Having experienced the pains and devastation of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island of Grenada is expressing solidarity with Dominica as it too grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika and as a consequence a special day has been declared on that island for of the people of Dominica.
On Friday, Prime Miniser of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchel announced at a press conference here that the day will be observed in his country on November 7.
“And, Prime Minister, despite what other things that we have done, the cultural artistes, the sporting community in Granada, all concerned and the people have asked me to say to you that in addition to the things that we have done and we are doing, we’re declaring November 7th as a special day of artistic performances on behalf of the people of Dominica,” he said with Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit by his side..
He stated that when things happen, that’s when your “true friends” are known, pointing to his own country which was struck by Ivan, a category three hurricane, in 2004, causing destruction, US$800-million in damages and dozens dead.
“Grenada found that out in 2004, your country, your Prime Minister, the rest of the OECS family and the rest, they were there with us, they bled with us. The CARICOM family bled with us. I got up on the morning of 2004 in September and when I looked around and I saw a whole country on the ground, I don’t think anyone wants to have that feeling,” Dr. Mitchel said.
He added, “So I know how it feels … Grenadians as a whole understand what is taking place in Dominica and that is why and I am sure you’ve heard that there has been a lot of initiatives. Not just by the government but by the people themselves; Grenadians in Toronto and Montreal, without we asking them, not the politicians, people in their own rights because they know and experience what it is to be flattened.”
Mitchel said the citizens of the country of Grenada came forward and are still coming forward and also extended a public invite to the Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit to attend the event.
“And they asked me to make sure I invite you because, I think, it will help the publicity and the success of that particular event,” he noted.
Dr. Mitchel said Dominica will always have a special place in his “being” since at the age of 16 the country was the first one that he travelled to, to play cricket.
He also mentioned that apart from representing his country, he is also representing the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
So heartwarming! Thank you Grenada! We love you guys too.
Spoken as a statesman, kind words indeed. Thank You Sir!
Skerrit has a right to act the way he is acting and do what he has been doing for many years now, because the man has gotton a free pass from the media, the church, the police department, and every good organizations that are safe guarding the freedom of their people in other democratic countries.
Take for example the arrest of NG Lap Seng, of September 19, 2015. I mean all media houses in Dominica and Caribbean knew NG was a very good friend of PM Skerrit for a number of years. But apart from Q95, where else and who else ever mentioned it until it hit us home, after John Ashe of Antigua was arrested?
I am happy DNO finally put it out on Oct. 8, but that was just because John Ashe was arrested. I mean how many Dominicans ever heard of Ashe before his arrest? Maybe Skerrit & Vince. On the other hand, how many heard of NG before his arrest? All of us. But because of fear & trying to make Skerrit look good, no one said a thing, though it was all over on internet, bbc, fox,abc, cnn
Grenada, we appreciate your assistance being given to Dominica in this time of great need. God will bless you and your nation.
Mr. PM of Grenada, speak the truth to the Dominican people. Your main reason for keeping this joint press conference with Skerrit has NOTHING to do with Erika. Erika is just once again used for political mileage.
You know Skerrit is afraid and could not face the public by himself to talk about anything; you know the man so scared that he poopooing and peepeeing on himself and needs to have his pampers changed, therefore you as a true friend of his, came to do the honors, so you could be there to change his pampers for him.
Prime Minister of Grenada came to Dominica to announce Grenada special Day for Dominica? Boy everyone in the Caribbean in particular have really concluded that Dominicans are naive and can be easily fooled.
Let’s not forget that TS Erika destroyed Dominica on August 27 2015, and Grenada is next to our back door. Since the storm Dominica, according to the government is opened for business.
I have two questions for both PM’s: 1. How long was such event planned? 2. Why did it have to take a joint press conference to announce it?
Mr. Mitchel is a good friend of Skerrit and he knows very well that the storm of Erika is not affecting Skerrit as much as the arrests of Ng Lap Seng, John Ashe and Francis Lorenzo, all of whom including Skerrit, were at the forefront of the Sep. 25-26 Macau assembly, and Skerrit now needs pamper because he poopooing on him.
Prior to this Skerrit went 4 days without saying a thing. Then Tony spoke his usual nonsense, followed by this joint press…
Thank You Dr. Keith Mitchel, PM of Grenada, for your generosity and for extending an invitation to Dominica’s PM, Roosevelt Skerrit for this occasion.
I have known some Grenadian people, as friends, for some years. They, too and others will be pleased about this.
We are all West Indians, Caribbean and OECS people.
God bless you and your Grenadian people.
Skerrit it is time to stop this bull crap talk about solidarity!
Your priority at the moment is to get started with the, handouts and utilized it in the reconstruction of the more devastated areas. Are you going to get out of bed each and every day for as long as it takes hoping some other joke will come along and empathize with you, when in fact all the help they can offer is talk nonsense during some stupid “photo-op! ”
Too much talk and no action! The nation wants to hear your plans for building a new International Airport, that should be priority number one at the moment. All you have done is giving interviews simply to get your face in some paper talking fart, meanwhile the country remains in its primitive state!
Stop farting, making belief: We know that you have an empty treasury, but that is not a reason not to make an effort to get an international Airport, Grenada has one operating ask your man in solidarity to help build one, see what happens! Ask him to direct…
The same thing over and over again as a broken record. When are you going to stop your disrespectful, silly, rude and uninspiring charades? Who do your comments impress? They are not worthwhile and prove nothing. Do you not get tired of making such comments? You are the one with too much talk and no action. Much ado about nothing and a waste of time which obviously bear no good fruits.
My comments impress you, because I saw where certain vocabulary I used in the past have become your treasure. You have used my terminology, whereas I would not touch yours with a ten foot pole!
Much appreciated Prime Minister Mitchel, our Sincere Thanks to the Government and People of Grenada. May God Bless your country and her citizens for your kindness.
Much appreciated Prime Minister Mitchel, our Sincere Thanks to the Government and People of Grenada. May God Bless your country and citizens for your kindness.
Thank You to the Government and people of Grenada, and our Caricom Brothers and sisters all over the World. A friend in need is a friend in Deeds. Who feels it knows it Lord.
I would like to say a big thank you to the people of Grenada ,all my best friends in London have been Grenadians and always been fun too be with ,once again thanks for the special day November 7th.
Be strong and support each other..However, the Dominican students at the Universities are struggling due to the late disbursement of funds from the government to their individual collages. This should be addressed promptly.
Thank you Dr. Michel but is that doing for us. Money speaks louder than words.