Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas, has blamed ‘administrative changes’ in the government of Morocco due to the Arab Spring for delays in the construction of a hotel funded by that country.
He told Kairi FM News that the Arab Spring had affected the entire Middle East, including Morocco.
“You know, the Arab Spring had affected the entire Middle East,” he explained. “What happened the king himself had realized that he had to relinquish some of his powers and make his system in fact more democratic rather than autocratic where everything flows from the king.”
He stated this caused some administrative changes in the government of Morocco “and that has sort of slowed down the project.”
However Douglas noted that project will continue.
“Morocco has since send persons down to look at the project and has given the Government of Dominica the complete commitment that the project in fact will continue, they will come down and finish the project,” Douglas vowed. “So we are hopeful that now all of that is out of the way, we will see a continuation and completion…”
He said the facility is 85 percent completed.
Actual work on the hotel began in February 2011.
In October 2012, Skerrit said the hotel would be completed in October 2013 and “not one day later.”
In May this year Douglas said the project was experiencing “a slight setback” but was still on stream.
The project consists of seven major buildings including a conference facility to accommodate 200 people, duty-free shops and a Spa and has been touted by the government as a ‘generous gift’ from the government of Morocco.
The ‘Arab Spring’ is a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across the Middle East in early 2011.
Umm, it may have something to do with Dominica not purchasing enough fertilizer from Morocco. Wasn’t fertilizer part of the deal?
I keep saying Dominica needs a central project management office. No development project should be announced until all funding is secured. I think there may have been haste to announce all these projects right before election… now reality sinks in…
This hotel, the geothermal project, the new hospital, the Kempinski hotel project, new airport… seems were part of the ‘buy-the-vote’ campaign, cause nothing seems to be bearing fruit.
And instead of UWP criticizing, they need to take action – lead the way where they can in securing investors and spurring growth…
Government wants to be both the public and private sector… it cannot be both. Government is supposed to facilitate private investment. They need to lure investments in through incentives, investor-friendly legislation and then, they would not have to worry about incomplete projects.
AP, good idea but didn’t Mr. Skertrit appoint Miriam Blanchard as a Minister last Dec. to do exactly that? Where is she, what is she doing? Is she allowed to function even?
mr Ian Douglas has a way of speaking in tongs , one has to have the ability to read between the lines
And i was telling people it was because of the “Prague spring” in Czechoslovakia (1968) that why the 5 star resort will never open
I am not so concerned with the inability to meet completion date as this misgovernment has and will never complete anything. My more serious issue is with Mr. Douglas’ statement: … “and make the system more DEMOCRATIC rather than AUTOCRATIC where everything flows from the king”. Do you realize Mr. Douglas that you are finally admitting to the population that your government is indeed one that deals with UNDEMOCRATIC governments? The TRUTH sure does have a way of coming out!!
HOTEP!
Breaking news. I was looking at the official presentation of the Feast of the Throne on 30 July in Rabat this year (it is on the internet) but no sign of King Mohammed’s friend Roosevelt Skrit this time. The head of the Dominican Republic was there , from our region. Maybe the King realised he made a mistake first time round and mistook us for the Dom. Rep. I understand some bright spark suggested we name the hotel after the king in an attempt to get him to open his wallet again but apparently that suggestion did not go down too well with his majesty.
I wonder were our man was hanging out though? Has anybody seen him?
I heard the failed furniture maker said that the reason the abattoir and the coffee plant are in turmoil is because Chavez went with rhe check book and when they sent him an email regarding the check book he said the checks caught fire.Just saying what I heard
I also heard that Tony said the geothermal fiasco is because the wift now doh want Jong to use washing machine and that Tony doh lije geothermal location people tloc
Hmmm wasn’t pinocio’s father also a poor furniture maker?
The design in this picture reminds me of a Motel 6 or a Super 8 Motel. If they are not able to complete it what will happen then? Another Grace Tong or white elephant we cant use? or will we complete and operate ourselves? It looks like 40% of the work is already done.
Yes man, who put that awful red tin roof on there, like sore thumb, that looking so cheap and ugly? In the design it shows more natural shingles. Does everything have to be red?
I agree with Ian that the Arab Spring affected the King of Morocco just as it forced Saudi Arabia to make certain structural and administrative changes, but i think, nonetheless that this is a flimsy excuse why the hotel is not completed. Something does not compute logically.
Never is it easy to follow the funds when with hat in hand you can but rely on the giver.
I find Skerrit to do a good job…… but he lacks in aggressively approaching other Nations for loans…..we can not count only on the Chinese.
In order to appear upfront, in few other countries can a Minister, including Prime Minister hold 2 positions in the Government. Certainly the 2 most powerful.
Never should the Prime Minister also be the Finance Minister as this shows CONFLICT of interest.
Other free world Nations do see this and they quack at the thought of anyone with soul control.
If he were to change this system then his credibility would rise to the top.
Besides, any decisions that went wrong, there would be a scape goat.
Doing this would put decisions in the hands of Parliament.
ONE MAN……ONE VOTE
real possie you need to look at the broader picture
Douglas blames Arab spring for delays in construction of the morrocco-funded “crab” hotel.
Some of us Dominicans are too ungrateful. This hotel will look great at completion and will benefit our economy and Dominicans by giving employment to many. Projects are delayed for a number of reasons and hopefully, what ever the reasons were for the stoppage; it will soon be resumed, have some faith. I look forward to spending a few days there in the near future myself.
I read an article of a tunnel to an airport that took years in planning and construction scheduled to be opened two years ago in 2013 opened last week in July 2015 because of various issues from different levels of governmental permits and other delays in the same country.
We are talking of grant funding from another country and we do not expect any difficulty or delays? Instead of thanking our benefactors we are complaining? I tell you if the UWP ever gets in power we will have no friends who will want to help us. UWP is burning all our bridges with our friends with these kinds of attitude.
In June 2013, four months before the planned opening of the Cabrits hotel, Four Seasons announced their plans for a third hotel in Morocco, a132 room development, at Taghazouf Bay in Morocco’s largest seaside resort of Agadir (on the Atlantic coast).
And next year Ritz Carlton plan to open their new 60 suite/20 villa complex near Marakech, which was announced at the same time (financed by Saudi Arabian money).
Yes, the king of Morocco has been struggling to make his regime more democratic, as he should, but that has not stopped premium hotel developments in his own country.
Mr. Douglas had better stop treating us like gullible children and tell us the real reasons for our local fiasco because we are bound to find out sooner or later and the repercussions will be worse. His current explanation is simply not credible.
Ian Douglas reminds me of the dog in that famous trade mark His Masters Voice, the old British record label. I believe the dog’s name was Nipper and perhaps we could give that nickname to mr. Douglas now, poor fellow.
What about all the trained staff they talked about and the Management Company etc
I remember Ian bragging about the Youth should go there to get trained in electrical s etc.Who tell You they had to get a Dominican contractor to fix the wiring because it did not pass! lol
Demm fellas just saying anything .
Ian told us on that recording about the back stabbing but look He trying to throw organic manure on us that not even well composted it still smells like ..it
Weh Weh Weh well Ian know We Dominicans are really Dumb may in Cans because they returned them to office
Mr. Douglas now alone the King realize He cannot run the whole Country in every detailed way ? So why is Your Leader trying to do the same and behave like a King?
How much money is required to complete this project? Can it be budgeted for? Can private sector interests participate? Is there a market plan for same?
I just never heard some much BS. Douglas, go and find something meaningful to do with your time instead of trying to insulte our intelligence.
These guys aint easy! But how gullible can folks be to believe all these lies?
the problems with all those projects that can be completed is simple…. there was a plan and the funds were given to fulfill the plan…
the problems is the deviation from those plans, and all of the time with that government, the cause of the deviation is ‘GREED’.
HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU GUYS WANT?
AND DOMINICANS, HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU INTEND TO TOLERATE?
SHOULD BE CAN’T BE COMPLETED
Too many lies! Corrupt Moroccan responsibles and the King already got what he wanted. Nothing is for free!
Too many lies!!!! The Moroccan responsibles who started the project were corrupt and did a very busy job….they never really cared about helping Dominica. King Mohammed already got from Skerrit what he wanted, nothing is for free!!
Have some respect and stop treating us like morons.
more and more i Dominica and Dominican are looking really silly under this administration
Arab Spring anti- government protest stop the project Salisbury hahahahaha – Salisbury protest start road repairs I the heights of Bawi; Possie people should learn to protest hahahaha. Dominica what a fools paradise.
You are aware that the construction of this hotel is funded by the Moroccan government. It is not funded by Dominican taxpayers. Therefore, what is your problem? Why make a big issue out of it?
None of you will be able to afford to stay at that hotel anyway. It is for tourists and visitors who can afford it. Therefore why concern yourself with it to that extent. It will be completed when the time is right.
just look at he marina and you will realize the lack of vision and if its a generous gift its already all your just complete it
He lie!
It looks more like the Arab winter that’s responsible .
Ian that’s a poor excuse..This is the longest Arab Spring ever. Please stop fooling us poor Dominicans, I know we are gullible but enough is enough. We need to hear the truth
A lot of projects in DA experiences setbacks as well as people running out of money. It remains to be seen whether this will be finished and running.
people that hotel have nothing to to with selling of pass port……. they guy came to dominican to a wedding and he love dominica and he gave dominica a gift selling of pass port have nothing to do with it get the facts right
I think you may be confusing the Iranian man from My Dominica Trade House with the King of Morocco??
Every thing inside out. Every thing upside down. perfect timing for comedy in motion. L. M. A off. My people we selling all the bridges in Roseau at $ 5: 00 a bridge. Only in Dominica. Sound off My D? A. peps!!!!
In 2015 Mr Dauglas got the gull to come out and speak so much nonsense to Dominicans?
Mr Dauglas and the labour party got no respect for Dominicans. What Arab spring n king you are talking about?
Mr Dauglas it’s rude to insult the intelligence of Dominicans.
So long thus project at a halt. Portsmouth people should take that as a prize for being smart to vote you back in office, when evidence is there to show that portmouth is a failed town.
Ohh gosh man.
That’s what I have been saying all along. When will we see a project make its’ way from inception to completion? From the hospital to the hotel, to the coffee processing plant, the list of promised projects that remain incomplete, goes on and on.
I had to laugh loud when I read this story. I do not know who is paying Ian to make such outlandish statements and taking Dominicans for fools. Is this guys serious. Let us assume that the statement is true, what took you so long to come out and be honest( I don’t believe you are) with the public. You guys really believe that Dominicans will buy any poison that you give to them. Now the Moroccans have not uttered a word. All we are hearing is what Ian says that the Moroccans say. So if they were in Dominica why couldn’t there be transparency by having them meet the press and explain to the public about the delay. How come Ian is the spokesperson for the Moroccan government? Furthermore given the number of nonsensical statements that Ian has made in the past, does he really expect any rational thinking Dominican to believe his cock and bull story? And he is not even the Minister responsible for Tourism. Show some respect for the people Ian.
Hello Ian, I really needed a good one today . Now you made us all laugh, you can tell us why the hotel is not completed as yet. You can tell us all about the electrical, plumbing and everything else that failed to meet standards, it cannot meet Dominica’s standard much-less for international standards. Come on you can say it now, most of us know already. Next election all you will still be talking about completing that hotel.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah. hahahahahahahahahahahahahah. hahahahahahahahahahahah etc
Lol lol a bunch of jokers in this country… They come tell lies and some ppl just accept it!!
stupes that look like a MOTEL……. MOTEL 5……LOL
Biggest laugh of the century. Garson ou sort eh! What arab spring have to do with it? Whomever told you to say that is laughing his behind off right now .
Assertive, BUT Laughing!
That’s the dumbest excuse I have ever heard.Was there no contract?Wow.It is better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubts.
Roosevelt Skerrit u are a total failure Dominicans fighting for their life to get on a medical boat and u boasting in parliament how u develop Dominica u kill it and all your supports WICKED like you. U WILL PAY, u have too pay.
85 percent completed? That is a stretch as most builders know that putting up the foundations and walls are the easiest part. Are you saying that the other 15 percent includes the tiling, electricity, plumbing, interior decorations, etc etc etc…? I do hope that it is completed soon since it an eyesore in its current condition.
To the history buffs….isn’t the hotel built on Dominica’s largest wetland also known as the cabrits swamp? As the saying goes…the foolish man builds his house on sand whereas the wise man builds his house on rocks. Gives me a sinking feeling…………
I have heard it all now. What a lame excuse
Wow !!! that is all I can say. Look out the next thing Ian will say is that suicide bombers are approaching the banks the Indian river. Wow!!!! -Next level you all!!! Wow!!!
Ian please, stop embarrassing yourself. The Arab spring did not affect the Kingdom of Morocco and your excuse is flimsy, to put it kindly. Construction on that hotel started after the Arab spring, remember?
Well, that’s not true .. as a simple web search will reveal … who is embarrassed now? From Wikipedia….
The Arab Spring (Arabic: الربيع العربي, ar-rabīˁ al-ˁarabī) was a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests (both non-violent and violent), riots, and civil wars in the Arab world that began on 17 December 2010 in Tunisia with the Tunisian Revolution, and spread throughout the countries of the Arab League and its surroundings……The most radical discourse from Arab Spring into the still ongoing civil wars took place in Syria as early as the second half of 2011.
By the end of February 2012, rulers had been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt,Libya, and Yemen; civil uprisings had erupted in Bahrain and Syria; major protests had broken out in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco,and Sudan
Ian is correct about the changes that took place in Morocco due to the Arab Spring. His excuse is lame and comical though.
Oh yeah, Ian Douglas is correct.? Explain that bro. give us chapter and verse. All I know is that Morocco did not have an uprising but they had protest because the King did not go far enough in his kack handed attempt to give the country true democracy but to talk of Arab spring in that country is ridiculous.
retard
Ian, thanks for the bellyful of laugh. I needed to laugh this afternoon.
Alas. Whatever it is he’s smoking, he needs to stop because it’s turning him into an idiot. Mike and Rosie would be ashamed and embarrassed. SMDH.
Is the deal between Morocco and Dominica structured where Dominica is unable to seek other potential investors in order to complete the project? Seems to me one would be able to get other investors involved considering the project is supposedly 85% complete.
Your suggestion is a sensible one. However, any potential investor would like
a) some conviction and assurance that their investment will yield a decent return.
b) some measure of control how the business is run. With the govt. being the alleged owners that would be difficult to achieve without interference from said govt. A govt., any govt. by its very nature is not always profit orientated.
DNO of 8 May, 2013 reported that Govt. was seeking a management company to run the hotel, which mr. Skerrit had vowed ( on the record) would be completed by Oct 2013 “and not one day later”.
DNO of 12 Nov. 2012 reports that the search for a management company is still on and that only one local applicant had submitted an interest, to be withdrawn shortly thereafter.
What made them change their mind? To my knowledge the Govt. has still not been successful in attracting a management company for this facility up to this date.
then who would supposedly own the hotel,would you have to pay back morocco,for their investment?that is a very brilliant idea
Kinda like the dog it my homework excuse. I really feel sorry for our people. After all these lies manipulations and deception they were voted back in. Now more sorry excuses and taxes. Waste in is waste out. Except for roseau and environs and a few pockets here and there, the rest of Dominica is a joke. Portsmouth is the biggest waste of dominicas resources and will only move forward when a Douglas is not the gov rep their. Any Douglas could come on a stage fart in a microphone possi people would shout hooray and vote them back in.
Did you state the dog “it” my homework?
When using names of a town/city, the first word commences with a capital letter.
You do lack respect. The reason is, you do not support Douglas. Nevertheless, there is no reason to utilize unbecoming language. Everyone deserves respect.
I wonder if ian does go back to those articles and read what he told the reporters… some people in the government never let the masses know what really happen to mr cheng money for the layout river hotel, what about the money for the coast guard base in Portsmouth, what about the money which was received for the l’bartior, what about all those projects they received monies for and they can be fulfilled.
boy Dominicans are the most gullible and foolish people in the region…
MAYSIAY QUIK!! Come on Douglas.. Try another excuse please. One that’ll at LEAST look credible on social media. This one is just pathetic. Smh
And he calls Skerrit’s friend the King autocratic
The blame game continues. Where are the tablets, where is the international airport, where is the new hospital, where is the multi sports stadium, where is the abatoir, where is the coffee factory, where are the two boats for the transportation of agriculture. Where are the five new medical clinics to be functioning all over Dominica, where is PWD workers social security money.
where is the tablet?
What incompetence Arab Spring began on 17 December 2010 in Tunisia, it ended on the end of February 2012.
Many critics, no doers.
You should have emptied your pockets and your bank account to assist in the continuation of this hotel.
Why us???? It should be you and your red friends to help out your red master! But I suspect your charity stops there. Just running of your mouth all the time with stupid Labour propaganda. You are full of it.
Let’s just say that you’re assessment is correct. This statement proves that you were blatantly lying to Dominicans all along. Blatant lies lead to mistrust and distrust. One wonders why weren’t you guys more forthcoming earlier in the year? Ian, you must understand that gone are the days when guys like you could fool the people. Your own statements and statements by members of your own party on DNO makes you look like an amateur. I think you guys deliberately publish these lies, because you are accustomed to fooling people and even in the face of modern technology, old habits die hard. “Labor is really working.” Labor is working hard to fool the masses.
If the masses can be fooled by this latest excuse, then Dominica is really in deep s..t
They will still be fooled . It is very sad but true
Hey Ian, can you please confirm or deny that the buildings are actually SINKING?
If you remember a survey was done in the same spot to see whether it was suitable for a marina development and the advice was that it was not. I believe it was a company from Barbados, which did that. But of course the wizards in govt. know better. Imagine in a hurricane you have wind and water coming on to that side from the south and the north without protection against flooding. And what about sewage & grey water disposal? That site is definitely the wrong choice.
The hotel does seem to be placed in a precarious position but with so many flimsy houses/shacks on the Portsmouth sea front that have been there for decades and surviving many storms/hurricanes I would think this sturdy construction would equally withstand those elements, I only wish they would get on and get it finished.
Now they say my business is plagiarism, that is the opinion of those who are beneath me educationally. In the case of this one I can you all that the following can be found all over the Internet: You got it from the horses mouth, I did not read this in a text book.
My only purpose for submitting this, is to ask Ian Douglas if the truly believe that all of us Dominicans are as ignorant as him and can be fooled with the crape he is talking?
2011 Arab Uprisings: Why the Name the “Arab Spring”?
The term “Arab Spring” was popularized by the Western media in early 2011, when the successful uprising in Tunisia against former leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali emboldened similar anti-government protests in most Arab countries.
The term was a reference to the turmoil in Eastern Europe in 1989, when seemingly impregnable Communist regimes began falling down under pressure from mass popular protests in a domino effect. In a short period of time, most countries in the former Communist bloc…
Pressure from mass popular protests in a domino effect. In a short period of time, most countries in the former Communist bloc adopted democratic political systems with a market economy.
But the events in the Middle East went in a less straight forward direction. Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen entered an uncertain transition period, Syria and Libya were drawn into a civil conflict, while the wealthy monarchies in the Persian Gulf remained largely unshaken by the events. The use of the term the “Arab Spring” has since been criticized .
I am not laughing at Ian’s foolishness this time, I simply would what does the uprising in many Arab countries have to do with his unfinished green elephant in Portsmouth. Ian that is dead in its never to be finished!
Do not worry with the critic. Your blogs are usually educational. Many a student get a 100% when they cram.
Knowing you I know this was brought forth in a negative way. Question, if you don’t have a house and someone decided to build you one and it’s taking way longer than it should are you to go to the top of the mountain and yell? Me being from Portsmouth sure rather see where that property is right now rather than what it was lets say 1999.
Sir/madam, is it not strange to you that there are more than one Hotel which got started on the island in Skerrit’s and Douglas reign that got started and never finished?
I do not totally understand what you conveyed, about screaming. But perhaps you can explain what is Ian talking about when he said the Arab Spring is the cause of the Hotel standing there incomplete. You and many others would have ran with his ridiculous comments believing he said something.
Now you know the meaning of Arab Spring, you are still trying to condone the garbage he spewed. For as long as you are alive you are not going to see the completion of any those buildings. They are dead in their tracts!
Yes Possie, I agree the ruins of the holiday village that was there before were a mess but to replace it with another ruin is sheer stupidity. They should have put that hotel where they told the Moroccans it was going to be located in the first place, at Melville Hall. You are from Possie and it is no secret that our ruler was persuaded that it would be a good idea to build it at the Cabrits instead, closer to the controversial villa development, to enhance the value of the area instead for the future benefit if himself and the other members of the “triumpherate”! I can tell you the Moroccans are not pleased either but of course, you know that already.
@real possie July 31, 2015
That man is also an enemy of Ian Douglas; he will never have anything positive to say about the man.
How can a person have information that is not from his own existence, if he does not receive that information from outside sources.?
And he keeps talking “education” only a fool will believe that–who can have education without being taught’ education is not “Wisdom”. and this man knows nothing about “Wisdom”. “Understanding” and “Knowledge” in Life.
Anybody who have anything good to say about Ian Douglas, and the crap he cautiously speak are the same as him, and worst; if you were not a damn fool you would not be supporting “pose feces,” and the foolishness that person wrote.
What dose Arab Spring have to do with the construction of a building paid for by Morocco, that is under construction and cannot get finish? The “Arab Spring” had no effect on the government and people of Morocco, there was no uprising, or turmoil in Morocco, you need to shut up; if you do not know or understand what is going on in the world around you.
You are becoming a pest more than anything else. Have you ever thought that someone may have tried to extract money from the Moroccans from under the table, and that is why they have pulled out! You are nothing more than a wind-bag!
You are an idiot! That’s all i have to say about your dumb comment
Of course Dominicans (of all political colours) who have been bred on a diet of gimme gimme gimme and who cowers in fear at the mere mention of the phrase ‘self reliance’ will never see it that way. But you are dead right Chupes..
@real possie. That’s why I consider you an accomplished buffoon.In 1999 did we have any thing like a Moroccan hotel under construction on island?I always maintain that lazy heads like you continue to be Dominicas biggest enemy!
Another fool from Possie who crave free handouts and refuses to think progressively!
By the way fool, in 1999 it was natural and unspoiled !!!
you remind me of those sheep that does stay by batalie beach
Very soon we are gonna hear that Guyana and Venezuela’s quarrel for oil is affecting something in Dominica.
Dominica is now too dependent. We need more innovative thinkers in Government. We need to start helping ourselves.
Our grant strategy is no longer working.
Them people are blaming everyone but themselves. Their lack of vision and foresight. Their greed jealousy. Seem that they will soon blame God for Dominica’s demise. Poor ma Domnique.
And while we on that subject who is going to fill the rooms?
What will be the next excuse? The dog ate your homework?
Well,well,well. More holes in this administration’s hopeless desire to continue fooling those who voted for them as well as those who didn’t. What an embarrassment for the minister, his administration and those gullible followers.