$45-million CBI funds for geothermal plant

Geothermal activity in the Roseau Valley

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Roosevelt Skerrit has stated that an investment of $45-million will be made available for the development of a geothermal plant.

The funds will come from the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI).

Skerrit spoke at a Private Sector Forum at the Fort Young Hotel on Friday February 10th, saying that he is convinced that the significant cost reduction in energy consumption, to be brought by the plant, is indeed something to look forward to.

“This will be a positive impact on your businesses, and this should also stimulate investment by others in establishing new businesses,” he said.

He also noted that the geothermal project funding will be sourced from the CBI, a significant contributor, considering the aftershock of T.S. Erika and quick responses had been made to various situations.

“We have been able to respond speedily to many of the challenges brought by Erika,” he stated.

Therefore, according to Skerrit, the value of the CBI program is one “we should never underestimate.”

“We should never underestimate the value of the CBI program to this country at this time,” he remarked.

The government has spent over $50-million exploring the island’s geothermal potential but there have been complaints in some quarters that the project has been placed on the back burner.

In September 2016, Dominica and New Zealand signed an EC$4-million Partnership Agreement to support the construction of a 7 MW geothermal power plant on the island.

In December 2016, Dr. Vince Henderson, who is now Dominica’s Ambassador to the US, said the United Kingdom had committed $7-million grant funding to the project. He said this amount has been promise, however it’s up to the UK Government to commit to contributing that amount.

In June 2016, during a visit to Dominica, UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of International Development, Baroness Sandip Verma, urged the government to “get on” with the much talked-about project, saying it should not be “left to be on the back burner for a long time.”

In April 2016, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit emphasized the government’s commitment to the harnessing and development of geothermal energy in Dominica.

In March 2015, Energy Minister Ian Douglas said that a draft Geothermal Bill, which will govern the exploration, development and exploitation of power that will be generated from the country’s geothermal resources, is nearing completion.

Douglas said a construction of a small geothermal plant is to begin by 2017.

In 2012 former Energy Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, said construction of a geothermal plant would begin in the first quarter of 2013.

Also in 2012, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, told parliament that Dominica could have a geothermal power plant in operation by 2014.

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80 Comments

  1. Grue-less Minion
    February 14, 2017

    interesting

  2. Labourite gone against
    February 14, 2017

    Wayyyy way paapappppaa. CBS have them spending CBI money. CBI is the in things now. But wait when Fbi ready to come down on the crooks and law breakers of CBI. CBI is a new name for hush money, suddenly labah ka twavie, CBI CBI,. Dominicans love de taste sweet sweet in there waist, just Say CBI all the time.
    Dominica is CBI Country? Guiltiness rest on there conscience………
    Fri coming

  3. John Jules
    February 14, 2017

    With All negative comments from the UWP Supporters including DNO. I’m going to be positive about the Geothermal project. I’m glad that it is revisited again and that it’s being taken care of since we’re dealing with Mother Nature here. It will take time but it will come to fruition.

    Some of you are telling Skerritt to go but when he does, then who is capable of being the next PM? Certainly not Lennox Linton, he has already damaged his reputation and the the name of the country. Only is Norris Prevost or Joshua Francis becomes LEADER OF Opposition will I become a Blue Devil.

    • Countryman
      February 14, 2017

      This is money down the drain. This money should be spent on solar, wind and modernizing the electric grid infrastructure – this will provide a lower cost of energy to the consumer. This geothermal power plant will be very costly (excess of 6million USD/MW) and will likely increase the cost of energy to the consumer or require the gov’t to subsidize the cost of energy for this to work from a financial stand point. It seems like this gov’t is just not getting it. Who are the irresponsible technical advisers to the gov’t on this project. These multi lateral banks and foreign governments that support this project are not serious about cost effective renewable energy resource development. Not because the resource is available that it has to be developed. The bouillant geothermal power plant in Guadeloupe is still being subsidize by the French Government after all these years in operation. Guess we will sell a few more passports to subsidize this one once in operation.

      • Countryman
        February 14, 2017

        BTW they may need to redo the well since so much time has elapse before the power plant development – more dollars down the tubes

      • lapawol
        February 14, 2017

        country man you are onto something.. the approach UWP proposed would have been more beneficial in the short to medium term while a slow and cautious approach should have been taking towards the geothermal project… it is viable but wasnt planned and executed properly.
        solar is the fastest growing energy industry and due to recent innovations in the field.. costs are only going down.. its becoming cheaper every year to purchase and impliment

    • Antony P. Ismael
      February 14, 2017

      This is not about Skerrit or the Dominica. The questions being asked relates to the viability of a completed project and whether or not monies are being well spent in the best interest of our citizens and the long term future of Dominica. Sometimes we need remove our political lenses and think critically. We have a history of announcing and starting projects that never finish.

  4. Annon
    February 14, 2017

    It’s all good. All you need and have a right is try Workers at next election. Just remember they made mistake after mistake and lost after accused of corruption. All politicians will deal and let their friends deal, it’s a given. So choose your corrupter-in-chief wisely at the polls. Stop the violent tendencies over passport sales, it’s not worth it.

  5. February 14, 2017

    You ‘ll need to pay close attention to that geothermal business in regards to the frequent earth quakes that,s been taken place in around Dominica..I believe it’s the state of Cincinnati here in the US that’s doing this same geothermal business and they are having earth quakes like crazy, never like before, some scientists are blaming it on that project…They are calling it man made earth quakes…
    Check that one out….

  6. THOSE PETTY THIEVES
    February 14, 2017

    a money here a money there a money over there a money over here… what a song……………civil servants and letang it have money i need a 20 percent increase for the lease…. IDIOTS

  7. That Dominica: Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) Mentality Sly Eye Sir Knight Indian doctor of nothing can even take a hundred billion and throw it into the smoke we see, that money pit will never materialize.

    If you all do not believe me ask Skerrit which geothermal energy installation company he retained to construct the plant!

    Ask Skerrit if Ambrose son is qualified to build an geothermal electrical generating plant when he has no training in the field of electrical engineering , nor geothermal engineering. How can a third class geologists undertake such a project?

  8. Anthony P. Ismael
    February 14, 2017

    Each time Skerrit announces that another project will be funded by the “Passport-Selling-Business,” He turns himself into a village idiot. His actions and that of the government proves the opposition right, that the funds were not being used to reinvest in Dominica and in the interest of its citizens. It took an airing by 60 Minutes to finally see a trickle of crumbs that are being spoon-fed to his minions.

  9. Reasoning
    February 13, 2017

    Usually this what dictators do when they sense that they are losing their grip on power,they waste all the money!!!

  10. Reasoning
    February 13, 2017

    Garcon,you that Frenchman holding the office of Prime Minister illegally,leave our island and stop wasting our money! We are warning you,too late shall be your cry!!!

  11. Open Minded
    February 13, 2017

    On the bright side, we’ll be one step closer to cheaper and cleaner energy.

  12. Reasoning
    February 13, 2017

    :?: All of a sudden CBI money unleashing :?: Where was the money hidden :?: The prime mistake is so confused and head bamboozled,he’s spending the money on all irrelevant things that will bring no returns!!! Thought it was the French,oh the European union,no who else was supposed to invest in the geothermal for so long :?: Now he’s crazy throwing money away in all the wrong places! Waitukubuli! Kalinago! Dominicans! Labarats! Freedomites! Workers! The Frenchman holding the office of Prime Minister illegally is losing his head!!!

  13. Yes I
    February 13, 2017

    Jus a thought.. couldn’t that 45 million be spent on clearing land to build an international runway or marina in the north or the international cruiseship port at Canefiled airpot that this Labour government mention 2 elections now.. Improve acces to the country..Jus a thought

  14. My 2 Cents
    February 13, 2017

    The CBI money was always funding all these projects and more. Just a pity the UWP team of lazy illiterate failures and their no brain followers are not bright enough to read and know what’s going on.

  15. Debull
    February 13, 2017

    I’m not a UWPee fan neither a Laborite but I must say Skerrit seems to be trying to make up for things. All of a sudden millions are being spent for the CBI funds,now 45 million dollars.Where was this money before? People don’t be foolish this man is trying to cover his tracks or make up for his hording of the funds for he and his government’s greedy self interest. Why can’t they put the money into revenue generating projects so they can do something meaningful for all Dominicans like getting rid of that BS vat tax and lowing the customs duties? I’m praying for a new party to be formed because we really don’t have much options,it’s either sneaky underneath Skerrit or conceited Lennox. We deserve better and it’s time for a change. I can’t understand how Laborites can’t read between the lines and see Skerrit is not being honest with everything that’s being done for Dominica. Everything is politics here and these two parties are riding on Dominicans love for it,I’m so sick of…

  16. anonymous2
    February 13, 2017

    More rhetoric.

  17. just saying
    February 13, 2017

    This is a lazy leader. Everything is CBI.

  18. DA
    February 13, 2017

    What is wrong with MR he needs to keep his damn mouth shut and stop making a fool of his self. We have seen the light. Enough is Enough pack up and leave.

  19. Dante Jones
    February 13, 2017

    Haha DNO you guys doing the timeline in reverse now? By 2020 you’re gonna have to do a separate article just on that point :lol: :lol: :lol:

  20. Lapawol
    February 13, 2017

    the perfect revenue source for ID card implementation and the cost for cleaning the voters list

  21. February 13, 2017

    CBI is expecting million babies not …oh Skerrit Dominicans are not stupid…we are behind your back.

    • THOSE PETTY THIEVES
      February 13, 2017

      dominicans are the most foolish as compared to our fellow caricom brothers and sisters. the majority are ignorant non reading fools who repeat what people like tony say and never research for ourselves.

      • My 2 Cents
        February 13, 2017

        You are obviously a clown. That is exactly why UWP exist. It’s because majority of Dominicans are ignorant non reading fools who just repeat the bs the UWP team of lazy failure say and never research for ourselves. If the had the brains to do that UWP would NOT exist

  22. God is Watching
    February 13, 2017

    we and our children will continue to PRAYER will the GOD that we serve INTERVENE and deliver this country from this ONE MAN CORRUPT GOVERNMENT and his FRIENDS because while he and his friends bellies are full our children are crying out loudly because their BELLIES ARE EMPTY…………..NO MATTER what SRERRIt tries HE MUST GO IN JESUS’S NAME

  23. February 13, 2017

    Everthing now is CBI [ the calabash bowl initiative] repair the infrastruture of the island do not be deceive, we want them to give us full and transparent account of this program. this one cannot be none our damn buisness!!!

  24. Youth
    February 13, 2017

    We need another 60 minutes soon!!!!
    Thank you Mr. Linton.

  25. Youth
    February 13, 2017

    I will NOT change my mind Mr. Skerrit. As a young person, I am struggling to survive in Dominica making only EC$600.00 a month under NEP and you have people making so much money on my country’s passport Sir????
    NOT me again. I will try Workers next election.

    • Massacre
      February 13, 2017

      Smart youth !vote for your future

    • My 2 Cents
      February 13, 2017

      What are you bringing to the table you want more pay. Talk sensible and wheel and come again. Put yourself in a position to be worth more pay.

    • St joe massive
      February 14, 2017

      Can u plz leave the NEP plz sir

  26. Embeh weh
    February 13, 2017

    Where all that money was 8-O all the time when things were hard not long ago? Mista really believe we stupid eh. :-|

  27. Eliza
    February 13, 2017

    All of a sudden money money , to do projects. No money for hospitals, schools, feeder roads to help farmers. OMG Alas help. Someone tell me where all dat money is. D/cans open your eyes. No time to sewo, wake up.

  28. Claude
    February 13, 2017

    ‘Minister of Finance Roosevelt Skerrit’- Please can you make that the Minister of the highly questionable and shameless CBI program Roosevelt Skerrit, all of a sudden is getting money from everywhere for Development initiatives…. I wonder why?????

  29. Nice Try Colonel Dr. Skerrit
    February 13, 2017

    Total joke. ‘Geothermal plant’ – another black hole to funnel CBI money into. We are stupid Col. Skerrit, but not that stupid.

    In any case $45M is approximately HALF of what CBI brings in EACH and EVERY month.

    Where is the other $45M a MONTH going Col. Skerrit!!

  30. Look It
    February 13, 2017

    Okay seriously now… put all jokes aside, what is truly going on in DA????

    I am really wondering, what are the other islands that so readily gave millions to DA after TS Erika are thinking…. They rushed to our aid as we where portrait to have no moneys for restoration and rebuilding efforts… SO I AM WONDERING ARE THEY JUST LOOKING AT ALL THIS MONEY SPENDING AND REGRETTING, DO THEY FEEL LIKE THE WERE PLAYED???

    I am wondering because, if I give someone a helping hand, with the idea they are unable to help themselves and next I bounce up with them in a jam, decked down in brand name clothes and buying rounds of drinks for friends, ummmm yeah I would be pissed…. I would feel like I was scammed. IJS

    • time has told
      February 14, 2017

      Not to mention they KILL THE CREOLE FEST THAT YEAR BECAUSE THEY SAID WE HAD NO MONEY

  31. February 13, 2017

    We need urgently to fix the half roads Erica left for us on the coast…this in my opinion is a priority over geothermal.

  32. Bougla
    February 13, 2017

    2 weeks ago, it was 15million. Now it is 45 million. Next month it will be 60 million

  33. February 13, 2017

    Thomson Fontaine is free without any charges so now you should direct your lawyers to file harassment charges against the policemen and theirs leaders Carbon Skerrit and Blackmore immediately .

    • My 2 Cents
      February 13, 2017

      Don’t matter what stupid excuses UWP may give you illiterate clowns, they know the reasons the police bring them in is real. So they CANNOT file no harassment charges against the policemen and theirs leaders. Wake up, get hooked on Phonics and stop being a uwp Illiterate monkey.

  34. TRUTH must prevail
    February 13, 2017

    Skerritt what game do you think you are playing with peace-loving Dominicans?

    Skerritt always tries to put our decoys, uses trickeries, Lies and intimidation to try to silence Dominicans, concerned about CORRUPTION, PASSPORT-FOR-CASH Scam, harboring of international criminals like Monfared, etc. etc. etc. Read for yourself Dominicans.

    https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/20520-cbi-bank-accounts-under-scrutiny-in-dominica

  35. cry baby
    February 13, 2017

    Seems like de CBI store is closing down, now everything is on sale and discounted. But who is the proprietor of CBI, nuh? Must be looking to open shop elsewhere??

  36. cry baby
    February 13, 2017

    Scare boy, where could we hide all that dinero, Eh? Boy i dow no nuh, but i have an idea. What? I’m going to fund all those stand-by projects with CBI; This way they cannot ask for more transparency. What you think tony? Uhrrrrr, sounds good. :twisted:

  37. Citizen
    February 13, 2017

    Thank you Mr Linton. Because of your tenacity and perseverance the CBI coffers are ajar!

    Please do not let up on your campaign to expose Dominica as a CBI haven for serious criminals.

    Yes you can Mr Linton.

  38. Moii
    February 13, 2017

    Ha yi chien dit dai blanc!!! THANK YOU LENNOX LINTON AND UWP. THANKS FOR US GETTING SOME OF THE CBI MONEY

  39. LifeandDeath
    February 13, 2017

    keep piling on even more suspicion ..typical of a dishonest operation..soiling every aspect in the country with dirty hands…Father time reveals all..

  40. Stupes !
    February 13, 2017

    All of a sudden CBI money paying for everything….
    where was that money all along :?:
    After u used the CBI money to build it, Who will be the owner :?:
    I hope is DOMINICA and not NO DAM INVESTOR :!:

  41. jihan
    February 13, 2017

    all of a sudden money showing up,not me you fooling partner,fool the fools.

  42. Extremely
    February 13, 2017

    Workers doing wonders. All money banks burst open. Public servants I hope we are next.

  43. SN
    February 13, 2017

    Gauging by the amount of money being spent from the CBI program on these projects, I seems there is a brisk trade in passports. Just this project alone requires the sale of 450 regular passports at $100K each. Add up the rest of the money on the other projects and it tells us there is a significant number of sold passports, running in the thousands, out there.

  44. Colihaut
    February 13, 2017

    Skerroo, While you are at it dispensing all the cash from so called CBI which all of a sudden came into light , can you please fix the Macoushri and Batali Bridges. These areas are an eye sore every time I pass there.
    The money will finish before the next elections so use it in an area where people voted for you.

  45. The Thinker
    February 13, 2017

    All this C.B.I. cash,we’re has it been hoarded???? Not in the Goverment Coffers.

  46. Washay pwell
    February 13, 2017

    Question of the day how many passports are sold to equate to 45 million dollars

  47. Bush lawyer
    February 13, 2017

    There was no money all the time so an extra tax was placed on vehicle licensing, civil servants asked to take a wage freeze, public works workers can’t get paid monies owed to them, Marigot hospital closed, and all of a sudden CBI money doing projects all over the country. Use it before they find it? What a joke. THAT NOT FOOLING ME . If you feel the same . LIKE!!

    • time has told
      February 13, 2017

      nOT TO MENTION VAT. For years dominicans crying about VAT and the government’s excuse was it is the main revenue generator for the country Up till 2016 that was the cry, especially after TS Erica? . Without VAT government workers cannot get paid, roads cannot fix etc etc. Now the PRESSURE on you and the rest of the world is WATCHING YOU, all of a sudden we magically have 45 million of our own to spend on geothermal. another set to iraidacte pit latrine, another set to fix bridge, to fund carnival and GOD knows what else. If we have been selling passports and running a “successful”CBI program for more than 10 years, almost 20 now, why is it only now we all of a sudden have money? where was the money going to before? why were we only relying on VAT as the main revenue generator and ignoring CBI revenues? Something isnt right.

    • Moii
      February 13, 2017

      They also increased the customs service charge on goods imported to 4%

      • time has told
        February 14, 2017

        OMG what next?

  48. truth
    February 13, 2017

    All of a sudden CBI CBI CBI CBI ,Where was all that moneys all the time , Thanks to lennox linton and the americans ,Skeritt must go

  49. CIA on the watch
    February 13, 2017

    A few minutes on sixty minutes seems to be letting out all the millions from the bag, Dominica and Dominicans want to thank you CBS sixty minutes and Hon Lenox Linton

  50. 4progress
    February 13, 2017

    Can someone please keep a score of all things this CBI funds are going to.

    DNO/UPW/DFP….Any takers

    Thanks

    • Moii
      February 13, 2017

      Here are a few –

      Toilets in kings hill (42)
      $32,000 for carnival
      3.7 million for a road from public works to the state college

      • time has told
        February 14, 2017

        Only EC$32,000 for Carnival? does that include expenses for amnesia?

  51. I want to know
    February 13, 2017

    Since CBI money seems to be financing everything thing in Dominica these days, both good projects as well as bad ones, can someone please tell me if CBI money had anything to do with the two BLUE barel of guns that the Police commissioner told us about? Also, can we some CBI money to see who bought these guns in? Just asking DNO because as a journalist I need to know so I could inform my listening audience that really want to know the truth.

    • time has told
      February 13, 2017

      why dont you do your own investigations. Apparently you just like to repeat info and not go find it yourself.

  52. Moii
    February 13, 2017

    There we go again – Certified Bobol International (CBI) to the rescue.

    But all you wait … it have geothermal still nuh?

  53. Cha
    February 13, 2017

    This is like a drug dealer telling his family selling crack is ok because it paid for your shoes.

    Dont we see this govt after 17yrs is completely incapable of moving dca forward if the economy is now completely dependent on us prostituting our passport. Worse yet in the most dodgy way with multiple international criminals holding diplomatic passports!

  54. Annoymous
    February 13, 2017

    Mr still talking about Erica ????

    • Dominican Passports
      February 13, 2017

      Lol :-o

  55. DomiChina
    February 13, 2017

    Right about now, everything in Dominica is being funded by CBI
    CBI is the host economic pillar in Dominica for sustainability
    but who are the beneficiaries of that money – the same persons who paid for the passports are receiving the money back in contracts. ha ha ha.

    • time has told
      February 13, 2017

      and those processing the passports hold a portion for themselves.

  56. Jean Marie
    February 13, 2017

    All of a sudden CBI funding all projects in Dominica. smh

  57. zandoli
    February 13, 2017

    Just a bunch of useless fantasy dates.

  58. freedom fighter
    February 13, 2017

    Alas Mr Skerrit, the evidence that you and your cabal are evil and wicked is there for all to see. 8-O 8)

    • %
      February 13, 2017

      Not the spending started after the Panama Papers,but it picked up Speed after patriot honourable Lennox Linton appeared on the CBS 60 minutes show.

  59. February 13, 2017

    Stupes, man do the last honorable thing and resign, Skerritmustgo

  60. Not a herd follower
    February 13, 2017

    Skerrit is busy dispensing CBI monies in the hope this will save his skin

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