The name Robert Tonge surfaced during the period leading up to the December 8 election as a possible replacement for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) candidate in the Roseau Central constituency, Alvin Bernard, but he denied that on his Face Book page.
Now the Roseau businessman has confirmed that he has been approached to hold a position in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit which will be sworn in on December 13, 2014.
It is widely speculated that Tonge will hold the portfolio of tourism.
“I have been given the opportunity to provide a service to the people of Dominica,” Tonge told DNO. He continued, “I can’t confirm an answer now, however, many of us sit back, complain and judge and say we can do better and refuse to assist.”
He said it is heartening to know that he has been thought of and he thinks that says a lot about him and the confidence placed in him.
“If I decide to accept, those who know me know that I will not move from my mantra of honesty and will surely give it my very best,” Tonge stated.
Robert Tonge is the general manager of First Domestic Insurance Company Ltd, of the Tonge Group of Companies which is owned by his father Curtis Tonge. He is an executive member of The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) and a member of The Rotary Club of Dominica.
Meantime, DNO has been reliably informed that president of the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA), Emmanuel Nanthan, who is also vice president of the West Indies Cricket Board, is tipped to hold the post of sports minister and president of the National Youth Council, Jahisiah Benoit will be made a senator.
Nanthan and Tongue will have to be appointed senators before they can become ministers.
If Nanthan is made a senator, it means that he will have to resign from his posts as DCA President and Vice President of the WICB.
All of a sudden that pizza not tasting so perky anymore.
this is a labor party gravy train but on day the sauce will dry out.
that is one customer first domestic loss.. its me, tonge supporting crime, corruption and wickedness in high places
You will be quickly replaced by me as early as January 3rd, 2015- fool.
pass me the syrup please.
HONESTY! I like that word used by that bloke. I challenge him to show the honest dealings of his soon to colleagues when he gets there. If they are not then he should resign and publicly declare his reasons.
A Skerrit supporter told me and others just before the campaign started “Which prime minister of Dominica you ever hear that honest”. Let’s leave it there.
Only now I can say this is a “ro row news outlet” Mr. Emmanuel Nanthan is not being appointed to be a Minister.
The seven teen thousand UWP voters. Must boycot all Robbie Tonge businesses……especially the insurance …give your busineses to Bazil charity begins at home …stop supporting our oppressors….buy pizza @ Iroc ect
I hear U loud good move like they did to Brizee Mart. What’s good for the goose is……………………………….
I am a labourerite to the bone but I vex… What is Mano doing with a Ministrial position…. na h man skerrit. that is bad judgement….What about those who fought the campaign trail? They were upfront, they fought they deserve to get. Skerrit you are being carried away with some bad advisers and I am afraid that might cause your downfall…
Garcon Mano has everything…… … He is Manager of Nagico, President of Wicbc, Owner of what company……I am not in favour of Mano as Minister after all the big salary of advisor… Stupessssssssssssssssssssssss
But allyou labourites were warned before, and during the campaign, allyou juss start to see Tehlehleh but doh worry this is going to be one of the most interesting house of assemblies allyou have seen in ages maybe even better than the ones with Mamo and Spar,,,
so what if he was not on d campaign trail??? if he is the best for the position then thats all that matters. it would be a bit stupid to appoint someone who might be out of their depth or offers less quality.
Minister of What? Ok! what the hell do i know sitting in my corner with my Masters Degree. You people are just too damn funny. Go ahead Robbie, there is nothing better than first hand experience, hopefully you will hold true to the values that your MUM taught you and you will see these people for what they really are. Go ahead join the Cabal
Dear Mr. Prime Minister, if you believe your present cabinet is mediocre, for the sake of Dominica, Team Dominica could assist you by loaning Dr. Thompson Fontaine, Mr. Joshua Francis and Mr. Lennox Linton for two years.
Is this to mean that Cabinet is increasing?
Robbie, why didn’t you join the ring before elections? What happen? You too high class for that? Just as Ivor Nassief did, you sat back and let those Labour candidates who are poor people’s children take all their blows and embarrassment in the election and now that they won the prize, you come in from the back door and take it from them. Then again, that good for Ian. He knows how Skerrit feels about him and yet still he was out there campaigning for him. Take that Ian!
Children of privilege are taking over the Labour Party. I will stick to my team Dominica papa with poor people’s children who have struggled, worked hard and made something of themselves.
Lending money to poor people at 391% is usury.
This is just political strategy no focus on country. Roby is going to be the candidate for roseau whilst nantan for portsmouth next election, it is as simple as that. Douglas is going to be canned and aloa was a failure.
Now if them fellas was interested in country they would have found someone with tourism experience and know how to champion that ministry, one of the growth engines of this country. I await the results of this experimentation, like i stated previously, this is just politics.
These guys couldn’t organise a drink up in a rum bar, let alone run the country. 5 year’s of this
Dominicans should not stand for this nonsense. People should be elected into office . Mr. tong do not become part of the dismantling of the democracy of Dominica. Do not be bought.
Could someone please explain to me how can non-political individuals acquire seats in the political framework for positions they did not campaign for and prove that they will hold posts for the best interest of the populous???
Why have elections then, why doesn’t Skerrit just appoint all the businessmen whom bank-rolled his political campaign and forget the election process where the inhabitants politically elect the representation they see most fit for the post,,,
Is that the same FlyingMano nuh???
Yup they were all moo moo during the campaign season now they resurface lol. Greedy.
Sometimes evil steers you right back in the face when you look in the mirror so think on that. Just don’t forget that there are many forms of evil and condemning someone else by calling them evil is one of them. So please examine your conscience. Good luck to you Mr. Tonge & may you serve our country well. God bless. Leave the devil behind & keep moving forward.
What about Jonno? We want a minister. The Castle Bruce constituency demands that Johnson Drigo given a ministerial post. Nothing less ! We will not stand still and see someone who has not contested in the 2014 election given a position higher than Mr. Drigo.
We will protest.
whats all the rambling about? Just teach him a lesson and boycott his damn business. these people are sheep in wolves clothing.
I dont know much about mr. Tonge but NaNthon for minister? stupeees…..
What happens to all the others who sacrificed their jobs to run and did well? I think this was a great team and no one should be brought in. They were good enough to take the fire on the political platform they are good enough for cabinet positions.
Not taking anything away from Robby. He is is a great guy and he manages his business well. But come on, if I had the opportunity to grow up with a golden spoon in my mouth like Tony Astaphan, Ivor Nassief and Robby Tongue where Daddy owns a successful business and I had such an advance business start, why shouldn’t I be successful. Robby is a businessman (don’t know if I could say great as he did not necessarily start from such humble beginnings as his dad). He has benefited tremendously from the legacy of his daddy. He has no tourism experience, why would one simply pluck him out of the conform of his daddy’s business to the government of the country? Remember what happened to the $1 minister of tourism and see where we are today in terms of the development of an international airport.
Dominica is voted one of the top ten ethical travel destinations in the world for 2015 on CNN. The criteria for consideration from all the countries in the world is word for word…
“Ethical Traveler’s research focuses on four categories: environmental
protection, social welfare, human rights and animal welfare.
For each of these categories we look at information past and
present so that we understand not only the current state of a country,
but how it has changed over time,” says Ethical Traveler.
This helps us select nations that are actively
improving the state of their people,
government and environment.”
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/12/travel/ethical-travel-destinations-2015/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
Thank you Skerro!!
Wait a while you ran a campaign with 21 candidates 15 were victorious and you have to find outside help for the ministries, the down and out nanthan that turn millionaire since labour in office will be a minister, well papa. thats what happen when people who are not living on the island accept bribe to come and vote to impose an incompetent bunch of lazy men on us…so really and truely the men that run for election cant do the job, so labour has to take two more outside people to help and see who they asking for help eh another person talking like he eat dasheen sho
Mr. Tonge! It is IMPOSSIBLE to be honest and be part od the DLP GYANG!
so thei “honesty mantra” and the DLP cabinet are incompatible
Waypapa, zor par feb domniq!
Mr.Tonge show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are. Once you get tangled in that web you become just like the others. By accepting the offer you have chosen to become part of the dishonesty.
Is that the same Josiah that said that everyday he pickup the news paper there alot of job opening in Dominica
Hey Robbie! Your aunt Dr. Alexandra Burton James must be turning in her grave. Do you remember how she was disrespected and discarded.
What funny people you are. Negative and negative breeds dissatisfaction and then angry people. Everything you must put a negative twist to it. Cannot seem to see any good in anything. Wonder if you see anything good in yourself … I am sure not! You were the one saying that Timothy and Ambrose should go and you used all excuses against him. Now we have 2 young vibrant people to be nominated for position in Dominica …. now not colour time … now is working time for our country – lovely Dominica. If you cannot say something positive or give a suggestion… close your mouth. Ka parler trop!
What are your contribution for the best for Dominica??????????????
Skeritt cannot be serious to jump over Kelver Darroux again. The man fought hard to win his seat. He is involved in sports, in fact, he even sponsored a basket ball team in his constituency, he has ministerial experience and he is discarded for a second term, shame.
I knew it. Opportunist parading as non partisan but making their backroom deals. You hide and let Allow take all the blows and then wash your foot and come, but all that good for those who support Labour. Another one to look out for is the bird foot woman living in Warner that like to be on all committee. She playing quiet but have her sisters and husband mentioning her as community leaders that would do well as minister or senator. Her husband doing the most at simple gatherings to make sure Blackmore and Skerrit see He loyal.
nice move robbie u’re a good man and to jahisiah thats the best move the honorable pm has did we now want you for roseau south……
Go for it you have mine and my family prayers. You will surely do a great! great! job without fair or favour
I would have preferred to see someone who has worked in tourism in this post. Ian Douglas held the tourism brief for the last five years – he’s a fine man, but he’s an attorney and has no background in tourism – and tourism has stagnated. Robert Tonge is a successful business man, but he has no tourism experience either.
If tourism stagnates for another five years Dominica is losing a huge opportunity.
Tourism is business. you market your country, manage your budget and look for opportunities and space to exploit.
Labour ka Twavie!! my question is what happens to the individuals who campaign had and won sits in the election? further more those that didn’t win, more to come! Labour kay twavie zor.
It seems that those who won their seats are not capable enough however I do not think Tonge is any more capable. If people want to hold political office why do they hide and let others do the campaigning and when it is over they rush forward to claim the top positions. The name Tonge reminds us of the great tourism plan of the Layou River Hotel led by Grace Tonge which failed. This Tonge too will fail
“Will not move from my mantra of honesty”. Laughable, show me your company and I will tell you who you are. Smh
Birds of a feather flock together…!
“Man go sweat and toil and mix and mingle with Roseau people if you want to be in public office. Go have a chat with them ghetto youths on the side of the road, and the little old lady siting on her porch. Come down from your high horse and start rubbing shoulders with the ordinary man. Smh”
That’s how you get into politics…. not through the back door..!
UPSET UPSET UPSET….HMMMMM….LET WAIT AND SEE….
Running out of options.
Congratulations Robby. You are now part of a Team which continues to move Dominica Forward. All the best…..
Yeah, the team that is selling us out to Bajans, fire on the lot of you.
why all the thumbs down???,,,all the person did was congratulate the man lool…DNO is really the voice of the BLUE BLUE
then go on the labour voice which is called vibes radio belonging to those Lawrence brothers of portsmouth
Congratulations to Robert Tonge, I hope he does better than Yvor Nassief. Is this testimony of the lack of capacity of the Labour family as compared to Team Dominica?
Or perhaps its testimony to the labour party’s ability to attract top business experts who dont have time to work with jokers. not saying uwp is joke, but legends like robert tonge dont have time for games. time = money.
Go give it your best shot Sir. It should not be anything about party but for the wellbeing of the nation. I give you my full support. God bless you.
Robert Tonge should not be offered any position because it was just a few weeks before the election he said on State radio that he is not interested in politics now because of his business. He mentioned maybe in the distance future but definitely not now. These guys like to come through the backdoor and let someone else take the heat for them.
If he is offered a position in the government, expect him to consider it and probably accept it. At that time he was not offered one and had no idea he would be offered one. Obviously his business came first. This is something you should have considered.
It puzzles me that Mr Tonge would choose to join such a corrupt and evil administration? How should I now look at him?
Your name is Vice. Cease judging. You are heaping burning coals on your head.
Sometimes evil steers you right back in the face when you look in the mirror so think on that. Just don’t forget that there are many forms of evil and condemning someone else by calling them evil is one of them. So please examine your conscience. Good luck to you Mr. Tonge & may you serve our country well. God bless. Leave the devil behind & keep moving forward.
corrupt….show me company….tell us who YOU are…
Sometime we just don’t want to see what is right in front of us remember the President didn’t run and look where is he today so don’t be too surprise .
he will be teaching them to meditate on his mantras they are so foreign to that. The Neo DLP DFP strays cannot be mentioned in the same alone a sentence
Is this offer by Skerrit a ploy to compromise and eventually control the DAIC?
Negative as always and letting your mind work overtime by assuming what may not be so.
Part of the Zootee or pois gratee branch he is extending.
Laughable Skrit it’s Dec not april,
Robby knows better he will not associate himself with that group of ppl who has no respect for public trust….I nominate de Ceazy guy with the radio station and the De poter guy with the print lab.. They look better with them …
Its the same group of friends. you all think too highly of certain ppl.
hahahahahahhahhahahahahtwo partners English and speech not their friend like their bosses Skrit,Blackless, etc they know selves.
This is laughable. Of all the qualified tourism experts that we have in Dominica? Dominica is being treated like somebody’s old carbouway and every Tom, Dick and Harry seem to want a try!
Hey Robbie proposed Cabooway Tours to begin this tourist season…so i guess he is properly qualified.
I’m not sure what ministry Robby would be given but knowing him for thirty years I think that’s a great choice. I just hope he doesn’t jump into politics by becoming the Roseau Central candidate in the future.
its amazing you don’t even know what ministry he will get, yet you are saying he will be perfect for it.
What manner of ignorance is that? So just because he is your friend he will be a maverick in any department?
Emmmmmh another $ dollar minister – replacing Ivor Nassief I see!!!
You see we don’t hold no grudge, we all know he blue but he is good at what he does so I say welcome do it for your country, Sir, plus if you see any wrong you will say it out loud.
He declared in July that the Skerrit budget was the best he had ever seen for the economy so this was long in the making.
Stop lying. The man was never a workers.
so why replace aloe,is this how the labour party does it use u and forget u,hmmmmmm,but its nothing new after all look at timothy and ambrose
lol I guess Aloe will stop attending every funeral in Roseau central lol The guy would be at the family home before the person dies sometime the priest giving last rights meets him at the bed side and have to ask if he gave the rights already and he smiles saying no was waiting on U if u did not come I would LMAO that’s a joke on Aloe.
Go for it!!!!!!!
Hope it’s true! He has a brilliant head for business and we need more savvy people at the forefront.
It is Curtis Tonge his father who has the head not him.
more misere for Dominicans. Avec yo dir Ian te ka twavaille.
Great choice. Classmate and friend. But opposition will always get something bad to say about him.
Yes, will especially when Bajans are there bragging and laughing about how they run my country.
So because he is your classmate and friend that means he is automatically correct? Thats just the formula for nepotism and insider trading.
Are you referring to the opposite sex or are you referring to independent minds?
classmate also but he was never a brilliant person. he sailed on the family name and money. not someone like
ehcharles or sukie that work hard for what he want..he was born in a money bed…
also he should not associate himself with that corrupt and deceitful leader and the rest of the gang.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! you not hungry boss Stay far way from Skerrit.
Others should stay away from you too. You are a malparlent person, a badmouthed one.
well robbie open up to us we need to know the truth because at the end of the day you will have to serve us if the alligations are truewhat are
you ashamed of?
Hold up. So it happening there nah, it is just wash your foot and come! Them so call bourgeois afraid to put themselves publicly to be elected by the people. And after an election there is ministerial post waiting in their names. What happen to the 21 members which went up for elections? So Skerrit none of your 21 has the skills competence, and qualifications to head up the ministry you proposing to Robert tongue? Man go sweat and toil and mix and mingle with Roseau people if you want to be in public office. Go have a chat with them ghetto youths on the side of the road, and the little old lady siting on her porch. Come down from your high horse and start rubbing shoulders with the ordinary man. Smh
He is the Prime Minister. Do all PM’s worldwide do this? You expect too much from him, even the impossible.
One of the many that keeps his foot on the neck of the Dominican people…..No one has the fortitude to stand up in Dominica any longer. Sad
Tonge do not join this corrupt government and dirty your father’S LEGACY.Skerrit is a dictator,stay awy my friend.
Who are you to offer advice to others? Your views are yours. The way they see it is different to you. People should keep their views, such views to themselves.
The same way you tell Dominicans in the Diaspora don’t come to Dominica to vote and what will happen to them if they come. False rumours were spread around the world of our beautiful Dominica and her people and now they are beating themselves senseless for the same Dominica because now she looking good they all want her. And here you are trying to do it again. Dominica first always.
Thank God we live in a Democracy and we had a choice and we chose the right party and right leader to represent our Nature Isles.. Good Luck PM and the Labour Party. The Majority of the people of Dominica over are happy that the DLP is back as our Country’s Government.
I concur Grell but I suspect u deslexic just a typo grell my joke to U
So DNO, are you going to let go of election now and report the news? Or are you going to treat Dominicans and the world to another 5 years of political bashing and campaigning? Report the facts and be neutral. I do not vote myself, that is my choice but we need every Dominican to accept the results, move on and build Dominica the best we can. The other news outlets should do exactly the same. We really need to report facts and try to be neutral, completely leaving out political agendas. Let us try and build our country because no matter which politician/ party is in power, an element of the populace will be unhappy. It is up to us to not make politics divide and conquer. If we do that, we ourselves can build the best Dominica, without dire need from any politician or party. I work hard and I would like all Dominicans to use the next five years and do the same. I know we can build our country.
You bias people try to paint us as lazy people but we were a hard working prople. We built our country from the hurricane Charles Saverin and hurricane David all in one year. We became economically independent. We never depended on hand outs, there was no red clinic, no bribery and corruption was not tolerated. The question is since when did we become lazy.
It is the the suppression truth and what is right that is first needed to build our country. We can’t build a country on a pallet of lies and illusion.
Yes as long as this deception and corrupt stops there will be co what people like you refer to as bashing-I call it educating and enlightenment
How can you accept the running of your country by foreign people, namely Bajans you call that development.
Someone once said, if you build magnificent edifices, make sure that they house magnificent spirits.
You maybe think it’s ok to turn a blind eye to corruption, but I can assure you the development you so crave will not come about while the stench of that corruption is still up people’s nose.
Why don’t u take your convoluted challenge to vibes, kairi,dbs and gis? its not hard to conceal your distorted hypocrisy’
Why don’t you suggest the start at DBS the NATION station with neutral news?
Foolish attitude to many people have “Is so it is” so they not doing a damn thing. you said it yourself that you did not vote so shut the hell up!
Robbie don’t take it.
Robbie…no no no..don’t get involved in that dirty game….grow your family business. …make y father proud…..
Way papa, it was Allo for Roseau, now it is Tongue for down town. It is just the beginning of the crash. Be careful Mr. Tongue, if I was you, I would wait until the Government settles the public servants matter. I suspect, their is going to be lots of civil disobedience, therefore, you cannot afford to leave your peaceful office and enter all that jewboom.
This is a grave mistake because Mr Tongue is anti-Labour.
Good man, innovative minded and forward thinking. We could see significant strides with him at the head.
Now I understand why he and emile deepooter of depex were silent during the campaign… they are all singing for their supper
nonsense the man dos’t have to sing for no super…the man is worth millions what super he have to come sing for? the pm have to come to the realization that his mps don’t have the capacity to serve in certain ministries and that’s why he has gone to mr tonge….
You all always know everything but cannot even say something about yourself. Shame that you cannot contribute to your country’s well being but just criticize and criticize …. So negative people.
Went to school with both of these guys – Thanks to daddies money they made it far ( Dunceskat)
Great observation, emile didn’t get any of the labour printing jobs and he remained silent. Guess he didn’t want any of the dirty money.
Don’t forget Emile’s band KKK got contract to perform exclusively for labour during the campaign. I hope he gets paid like the foreign artistes.
Quite a contradiction, wouldn’t you say? How could they have been singing if they were silent?
Unlike you, they were smart enough to do that, not to throw stones at anyone and about what they did not see and cannot prove.
For your information, we at DEPEX jumped ship long ago!