PM Skerrit pledges gov’t assistance to Dominican students in diaspora

Some of those who attended the meeting. Photo credit: Barbados Advocate

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has pledged that his government will continue to assist Dominican students in the diaspora despite the ravages of Hurricane Maria.

Speaking at a Joint Meeting of Students and Diaspora in Barbados on Sunday November 26, 2017, he assured students their studies are not under threat.

“Let it be known and made clear this morning that my government will do all in its power to keep every single Dominican studying at home and abroad enrolled in current programs – whether it be at primary or secondary school, college or university,” he stated. “So, let the word go forth from here this morning, that your continued studies here in Barbados are NOT under threat and will not be frustrated or terminated by any action of my government.”

He told those gathered that Hurricane Maria was real and life on the island can and will never be the same again.

By the same token, however, Hurricane Maria was real.

“Therefore, while I assure you of continued support for and assistance with your education, I need you also, to work with me in easing the strain and the overall toll that this will have on our fiscal wellbeing,” he stated.

Skerrit also thanked Barbados for its assistance in the wake of the disaster.

“Barbadians were among the first responders to our cry for help on the morning of September 19th and I wish to hereby salute all those who did not give a second thought to assisting in whatever way they could,” he stated. At the appropriate time, the Government of Dominica shall tangibly express its gratitude and appreciation to the various service providers, particularly the coast guard and other uniformed officers who assisted in the restoration and preservation of law and order in our country.”

 

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16 Comments

  1. dee
    November 28, 2017

    So that’s what he went to Barbados for . Allu sure ?
    I notice the Heads of Government of the different Virgin Islands impacted by the hurricane are also all over the USA , China , The far East ,the UK and other Caribbean Islands informing them that they were hit by a hurricane and need help , and thanking them in person for their help .
    Dem heads of Government fraid investigations, fraid accusations , fraid allegations , so they dont spend their Countries resources, on lavish traveling costs that can be avoided .
    they staying in house and getting on with their programs .They not looking for no cash in hand that they can sift from .

  2. Conscious
    November 28, 2017

    How an the prime minister pledge help to the diaspora who can work to suppliment teir education and the country school system is damage to the core. Infrastructure andotherwise
    What is this man saying? Is this man mentally And emotionally sick? Where are the information stating how many schools that were destroyed? How man health centers were destroyed? What are the plans of these ministries to address these problems. Dominica has so many serious problems. The prime minister needs to stay focus if he has any intention of helping the population. I also hope Dominicans learn lesson from this disaster. Depend on no one to give you food, Work hard, spend wisely, save for the rainy days and be CONSCIOUS of what going on around you. Remember, Dominica will always be a TROPICAL ISLAND.

    • dee
      November 28, 2017

      Remember to insure
      or put installment away for repairs when Maria daughters and grand daughters visit; as the people who knows, say categories going to be common now .

    • Barbara Saunders
      December 4, 2017

      Conscious

      I agree. The Prime Minister has to understand that he cannot be all things to all men. The students in the diaspora have to understand the magnitude of what hit us. It is not government’s responsibility to keep them in their studies unless they are government scholarships. Of course if you can help you help but they must not be given the impression that you have now taken them over line hook and sinker.

      Some of those students, particularly primary school ones who took off as soon as Maria passed did they really have to go? Having made the decision to go is it really the government’s responsibility to now seek you out where you are to support you? come on!

  3. Point Mitchel
    November 27, 2017

    How many days has Skerro the fraud spent in Dominica since Maria? A good Leader stays in the trenches with he people during good and bad times , it is clear Skerro diversion techniques by going away every chance he gets shows how unqualified and out of touch he is with us Dominicans.
    It is Time for change.

    • dee
      November 28, 2017

      Pointe Mitchel
      you want de man to stay dere and deprive another fellow man of a tin of sardine or corned beef ?
      De man cannot come dong to that level when he on the next one awready , what you fink overseas hotel for nah, you ?
      Suck allu salt tan , i jus hope is grainy sea salt, and not epson salt.

    • Barbara Saunders
      December 4, 2017

      Point Mitchel

      If he had stayed in the trenches with you we would all still be in the trenches then you and your cohorts would have justification for more trouble-making and vilification.

      Time for a change to whom? The alternative who is himself flying all over the place not trying to help but trying to compete with the P.M. and as usual put Dominica in bad light, even at a time like this?

  4. Chali Chann
    November 27, 2017

    Mugabe gone. “No man is an Island.” :twisted:

  5. soon come
    November 27, 2017

    What is wrong with sardines? They are very healthy. Wish we could eat that every day instead of pizza.
    Lets grow our tannias dasheens plantains bananas yams and our goats sheep cows rabbits chickens go fishing on the rock. Sell fish food everything and stop stealing.
    Lets run the restaurants on what we grow and produce in dominica and cut down on or import bills.
    Lets stop depending on the government to provide everything for us and do things for ourselves.
    If you don’t have land ask the government. They will be happy to give you.
    Form a cooperative. Do you all remember Yard Cooperative in morne jaune & riviere cyrique?
    This is what caused many of the members to realize their future.
    We are the government. The ministers are the representatives. Come on lets meet them half way and stop sitting on our behinds waiting to steal. This is not what we are. Stop criticizing our own people. No other country does it like we Dominicans. Stop it now snd lets cone together and do…

    • dee
      November 28, 2017

      Soon come
      whats your problem man,you talking about grow,you fink is de 70s 80s and 90s young people you talking to nah ;i remember when, as young boys we used to be proud to have our own likkle garden by our fathers garden ,one day my old man (Bless Him)pull up tannia from under one of my plants and took them to his own garden ,then telling me i should test my tannia to see if it have, as his awredy good ,look at that,so i go and pull up my biggest tree and it only have two , my old man looking at me and laughing , i’ll tell you a trick he taught me ,, when you pull up a tannia tree you check de main plant and count how many that burst from it before you start digging , well i could see where 6 burst but i only get 2 ,but i seeing de man have 4 big tannia on the ground and he dow pull up no tree in his garden , laughing , he tell me he just wanted to see if i would remember to count how many had burst .you fink dem young man now want mud to go under dere finger nail, K F C dere wee

  6. Paul Rossnof
    November 27, 2017

    This man is better than Father Christmas. He is making promises and pledges here, there and everywhere. My question: where is all that money supposed to come from? Surely after Maria the governments revenue must be close to zero but the projected expenditure is at least the same or possibly higher than budgeted for. Perhaps he got a credit from Venezuela again which by its due date is either gonna be written of by Venezuela or he and his government will deny that there was ever any monies owed to Venezuela. Hurray, what a great position to be in, it’s almost like a license to print money.

    • dee
      November 28, 2017

      Paul ,Paul ,Paul
      It have money in overseas bank dat can be accessed ,
      it have money dat ministers can be called upon to return ,
      it have money dat can be taken from passport sellers as they had been over paid
      and it have more passport to sell albeit cheaper .
      Barbados company willing to give back % as they now accept they were overpaid .
      so man dow akx where money coming from
      syphoning can work de other direction too you know

  7. Mahaut
    November 27, 2017

    Skerrit is making every stop in every country just for him not to go back to Dominica to eat sardines like everyone of us.
    This guy is a disgrace to the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is time for him to go .

    • Layout Estates Proper
      November 27, 2017

      Mahaut
      It’s ppl like you who write such nonsense that makes the rebuilding of Dominica a real Nightmare. Your PM is begging asking EVERY nation state country that extends an invitation to provide any means to support the rebuilding of your country. But all you can see is man eating sardine. You are very SMART in your observation lol??✅?

      • Paul Rossnof
        November 28, 2017

        That is what you think, but let me tell you are wrong. It’s all you Skerrit supporters that run around blind like that. Give me one solid piece of evidence that supports your statement that the PM is getting major support to rebuild the island. Well, there we go! All you can find is talk, speeches and propaganda from a man that’s totally out of his depth. …and there is still people like you to continue singing: Hail Cesar!

      • dee
        November 28, 2017

        LEP
        Invitations extended ????
        why you jus staying and say what you want and Mahaut cannot say de word sardine ein .
        so what you saying ,other Leaders affected by Maria not getting invitations extended ? only your Boy ?
        I hope you in de nightmare dat rebuilding Dominica ein .
        and better too .

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