Government has no information indicating chinese engineers are prisoners – National security minister

Savarin. *DNO file pic

Dominica’s Minister of National Security, Labour and Immigration Charles Savarin says he is not aware that any prisoners from China are employed on projects in Dominica.

Local businessman Jerry Brisbane raised the matter on a radio programme recently.

But Savarin told a press conference with Cabinet on Monday that government has no information in that regard.

We have no information of any Chinese prisoner being sent to Dominica on construction work. We cannot comment on what happens overseas but with regards to the construction firm on Dominica we have no information and we have not seen it reported anywhere,” he said.

Savarin said the firm in charge of the West Coast Road project is reputable.

“We have a wonderful relationship with the people and Government of China which we are seeking to build upon and to maintain,” he said.

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29 Comments

  1. scrappy coco
    November 28, 2010

    all of we dominicans need to be imprisoned because we would give a fair days work to our country and we would be well educated and each and everyone of us would have a skill. wel srags should go to china to be enrolled as a prisoner by then he would be able to speak out and take his roll as a leader but leader of wat and who.

  2. my family the Chinese
    November 17, 2010

    Even if the chinese working on the road are prisoners how many of them have uyou heard commited any crimes in Dominica. You have never heard that they rape, steal or kill any one in the country. but how many dominican leave our country to work in another country and have commited serious crimes and even face deportation? many of them have. Give us CHINESE a break. we are working hard for you all with no problems.
    so whats the big issue Mr.Brisbane???

  3. Pierre F. Lherisson
    October 31, 2010

    Dominica has more to gain by accepting China contribution to improve its infrastructure than to pay attention to malicious outsider with ideologically motivated cheap propaganda.

  4. T. Winston
    September 2, 2010

    Mr savarin considering that you are unsure and cannot comment at the current moment could you please investigate the matter and get back to us the people? I don’t want another incident where a Dominican gets taken in for being on the receiving end of a punch

  5. Silent
    September 1, 2010

    @george: You are the one who needs to get educated, can’t even spell.

  6. Silent
    September 1, 2010

    The workers are part of a Government of China initiative to reform convicts; that’s the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

    • scrappy coco
      November 28, 2010

      its best you was a chineese convict by den you would be more educated and well skilled

  7. LOS LOBOS!!!
    September 1, 2010

    @LOS LOBOS!!!:… argument…

  8. LOS LOBOS!!!
    September 1, 2010

    Wait a minute,hold on….just for arguement sake……Because Charles says that the Govt.have no information that some of these people are prisoners…. Does that mean, its not true?…What it means is,they don’t know…..Remember,Charles Savarin represents the Govt…Do you believe that he is going to say “yes we knew”?..C’mon…….
    You cannot comment on what happen overseas,but you have an obligation to the Dominican People. It is your duty to investigate…..It would have been much more convincing if he had said….”We have investigated the matter,and we found it to be totally false”…..Don’t you think?

    The problem with Dominica,is not with the Politicians.But it is with the People.They need to be more thoughtful.They need to look at issues more carefully. Be more scrupulous.
    Demand more from your Govt…They are accountable to you…The People……..
    Anyway……All the best to you……..

  9. george
    August 31, 2010

    when wil these people stop talking s…. live the govenment t deo their work and live the chines alone . we have enough dominicans ou of da already. and please people stop behaving as dominicans{ domies in cans] GET A LIFE AND GET EDUCATEDS SO THAT U CAN REASON FOR YR SELF AND STOP ALLOWING PROGRESS HATERS TO FOOL U

  10. pappy show
    August 31, 2010

    All you people listening to Charles Saverin?

    After all,,you all should know better. Come on. History tells it all.
    Cannot be trusted.
    Eh las..poor us

  11. nature
    August 31, 2010

    well even if the goverment know the people are, was or were they would not tell us that that is not for us to no but i think we should no cause we do not no what they did if infact they were prisoners what crime did they commit should so the public and no how to deal and address these people what about if they were rapist pediphil or molesters come they want road so they will do any thing for it even putting the county ppl life in danger

  12. Anne
    August 31, 2010

    Domi in cans… let the chinese makehaste build the road and leave them alone. allu not seeing the state of the road den????????

  13. salop
    August 31, 2010

    Jerry is like good dream.When u up it gone away.This dude hate the P.M and this is it.Local man in power so eat your heart out…

  14. Analyst
    August 31, 2010

    What if they are prisoners, what is wrong with that. This could be part of their sentence. Jerry Brisbane and others are just trying desperately to find something that will stick but to no avail. These guys are in desperation mode. It seems that Skerrit is just waiting patiently then at the opportune time it will be his turn to take people to court.

  15. Gene, Toronto
    August 31, 2010

    They will not have such information. They do not care to find out in the first place.
    Engineers? Do they not know the meaning of and credentials of engineers?
    How many engineers are imprisoned in China? The cream of the crop are not imprisoned unless they oppose the Chinese government and commit crimes. I would think that those who work on the roads in Dominica are not cream of the crop and are not engineers.

  16. Gene, Toronto
    August 31, 2010

    @liberalone:
    Great response. In bygone years prisoners would do “the hard labor” as cleaning and clearing roads, even the lawn at government house. This was their hard labor. What happened?
    They are indeed more protected and well fed in comparison to some citizens.

  17. ruhtra
    August 31, 2010

    Del, you must read facts before insulting Jerry. Log on to chinese prisoners in developing countries and read for yourself what Jerry is saying. Stop wearing blinkers.

  18. A Voice
    August 31, 2010

    @liberalone:

    If I was near you, I would a shake your big toe…

    Who de ras care what prison them man from, as long as they build the road, obey Dominica’s laws, and get out when they finish the project.

    So what happen, it was Chinese priests that build the stadium nah?

    I myself have no problem with Brisbane and Linton and them fellas keeping Skerrit in check, but why Brisbane don’t propose where to get the finance and the labour to complete the road project?

  19. mac
    August 31, 2010

    Even if Savarin knew they were slaves or prisoners do you think he would say THAT WOULD BE BITING THE HAND THAT FEED HIM

  20. belbagay
    August 31, 2010

    funny that a man while in opposition knew everything that was going on in the world and now in government is not aware of chinesse prisoners in his back yard

  21. tell Me
    August 31, 2010

    Charlo say he doh know he never know but i hope when the comes for him to know he will know …

  22. following their master like poddles
    August 31, 2010

    In Savarin own words he is saying very nicely and eloquently that he does not know and dont care if they from jail, prison, on parole, or some farm country or where ever and is not his business or our business period. Because the chineses didnt tell him and he not going to ask them.

  23. dopwell
    August 31, 2010

    well then sir , what are they ? we want to know

  24. Anonymous
    August 31, 2010

    the guy is not saying that they are not prisoners he is saying that the gov have no info about the chinese on the project locally. lol them man doh easy boy ha ha ha bunch of liars

  25. liberalone
    August 31, 2010

    Well if this is true then Dominica should take example from the Chinese and put their offenders to hard labour, rather than having a nice, grand old time in prison, being more secure and protected than the ordinary law-abiding citizens, who have to feed them whilst they are on vacation.

  26. STAFFEE
    August 31, 2010

    Is either Jerry B has a long tongue or Charles S tongue is short.

  27. Del
    August 31, 2010

    Jerry, Jerry, Jerry…….You really trying hard. I think persons are so fed up with your cries. What are you really suffering from Jerry????????

  28. Prophet2
    August 31, 2010

    He is right, they are not prisoners, they are slaves. Communism = Modern slavery.

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