Baroness Patricia Scotland has taken up her position as Commonwealth Secretary General today, April 1 and has launched a project for the rehabilitation of the Old Library Building located on Victoria Street, Roseau for the establishment of a ‘Dominica Disaster Resource Center.’
Scotland was named Dominica’s International Disaster Relief Coordinator following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015 and the launch of the project is her last in that capacity.
She said the center, when completed, together with a ‘Building Back Better Expo’ organized for this year, will do extraordinary things.
“The expertise that we would have made available to us during this expo will be second to none..,” Scotland said while addressing the launching ceremony held on Friday. “Together we will do something quite extraordinary which has never been seen before. We have an opportunity to put together a holistic plan for our whole island. If we are to succeed it will take every single Dominican’s commitment because this center is going to be a center which will be opened to every single citizen…”
She stated it is clear that Dominica has the capacity to lead the world in crafting solutions to matters such as the existential threat of climate change and disasters posed by volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and storms.
“So together I hope we will include every single Dominican, no matter their complexion because our role must be now to build our nation back and to build it back better,” she stated.
The center is expected to serve as a hub for Disaster Awareness, Reconstruction, Resettlement, Social Services, and Private Sector information and updates for visiting missions, consultants, experts, volunteers, NGO’s, and the general public. Due to its strategic location and historical significance, it will also serve as a tourist information center.
Scotland noted that the launching of the disaster center will be her last since as Commonwealth Secretary General, she no longer belongs to just Dominica.
“This will be the last thing that I will do as the International Disaster Relief Coordinator because today I become the Secretary General of the Commonwealth,” she said. “I no longer just belong to Dominica and my sister island of Antigua which was the place of my father’s birth, and the UK where I spent many years, I now become the Secretary General for all 53 countries. I hope that I will be able to serve all 53 with an equal amount of passion and dedication.”
She said the joy that she has as being the Secretary General of the Commonwealth and the fact that Dominica is still a member of that Commonwealth of Nation, means that it is the first duty that she performs as Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Meantime Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs, Senator Francine Baron said the Queen Victoria Memorial, the building chosen as the site for the reconstruction Resource Center is in need of restoration and rehabilitation, “and will be restored to its former glory as a fitting symbol of how Dominica will be rebuilt, better and stronger.”
She said the structure was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria and was opened in 1902.
She said it served “as a reading room before the public library was constructed, then as a museum and later a magistrate’s court…lastly as an office for DBS (Dominica Broadcasting Corporation) sales.”
She revealed that Scotland has managed to raise the necessary funds for the building’s restoration.
Baron also revealed that cabinet has approved a recommendation of a ‘Building Back Better Expo’ to be organized this year.
“This expo will offer a key opportunity to present a wide range of products, build proto types and best practice comparisons…,” she said.
By joining the dots between Baroness Patricia Scotland’s announcement on April Fool’s Day 2016 (https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/baroness-scotland-launches-project-for-disaster-resource-center/) and her more recent pronouncements, one is tempted to suspect that it was the Baroness that came up with the notion of Dominica being the World’s First Climate Resilient Country.
Our lying elites! Worried about climate change?
Well, read up on how our buck first politicians have sold their very souls to the devil to sell us the scam of climate change!!!! See the money in it for them and get angry: http://www.newsmax.com/Finance/MKTNews/Global-Warming-climate-change/2014/11/17/id/607827/
I vex, gro vex!!!
It’s so good knowing this building is still there. I can remember my teenage days going to that place. Also picking the sweet limes at the library grounds. Oh what fun I had in my young days growing up in da.
More hogwash, simply put.
I am very shocked to see the Library in such shambles. Under the Freedom party the Library was of a very good standing.mr PM this is how you allow the Library to deteriorate. My good god. This is such a big shame….. You all in this government should just be ashamed and hide u all heads in the sand… Just opposite is a big mausoleum which is The president residence…. And a historical educational institution is rotting away…….
Patricia did you really raise the funds or may I ask was a reward from the click for Dominica having you in the position. Just a question for all shall come to light in due time.
Baroness Scotland, welcome again to Dominica I hope your stay is an enjoyable one. My best wishes in your new career. I recognize how busy you will be.
This also occurs in my personal life.
Thank you for raising the funds for the old library. This really shows you care about Dominica and, whatever you undertake to do, you perform it diligently, to the best of your ability. This is saying a lot about you, your personality and characteristic traits.
I still hope to see you/meet with you someday in Dominica or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Who knows? One never knows. It is stated, two mountains never meet but two people will meet.
I know you will always have Dominica at heart, including Antigua since both your parents are from these islands and you have visited there a few times. Visit whenever you could. They are still your homes.
Baroness Scotland, God bless you and protect you as you travel to and throughout those countries. Keep well!
Skerritt and the Baroness are yet to tell us the source of funds for the resource center,despite her international stature.I won’t be surprised if the money comes from sale of passports money. This Baroness is a light weight in international affairs
I am pleased that the old library will be refurbished and become a useful building for what you mentioned.
I have fond memories of that place and the area. Of course, times changed and the area is changed. Fort Young Hotel is not far away including what was once called the Governor’s House, the Anglican Church and, the former Registry and Court House which was burnt.
I do not want to give myself away but I once worked at the Library.
The old library building which will always be remembered as such is also a landmark, a historical building. The plans are excellent also for that area. I visualize how beautiful it will look after the work is completed. It will be a building all Dominicans will be proud of and which will serve everyone, nationals and visitors for the intended purpose.
Added to the functions of the center should have been the awareness that gay and lesbianism is a transgression against the divine laws of God.
A Baron and a Baroness, who is whom? I’m sure that building will be nice when it is fixed but a little bit small to housee all the displaced people by Erika, don’t you think so??
Madam Baroness, the priority for Dominica is good trusted leadership and good and accountable government, transparent, decent, open and focus. I, or we are telling you that Skerrit does not come across as a decent trustworthy and open Prime Minister and he has failed us big time. You may be his favourite and vice versa as he nominated you to this prestigious position, good luck, but please take the veil off your face and open your eyes, Dominican people are suffering big time.
In the UK, you know, and I know, he would not have survived 6 months, after all this circle of accusations within the camp. Any leader like the South African President would have been impeached first by his party and by the legal system. In Dominica all institutions are bought, compromised and cannot be trusted. I wonder if you would go down in history as a person who appears aligned to such questionable deeds. God look over Dominica, we are in the doldrums of poverty, corruption, bad leadership, bad…
Baroness Scotland, congratulations on your new assignment. However you were our international relief coordinator after TS Erica, Are you telling me that all you can deliver for the country is this disaster reieif center and a proposed Expo? In my estimation you deserve a failing grade for your international efforts. No wonder you have shown yourself to be a divider not a uniter.Your selection and eventual election victory divided the Caribbean people’s,then you came to Dominica and further divided the people with your ” sousay cell” remark.I can only judge you by what I see about you so far,I don’t expect much from your tenure as Secretary General of the Commonwealth.Just like PM Skerritt who is only spinning top in mud,meaning he appears to be doing something but nothing of note is happening,you don’t inspire confidence. Prove me wrong
Problem, reaction, solution, Order out of Chaos – sounds familiar? Ask any Freemason, they know everything about that!
Cause a hurricane (HAARP, Chemtrails, Geoengineering programs)
Create the ensuing disaster (disruption to economies, death and destruction)
Bring in the solution (climate change programs dedicated to reducing human population on earth; aid programs with clawbacks, etc.).
That’s how they work folks – read, learn, protect yourself, your friends and families and do not believe those who have sold their souls to the devil to betray us all. Join with those dedicated to the truth, the protection of us all from them and the proliferation of the word of God.
They’re doing a pretty bad job considering the population of earth continues growing exponentially.
very DIPLOMATIC and a good speech as well, the next best thing is paying for commenting online,50c per word, this money will go towards repair to side walks in Roseau. its all happening and we love our country
Wow all them UWP people opposing, if she was a UWP supporter and was against Skerritt all those nay Sayers would welcome her efforts. Dominica is just a polarized party state and all good the Government does will not be pleasing to a BLUE DEVIL.
That’s obviously an April Fool’s joke right? What rhetoric what humor.
Thank you for the pittance but we still await an apology for the insult you leveled against us by sending us all to Sousay Sel while you were partying on our tax payers money. We shall NEVER forget, and generations to come will know how you insulted us after you used us and our heritage for getting the biggest job of your life. Lest we forget……..
Dominican history will never be kind to you.
Always Assertive!
Tell Lennox to take back his insults, you see it burning all you to see that Dominica getting help, despite what all you do. GOD BLESS THE BARONESS.
An apology for WHAT and WHY? Election was December 2014, and it is over. Stop tarnishing and defanging the woman’s character. I am still waiting for an apology from the leader of the opposition who lead a delegate overseas and said the young women in Dominica were prostituting themselves. Do you have a daughter, granddaughter, or a niece? Would you like a grown man to use that terminology to describe them. It isn’t ok for an aspiring PM to call us prostitutes? Don’t use Ms. Scotland as YOUR political SCAPEGOAT!
Interesting,What did the Baroness coordinate prior to this final act?
How much was raised for this much needed regeneration?
Who were the contributors to this project?
Many unanswered questions.The game of smoke and mirrors continues.True colours are shown.
Yes, I paid my money to go to Hammersmith & Fulham Town Hall dance, where Sparrow perform. If this is the venue and occasion in question then I want my money back or please account ASAP or else I will be, with some others advice our lawyers to issue a document requesting an audit of the organisers of this fund raising activity. The lawyer letter will be hand delivered at the Head Office of the Commonwealth Institute. This will be an embarrassing situation for the Commonwealth Secretariat.
well one thing for sure,you did not make a contribution,so what is your political point,tax payers money again?if so tax payers money should not build anything in dominica again,these people are taking actiopns for the betterment of the country,yet still some of you all people are,i just can’t explain waiting to pounce on anything,you all are not hurting these people,you all are trying to get in the way of progress for dominica,……….I mean like parasites
My humble apologies is not in my DNA but my hair cut is in. The lipstick and the earing is part of the comic strip. Drakular or, Lougawoo, or soukouyant. or zika moustiqu;, which one sucks the most?
so we will have a brand new disaster center….well done !! I just want to know if someone can tell what happen to Mr Coriett and his Number 2…where are they ? did the report they did following Ericka did not please the ” officials” are they both on sick leave ?? are they really sick ?? DNO could you please find out ?
I confess to being confused. When this initiative was announced a few days ago, I seem to recollect that it was to be a “rehabilitation center”, presumably for those made homeless as a result of tropical storm Erika; granted six months after the event.
Now it seems that it is the building that is being rehabilitated. Out of interest, I visited the building this morning. The first thing that meets the eye is the rusty galvanized roof but this has been “photo-shopped” out of the picture.
Have I missed something, or is this the first we are hearing about a ‘Building Back Better Expo’, slated for later this year, that is expected “will do extraordinary things”?
At the end of the day, what ever the initiative, my concern is for those who are still in limbo as a result of the storm.
There are times, if not all the time, people must use their sense. The strange comments of some people never cease to amaze me. I guess I should not be amazed.
A homeless residence in that location? Who are they you referred to? Do you not know what is located in that area? Anything stated to criticize as always with no substance, I suppose.
I would think this would be an inappropriate location for the homeless. Think of another area which would be suitable for them.
Very pleased to know that this historical building will be renovated. It was truly a shame to see it in such a deplorable state for many years. At least this is one good thing the Baroness has done for us.
Everything cannot be done all at once. It takes time and to decide what would be suitable for that area and for what useful purpose the building will serve. Nothing happens before its time. Renovations cost money.
Yes the building will be restored and we appreciate it and that’s ok, but how much longer do we the people of Dominica wait for her apologies and I hope she will do the right thing before she leaves.
So this is the last thing mamselle doing for Dominica as International Relief Coordinator… What was the first? Mi Ro Ro… I must laugh
Madam is your name involved in an FBI invetegation? I know today is all fools day and a bad day to take up a new job, but please tell us the truth and don’t fool us ok. I just asking because I want to know
53 nations and 2.328 billion people. Unless these countries find a way to establish trade, direct travel, practical and applicable exchange of technology and improved standard of living for all 2.328 billion people within Commonwealth then it is a waste of time. In all its years the only thing the Commonwealth does is sit and have meetings where a few slots go to spread thier wings and Commonwealth games ( entertainment for the crown). This is nothing but a reminder that we still kiss the Queen of England assets. I don’t see Commonwealth school of mines, technology, invention. I don’t see investment opportunities open up to teachers policemen and other workers in the islands. The strong will always destroy the weak and dependent. Organizations like this eg UN only a show. They declare climate change the biggest threat yet millions die in Syria, Africa (disease) and elsewhere and it’s only talk. Dependency is weakness, weakness is enslavement.
This is a pappy show anyway. The annual budget of the Commonwealth is around £50 million out of which £15 million are staff cost. That leaves an operating budget of about £35 million. There are charity organisations in the UK that operate with budgets double and triple that. Needless to state that the Commonwealth is a toothless crocodile not only in that sense but also politically. The executive of this organisation reminds me of the government of Dominica, plenty of meetings, plenty of discussions, plenty of talk, plenty of travelling by the SG, constant workshops but never any tangible results.
Baroness Scotland doesn’t give a fig about what we all think. This is all about showomanship. Remember, Lennox complained to the powers that be about the suck salt comment. He got no response from anyone and was effectively given the finger by the NWO when they went ahead and appointed the Baroness Scotland. What this says about them/ her bosses should make us all sit up straight.
Remember folks, this Baroness is a convicted criminal:-
Offence 1: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/6131272/Baroness-Scotland-has-previous-conviction-for-careless-driving.html
Offence 2: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/6217586/Attorney-General-Baroness-Scotland-fined-5000-over-illegal-immigrant-housekeeper.html
However, despite this, she is now the boss of the Commonwealth?
Smell a rat? Oh Yes!! A big, fat, smelly one sucking something quite repulsive (I know, I know!)
It doesn’t take much to see this lady is an opportunist. All of a sudden love for Dominica. All Skeritt friends have one thing in common. Same feathers.
Do you think that Lennox writing would reach the Queen? The one who screens the calls and writing to the Queen probably thought the writing was garbage and got rid of the letter. It may not have been under the Queen’s jurisdiction or her administration.
After all is said and done my children will not be singing high praise of you neither Skerrit.
I honestly thought you had more clout and influence!
Sometime people go joining big men and big girls clubs sitting among elites and back stabbing their own black brethren and sistren.
I mean when will we be able to gather enuff money to replace de temporary bridges?
To fix de road at dublanc where de vehicle had an accident last week?
Thankfully no fatalities.
People playing games just to build feeder roads to access farmland in de forest.
All de PM talk is about building hotel.
Honestly de youths should expect more than that from you and Skerrit……you guys have seriously let dem down.
I know it hrd for you all to swallow your pride
You and de PM sucking salt too?
Oh my Goodness, what a waste. I don’t give a rat’s ass about your resource center. As long as it does not address the immediate needs of the enslaved Dominican’s it will be of no significance to those who are suffering. Question to you madam salty; you were assigned disaster relief duties after Erika in which you proved useless and failed miserably, what makes you so confident that any Eskimo could rely on you in the future? How many jobs will your retarded endeavors create? Will you use you so called popularity to obtain funds to fix our roads? We need bridges too as there are many rivers to cross including the biggest obstacle in our path called Mr. Skeritt. Madam salty you need to pack and leave. Disown Dominica as your place of birth because you cannot do us proud. Your salty insults have left a permanent scare on us…….!