General Manager of DOWASCO, Bernard Etinoffe, has said the company’s revenue has taken a serious hit in the wake of Hurricane Maria and is now down to zero.
Speaking at the government’s daily press briefing on Monday, he said the company suffered from looting in the wake of the storm.
“Our revenue base has always been much lower than what is really needed to keep water flowing in Dominica,” he stated. “That has worsened following Hurricane Maria, as I indicated to you our revenue is now down to zero, while our cost has escalated.”
He noted that at this time there are a number of contractors working for the company across the island.
“We have various contractors working now in various areas of Dominica and the cost for just recovering is somewhere in the region of well over $4-million: various contractors just clearing roads, cutting trees, running pipes and things like that,” he stated. “So you have that kind of escalation in cost and a reduction in your revenue, of course, is double jeopardy.”
Etinoffe stated that he is hopeful the government will come to the assistance of DOWASCO in meeting some of the cost incurred.
“At times like these the government has always come through for DOWASCO and has always supported the efforts of DOWASCO, understanding the importance of water,” he stated. “We have seen over the years, the Government f Dominica really standing firm to the commitment of providing water for every Dominican …that is how it has been and we anticipate it is going to be for some time.”
He said the company took a major hit from looting.
“Following Hurricane Maria, we had we had a number of tools, generators, water pumps looted, stolen put it this way from our stories from our operation center,” he remarked.
He stated that the police have been instrumental in recovering some of the items and the company had to reach out to sister utilities for assistance.
Etinoffe stated that tremendous support has been received from the Bahamas and the Caribbean Waste Water Association with the donations of chains saws.
“We had all our chainsaws stolen,” he remarked.
He said the company has received generators from international partners that are in Dominica assisting DOWASCO.
“So we have received, I would say, almost everything that we lost by stealing by looting,” Etinoffe said. “We have received that much from our sister utilities and our partners.”
What is going to become of all the trash laying all over the island blown around by the wind, tin from roofs etc. Plans need to be implemented to collect it all up for proper disposal by re-cycling etc. What about all the downed trees, can the wood be cut up into boards? Re-construction is fine but all the waste needs to be cleaned up too especially plastic bottles. These things will cause an environmental disaster.
Hang all who were involved in it!!!
Ignorant fools!!
There was no reason to loot essential services… Why did they go to places like these?
The country requires these type of companies in order to rise back up…
To some people boastful,tough talk seems to be the way to operate as we saw with the police top brass,dressed in army fatigues,but they had no resolve when hurricane Maria struck and their lack of preparedness and empty rhetoric was exposed.They conducted no frills in preparation for the security of the cpaital city and we’re only relying on their guns and army fatigues to work.It’s time to bring in a new police chief from outside the country to properly manage the affairs of the police in Dominica.Also why did Dowasco have such a high inventory of these items which were stolen on hand.Utilizing the “just in time” concept because of regular service to the island by air and seathe board of directors and management of Dowasco need to do a better job of making better decisions with the money of the organization going forward.Why does the manager need to sing the praises of the government in the report and fails to recognize his board of directors.
As you should know, no one thought that Dominica would be hit so badly when Hurricane Maria struck. Keep in mind it was a Category 3 which turned into a Category 5. Therefore, do not blame the police force.
Lessons are to be learned from this. We hope in future, whatever storm is passing near and over D/ca, that the police authorities will be more equipped.
Hurricane Maria just hit. Give this an opportunity. D/ca needs to be re-built; nationals home must be re-built. There is much to be done.
I wish some of you would be understanding and compassionate and cease your negativity and criticisms. This is not good for the country and those who are trying to re-build it and their homes. It is also not good for you, your peace of mind and happiness to harbor such feelings and then spew it on DNO.
Please, stop this! I am certain if you were in their position you could not have done a better job. Always place yourself in the shoes/situation of others.
Such weather bring out the worst in people. It does not seem that the worst weather will prevent brazen criminal minds from their criminal activities. I just wish they were struck down by a mighty force when they went to loot those places.
It is time for DOWOSCO to start selling water in bottles etc. It is time they sold in bulk to ships and yauts. It is time to export water.A big investment is required but loans can be obtained with government’s guarantee. The water is there just flowing into the sea. 365 rivers for 365days. Revenue time, commercial time is now. You have to operate as a private business sector entity. I seems to me that both DOWASCO and the Marketing Board have to be revamp as private business sector entities. They have to be profit oriented. That public sector attitude depending on government subsidies must stop now. They are in existence long enough to be only service sector organizations. They have to operate as private sector companies. NOW.
And what do you think our government’s guarantee is worth on the international fiancé market Emile?
so that the price of water for the local can go up?
They looted all the bottle stock , empties and all , the lot! from Josephine Gabriel after the hurricane, In plain sight, I saw it they even jammed the road, nobody cared, especially not the the police who were there.
Dominica sliding going to the level of Haiti under this regime, trust me.
Some people are heartless. To think after Hurricane Maria struck they went about looting, not only for food but items which belong to businesses. Shame on them. They embarrass Dominica and the good nationals.
The perpetrators, if caught with items which do not belong to them, as in the case of DOWASCO, should be arrested and charged.
A hurricane should bring out the good in people, people helping others; not the worst in them as those rascals.
God is not blind, deaf nor sleeping. These wicked looters will, one day pay for their evil actions, taking advantage of the aftermath of a hurricane and people’s property. These are lawless people. They will not escape. Wait and see and as they age if they live long enough. God is patient!
Post Maria was worse than hurricane MarIA. Carbon should be fired.
I feel sorry for mr. Etinoffe because he has no real power. Dowasco,is 100% owned by the government. Their chairmanned is a pal of Skerrit and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.
I’m confused..what does that have to do with reporting on the damages and cost of recovery?????The chairman was the one who looted and cost the company $4 million??? Those who liking your post more daft than you. What does that have to do with anything?! Idk but politics must be some of all you cup of coffee in the morning, your lunch, afternoon tea and dinner…..
No he did not loot, he did nothing as usual but draw his compensation every month.
Carbon the so call chief of police is worthless a B B fly . just sucking up air.
I believe you sir. My aunt tell me of all the looting that take place. how about the “curfew”, what are the cops doing? Dominicans are not that aggressive that the cops can’t stop them. very sad and bad behavior.
I don’t believe a thing this guy says. That’s a man growing up I would trust and respect highly but now I have zero confidence in him. I regard him and the Bad will guy as two of the same whalers of Skerrit that will do anything and say anything their lord Skerrit asks them to do or say. Bernard Etinoffe, addressing Skerrit as Doctor during a press briefing in September? Stupes I don’t believe you boss; you have lost your integrity and shame on you
Dominican are their worst enemies. Why would a sane person rob DOWASCO of its tools and equipment? Stealing from the company would make it much more difficult to restore water supply. The hurricane has revealed the true character of many Dominicans.
Let me tell you, our people steal things even if they have no use for them.
Some drastic law has to be passed to send the looters to jail and those who are now breaking and entering people homes Pass some law please
You know Marlene, the police was there with guns and not a shot was fired. Were they in cahoot with the looters? How can we trust them to protect people’s property?
The police shot one person for the same Dowasco generator and all hell broke loose. you people have no medicine. If the police had shot down looters you all would be crucifying them.
By the way, do you know what occurred to the prison facilities during Hurricane Maria? I have not heard anything about it. I also hope prisoners did not escape.
The police force in Dominica is a total waste of time. Where is their emergency plan for these types of events? Is it a secret that Dominica can be hit with a major hurricane? What plans do they have in place to secure the country after such events? The commissioner of police should be fired for his incompetence.
he should have been fired from day 1 after maria . He came the Sunday before Maria and talk about looting and they will be in full force . I saw police walking around while people were looting .
Yes and is not Carbon alone that should be fired… the deputy should be fired …assistant deputy… you see peoplet un less we dowill get rid ofor that government and that law where that President who should also get rid off ..removes we quill always see theye things hapening. .. u have a president and a prime minister choosing a chief of police aMt hey also decide who will be promoted ..this nonsense needs to be changed.. unless that goverecent who is the root of the problem be moved oUT of office this country will surfer and will surfer badly… you people of Dominica need to get ride of that government and that law that interfere with the leadership of the police force .. there is an election . Get ride of these men!
I heard that soon after Hurricane Maria struck, Dominica received help from the T & T Police Force. I also heard a policeman was killed. Is this correct or not?
And what do you think our government’s guarantee is worth on the international fiancé market Emile?