The Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security has dismissed the latest blog penned by controversial blogger, Kenneth Rijock, as “malicious, entirely false and an unjustified slur.”
Saying that he received information from a person inside the government, Rijock alleged in a blog entitled, ‘How many thousand blank passports from Dominica has been sold in Syria?’ that earlier this year, the Ambassador to Dominica of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mohamed Benjilany, visited Dominica and met repeatedly with the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.
“On that day, and on a subsequent visit that the Ambassador made to Dominica, he allegedly acquired blank, official Dominica passports, My sources advise that the total number of passports he took possession of could be as high as 10,000, but in any event one must assume that several thousand passports were involved,” he wrote. (Read full blog here)
But in a statement late on Thursday, the ministry expressed grave concern over the blog and has sought to explain the process in which Dominica’s passports are printed and issued.
“The contents of this blog is particularly concerning because no effort has been made by the author and the publisher to communicate with the Ministry or to verify the very serious allegations made therein,” the statement said. “Not only is the article malicious but it is an entirely false and unjustified slur on the hard-working men and women within the government service and particularly the Ministry of Justice, Immigration Department and Ministry of Security. These attacks are even more concerning as Dominica, in the person of the Honorable Minister of Justice (Rayburn Blackmoore) is the chairman of the Council of National Security and Law Enforcement, a regional body responsible for the coordination of the multi-dimensional nature of the Caribbean security to ensure a safe and stable community.”
The statement said it is important that the people of Dominica and the wider world are armed with the facts to enable to rest assured of the security of the island’s passports.
“The passport program of the Commonwealth of Dominica was designed and developed by Canadian Banknote, a Canadian company that specializes in the security of paper and documents including passports, identification cards and driver’s licenses,” the statement said. “Canadian Banknote has a long history of reliability and security and is utilized by many countries in the region and the world. Dominica moved from handwritten passports to machine readable passports in keeping with the travel security protocols that the jurisdiction signed onto with the International Civil Aviation Authority.”
The statement pointed out that the blank machine readable passport books are ordered by the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security from Canadian Banknote.
“On arrival, they are cleared from customs and stored in the storeroom at the Police Headquarters. No one person can access and remove blank passport books from that secured storeroom,” the statement explained. “Official and diplomatic passports are similarly ordered and stored. Since Tropical Storm Erika, there have never been 10,000 passport books of whatever type in the custody of the Immigration Department.”
The statement went on to explain the nature of blank passport books and the process involved in printing.
“The passport book has an assigned number from production, that blank passport book also has a compatible number, another half if you will, downloaded at a computer program,” it stated. “Now for the passport to be completed or made whole, the physical blank passport book must be united with its computer generated program. A physical blank passport book is useless to anyone who may have it in their possession as it cannot be printed without going through numerous security clearances.”
The statement goes on, “The electronic passport system keeps a record of all passports entered, issued and to whom it was issued, it keeps records of who possessed the passport, who supervised the passport and who printed the passport. The system is able to give reports on the quantity of passports created, the quantity issued, the quantity damaged in production and the quantity in stock. Audits are performed by the Audit Department and reports are submitted by the auditor to the Government of Dominica on the activities of the Immigration Department. The audit is done to verify that all passports are accounted for and that the relevant fees are paid in respect to those passports that have been issued for the period of the audit. Any area of concern is highlighted by the audit and forms part of the report.”
The statement said all Dominican passports are processed and issued at the Passport and Immigration Department at the Police Headquarters in Roseau and all applications overseas are sent to the various Dominican consulates and forwarded to the Immigration Department by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing.
“After completion, those passports are returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All regular passports are signed by the Inspector of Immigration and when he is unavailable, by the Deputy Chief of Police and the Chief of Police,” the statement stated.
The statement gave the assurance that no government officials have access or any privileged access to the Immigration Department Computer System and to issue or give any electronic directive to issue blank passports to anyone.
“Any blank passport that is not printed at the Passport and Immigration Department will show up in the audit and will be missing in the electronic count of the passport as unaccounted for,” it said. “All passports must be accounted for and the electronic system will provide an alert of any missing passport and say who the missing passport was assigned too.”
The statement also gave the assurance that the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief of Police or any other officials have no access to the passport program at the Immigration and Passport Office.
“The idea of a blank passport, like a blank check, simply cannot happen given the nature and security features of our passport and passport issuing system,” the statement stated. “It is impossible for any minister to issue any passport, blank books in particular, in order to issue a passport book to anyone. Their name must be in the program, that is the system with printing privileges and printing privileges are electronically signed to staff members each day. The person doing the issuing must be the administrator of the system.”
The ministry stated that there will be continuing efforts to educate the public more on these processes in the upcoming weeks and months.
ATWICS is a multinational immigration consultancy and home of multilingual and certified business consultants, specialized in business investment and immigration consultancy around the globe.
Well, getting Canadian Immigration is not a big deal anymore if you have certain set of skills. Canadian immigration is a perfect way to get immigration. They are offering it for free because they need a lot of men to boost their economy.
Mr whatever your name is. Why don’t you investigate your ‘president’ TRUMP.
It would appear Blackmoore did not read the statement concerning the 10,000 blank passport books, before he made the above information public. According to Blackmoore, “since tropical storm Erika there have never been 10,000 passport books of whatever type in the custody of the immigration.” Tropical storm visited Dominica in August, 2015, according to Mr. Rijock, the passport books were delivered to the Ambassador of Morocco in January, 2016. The word, since, troubles me. Is he saying the last time we had so many passports books was before Erika. He does not deny that the Immigration had in its possession 10,000 passport books before Erika. What I understood his statement to say is, at the time under consideration, i.e Rijock’s allegations, the Immigration did not have 10,000 passport books in its possession. If so, where have all those books gone after Erika, were they destroyed by Erika or were they sold. I am confused, please help.
why are we even entertaining this man government get on with the peoples business and let mr be time will tell for him
If someone said something about me, which is a lie, or garbage, or rubbish as you all claim, why worry to comment, writing all of this long fart, which makes no sense to only the puppets who wrote it.
If it is rubbish, how come you all are talking fart about taking legal actions against him in Dominica?
Why not take him to court in America, where we will have a chance to depose Skerrit, and the corrupted judicial system, which term what the said to rubbish. There are those who believe Kenneth is trying to destroy Dominica, I don’t think that is his plan, but somebody have to expose corruption, and thievery, and all that is wrong with our system.
Skerrit and his government, and the ones who support corruption and victimization in the country are the one who already destroyed the country.
Dominican you lashed out on We Like it so’s contribution. Let’s hear your take now. Enjoy ur free house from Medard et Al from Venezuela continue to visit the Red Clinic by night unless U have direct deposit or if the man comes with the brif case directly/ in person to ur pad ad deliver lol It will soon end. soon u going 2 b poopooing on U lol when the new Gov’t takes over. U have a US passport or Visa? Let ur people get U a Chinese passport lol
Dpminican saqway……………………… U are. You were really affected by that crushed nerve u can’t feel smell let alone see the end is at hand an earthly manifestation of the much talked about end of time this time is the end of the gang’s ills.
Have a reflective weekend ,don’t drink stay sober to understand the problems you helped build by giving support to corruption. Time to repent Dominican
One look at this mans (Ken Rijock) websites leaves more questions than answers. It tells me that this man is not to be taken seriously. ( I build official websites for people and businesses)
meanwhile on the daily mail website ( a highly reputable news website in England) I read about “Ken Rijock” The headlines “Ken Rijock was a respectable Miami lawyer – but then he started laundering millions for the Mob. Here, he reveals the secrets of his astonishing double life”
It is clear to me that this man is a merchant for hire, Paid by someone with an agenda who wants to stay unknown. His background as a lawyer and his criminal life experiences would very much help him to write articles as if he knew what he was talking about. To make something our of nothing. Even if this man was telling the truth 100%, those who knew this crooked l;awyer best could never trust him. So why should I. Read for your self.
Link: http://www.dailymail.co…
Concerned Dominican -neither can we take you seriously. you talking about rijock’s double life what category of life The Sr. Counsels the Joker P.M and all his sheep and apologists( which are many and in it for what they can get. So you should add(can I add for you?) the entire D/can society cannot be taken seriously either. The Sinos are/have taken over the country our Country the call the shots not our so called Government as Trump would say. THe economic Sino citizens were caught doing fraudulent stuff in the past won’t be surprised they are printing passports . Isn’t it clear to all we are screwed ?
Daily maol is your sourxe??
What is malicious and live plenty questions unanswered is the fire of CHRISTMAS morning 2010 at St. Aromant destroying the property of the 2 elderly citizens and almost take their lives, and when the a . . o . I . t finish they composed a SONG saying that ” say defe mano ke buele mano” meaning that is mano fire that burn mano al u not 2 weeked in this Godless country
This secure station?were Registry key’s went missing?no explanation.Firearms go missing?Evidence disappear.
Every confidence in this Secure location? Can you believe these statements?
People take a deep breath. Why are you letting the devil interfere in the internal affairs of our nation. The demogroy and rhetoric isn’t helping, 5 year old arguing who say. Look beyond you idiotic political ideology and think of the Nation of Dominica. Stop distroying OUR future. Our slave master is who! Close YOUR door and beat YOUR child!
I would like to no what is in it for the Rijock guy trying to destroy the country. They fight is to bring down the country because of one man. Why not uplift show us you can do better. Put programs in place for us to work gain respect in that way. I not going have any body destroying my country and vote them in.
Is Rijock going up for elections? before you open your mouth and talk look into the matter, do your research and see if the guy is talking the truth or just merely blogging. Darn fool
Tony , if this is not true , why can’t you sue on behalf of the government and the people of Dominica? Isn’t this slander?
Why everything good is aligned with labour and everything bad with uwp? I don’t understand where uwp came for ppl to be blaming uwp.
Take the blue off your eye and ask Matt why.
Kenneth, you have been had by none other than your own country-folk, Mercury Public Affairs LLC.
You took the Mercury master-bait (yes, pun intended) to render your credibility questionable.
Examining your “inside source” will lead you to Mercury which is providing strategic communication and media relations consulting to the Gov’t of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
For US$30,000.00 /month, you can bet there’s much more to come.
All what was printed amounts to character assassination on my beloved Dominica. Can a response be approached from a legal point of view ?
Blank passport is a very lucrative business. recently theives conductrd several heist on French passports. The blank passports are used for short term operation or even one time use. The blank passports market is prevalent in places like Algeria, Morocco, Syria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took time to explain the passport processing procedures. The only thing is that blank passports don’t go through standard procedures. The buyers insert there photo and information on the blank passports and they are ready to go. There is no world wide data of pasdport number and identification. Several people with blank French passports have been detained by the US.
Blank passports is a different gig and this business had been going on before Skerrit. A former PM under the DLP did the blank passport gig. I know what I am talking about
Please give more info
pleas pm skerrit we in New Jersey want to to see u we want to have a mitting with u
yeah…… have a MITTING with him…..
Meeting
Hey can’t you see beyond the rethrotic. We are back to slavery again by the White Master! WHY, WHY, WHY, are we letting a white con artist cause so much division and disiveness among a nation that’s 95%+ black. Why are we wearing the badge of divide and conquer. FOOLS the White Devil is in control.. Typical slavery mentality, I will report you to my master. This wealthy White Man is YOUR Master.
if this is true, why don’t the ministry publish an article or news information on all the diplomats and their passport information and also give the entire list of people with Dominican passports and passport numbers from the time lord SKRIT took Office.
AND I WILL BELIEVE THIS COLONIZER IS LYING
And that the PM will not do so that leaves one to wonder. Why hasn’t the PM have a press conference and inform the people.Give the people the facts instead of trying to sue everyone. I hope the Pm is using his share of the passport sales he has banked somewhere to pay for those lawsuits . I am ashamed to say my people lack knowledge and don’t put facts where facts are.SO SAD
There will always be house slaves. So sad.?
@ Forkit, I always new you were a screw bolt just by the crap you been writing now you have proven to the world that you are a goat head.
LEADERS OF THE UWP AND DFP…
OOPS!!accused leaders of the UWP and DLP…
Tony, Skerrit and Dominicans, I hope you guys are getting ready to confront the US State department, not too long from now, they will be closing in Kenneth Rijock is the least of your problems!
Keep Waiting!!
For all those who seek to destroy my land; pay attention:
New Living Translation:
“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Dominica will be alright, not because of which political party that leads this country but because of the people of God who live in this land. Go ahead and attempt to destroy my land ….. the Lord will silence you! It will not be long……….
I would like to support the ministry by denouncing the statements of this instigator. This man is insulting the intelligence of our people. His statements are so ludicrous that any kindergartner would say this is a fib. This latest crap has given the supporters more strength to stand with our PM. May 7th will be the mother of all rallies. We will show Rijock and his cohorts that we will not relent to their fabricated stories. Rijock, you are a rumormonger, stay out of our domestic affairs! We stand firm with our PM.
My late grand mother would say u hate the white man but love his flour and bes,wee ?
Amen and amen @ DC, in solidarity with OUR PM. I like that.
If the article is false – then this guy should be held responsible — on the other hand if the article is true — well then — it doesn’t matter how you try to justify the issues — “TRUTH” always comes out…..it can take days, weeks, months, years….. but it will!!!
“TRUTH”
10,000 passports? This blog really takes the biscuit! Rijock is truly unbelievable. Who are the foolish people feeding this man such horse manure, why are they egging him on? UWP operatives need to know that these blogs are perilous to our country’s advancement and men like Rijock only seek to burn and discredit the hard work the government does.
This guy is dangerous, he may as well be the devil himself.
Why do we. Pay attention to this man. Heavy convicted criminal. A debarred money laundered for the mob.. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2162657/Ken-Rijock-Limos-Learjets-bundles-cash–meet-Mobs-money-launderer.html
oh the deadest criminal hacker caught by the FBI is now working for the CIA and FBI…. go read about how america operates with people who have certain skills,,,, you IDIOT
America is smart. It cooperates with them to learn what they were up to and about others. They spill the beans. Actually, America uses them and their tricky skills to find out a lot. Keep in mind America pays them well. They avoid prosecution.
It does knot justify what he is saying is wrong,?wen ur friend beard in on fire take water and water yours.
Mr Blackmore come down from your high horse.Are you trying to tell us that because the passports are stored at police headquarters we should breath a sigh of relief? Isn’t it the same police headquarters from which guns and,money went missing and no report of the items have been recovered.The testimony of a minor who it’s alleged was sexually molested was released criminally from police headquarters and no one held responsible.Therefore I take no solace in the fact that passports are stored at police headquarters.Ok, Rijock said 10,000 passports what if it was 1,000 instead of 10,000 does that make it right? Come on Blackmore where is the beef. I’M not convinced nor swayed to doubt that something fishy went down.The same way you guys doubted that criminals were issued Dominican passports until the CBS and international media put it out there,the fire will come after the smoke.
Mr. St. Jean, stop making excuses for the lies of Rijock, he said that Dominican officials handed over 10000 blank passports to the Moroccan Ambassador and that is a lie. Too many people including you, because of your hatred for Skeritt will believe any lie that is told about Dominica in an effort to hurt Skeritt. Does it bother you at all that Rijock is a convicted Criminal? Are you so desperate that you are willing to accept the word of a convicted money launderer as he continues to tarnish the name of Dominica. You can continue to hate Skeritt but try to show some love for Dominica.
HOW ARE YOU SO SURE THAT RIJOCK IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH.PROVRE TO US THAT IT IS UNTRUE.instead you just running your mouth. Is it not true that Monafred was harbored at Morne Daniel while the Irainian Government was looking for him?Did it ever occur to you that the Irainian authorities knew where he was? Don’t you ever suspect that not all cabinet members etc are on Pm side. Money talks and you know the rest
But we don’t need Mr. Rijock to tell us that Dominican passports were being sold to Syrians. One could deduce that by commonsense. Obviously, so many rich Arabs are able to buy better destinations like Malta, Cyprus, and even Antigua. Therefore, we are left with the lower end customers which include the more wealthy Syrian and Iraqi families. Also along with these customers are other buyers with less clear intentions (Interpol documented). Until we have a solid due diligence process with in-person interviews and longer waiting times, we will never get to know the real objectives of those Domininican passport buyers with vague intent.
I have extreme difficulty in believing anything said by this rogue regime or its acolytes. Remember how they spoke in glowing terms about MONFARED? Remember how the acolytes and sycophants helped Skerrit in accusing the leadership of the UWP AND DFP in a coup that by a stalled truck with speakers?…THESE DLP GUYS and their acolytes ARE evil!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
Why would the Lennox Linton and the UWP stoop so low to get rid of Skeritt. It is clear that is Kenneth Rijock is doing this for money. Does anyone care who’s paying him to tell these lies? The facts on this man is public knowledge so I’m not sure why the UWP chooses to associate with such a character. I guess when one is desperate one will do anything for political gain. This can only hurt the UWP in the long run. What a shame.
Ask Mr. Skerrit to publish the names of Dominica’s Diplomats and do like in the days of Mary Eugenia Charles, publish the names AND address of persons to whom passports were sold under the CBI Program.
Running around Dominica and parlaying about millions here, there and everywhere will not cut it.
Well is a white man writing this cap so I guess it will be believed by the gullible supporters of the UWP.
Skerrit is not a white guy, but he told you that a stalled truck with some speakers tried to overthrow his government and you were repeating it. …He has stopped this garbage and you have stopped too!!!!! So what are you really saying!
SKERRIT MUST GO !!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
As adults and GROWN-UP trapped in the body of 8 year old, You are doing irrehensible damage to our nation. You are letting a total stranger perpetuate our country. For YOUR personal self centered gratification a total devious devil is distorting and destroying our nation. It goes beyond you. Whenever you get to rule this nation the damage and stigma will still be there. YOU are a distraction to our Dominican values.
But the NOVICE cannot come,%.
and check where skerrit have equity, in a white mans country while you collect the crumbs in a fools paradise
But you like to go to the white man land and eat his food and wear his clothes doh
Well I agree that is a well structured system. A system like this gives no loopholes like what existed back in 1997-1999 early 2000 when Edward Alexander was special advisor to the den prime minister. I remember those days wen our passports was just being in criminal hands like Christopher Case and Mohammed Almasari and the thousand of chinies and tiwanies we boy. Dat was pain for Dominicans we boy. We couldn’t travel to Canada nah boy. Visa was imposed on Dominica we boy. The USA Canada Britain France Trinidad and all dem countries blacklisted us we boy. Yes sah. Our passport didn’t have value nah gasa.
Thanks God for our hard working govt we are back in good books. We can now go to these countries without watching over our backs. Thanks to you Dr. Hon. Roosevelt SKIRRIT. We love you so much. And we going the make I retire from politics when u reach 70 years old. Not 65 as u stated. U have to be the longest serving PM in the region. And the UWP longest opposition ever in the…
reallyyyyyy smh so much idiocy in one post!
Good one!
Mercenaries abound.
Fake news for money anyone?
The sooner the UWP can part ways with this man, Kenneth Rijock, the more beneficial it is to them. His beviour is suspicious. Why would a Caucasian man in the United States care so much about what is happening in a developing black nation? Please don’t bring Jim Crow back. We are capable and brilliant people. Let’s solve our own problems in our quest to making Dominica a mighty great nation.
Wow if 90% of folks in the know have the same opinion then it most likley becomes a fact. The bible says the last days ( or something like that) we will be in denial in the face of mounting evidence and facts.
I am rubbishing the Ministry of Justice’s position.
The Skerrit lead government is a failed government . We don have to wait for history to tell us that you’all.
Blackmore I challenge you to sue Kenneth Rijock this time because Dominica cannotafford to go through this one with the bad name Skerrit and the government gave us in the international community already. You need to go much further than saying it’s not true. This one requires the government to go on CNN, to clear our very bad name to the international community, which also will expose Kenneth Rijock. Sir, it was just yesterday word got out that the US Justice is about to charge and arrest the owner of WikiLeaks for putting out damaging information out. I suggest what Rijock has out there about DOMINICA is even more damaging to us and we cannot take it lying down
Blackmore you may rubbish all you want, but as long as you and all your evil desciples take a dive in a sea of clorox we will believe everything Rijock claims.
Bunch of good for nothings. But the joy ride will be over one day.
First of all is there Justice in Dominica to even have a Minister of Justice? Second of all how could there be a Minister of National Security and Aliereza Monfared, a fugitive who was running from international justice was allowed to hide in Dominica for six months, Did Blackmore not know that? I agree with Blackmore that this recent blog is very serious and disturbing and as such hiding behind a desk to write a letter saying the allegation is false is not enough to convince me and open minded around the world. I suggest Blackmore does to things: 1. Call a press conference and invite everyone and allow people to ask hard questions. 2. Spend the money Skerrit giving to Mercury and sue Mr. Rijock for putting out such damaging information out, if you really believe it’s false. Unless you take these two steps everyone will believe Mr. Rijock’s story, especially Homeland security in the US
Look fellers. That story may be malicious or not. If it is not it would be very damaging to Dominica and one way to make sure is for the Government to sue Mr. Rijock. Seriously, Tony Astaphan is always so quick to jump on the little players and throw his weight at home. Let Mister show how big he is in the international arena. If the government does not take action it will be seen as an admission of guilt. I don’t like Skerrit and his ways but even less I want our country to have a bad name.
Tim tim ! bwa shes ! Messier kwik, kwak !
Kenneth Rijock must be you all’s Kryptonite ! I cannot imagine that you all state that the man and his articles are “malicious, entirely false and an unjustified slur” and up to now no legal action ? Fool those who are willing to be fooled but the rest of us are thinking people.
You are the one being fooled. Your are the one giving slavery life again by being subservient in accepting something from massa without question. Have you ever imagine what 10000 passports look like. To pull this off there must be a massive collusion and coverup on the part of multiple immigration officers and other civil servants. Don’t allow hatred to turn you into an idiot.
I smell a dead rat!!!The detailed explanation seems very similar to the long explanations given on due diligence with regards to the CBI programme until the truth was known about the nefarious characters who had Diplomatic passports became known.
So how many passports have been sold in Syria? I know a certain passport seller who confirmed he is selling passports to Syria.
That long drawn out statement by Blackmoore, does not convince me about the security of Dominica’s passports. Make a long story short and just ask Rijock to produce passport numbers for the alleged blank passports he claimed to have been in the possession of the Ambassador from Morocco. What Blackmoore has done is to tell us of the procedures dealing with the security of passports. We all know those procedures are not followed. If those procedures were followed, and they knew who had passports and who did not have, why would the Minister of Foreign Affaires have a problem in answering Hon. Linton question in parliament. Their had been allegations of passports being sold to a Chinese woman for big bucks, the government has never denied those allegations. All the procedures Blackmoore are talking about, please tell us how did Madueke get hers. Therefore, these blank passports being secured and has nothing to do with Skeritt, personally, I don’t believe Blackmoore.
Excuse me!!! I’m in no way saying the accusation is right, but the long explanation given like it’s impossible for something to happen is garbage. There is no passport or documents whether it’s machine readable or chip inserted that cannot be duplicated, especially when dealing with the Great China.
Sorry to say this Mr. Minister but you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Nothing made in this world is full proof especially with small island States like Dominica.
Sure! because if–even if untrue–people believe the Dominican passport can be gamed, either physically or under the CBI program without the government doing due diligence to investigate the holder: Good luck to any Dominican desiring entry to any nation under threat of terrorism. This blogger may gain clicks but citizens will suffer the next time they travel and want their passports to mean something.
The Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security you should call a news conference in stead of using DNO to address such serious allegation
This CBI ……Slavery machine will soon be abolished it’s just time sooner than later…
With all these so call funds the economy is completely DEAD…
How can you be in Government for 17 years and don’t have one bottle of juice to export or some raw product to gain decent foreign exchange earnings that’s how one develops sustainable economy…
But it’s dominica they are not known to be good at anything…worthless and evil minded lot of people dominicans are…they see righteous in wrong doings just check that evil institution called the Catholic Church stems the roots of evil..