Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has stated that continued attacks against Dominica’s Citizenship By Investment Program (CBI) could result in its unfortunate demise.
He made the statement at a National Consultation on April 24th 2017 at the State House Conference Centre under the theme ‘Development Prospects for Dominica within the context of the Citizenship By Investment Program (CBI) as a platform for Raising the Funds Necessary to Finance Development Activities.’
Skerrit said that in a world filled with economic competition; the Dominican people must not “undermine” the program that is the country’s method of economic survival.
“What we must ensure as a people is that projected revenues are not undermined by actions and utterances of our own making. In other words, we should do nothing as a people to undermine our own economic survival,” he said.
He stated that just as the tourism sector is vital to the economy, any attack will jeopardize the entire country and its economic sustainability, likewise will be the result from attacks against the CBI Program.
“The same applies to projected revenues from the Citizenship by Investment Program. This is a trusted but yet vulnerable source of funding for the country. Its continued growth is dependent on the image that it enjoys in the marketplace. Any sustained attack on the program, for whatever reason, will eventually adversely impact its performance and ultimately could bring about its demise. We all need to know and understand this, as Dominicans,” he explained.
In a world filled with economic competition so great, Dominica as a small nation will no, according to Skerrit, “emerge unscathed from constant and prolonged criticism of and controversy surrounding its program.”
“In the final analysis, what a prospective candidate for citizenship will hear from those who unjustifiably criticize the Program is that this program is questionable. That it should be avoided in preference for another. That is all he or she will pay heed to….whether we wish to believe it or not,” he said.
Skerrit added that in the scenario of questions being raised as a consumer about a product’s sustainability, these consumers will begin to doubt and eventually look towards an alternative that holds a more promising outcome, and so, the CBI program holds that risk.
“Each of us assembled here today is a consumer. If questions are raised about the suitability of a product that we consume, that creates doubt in our minds about its continued utility. We know that after a while we will grow tired of the controversy, scepticism and doubt, and look elsewhere for an identical or comparable product. The same applies to programs such as the CBI. They cannot withstand the type of constant battering to which Dominica is being subjected, over and over. Eventually, something will give, and I fear, one day, it could be our program, if the constant badgering does not stop,” Skerrit remarked.
He said that the destiny of the country rests in the hands of the entire population of Dominica, both here and abroad, to ensure that the country is built back better.
People aren’t really against the program, they’re against the shady dealings and the low-life characters that are walking around with Dominican passports (regular or diplomatic).
Funny and sad how no other industries are given a boost. No farming initiatives, tourism sector needs a lot of work, no manufacturing, etc. The gov’t is relying solely on this passport thing, which doesn’t employ people or create more opportunities for the citizens.
Pay attention to who are the GOVERNMENT APPOINTED CBI agents. Check which individuals have more than one company selling passports; check where some of those companies are incorporated.
Check http://cbiu.gov.dm/citizenship/authorised-agents/
That’s a nice group of ‘agents’ right there.
It is sad when a country like Dominica with all that natural resources ,has to rely so heavily on CBI.
I am not against the CBI , but when it is used out of context ,it defeats its purpose.
In reality how long can we go selling pasports?
The people who are happy with this programme as it stands now, Are the ones who have huge PERSONAL benefits from it.
And it’s not the average Dominican. So my question is , is it about Dominica, or is it about the selfish greed of a few.
Since Dominica is a part of the global world ,Do you think Large sums of money can be floating around without being questioned. We operate with overseas banks ,so I would not be surprised if all accounts around the world are closed or closely monitored of Dominica CBI programme.
And if not correct, auditing of this money , should be documented .
maybe ,that’s why the projects are being done ,so as to validate its purpose/ use of the money.
So let’s not think that .business will continue as usual. CBI…
So why don’t you put CBI money into the small business development unit and the youth business trust and make it easier for young people with a plan to access those funds? More money in those areas would mean more people can be taken on to assist in advisory roles too.
The US and Canada grant visas for permanent residency (not full citizenship, I think) to people who invest a certain amount of money in the country and hire a certain number of its citizens. How much you pay to the government is not the focus, it is how much you build up the economy. The CBI program should attract people who bring initiative, new viewpoints, and new businesses to Dominica, not provide a flow of off-budget loot for the majority party to spend on public works to take credit for. And opposition to CBI should not be based on whether it threatens existing businesses and existing viewpoints; that calls for Dominica to resist the outside and reject chances to move forward. Opposition should not be based on the possible effect on wages and prices (as with the “Mexican wall” movement in the US–this is a false message of citizen-versus-foreigner). Even tourists bid up prices. Don’t strive for stability through stasis. So find ten people who will promise to build that…
Those who are not interested in Dominica’s progress will undermine it. They are also envious of the good that is done. It eats their heart out. They are traitors to their country. What they sow they shall surely reap in time and twofold. Their deeds will not go unpunished.
U know the trouble that’s coming so you saying UWP kill the CBI well daddy skirooo u have go
Skeritt is really hard of hearing or the man is getting senile. Dominicans are not against the CBI program. What they are against, are the crooks, vacabons, rogues, who are given the passports and they are not given a monthly or yearly comprehensive report as to who are in possession of the passports.
Dismiss it
The sale of Dominica’ s passport should end now, and we will do everything to mash it up.
Skerrit let me help you!!!
A public Inquiry into the CBI which passes with flying colors will lead to exponential sales on the CBI program.
Therefore don’t worry about the ATTACK, focus on doing a Public Inquiry of CBI program….Not sure why you and your regime are afraid of a public inquiry of the CBI program.
Smell a RAT!!!!!
I would like the P.M to tell us how money the CBI program has generated , how much has been spent and where & how and how much is left. Be transparent and no one will criticize your actions.
Skerritt and his surrogates are the ones who continually raise issues of support and lack of support for the CBI program.The opposition UWI has stated clearly that it is in favour of the CBI program,so why doesn’t Skerritt move to address the issue of administration and governance of the program.This is what the real patriotic Dominicans want to see.The only reason why there is negative press for the CBI program is because of the negativity the actions of the Labour Government in associating international criminal persons with the heritage of the country in a secretive and criminal way.This has led to the international media getting involved because Skerritt’s behavior put a grave and imminent danger before the international community.That’s why Mgsr.Thomas should have prayed for the country if he was sincere.The more that is discovered about what Skerritt did and does that was hidden from the voters is what will keep the negative news about CBI front and center.
The person who has launched the most VICIOUS attack on the programme is Skerrit himself.Corallo,Lapseng,Madueke,MONFARED…He has tarnished it so much,that he had to employ a Crisis Management Firm to do damage control..Skerrit will damage the very fabric of Dominica,just as Chavez and Maduro did to Venezuela.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SS,
OMG
did the PM just say the entire destiny of Dominica as a country depends on de CBI program ?
tell me i misunderstand that nah .
Now i dow want to believe what Mister tell us as DOM IN CANS .
Same old! Same old tune. You sound redundant singing the same old lyrics with no chorus. Inquiring minds want to know, where must Skerrrit must go and where? No you will never put your stickey, undereducated egotistical hands on our Dominique. You will remain a bitter skunk.
Fool! Need I state, the PM did not go international about it, to CBS 60 minutes. He did not talk to Rijock. Blame your UWP Leader, Lennox Linton for that. Do not overlook what he said on international TV and in Guyana.
He has not come to Canada. How many of us want him here and will waste our time to go and hear him?
You people are not lovers of Dominica but haters.
THE LAZY PM should have gone out and cleared the air firstly!!
we are not scared as a people of a shut CBI , we are terrified of a mismanaged CBI.
Passports in wrong hands
a greedy few enjoying the blood of the cow
shameful!!
Is it true that the CBI Account in RBC was closed Mr. PM? If that is the case the question is why; and that would have been the demise of the program.
And in any case, just how long did the government plan to sell passports for?
I thank you
The plastic pm is only preaching the inevitable. CBI was always bound to fail eventually so why not make it look like uwp did it? For a guy with an Indian doctorate, one would expect this wise prime minister to come up with better trickery deceiving talk than that; but why would he when Dominicans believe everything that he says?
Do worry about the PM, You are presently in hidding. Skerro said ask and he will give you a CIB ticket.
The US An other developed countries earn money by this program. who are we to stop it?
Politicising the CBI can also kill it. If the opposition goes anywhere in the world to say that the CBI must be properly managed is not killing the CBI.
Wickedness could cause them to do so. If people are smart they would ensure they hear two sides, not only one, namely Linton’s side, the troublemaker and destroyer.
If we were transparent with the CBI program then. We would not be. on defense.
Look at a bunch of weak men bowing to Skerrit , LOL !
Skerrit must understand that the CBI program is a temporary fix for any economy. We cannot rely on that system for ever, so you must man-up and consider your critics point of view.
Where are the factories and other sustainable jobs that the CBI is brought to the shores of Da? Oh I forget you don\’t want Dominicans to be independent , because if the are , they can afford their own Black & Blue label whiskey.
Is that what we have come to? Rum?
Roosevelt, it not “could lead to it demise,” because that is inevitable, and we who are against the sale of our national documents, our diplomatic, and other national passports hope it will be in the interim!
The way to raise revenue to run a country is not by the sale of passports to international criminals; thieves, and all sorts of undesirables. How does it feel Roosevelt that each time you deliver a passport into the hands of someone you will never see again, nevertheless, each time they commit a crime, and are arrested, it is recorded as a Dominica criminal.
The day of the demised of that corrupted scheme will be the happiest day of many proud Dominicans life’s. You like to take advise from Ralph Gonzalez; perhaps he should advise you how get money other than selling passports to run the country.
Haven’t you heard he said recently St. Vincent passports are not for sale? St. Vincent has made more progress than Dominica, since Ralph made a jackass out of you!
These people should be smart enough to know these blatant untruths about our cbi program will only hinder our development. Negative news travel faster. We all have a right to challenge but when we do so in such a destructive manner, we will only harm Dominica and her people.
Stop writing nonsense .
Those PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH ARE IN THE DLP…BUT unfortunately they are a bunch of idiots and no brainers. That’s why MADUEKE, MONFARED, and several other criminals and rogues have already delivered a deadly blow to the CBI programme…..Skerrit has the ability to spoil everything that he has control over.
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
You are correct!
Sylvia Maronie
You sound like a sheep without spirit.
Ain’t that the truth! If some of us took the time to listen and absorb the information that the authorities provide, instead of relying on everything that is said on Q, we would know that due diligence is top priority with the CBIP.
C’mon Frances. Let’s be real here – iIf that is the case ask our dear PM why Royal Bank closed the CBI account there. And ask Robbie Tonge why was money being returned to sender that should have gone to the CBI account. You don’t have to believe me (check the recording of his speech at the opening of carnival this year)
Thank God for Q95 and Matt and the others who are bold and brave enough to tell the truth, while you continue to bow your eyes and close your head
You will help them pay their legal fees.
I agree most Dominicans are stupid but you seem to be the captain of them all. You lead in stupidity and others follow
Frances, are you for real?? Which information? What due diligence? If, Frances there was DUE DILIGENCE, how then do you explain the FACT that at least four persons designated as Dominica’s DIPLOMATS were found wanting with the INTERNATIONAL LAW? Just for your info, I am in SUPPORT of the CBI but it must be done in a transparent and accountable manner and there must be a CAP placed on the number of persons obtaining our citizenship. Have you EVER heard the other stations talking about the wrongs of the CBI? Finally, when information is not forthcoming, SPECULATION will ALWAYS abound.
HOTEP!!
But Frances; how you fool so nu?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
You so fool, you supporting a bigger fool than you are!
I know how you and your rest boys feeling my brother but the good people of Dominica know well the passport and Gas business is just some of you that is in that so you all will do anything even kill to see it stay but again time will tell its not all of us that a beening called DOM-IN-CANS some of us a business people to and we know better so keep your set of people in the DARK am not in it with them
Attacks on CBI program could lead to its demise of Skerrit……….says PM Skerrit
The Demise of inept Skerrit and his corrupt government Yessssss…we welcome that sir, confession is good for the soul. YOu are a failure, a questionable PM, a failed PM and Skerrit Must Go.
You lecture, or so called talks mean nothing to us.
You are much sicker than first anticipated. Did you really say a failed Skerro? The UWP, had payless paydays. Sold our electric company to who? Crumbling infrastructure. Ramp crime and poverty. High official arrested for money laundering. Pilot friends trafficking drugs. . List goes …….. Skerro had to clean up your mess
That’s why Domincans keep electing them. Hater