just read the last line paragraph of the attached article.

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/educationyouth/400-employed-nep-second-phase-begin-soon/

    • De country need prayers
      May 26, 2016

      Mamizoo: the more he lies to them, the more they love him. It appears to be a cult operating in DA. Sickening.

    • Hadassah Micheal
      May 26, 2016

      You are right, the PM is saying 2 different things, he previously said the NEP was funded by the Venezuelan government……smh

  5. NKRUMAH KWAME
    May 26, 2016

    So PM Scareit, you doh TIRED tellLIES???? I can only shake my head in DISBELIEF. :( :(

  6. jungle
    May 26, 2016

    Show us the accounting. Show us the sources, Then show us the distribution of funds to repair Erika infrastructure damages. Do each of these things and I’m a new follower.

  7. DA 2 Cool for That
    May 26, 2016

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/educationyouth/400-employed-nep-second-phase-begin-soon/

    Dominica News Online – Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    “Prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has revealed that as of April 4 2014, 437 individuals will be employed under the National Employment Program (NEP).

    The prime minister also reminded the interns that the program is being funded by the Government of Venezuela and not by the treasury.”

    The PM needs to check his story off DNO before he puts out his latest stories. I feel the pain of the oppressed people of my country Dominica.

  8. Roseau River
    May 26, 2016

    Who are these new citizens carrying Dominica passports?

  9. Concretely
    May 26, 2016

    I believe Dominica needs a good accountant for the public money !

    Ah, somebody just told me you have one already…
    But he may have forgotten to ask for invoices…

  10. Doc. Love
    May 26, 2016

    I don’t believe a word Skeritt has said concerning the sales of passport exceeding $80 million. Skeritt has been telling us of all the achievements reference Government post Erika. He has been accused of being a passport salesman. A by-election is due soon. The man has received endless blows because of the manner he has handled the program and after all that, he is afraid to report to Dominicans as to how many millions he has collected. There must be a cocomakat with that collection. If Skeritt had a business and his accountant would be so unclear as regards the profitability of the business, would he just accept a report like the one he has just given us. As a passport salesman, the man said he collected a lot of money and he cannot even tell us how much he has collected, how much he has spent and how much he has left. Maybe, as far as he is concerned, that is none of our business. I was never in favor of putting a school teacher as Minister of Finance.

  11. jonathan st jean
    May 25, 2016

    Tony Astaphan laughed at Lennox Linton and said that money from sale of passports was only going to capital projects,now Skerritt admits that some of the money goes to NEP.Well Tony you f**Ked up.Stop deceiving or trying to deceive the Dominican people.Skerritt still has not seen it fit to humble himself and act like the civil servant that he is.He still has not given a proper accounting of the citizen by investment program.He still talks in vague terms.What does he mean by over $80million was realized.Is this a net figure or is this gross.Come on “Doctah pweh kye”.Dr Vince Henderson told us $124 million.What are you hiding

  12. Liars, Liars Pants on Fire
    May 25, 2016

    Anything from the mouth of the UN and Skerro is bound to be a pack of horse.

    Remember, they are the very folk who have pushed Zika on us as a ‘new outbreak/ pandemic’ when they knew that the ‘virus’ was actually produced in 1947 IN A LAB IN UGANDA by a company working for the CDC which now owns the patent!!!! Furthermore, the Zika virus can be PURCHASED ONLINE FOR AROUND $600!!!!!!!

    US125 million for passports in 6 months?? Hahahahahahahaha!!! This means that we are having around 50 new citizens per month? I mean 50 foreigners who must visit Dominica and get to meet with the President for whiskies BEFORE getting their shiny new passports (and change of name deed for the criminal elements) ?

    Is anyone noticing this? I mean is anyone seeing these new citizens coming in and having a celebratory CBI citizenship drink of rum in our bars???

    Liars, liars pants on fire!!

  13. anonymous2
    May 25, 2016

    Get ready for the Muslim invasion.

    • Mike
      May 29, 2016

      Muslim Invasion? Those who can afford usd 200k won’t even think to visit Dominica.. I am sure there are many other islands that are up to their lifestyle standards. So enjoy Dominica yourself…

  14. tom
    May 25, 2016

    hahahha but wait a minute lol one man saying 125 million then skerite coming say 80 million… they say venezuela funding Nep now he saying is CBI.. BOSS MOVE YOUR …….. THR U LYING SON OF A …

    • SEL
      May 25, 2016

      you can’t read? u so ready to talk s…t u did’nt hear him say it exceeded 80 million? what about that u don’t understand? bOSS MOVE YOUR…………. U STUPID

      • CARTREATS
        May 25, 2016

        sel, since one is saying 125million, why did not he just say exceeded 100million instead for 80million ?

  15. Face the Facts
    May 25, 2016

    Since you are consistently negative, critical, rude and disrespectful, due to this, I do not think people as you should be told anything. It is a waste of time. Why bother?
    You are not helping Dominica in any way. Some of you do not pay taxes but you have the loudest mouth and comments. Shame on you!

    • Dorival John
      May 25, 2016

      You live in Canada and don’t pay any taxes to Dominica so shut the hell up.

    • mr sir
      May 25, 2016

      Don’t talk your bs about people not paying taxes you fool. Everyone pays vat except those living outside of the country. You fools are blinded by the labour party colors. The issue here is the constant lying and evident lack of transparency.

  16. The panama Papers
    May 25, 2016

    “So, the $7-million which I, as Minister of Finance, make available to the Ministry of Employment, that $7-million comes straight from the economic citizenship program,” he stated.

    Ministry of Employment? Did Skerrit mean Ministry of UNEMPLOYMENT? I see the effect of a ministry of unemployment all over in Dominica, but cannot see the impact of ministry of employment.

    As far as I am concerned the US and others are more disturbed about the negative impact the sale of Passports to all crooks and criminals could have on them than they are concerned about weed. Skerrit starting to throw figures because he knows what the Panama Papers have revealed to the world so he trying to see how he could make up for his lies and propaganda.

  17. May 25, 2016

    Skerrit & Co cant keep track of their lies, it was Venezela funding the NEP now is CBI :-D :-D

  18. Real!!!!!
    May 25, 2016

    So our PM was using non-sustainable income from the CBI to fund a non-sustainable program like NEP program to create employment rather than engage in suitable investment with CBI money for long term economical development which would create long term employment.

    This fellow is our Finance Minister???????

    Then I am confirming our financial system MUST collapse.

    • Liars, Liars Pants on Fire
      May 25, 2016

      Dominica does not have a financial system, it has Skerritt!

      Remember the ECCB is a private company owned by foreign persons. The ECCB DECIDES on the monetary policy of its members of which Dominica is one. No isn’t that funny too??? Hmmmmmmmmmnnnn :)

  19. Unknown
    May 25, 2016

    I don’t see why the PM is so proud of the CBI program. It don’t create jobs and cannot build nor sustain a country economy.

  20. Real!!!!!
    May 25, 2016

    PM…You said previously it was Venezuela providing the money for the NEP program.

    Now you change your story to CBI program.

    People who tell lies don’t have good memory.

    This GOVT runs our affair like a PONZI Scheme

    SMH

  21. fooled again and again and again
    May 25, 2016

    Funds from the sale of our Passports are being used for post Erika work? How much did Baroness raise?

    Skerritt and his incompetence has plunged Dominica and its people in serious trouble. Skerrittt has failed to mobilise necessary funds from the international community to rebuild the country after Erika. Plain and simple. What about the TASK FORCE, chaired by a former president? What work are they doing? what work have they done since the passage of Erika? Those “High profile citizens Skerritt pulled together to help in reconstruction efforts?

    All of a sudden, the revelations of the PANAMA PAPERS seem to be having some effect on the Cabal. They now hastily talking of money from Passport sales for Roseau river project, for this, for that. No accountability. No transparency in that Passport-selling GRAND SCHEME. A few are MAKING MILLIONS. Mama Domnik and her children are suffering. Dictatorial rule have many of my brothers and sisters under bondage.

  22. 1 800 CONCERNED
    May 25, 2016

    BOI PM SKERRIT IS SO CALCULATING!!!!!!

    Where in the Cabinet?? Is Mr. Skerrit the only Fouchet in the Cabinet?
    Cabinet were you hired by Mr. Skerrit or were you elected by the people of Dominica to represent their best interest? Cabinet do you think given what is happening in Dominica that you have represented the best interest of the people who put you in office?

    Cabinet please SAY SOMETHING I AM GIVING UP ON YOU!!!

    • Toute Twelle Roy
      May 25, 2016

      The government is ONE MAN!!!! ONE GUY!!!! Don’t you know that?

  23. Dorival John
    May 25, 2016

    Wait a minute, in March 2015 Employment Minister Ian Douglas said the NEP was being funded by Venezuela and dismissed as “rumors” Venezuela’s inability to continue funding the program because of the South American country’s economic situation.

    Now Skerrit is coming and say the NEP has been funded by the CBI program for the past three years?

    Who is speaking the truth here?

    Why are Dominicans being taken for such a ride? Are we the stupidest people on the face of this planet?

    My gosh man.

    • Dominican Passports 4 sale
      May 25, 2016

      Yall raising much better points than me, good job at keeping your eyes open. 8-O

    • May 25, 2016

      We say lies and more lies how can PM Skerrit look at himself in the mirror.

  24. dee
    May 25, 2016

    Erica again
    Look a woman dat have marlierre
    Ericka woi woi woi
    sSso how many million was raised , donated , collected , in dat Erica woman name
    no figure ? not even from de salt dishing woman ?
    No approx. figure ?
    weh weh weh .
    any woman I speak to and her name have ica in it I running
    whether is Fredrica ,francisca ,veronica ,Bianca, hernica, exetera
    is run i running
    in de opposite direction too.

    • hiyu
      May 30, 2016

      … the boom, boom is certainly outside for Erika. A scam of scams!

  25. truth
    May 25, 2016

    still lying, My God, all those years you telling us the nep is being funded by venesuella , today you are telling us is , fully funded by CBI ? Oh lord, is there still people in dononica who listens to skeritt?
    God ,help them, what other sighns can you show to them? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,
    No lie can live forever

  26. May 25, 2016

    Didn’t the PM once told us that the NEP was being funded by Venezuela? PM you confusing me with all those lies you keep telling, don’t know what to believe

  27. May 25, 2016

    But a good question is:

    Has any one seen 73 Million (+ the other money we received) worth of relief efforts for Ericka around the country? Its been almost a year to date….I may be wrong but I would like to stand to be corrected. Anyone? Please? :cry:

  28. Shaka Zulu
    May 25, 2016

    This is why i believe our opposition party in dominica is too soft and people are a joke. The NEP was not established by parliament. There is already an established department to deal with emplyement. How can funds from sale of Dominica passport be used for these schemes without parliamentary approval? TS Erika occured after the buget estimstes and allocation occured in parliament by law. After the storm why was there not an emergency sitting of parliament to re-assign these funds. Why is the prime minister bypassing the responibility of the parliament to effectively use the finances of the country without punishment? The parliament is where we build country together with best of ideas and amendments. 100 million is more than 25% of the country’s budget. Where does this madness end? Where is the accountability? A non elected party official is incharge of 25% of country revenue. Skerrit needs to be investigated for mis appapropriation of funds. Our constitution cannot be that lame…

    • Shaka Zulu
      May 25, 2016

      If skerrit makes it to another independence celebration. I will no longer be on DNO. I will be swindling all you Dominicans cause we have become the sorriest set of people i ever ever seen. It is painfull to see the level of incompetence. A minister promising 170 k for 150 families and people buying that BS. 38 years of independence and thats the best we can do? Smfh.

  29. May 25, 2016

    One say 125 Milly in 6 months, Other say 80 in a year….

    Next couple of months another number will come out and say 70 Mill or 90 mill was made in X months

    But no actual numbers ….. That is nonsense….

    Just give people random numbers to chase their tail and not actually be transparent.

  30. The Real Thing
    May 25, 2016

    What’s this?The PM putting a figure on the CBI. even if it has no relation to the figure given by Vince Henderson in January.

  31. Dominican Passports 4 sale
    May 25, 2016

    124 million selling passports in 6 MONTHS, how much money has agriculture generated in the passed 6 months? :idea:

    • Concretely
      May 26, 2016

      Agriculture gives food, jobs, incomes, and makes people proud !
      That is concrete, you can see it, feel it, touch it !

      What about the passport biz ?
      Where is the money, I mean concretely ?
      What kind of jobs ?
      In whose hands ?
      Are you really proud to give new ID to potential crooks ?
      What these new “Dominicans” bring to Dominica, I mean concretely ?

  32. Floridian Diaspora
    May 25, 2016

    So much money being made yet nothing tangible on the ground to show for it. This CBI program is going so well that it exceeded your expectations, but it is not to the benefit of Dominicans because no one is investing. These are merely just passport sales of which you come back and spit in Dominicans faces by bragging to the public about how much you’ve made out of it. You and Vince Henderson are virtually useless. The other day you said that the money was for a “rainy day account” now you saying the funds are being used to respond to Tropical Storm Erika but that’s a big lie. As for Vince is best he did stay his wannabe African backside in St. joe for those peasants to come knocking on his door every morning harassing him for handouts and school books for their children like Skeritt have trained the rest of the nation to do

  33. viewsexpressed
    May 25, 2016

    OHHHHH God what a country. Are the NEP workers paying tax, social Security etc…..?

    How long term is this?

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available