PM Skerrit outlines priorities for kick-starting productive sector after Maria

The Prime Minister addressing the UN event on Tuesday

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced five priorities the government is looking at for drawing private investments and kick-starting the recovery of Dominica following the ravages of Hurricane Maria.

The Prime Minister was addressing a CARICOM-UN High-Level Pledging Conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

The first priority, as outlined by Skerrit, is the rebuilding of critical transport infrastructure, “including key port terminals, major connecting roads and bridges and slope interventions, that would allow business, trade, and travel to return.”

He spoke of the quick restoring of the power grid.

“Two, restoring the power grid fast, organising a climate resilient distribution of the grid and investing in a high concentration of renewables in order to lower costs,” he stated.

The third priority is the “revitalizing food markets and crop planting and in the process developing food security and climate resilient agriculture, irrigation and fisheries.”

The fourth has to do with “strengthening sea and river defenses in Roseau to help draw in other investments in building and commerce.”

The fifth and final priority is “small critical investments to support the return of the tourism sector and to facilitate commercial loans to the sector through partial guarantees.”

The priorities for private investment were part of a larger national vision for resilience outlined by the Prime Minister.

The theme of the Pledging Conference is, “Building a more climate resilient community” and is being held in the ECOSOC room at UN Headquarters.

The full text of the presentation is below.

Download (DOCX, 517KB)

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44 Comments

  1. Jus Cool
    November 23, 2017

    Dear Sir
    These are very good suggestions , however when the professional suggest sustainable plans they are told by the politicians “not so i want it & that too much”. For persons who don’t know the recent construction of this new bridge near the stadium is too low in the river bed. When the river come down this serves as a dam/barrier by all the debris hence causing the area to flood severely. T.SErkea & now Maira. Douglas Charles in mouth of a river we saw signs yet 200 million pumped into this ..Lets build back better by looking long term n sustainable.

  2. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 23, 2017

    Dear Mr. Rasta-man Roosevelt is a joke, he reads and what people write for him, but do not actually know what he is talking about, there is an existing electrical power Grid in Dominica, has always been long prior to the Roosevelt that country boy was born. CDC (Colonial Development Corporation introduce electricity to Dominica in the days when this Wesley country boy here was a kid!

    In the following I describe in detail a what is term a power grid!

    An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers!

    It consists of generating stations that produce electrical power, high voltage transmission lines that carry power from distant sources to demand centers, and distribution lines (lower voltage lines)  that connect to the  individual customers, homes and businesses! 

    In power generation; from the generating plant the voltage and current travels on the primary lines High Voltage (480 Volts to a step down transformer: From then…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      November 23, 2017

      Finally:

      In power generation; from the generating plant the voltage and current travels on the primary lines High Voltage (480 Volts to a step down transformer). From then on it is broken down to 240 Volts as in the case of Dominica by the time it gets to usage in the house the voltage be no more or less than 220 Volts.

      So, let it be known that Roosevelt rubbish talk about building power grid, is simply talk, there is no mystery to the terminology ” power grid!” Dominica have always had a power grid; without  a power grid there would be no electric power on the island: Mr Rasta-M it is no more than you said wires coming from the place of generation, and traveling through wires on poles!

  3. lost my job.
    November 23, 2017

    The first priority is you should resign now!!! your wickedness have papa GOD vex.

  4. Jonathan Y St Jean
    November 22, 2017

    The US had urged Dominica to turn to renewable energy as the pathway to sustainable energy in the country but super brain Skerritt felt who the hell are those gringos to tell us what to do, even after the French and others pulled their support for the geothermal headlong fling.Hear him now spelling out renewable energy as if it’s the first time he’s heard of the concept.Everything this guy puts his hands on goes sour, and I’m wondering why?There is increase in poverty in the country and this hurricane will only multiply the problem in the country.What has Skerritt’s ALBA brethren done to help him put Dominica on the right path to sustainable development, Nothing.They have given their coins like everyone else in the face of the devastation but since they are with their hands outstretched looking for handouts Skerritt has to turn to the same developed economies he berated in favour of Chavez and his nonsense.I feel so sorry that there gas been such waste of scarce resources.

  5. Shaka Zulu
    November 22, 2017

    17 years a man with a degree in psychology been running rhe ministry of finance. I bet my life not one financial institution qould highr this guy to run thier business. Where was the management and oversight, and internal Audit all these years. Who knew we owed petro carib 100 million US. Dominica does not know what climate resilient means in a practical sense yet we have cost. If CREAD is not set up by parliament bow can it have parliamentary oversight. This guy is too happy to continue his 17 years of begging first and Maria has provided more cover and excuse.
    There is a Dominica organization called DAAS tbat should be a resource for experts. I know Dominicans with real PHds in stream ecology and processes, soil science and various fields, I know Dominicans who have years experience in various engineering fields that are very capable working for major cooperations. The government is aware. Dominica has potential but i am afraid has been down the poverty cliff. Skerrit cannot fix.

    • De eyes have it
      November 22, 2017

      What your leader have??

      • Shaka Zulu
        November 23, 2017

        A degree in psychology and an honorary doctorate he paid 50k for, and he is a bloody waste of time.

  6. viewsexpressed
    November 22, 2017

    The priority for Dominica`s development Now, is the exit and fast disappearance of Skerrit. I strongly recommend that Skerrit takes himself and go meet the dictator, just kicked out of office in Zimbabwe, called Mugabe. We asked for Mugabe to go, we now want Skerrit to Go. Both ruled their respective countries like tyrants and ridiculous leaders, no way an example to the peoples of Dominica and Zimbabwe. Dominica like Zimbabwe is in a mess and we see similarities in possible investments outside, in the US and big houses while poor people live in poverty and live on handouts.
    For Dominica to prosper Skerrit and his gang of labour people must go, or we will impeach and then kick Skerrit out. Go! Go!
    There will be no meaningful and quality development in Dominica s long as Skerrit is hding this position. Skerrit must Go, Mugabe has gone. Goodbye Skerrit, you are a big failure, failed in understanding developmental concepts and good and running all over pretending there is development. g

    • Original Mahaut Man
      November 22, 2017

      I live in the US can you give me the address of the big house so that I can take my family to see what the people of Dominica money is buying, and the people are leaving in poverity as you and you people are saying.

  7. Emile Dominique
    November 22, 2017

    What is hard to understand is how come so many people, nations, international organizations are responding so positively to Dominica’s plight after Maria, but our own people are posting negatives against their “native” land. How can they favour other nations above Dominica, especially at its time of need. This extreme action to discourage the recovery process is really unforgiveable. This process of hatred cannot be coming from God.

    • UK Dominican
      November 22, 2017

      Emile, I appreciate all the help we are getting from people that don’t owe us anything, believe me. What I can not stomach is that all this aid should be channeled through a body controlled by Skerrit for his greater glory, so he can continue playing God. The man is sick and I mean it.

    • Anonymous
      November 23, 2017

      You must not confuse Dominica with Skerrit. They are not one and the same. Dominica was there long before Roosevelt Skerrit and will also be there long after him. Skerrit is not the centre of the universe.

  8. Puerto Rico
    November 22, 2017

    Since hurricane Maria Skerro and Vince has wasted more than US$200,000. on travelling. This money will go a long way in repairing schools, bridges, health centers and the Marigot Hospital. But Dominicans rather see their P.M on TV rather than working to develop Da, it is so sad how Dominicans think.
    Skerrrit is a Trickstar and it is time we expose this fraud.
    The removal of Mogabe should be a clear sign that dynasties are not good for a country. If not checked Skerro will become a Robert Mogabe,

  9. anonymous2
    November 22, 2017

    More rhetoric from the PM. Sounds good but to no avail, heard it all before. Don’t worry, the elite already have their eyes on this island…..satellite at both ends.

  10. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    November 21, 2017

    “Two, restoring the power grid fast, organizing a climate resilient distribution of the grid and investing in a high concentration of renewables in order to lower costs,”(Roosevelt Skerrit).

    What is a climate resilient distribution of the grid”?

    I am an Electrical/ Electronic Engineer by profession: I know about power production, and distribution, I was not  taught any such science as resilient distribution of a power grid. If this is new technology derive in Dominica from some science know only to Roosevelt Skerrit and his Dominican scientists, I wish they would share such science with the world in order that I can get an understand of how this electrical science works.

    I reside in the United States where we deal with four seasons, most winters are brutal to power lines, then we have tornadoes, which destructs anything in their path, fire and floods, what can be resilient to that?

    Resilient is defined as ” capable of withstanding shock without  permanent deformation or…

  11. RastarMarn
    November 21, 2017

    Agriculture was the last thing on Mista-dem mind, when Francis started talking about Selling produce to Martinique Skerrit and Austrie started Chastising him,,,

    Didn’t know Dominica still had a vibrant Forestry Sector??? Thought all that went to SH*ts when them Canadians (or whomever it was) shut down STP, then people that bought the place next door started getting wood from Guyana then eventually shut down the operation and turned it into a graveyard for ole equipment,,,

    Wasn’t Tourism nuh Mista-Dem have been promoting for the how many years even lobbying Cruise ship people to send their boats Dominica, now he want to come talk about fixing Electric Grid, Garçon Dominica never had an Electric Grid is just wires on polls!!!

    Say you want to establish an Electric grid and start looking into micro hydro turbines nuh for the areas where there is a substantial river flow or something like dat!!!

    Doh forget dem fellows that exporting all that sand and making millions, with…

  12. Rags 2 Riches
    November 21, 2017

    Dear UN and high Pledging countries, I am a Dominican who loves my country but I SHALL NOT pledge or invest one penny in Dominica until Prime Minister Roosvelt Skerrit take the example of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and resign forthwith! We are fed up with Skerrit during his 12 years as PM, seems to have found the secret of how to make the jump from a real poor man to a super millionaire while those of us who were rich became poor; and yet Skerrit does not share his secret of how to get rich with us. It would be nice if you all at the UN or any agency could have a meeting with our PM and ask him for us how he became a millionaire in such a short space of time on a salary of no more EC$10K a month. When we ask him he he sends his lawyers after us and at times tells us IS NOT OUR DAMN BUSINESS. than So please be guided accordingly as you make your pledges.

  13. Real Truth
    November 21, 2017

    Please listen people. To those who understand , or seem to understand international business ,trade policies, etc., the international powers that be are not interested in Dominica becoming climate resilient!!! The PM is wasting his time.!!
    Folks , Dominica is already technically food sovereign … We have the potential to supply the entire Caribbean and surrounding nations with Agricutural food stuffs, etc… Hence we are a threat to the established international crop/fruit growers! Not having us online is a silent blessing to the food giants with operations in Costa Rica , Mexico, etc. So they just love it that we have a corrupt governing system in place , that is not truly willing to invest in all Dominicans, hence the average citizen will always be just a consumer and not a producer…..people I tried to get the world players to help Dominica with its citrus challenges, but they turned a cold shoulder us because we are a serious threat to regional markets! TBC…

    • Real Truth
      November 21, 2017

      People , unless we get Dominicas’ agricultural crops internationally certified , we are going nowhere ….we will just be known as the Dasheen boys down south!
      So much more to say, but this government is wearing me out!

      • Me
        November 23, 2017

        We can’t even get Skerrit certified, never mind the crops!

  14. Man DOES lie wii
    November 21, 2017

    Boy that address of PM about his 5 pillars projects of priority, reminds me of the brain behind what I once read on “MY Dominica Trade House” about Hospitals and Medical Services That Never Existed in Dominica, with Dr. Mary 1, Dr. Mary2, Dr. Mary3, Dr. Mary 4 and Dr. Mary 5. I am not suggesting that PM was that person, or a business associate. or a friend of that individual because Pm told us in no uncertain terms that it was a GENTLEMAN from Malaysia who became a citizen of Dominica and the “guy feels so passionately about Dominica, so he uses his own money to pay staff and to pay researchers to help promote Dominica.” “All the guy is doing is to fetch economic opportunities for our country” https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/controversy-rages-over-my-dominica-trade-house/. By the way PM we still waiting on you to tell us about this Malaysian guy ok. But just as everything on the website was misleading so to was Skerrits address. PM what U FETCHING today?

    • Man DOES lie wii
      November 21, 2017

      When the “Gentleman” behind the “My Dominica Trade House” told the world about hospitals and Medical Services that we in Dominica had never heard of because the NEVER Existed, we knew it was a BIG FAT lie! Similarly PM goes to New York and tells CARICOM-UN High-Level Pledging Conference of the UN, about his 5 priority projects, but he NEVER discussed with us or mentioned to us; in fact I bet he never discussed with the Parliamentary opposition or his own cabinet. So like his Malaysian gentleman friend, it seems to me that the way “to fetch economic opportunities for our country…”, is to ignore the people at home and just go to the UN or create a website to lie about things that not existing man. But PM, we still waiting on you to tell us who that gentleman was and where is this gentleman today. It sure couldn’t be Monfared because Monfared was a wanted fugitive and was an IRANIAN and NOT Malaysian. so tell us the truth Mr. PM, we beg of you

  15. Mahaut
    November 21, 2017

    The Honorable Lennox Linton was also there and gave a good account of himself.

    • NY
      November 22, 2017

      DNO , do you have any information about Lennox presence at the Donors Conference in NY? Fair and Balance is the way to go. The earth has enlightened.

    • Emile Dominique
      November 22, 2017

      What did he say, please tell us so we can see if this was a good account.

  16. My name
    November 21, 2017

    Fed up! Same story all the time. Change is a must.

  17. Dowad
    November 21, 2017

    I don’t think any donor country or organization is listening to crooked Skerit. He and his bunch of fools have proven to be grossly incompetent in managing or they are just obviously fleeslng the country.
    I really do think Skerit should pack up and just go .

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      November 21, 2017

      The word is fleecing!

      And that implies the striping of money, or  property by fraud or extortion, or charge excessively for goods or  service to the country, individual, or company!

  18. UK Dominican
    November 21, 2017

    Typical of the man to let himself be presented as Dr. Skerrit. This is a no-no if you have a an honorary title. It is just plain bad manners but typical of a man who craves recognition. I doubt anyone will tell him off about this but people with real class will have noticed. It is simply embarrassing and speaks of poor judgement and lack of understanding of protocol.

    • lasspalay
      November 21, 2017

      OH my. Someone should tell him not to use the Dr officially. Someone…any one?

    • November 21, 2017

      This guy go out there using that honorary doctor title ?Oh my i do hope the outside world didn’t notice.

    • Emile Dominique
      November 22, 2017

      DNO, could you explain the protocol of an honorary title. Why was Dr Eric Williams called doctor. Why is Dr Ted Honeychurch called doctor. How can having an honorary title be an embarrassment. Maybe you can educate us about this.

      • Titiwi
        November 23, 2017

        This is a good question Emile. A simple search of Wikipedia will tell you that , by convention recipients of an honorary doctorate do not use the title Dr. in their correspondence. Hilary Clinton has at least ten honorary doctorates bestowed upon her, including one from Yale but never once do you see her call herself Dr. Clinton. It is just bad form to do so and, quite frankly looks cheap. Dr. Williams received his Ph.D. from Oxford University in 1938 for his thesis “The economic aspect of the West Indian slave trade and slavery”. and I believe that our own Lennox Honeychurch also studied at Oxford for his doctorate in addition to receiving an honorary one from our own UWI in 2012.

  19. Dominican
    November 21, 2017

    I’m sorry but this Dominican has decided not to spend one more penny in investments in Dominica as long as this regime remains in power. I’ve lost enough already. This has nothing to do with the political orientation of Mr. Skerrit’s regime but its untrustworthiness. I just can’t risk it.

    • Original Mahaut Man
      November 22, 2017

      Dominica doesn’t belong to Skerrit and the Labor party,it belongs to we Dominicans.Government comes and they go so what ever you do for the country you are not doing it for the government.So stop al the NEGETIVITY.

  20. Jacinta
    November 21, 2017

    Great Job PM ROOSEVELT, we know you can do it with GOD’S help.
    Praying for you.

    • Me
      November 21, 2017

      Yes Jacinta, keep praying. He needs it.

  21. GrandFondPM
    November 21, 2017

    Excellent plan of action. Let the implementaion phase BEGIN

    • Paul Rossnof
      November 21, 2017

      Yep, excellent plan and a lot of wishful thinking as per usual. May I ask the PM where is all the money supposed to come from to finance what you laid out in your pie in the sky speech. Skerrit, seriously, where are you planning or hoping to get this kind of money from? Please enlighten me! Private investors I hear you mention a few times… Who exactly are you thinking of? Nobody is gonna invest in a place without future or even a place that’s bankrupt already. Or, by any chance are you thinking of stepping up the sales of passports? Have you ever calculated how many passports you would have to sell to get only a fraction of the money needed? So Mr. PM tell me, have you just had a dream… OR are you trying to fool people again? Well, not me… I can add up 2+2! I probably get plenty of thumbs down for this, but frankly I do not have much hope for Dominica and it’s people in particular not with Skerrit and his clowns in charge.

      • November 21, 2017

        @paul Rossnof? Well said. Lol That Doctor is dreaming, Hopefully someone wake him up from that dream ???

      • Chang
        November 22, 2017

        of course its all PR stunt and marketing hype. The truth is that the post hurricane looting killed the island’s economy and drew the remnants of functioning businesses out of Dominica. No way Dominica economy can be restored because:
        1) there is a massive immigration and the most well off and productive people already left or leaving
        2) Dominica doesn’t produce anything and tourism was always very weak
        3) Foreign business has no any logical reason to come to Dominica: business climate and red-tape are terrible, the governmental agencies are populated by a bunch of clowns without any regards to a reality, natural resources are limited etc
        4) Services sector is dying and largely dominated by a local monopolies or duopolies

        The only reason Dominica is alive is a foreign aid and it will stop flowing in. The only way is a massive reforms (business regulations, taxes etc) and complete reboot of the economy

      • Breathe
        November 22, 2017

        Don’t be afraid to dream big. State your vision – your end goal, your high-level impact – and then mobilize the resources to execute the plan and achieve the vision.

        We will not get anywhere if we focus on our limitations. Dominica deserves development as much as other countries. So dream big, Mr PM.

      • Emile Dominique
        November 22, 2017

        Paul why do you hate Dominica so much. Are you a Dominican or simple just a hater. You know the plantation masters use to say “when a man is down keep him down and kick him.” So why are you kicking Dominicans.

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