Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Robert Tonge, has announced that a database of Dominicans living in the diaspora is on the cards.
At a diaspora forum held at the State House on Friday, suggestions were made to have more information and events on Dominica on brochures at the island’s main airport.
In response Tonge said the intention is to build the database in order to desiminate information to the diaspora.
“Most of us are using social media, most of us have email addresses, I think all of us have telephones,” he stated. “The intention is to begin to build a database of Dominicans. Why? Information is key. And the more information that we can send to you the better it is. Who are the best people to sell Dominica? I think all of us here.”
Tonge said one can imagine how useful it would be if a database is available with the skills and professions of Dominicans in the diaspora.
“From a Ministry of Tourism stand point, you can actually sell the country,” he noted. “In addition to that, just like what you said a while ago in terms of the profession, once we know what profession of people that we need, it means that, as opposed to just putting out a blanket information out there, we know exactly who to go to. We need doctors, we can go to the specific type of doctors. The intention is for the Ministry of Tourism is to begin to work on that type of database.”
He said the information will also be beneficial in other sectors as well.
“So when you come to Dominica, when you see the information and you see the request we are asking you to share it so that we can begin to build that database and it will be beneficial to all of us,” Tonge said. “Even from an entrepreneur stand point, if I know that there are people who love breadfruit and I know that there are about 50,000 in one particular area, it means that I can now target and send Dominican food to that particular area. So that data base will have many areas that you can capitalize on.”
I didn’t see our Foreign Minister in this line up. Where is she? I would have thought this is the perfect forum for her to address the diaspora, Dominicans residing overseas. The lady is too aloof for my liking.
What Dominican “diaspora”? See the definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaspora
Stupes…wheel and come again…when allu up in your big ride in roseau you doh want to know us in foreign land….now you feeling de heat is “die-us-poorah” you crying…my name not going on any database patat…when I arrive is me you know coming garcon!
Depressed looking cabinet. Peter don’t you have mirrors at home? Please practice your looks before going in front of the camera.
I’d rather they cleanse and update the voters’ register before embarking on such an ambitious plan. That for me has far greater priority.
Tonge and the sad looking cabinet tired. They don’t deal with real Dominicans just fake ones like Emile and passport buyers who want to cover their tracks. And that is why Versace name mentioning in scandal. The DAAS was a new effort to unite Dominicans to do real work and not be beggars asking foreigners to bail out the island. Here is the Directory I found. http://www.da-academy.org/directoryAl.html. Why won’t they use it? Well they don’t want free men and women who are honest patriots. All they want are boom boom flies, liars and scam artist like fake diplomat Rudolph King who is in the hands of FBI. Police after all those foreign ambassadors they give diplomatic passport . Shame on them. They have disgraced the country and sold it’s independence for a $2500 shirt and them 4 cars.
Tonge we are not interested in a corrupt government,keep your info.
Freedom of speech is dangerous and boring.
Things that the UWP administration cannot do. Thats why they not in power. DLP all the way. You support the Diaspora.
You all so called ministers,haven’t you all realized that you guys are a burden to the state? Look at their faces,their body language tells you that there is no motivation, no inspiration, no hope. A bunch of ……
Do you not see they are listening and contemplating? People as you love to turn positive into negative. You are abnormal people who never have anything good to state.
mark of the beast knowing this administration no way i would volunteer my personal information to them.
Zor,Why their faces like that? they not independent man?
Why not concentrate on some basic things that are missing in Roseau right now. Proper sanitation trucks, regular trash collection, covered drains etc.
You see how all the cabal sitting in the front row when this meeting was supposed to be for the diaspora? The diaspora were were just there for window dressing a political meeting for propaganda.
I have a sneaky feeling the government wants to introduce that data base as a prelude to the introduction of absentee voting. That is, Dominicans, wherever they are would be able to cast their vote either by mail , by proxy or at the consulate or embassy in their country. I would image that all those, who bought a Dominican citizenship without even being able to speak English or having visited our country could vote this way and always load it in favour of a government that pulls the strings. I would not put anything past these fellows.
Do you want to bet the government may never have given this a thought?
Again and again Labour Ka Twavay!!! We are living in a time when Dominicans, especially Labourites of course, can be very proud of our Government. This blessed Dominica Labour Party Administration has been making some very important strides with regards to the field of information and communication technology. This database of Dominicans in the Diaspora is indeed a brilliant and exciting concept. Dominicans living abroad can now access important information as well as network with Dominicans at home to improve the movement of goods and services. There are so many Dominicans who wish to contribute to their Country and have been unable to do so based on the limited information available to them. Thus, it takes a pro-active and hard working Government to come up with ways to bring Dominica to Dominicans abroad. This Administration under the divine leadership of our Supreme Leader, the wise and forward thinking, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit is transforming Dominica for the best.
Tongue didn’t run elections but he is fast becoming a politician..saying things he figure ppl want to hear..but this is a very scary thought for diasporans..nobody really wants the gov’t to have their direct contact info like that if only to “disseminate information”..there is a gov’t website and several other online mediums for disseminating data.
More importantly gov’t needs to concentrate on building a database of professionals in Dominica, and notice how the numbers dwindle to emigration, especially among the young professionals that leave after sometimes years of struggle..
If is only to know how many Dominicans outside or where ppl are go to immigration and see the passports that leave against those that return..
The main reason that professionals leave Dominica is because , the Gov’t wants us to pledge allegiance to DLP before one is given a job. Sometimes you are not even interested in politics and still they asking you on what side are you on?
This is like China communism.
Why those ministers look so SAD and WORRIED just asking
because their daddy skerrit not there to tell them what to do
Boy/Girl first thing I observe was those ministers faces looking pensive and worried. I was wondering what was happening to them, what is it they were not happy with. Looking real grim. You just may be right, they cannot function without their dictator. But really and truly they look lost.
They are happier than you. Eat your heart out.
Why not clean up and have a new voters list, in dominica, not some list of dominican living overseas. And Mr Tonge you all DLP socialist used doctors in other countries, not locally. Just use the American yellow pages
to find a doctor and services
You must be joking. American yellow pages? With all the unscrupulous people /professionals that are out there?
Thank you Mr. Tonge we need the database. Great idea
what about for voting? is this government going to do anything about the voting policy for diaspora or any one can just be paid to come and vote again?
@ Clayton Shillingford……..You and your DAAS fellows seem to think that you guys are smart and the Government and people of Dominica are stupid. This is the age of information high tech, and the information about you guys does not promote trust or credibility. You all cannot be trusted. You say you are the Dominica Academy of Arts and Science, could you please give up a lists of arts and science activities you have been engaged in. How many student have graduated from your ACADEMY.
Your organization smell like scammers with mafia type approach to obtaining money. You invest peoples money in your private investment portfolio as your personal assets. And when you are caught you say it is a lapse in judgement. You operate under the guise of an NGO. You register as an NGO so you can evade paying taxes on your investments. You are lucky the F B I and the I R S have not arrested you all. You are lucky Mr, John W McMarter of the Smithsonian Institute did not file a complain.
Ok that’s all good and stuff. Now, let us address the hopscotch the Dominican diaspora and the tourist allu trying to attract has to play just to get to Dominica. Let us address the envy we have towards our island neighbors when it sometimes cost half as much to travel to them than it cost to travel to Dominica. Then let us scratch our head and wonder if some people in Dominica getting kickbacks from Liat that we don’t know about because Liat has absolutely no consideration for us while making a ton of money off of us.
Will the Gov’t be willing to listen to what the Diaspora has to say in terms of developing Dominica?
More hogwash by the Dominica labor party. Just political hodgepodge.
This idea is not new. Thank you Clayton for reminding them. These guys are not serious and only want a database to disseminate their propaganda as someone already said and they know its true. That was discussed before the election by party officials but for some reason it was not implemented.
Assertive, Never Ever Aggressive!
This will be a good move in Dominica’s future to better educate people in the diaspora of what’s going on here in Dominica and what needs to get done .
but I think that such a database already exsits .
I will continue to do what ever I can for my country. I will not endorse no political party especially this one. Not after 15 years of one man rule. Since when does Skeritt listen to his fellow countrymen. A close relative of mine and former minister once told me no idea is good until it comes from PM. Why would I come help a government who decides petty crap as to who getting awards in festival and who getting promoted. We can all contribute to nation building without government. When I present myself out there I present Dominica.
Wait if and when there will be a change of government. Then you will truly experience who really listens to whom.
O spear me, what the heck it that going to do for me in Dominica, working hard and paying taxes. Robbie as man, shame on you. Labour Party know dam well who to contact when election comes. But do worry one of these days that dam nonsense all you doing with Dominicans will STOP!
Do you really want to be “!speared” or “spared” instead? That certainly would be less painful.
Did you mean “spare?”
fancy talkers.do the minister remember Dr mckintyre? when he say that Dominica will not run by remote control.by that He was saying the labour party not interested in Dominican diaspora. one of the strongest people on planet earth is the Jewish nation. Patriotism runs deep with them.
labor have too much charade let there be no doubt that they are on their way out.
Clayton is right. The DAAS did much good for Dominica until the government agents like Senior Coronation Medal use the media to prejudice Dominicans against their own people. Tonge and his government are late to the table, always. The directory is there. Use it.
In order to make any meaningful contribution towards Dominica’s progress it is necessary to have some understanding of the fundamental impediments to Dominica’s progress. Without this understanding, changing Dominica is impossible. Unless political leadership and intellectuals are able to publicly articulate and examine these fundamental obstacles, Dominica will continue to be the runt of the litter. The Bushmaninda find it fitting at this time of cultural celebration put forth the proposition
that many of the fundamental obstacles are based in and fortified by our culture. We must be willing to ventilate these things about us in Dominica that inhibits progress. What The Bushmaninda means by progress are basic things like covered drains and sidewalks in the capital town, a garbage collection vehicle that not look like the one solid waste is presently using. Does Roseau present the way it does because we are poor and do not have the means to cover drains and provide sidewalks?
The Bushmaninda does not think it is a money or personality issue, it is deeper than that. Maybe the minister would have a better outcome for his idea if he could initiate the “why are we behind” conversation. Engaging the diaspora in that conversation would provide a prospective that is not tainted by habit.
Dr Clayton these people simply have nothing to show so they blow smoke . It is the same talk year after year. They have their own list when election comes around so they can steal the election with illegal diadpora votes.
If you can reach out and give plane tickets and bribe money to hundreds of diaspora voters why after a these years you guys don’t have a data base.
Check your voters list and call those broke diasporans that come in to vote you good for nothing in government.
Call hungry Real Fact to come invest
What about Pecka – tell his santa Claus looking A&&&&& to come invest.
As for Real Porssie in NY leaving on government cheese send that character a ane ticket to come invest nuh.
Year after the same BS
Some of you make comments about your fellow people whether they reside in Dominica or not and not knowing who they are. This is low talk/comments which do not address the issue. Coming from someone as you, it is not surprising.
I must tell you it isn’t fair to them. and that you are creating enemies with others whom you do not know. You lack peace amd appear to be a bitter and miserable person. Your comments exhibit this, throwing words at others you do not know. This is the height of ignorance and wickedness of your mind and tongue
You know who are poor or not? It is ignorant to make such comments. It is also idle and insulting words which DNO should prohibit, according to its regulations.
So what you insinuate, everyone who resides abroad and who comment on DNO are hungry and without? You are one ignorant person who knows nothing at all. All you do is to assume according to your warped mentality. You must be suffering from Alzheimer’s and/or dementia.
Who are you to make such comments about others? So what you insinuate, everyone who resides abroad and who comment on DNO are hungry and without? You are one ignorant person who knows nothing at all. Your comments/words sound like you are a mentally sick person who needs to immediately see a psychiatrist.
People as you should not be allowed to comment on DNO for you have nothing inspiring to comment about. I do not even read your comments. They are not worthwhile to read.
One day you will pay for your idle and ignorant comments in a worst way for the power of your tongue and what is embedded in your heart and mind. It is coming. Mark my words. What goes around comes around and two-fold.
“Call hungry Real Fact to come invest”
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Facts, are you standing in the Canadian welfare line, or you are Skerrit appointed ambassador on DNO, and you live off the Dominica taxpayers money him send to you. I hear a little yellow woman say if Skerrit appoint you him ambassador on DNO she too want a job. So, I suspect that twelve year old done call she friend that boy Petter and ask for she appointment fu teach me pan DNO too!
Remember Sparrow mega hit in the 1960’s Melda “obeah wedding,” well I here the twelve old going Trinidad to Melda obeah man to turn I boy bazzudie so I could run Canada an marry um oui, she, say I done married two times, and she gat to be the third eh!
Oh, that girl I doh calling she name! Ah going for wan cup tea and go sleep!
What a joke; a bunch of idiots sitting listening to a bunch of hogwash! Who the hell, that guy is trying to impress with that crap. “Been there done that” haven’t that guy and the idiots siting there with their clown face on ready for a show ever heard, of ” Dominica Academy of Arts And Science? Originated by the late Ragland “Rags” Reverie, and James Abraham, of which Clayton Shillingford served as president?
I wonder how many Dominicans want their names on Robert garbage paper, what purpose will that server in the development of Dominica; except when you all want to beg for money to stuff your personal pockets. There are Dominican millionaires living in America, Canada, and England who refuse to mention the name Dominica because of Skerrit, and his Labor Party: how many people do that idiot believes he can influence to put their name on a piece of worthless paper!
Find something productive to talk about!
I’m not giving no govt. any information for them to bombard me with propaganda. I’m not doing that. I want to keep my freedom.
Will the database only include Labour supporters?
does the ipo have skero\’s database? johnson you afraid of him boy
You better believe that. Ask yourself this too – what benefit has Dominica gotten from having a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs?
Go to the Dominica Academy of Arts & Sciences website
http://www.da-academy.org/directory.html
Website manager the late Raglan Riviere set this directory up some years ago.. There is list of engineers , doctors, agriculturists etc to do exactly what the Minister is now talking about.. Unfortunately having prepared a Dominica Diaspora Policy Document to go with this list on request of PM Skerrit.. the document was not taken up by the DLP Government.. We seem to have this sad habit of coming late or ignoring what is beneficial to the country.. or ignoring depending who or where the suggestion comes from. Are we going to do that now? Who are the collaborators? Overseas reps?
That has been in existence for more than twenty years: now this comes around talking fart, as if he is introducing Dominicans to something new, and important.
That’s how backward those who are in government are!
As far as I know there was a branch of that organization in Dominica, giving Christmas Parties for the poor, and contributing to other causes, I do not know if it still exists. Some of us stop paying membership dues to the organization when we saw bishop attending one party whereas the needy perhaps were not invited! we saw people who one could not consider poor attending.
Dominicans living abroad I was informed donated land to the organization worth many thousand of dollars, some of us wonder what has become of the land! Tonge is simply making a nuisance of himself talk crap!
Your first or second name should be, “bashing” You are very good at that. In fact, you excel in it. If a prize was given.for it you would get the first prize or be the first to receive it.
Clayton, tell us about the lands and monies that were owned by the Academy of Arts & Science sir.
The list on DAS has 380 only, many live in Dominica. It is inadequate for the purpose Tourism requires it for.
While reading the article, I thought of the late Raglan Riviere – RIP. He had contacted me and informed me about it and that he had amassed relevant information which he was preparing, a data base/book. I do not know if he accomplished it.
He accomplished what he and James Abraham set out to do, you are only pretending, if read Clayton’s submission, all you have to do is click on the web address, and it will take you directly to the list.
On that list you find a the name of a boy name Francisco Etienne Telemaque, I am the kid; i saw it there yesterday! You are simple making belief that “Tonga” the gorilla is thinking of something important.
We do not need that crap, by the time it is over he too will have more than one house valued at many millions of dollars eh, although people did not vote for him, he got paid for the dirty they corroborated in helping in his corrupted tactics
You and your DAAS people have no credibility with the government or the people of Dominica. You are a bunch of scammers who act like a NGO, and you invest donations into you own name. You all cannot be trusted. When you are caught, you say it is a lapse in judgement. I am surprise the F B I and the I R S is not looking for you guys. I wonder why the Chairman of The Smithsonian Institute, Mr John W McCarter Jr is not filing charges against you guys for scamming the institute. You guys always have alterior motives. Time will tell
Dominica Accademy (is that a school) of Arts and Science, How many activities of arts and science have you been engaged in. So what did you do with the information on your data base besides scamming people for contributions.
As an ACADEMY, how many students graduated. “Arts and Science” covers every aspect of Education, you must have a very big campus and latge staff. Or do you have a small group of scammers. Is that why the executive of DAAS remained the same for so many years.
,
ACCADEMY, Is that a school ? How many graduates has it produce? How can you expect the Government to trust you when you operate as an undergrown operation. Is that why the Executive ,with annual meetings every two years remained the same all those years from its formation. Any information you supply is suspect.
Emile Zapatos I thought you were more intelligent than that: Jamaicans in the Diaspora has their Academy of Arts And Science, the Africans has theirs.
Why don’t you ask them if what the has is a School, they all have a database of their academically educated people around the world listed, who can help in the development of their country! You Tonga the gorilla, and the Mountain Chicken Crapo Brain Mentality Skerrit is behind the times; what crap database of people in Diaspora on what card?
I would like to see him create one just for me to see how many sane academically educated people will put their name on that crap!