PetroCaribe here to stay – Austrie

A PetroCaribe storage tank in Dominica
A PetroCaribe storage tank

“The future of PetroCaribe is bright, PetroCaribe is not going anywhere.”

This is according to Reginald Austrie, Minister Responsible for PetroCaribe, at a closing ceremony to mark the 10th Anniversary celebration of PetroCaribe accord.

On June 29, 2004 Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and late President Hugo Chavez signed an agreement which provides Dominica with liquid petroleum gas, gasoline and diesel at a discounted rate.

“A lot of people thought that once President Chavez had departed, PetroCaribe would have departed with him,” Austrie stated. “We have proven that to be wrong because President (Nicholas) Maduro has made the same commitment and continuing in the same legacy that President Hugo Chavez wanted us to. But I can say to you here and out there that PetroCaribe ain’t going nowhere, we are here to stay.”

Austrie pointed out that since PetroCaribe was launched it has grown from strength to strength and has “hold its own at every twist and turn in the economic fortunes or misfortunes of the world.”

He said through the vision of its founders, PetroCaribe has transformed itself into a very important international institution.

“PetroCaribe can be compared with any other global institution that exists and that serve us in this part of the world,” Austrie said. “Prime Minister (Skerrit) has introduced a number of CARICOM leaders to PetroCaribe and now they too are enjoying the benefits that Dominica is in fact enjoying.”

He stated that ten years ago, before PetroCaribe, the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean was like a dream but this has changed.

“Today the evidence is clear that we have created a bond and a relationship that is very visible throughout Dominica, when you look at our Venezuelan counterparts and numerous visits that they make between Dominica and Venezuela,” Austrie noted.

He revealed that the country has made great strides and tremendous benefits have been derived from the PetroCaribe relationship.

“We can begin by looking at the Jimmit Storage Facility. Ten years ago that was like a forest, today we have a modern oil facility, in spite of the fact that we do not have oil and we do not trade oil, but more importantly we were able to create permanent employment for over 30 of our citizens, and the fact that we would be dominated by the Venezuelans… it’s not correct,” he noted. “We only have one Venezuelan permanently employed at PetroCaribe and that is the general manager Mr. Blanco.”

As part of the 10th anniversary celebrations a series of programs were organized seeking to enlighten and to heighten the awareness of what PetroCaribe is all about.

Austrie said as minister responsible for PetroCaribe he is satisfied the program of activities was well executed.

However, he said the renaming of the storage facility in Jimmit from the Waitukubuli Storage Facility to the Hugo Chavez Storage Facility did not take place and this can be done when Maduro visits Dominica.

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26 Comments

  1. tru d bino q la
    July 19, 2015

    The foregoing quote came from the lips of the deputy p.m.

  2. tru d bino q la
    July 18, 2015

    “and the fact that we would be dominated by the venezuelans … it’s not correct.” Will someone help me decipher this statement.? How is it possible for a ‘fact’ to be ‘not correct’ ?

  3. Power
    July 15, 2015

    It’s reallly a miracle that this government after being in power for over 15yrs is so spotless and guilt free.
    Zero corruption
    zero money laundering
    zero scandal
    zero passport sales scandal
    zero investigation in to misconduct in public office
    zero accusation of abuse of power or bribin poor people
    zero accusation of immorality and wrong doings especially being womanisers n tricksters
    zero accusation or not one finger can be pointed at the government n it’s august list of party officials of building houses for Tom Dick and Harry
    No one can call them politricksters or con artist because they have delivered roads, schools; hotels, jobs, money for all… cheaper gas…
    every government minister identifies with the poor Dominican by living in simple 400, 000 homes but in reality costING millions
    Zero finger pointing at the new look labour power because they all are fit, slim, healthy n exercise daily like comrade Austrie.
    Super models with a good record of…

  4. too late
    July 15, 2015

    Mr Austrie thanks to petro caribe you have gained enough meat and weight to the point you have lost your neck .

  5. Anthony P. Ismael
    July 15, 2015

    In the land of the blind, “One eyed Jack is King.” Austrie is off to another “Jolly” in his head, that’s based on pure fantasy. Enjoy your trip.

  6. Francisco Telemaque
    July 15, 2015

    The future of PetroCarib has to be bright; and remain in Dominica until something like a revolution takes place in Venezuela. Just because two dictators committed themselves to an agreement does not mean it is written in stone! A democratic government will eventually come to power in Venezuela, and will not even bother to resend the agreement between the dead dictator, and Skerrit!

    Austrie will simply find himself in a situation where his blood supply will be chopped off because the democratic government will demand that he and Skerrit pay the millions of dollars they owe to that country, and when they cannot pay; not even one teaspoon of petroleum products will sent to Austrie and Skerrit.

    Had it not been for PetroCarib some of them would not have more than two million dollar houses, millions of dollars yacht, and SUV costing hundreds of thousands of dollars! Any fool knows nothing lasts forever. It is stupid to believe that Venezuela will be a prop forever to Dominica!

  7. Papamet!
    July 14, 2015

    I guess the Minister want to buy two more houses, more land, and establish another company to finish put the nail in the coffin of Public Works, ask him who owns camaaaah!

    Domb Ni Cheng Nuuu sott!

  8. Doc. Love
    July 14, 2015

    Austrie, you are more than right, Petro Caribe isn’t going anywhere. Even if you wanted to break the oil relationship with Venezuela, your Government is owing Venezuela millions of dollars for oil plus your Government is number fourteen in the whole wide world which is experiencing a debt crisis, do you really expect Trinidad or the United States will sell you its oil quadi.

  9. committed Dominican
    July 14, 2015

    Austrie, find some work to do or better yet, Dr. Etienne said you, in particular must exercise.

  10. Shaka zulu
    July 14, 2015

    I watched and listen to this guy speak on GIS news and it amazes me that is what Dominicans selected to represent them. How can Dominica be taken seriously or go anywhere when is people like Austrie all you have making laws in a country. The guy even acts as PM. Is that the best and brightest Dominica have to offer? I really believe they should pass a law if you cannot read and write you should not vote and to register to vote you must pass a test on Dominica’s Constitution. I feel sorry for the people who contiously vote this guy during elections. It is one thing if a small minority vote for an idiot. But when the majority keep repeating the vote it is sad.

    • %
      July 14, 2015

      If you were to listen to him at politica meetings, he would disgust you even more, with the filth and garbage which issues from his mouth.

  11. UserName
    July 14, 2015

    At that same function the PM mentioned that one example of the benefits of the Petrocaribe deal was the support from Latin American countries for Dr Carissa Etienne’s election as Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 2013. “This was done not because it was Dominica, it was done because of the relationship that we had engendered with those countries, the trust that the leadership of these countries had for our country Dominica,” Mr PM however you reached that deal and whats in it for who,when, where and why THAT WAS NOT MY DAMM BUSINESS! certain things must take Int. diplomatic precedence. We enjoy the good Doc’s success but it was not necessary for the global village to know it was done not because of Dominica!! now you have brought the good Doc’s credentials into question and speculation.. how was support gained, who were the other nominees (or were there not) even within the Latin Americans themselves, why was support gain, you see where you have brought…

  12. Peter Potter
    July 14, 2015

    On June 29, 2004 Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and late Hugo Chavez signed an agreement which provides Dominica with liquid petroleum gas, gasoline and diesel at a discounted rate, Austrie stated in another of his shallow speeches. Well if that is so let me ask you, some 4 weeks ago the government of Dominica increased the price of gasoline and diesel by $1 at a time when crude oil was trading at USD 64 a barrel. This move at the time was an increase by the government that had no justification at all. But even better, today crude is trading at USD 54 a barrel and we are still paying the same ECD 13.05. That clearly shows me that the Skerrit regime sets pump prices at will making a huge amount of profit. Where, by the way is this profit going? Austrie, so much for Dominica being supplied with discounted fuel. We, the average citizen do not benefit from this agreement. It is just you, Skerrit and the cabal. You set up a nice oil cartel in Da that makes all you filthy rich.

  13. UserName
    July 14, 2015

    At that function the PM said “I always say that if we had engendered that kind of relationship back when we had the difficulty with BANANAS we would have been able to negotiate a better deal coming out of the banana regime at the time, but at the time we had those challenges with Latin America we had no diplomatic contact or relationship with those countries,” PM we talking bananas…… but you gone apples which have you passing petrogas!!! We never had difficulties with Latin America if you referring to the WTO ruling on preferential treatment. The problem was always with the Multinational companies, not the little farmer on his farm in Guatemala or El Salvador, fortunately for him having better economy of scale could produce cheaper than us. The sad part is these farms were bought and sold by companies such as Dole and Chikita and their lobbyist at the WTO round of negations was a next story. So have a next spin on how great thy ALBA so forth and so on!!

  14. Man kind
    July 14, 2015

    How much money does dominica owe Venezuala

  15. Doc. Love
    July 14, 2015

    Does Austrie really believe the Venezuelans stupid. The deal is for twenty five years. By the end of the deal, Dominicans maybe owing billions of dollars and Austrie expect them to close shop and just disappear. My friend, your children, your grand children, your great grand children will be owing Venezuela long after you will have arrived Limbo awaiting judgment for your wrong deeds.

  16. grell
    July 14, 2015

    AUSTRIE +skerrit=empty barrels.

    • jay wills
      July 14, 2015

      We love our PM that’s why we will ALWAYS vote Labour!!

      • grell
        July 15, 2015

        and thats why you continue to beg,get a job,Skerrit is laughing @you .

  17. ABCD
    July 14, 2015

    “But I can say to you here and out there that PetroCaribe ain’t going nowhere, we are here to stay.”

    Hhmmmm…. A quote from the mouth of Minister responsible for Petro Caraibe!!

    “WE ARE HERE TO STAY”. Now why would he, as Minister, use the word ‘WE’? This entity should be one with whom the government has an agreement, is it not? And he should be representing the government and people of Dominica, should he not?

    So why is he speaking as if part and parcel of Petro Caribe? Does he hold interests, personal or otherwise, in Petro Caribe and it’s operation locally?

    Just wondering………

    • Peter Potter
      July 18, 2015

      I would not take that guy to serious. In general he does not know if he is coming or going. The only thing he knows, is how to milk the PetroCaribe cow and distribute all that money to his master and his friends. Only when this government is gone, we shall find out how much money we owe Venezuela. My guess is in the region of US$ 50,000,000 and counting…

  18. alas
    July 14, 2015

    i propose that after de iran nuclear negotiations end de embargo/sanctions will be lifted from Iran.
    iran will now be putting as much or more oil on de world market.
    Trinidad will have to make structural adjustments in that regard.
    Guyana exxon/mobil arrangement will be another player to contend with in de carribean.
    ALBA will no longer have de steam that Chavez introduced it with.
    it has already began.
    Venezuela is facing a serious economic crisis!
    That is de truth whether or not ALBA supporting governments will admit.
    It is rather unfortunate that CARICOM released a lame/weak response to the tension between Guyana and venezuela…..weakening our integration movement to our own demise.
    CARICOM IS A BYGONE WHERE ALBA IS CONCERNED!!
    ALBA arrangements won’t put toilet paper in Venezuelans home.
    Alba arrangements wont give Guyana it’s respect and restore our fractured CARICOM Unity.
    History books will record all of this!!!

  19. mujahardin
    July 14, 2015

    Recently we have been told by Skerrit that the Petro Caribe debt is not part of our National Debt since Petro Caribe Dominica is a private company. Reggie carries the ministry of Petro Caribe where ever he goes. What the heck are we doing with a minister of Petro Caribe paid by government which knows nothing about the Petro Caribe debt, while that minister remains on the confidential payroll of Petro Caribe? Reggie knows why he wishes Petro Caribe to remain forever. Poor fool does not even know that Petro Caribe Dominica is enjoying its last days. After the death of Petro Caribe Reggie will be appropriately dealt with.

  20. July 14, 2015

    If PetroCaribe is such a great deal, then why do Dominicans pay twice as much for petrol as Americans do? If we paid the same at the pump as the average American, that would be $7.49 per gallon in E.C. dollars.

    And even if their support did reach the common man, with the Venezuelan economy in collapse from the failure of socialism, does anyone seriously expect them to be able to continue providing foreign aid?

  21. TRUEMAN
    July 14, 2015

    ************GOVERNMENT COMES & GO***********

    “The future of PetroCaribe is bright, PetroCaribe is not going anywhere.”!!

    …………………………………….

    Keep believing this non-sense Hon. Minister!!

    It’s not up to us to have PetroCaribe for ever. It’s up to the Venezuelan government.
    Just remember government comes & GO!! A change of Venezuelan government could easily mean bye, bye PetroCaribe.

    We all know what a financial burden this deal continues to be for them.

    Still, best wishes for us!

  22. Tjebe fort
    July 14, 2015

    Of course he would say that, it pays him handsomely.

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