PM Skerrit to go on CBI damage control trip

Skerrit said the CBI Program has been attacked by the opposition. File photo

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that he plans to visit a number of countries around the world to reassure potential stakeholders of the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) program because of what he said is criticism by the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP).

The Prime Minister made the announcement while addressing a Town Hall Meeting held at the Baracoon Building in Roseau on Thursday evening.

“As you know bad news travel further than good news and we now have to spend monies to do damage control that Lennox Linton and the worker’s party has caused,” he said. “And I have to embark very soon on a number of visits across the world to meet with the stakeholders who are involved in the CBI program to reassure them of the government’s program.”

Skerrit said there is a calculated attack on the CBI Program by the UWP leadership which financed by people external to Dominica, “who do not have any other interest here in Dominica or in Marigot or anywhere else in Dominica, who are seeking to destroy the country and destroy the CBI.”

He said that the UWP campaign will have a negative impact on the revenue coming from the CBI program.

“As a matter of fact, I now have to recalculate the amount of money that I intended to give to the manufacturer’s association because I have to now project less from what I am going to raise from the CBI because of this attack on the CBS programme by Lennox Linton…,” he stated.

The UWP has always said it support the island’s CBI Program but is concerned that there is a lack of transparency and accountability.

At a press conference in January 2017, Linton said the party is “concerned that the program has been mismanaged and corrupted to become primarily a source of Labour Party election campaign financing and wealth creation for a select few people, while millions promised to national development in constituencies like Marigot, remain unspent.”

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67 Comments

  1. jobe
    March 20, 2017

    is the pm the only person that can travel to take care of businesses like these, is he the only well grammered person in his party ? i guess nothing happening in dominica so he dont really nave to be around

  2. Scampy
    March 20, 2017

    Stop complaining! Get on Twitter NOW and spread the word about Mooshay Skerrit and his lies. His government apologists are very busy on Twitter these days. Beat them at their own game my friends. We are sons and daughters of the Kalinago who were NEVER defeated, or made slaves.

  3. Sammy
    March 20, 2017

    Like really, if you know, you guys are not doing anything wrong, why damage control? Dominicans are to gullible

  4. Just Me
    March 19, 2017

    Careful you doh get caught in the web of lies that you created Roosevelt Son of Chi Chi.

    Your time is coming to an end. Blame Lennox for YOUR policy. Le the prayers continue … day par lay season continues.

  5. only time will tell
    March 19, 2017

    as always for all of us only time will tell my brother I think some of the people in Dominica you think that a your friends a not your friends they only care about what you can give them I do hope they stick on your side when the time come

  6. Let The Truth Be Told - Original
    March 18, 2017

    There are many more Dominica traitors than I thought; non-caring ones who take an interest in their country for its enhancement. Note their comments.
    This is no compliment for Lennox as some assume. Lennox has badly damaged his country and its progress. He is the first traitor, the leader of same.
    What will it take for God to punish you people, when and how? Your hateful words already condemned you.

    • knowledgeable
      March 20, 2017

      You idiot Skeritt want someone to clean his dog house. Just advertising that job.

  7. The truth
    March 18, 2017

    Short your dam mouth you only want to hide the rest of Dominica money which damage control? Lenox is the man for you

  8. Hope
    March 18, 2017

    Sir, who caused the damage ? I would like to know , my answer is yourself and those people who hold out Diplomatic Passports for their malicious deeds.
    Please think it over, if so be the case you need to apologize to Mr. Linton and the opposition .
    Now , what I see, you should just resign . We concerned Dominicans need better than that.

  9. Garvey
    March 18, 2017

    Skerrit stop trying to shift focus and place blame where it belongs and that is{ YOU.}economy bad, you have yet to create jobs that would be an alternative to CBI. Create an economy and stop being reactionary,the people are waking up and you are asleep.

  10. The Eel
    March 18, 2017

    When you are big say you. Enjoy Mr. PM this is the result for hard workk.Deceased Linton cannot come with you. Let him stay behind and watch whilst the boss is away. We got them covered 18-3

  11. Papa Dom
    March 18, 2017

    So each time skerrit is called out on his wrong doing and he chooses to spend/waste money to correct his mistake he blames the UWP for causing him to spend that money rather than put it to more productive use. How long are Dominicans going to accept that nonsense talk from this Child? He takes no responsibility for his actions, shows no remorse and constantly shows arrogance. Skerrit if you do things by the book then no one will have cause to blame you when things don’t go well. Look you have employed a firm to do physicality on international airport but we have no clue as to what exactly was the brief given to those people. So when you get critiqued for doing nonsense and have to spend additional money please don’t blame UWP, grow up boy, be a man, you are a father of 3.

  12. March 18, 2017

    Pm doing a great job and must be commended for the progress made in Dominica.

  13. March 18, 2017

    My people I am a Dominican living in Berlin,Germany and employed at the German Diplomatic Mission as a personal security to Ambassador to Dubai,I was refused employment by Roosevelt skerritt only because I supported the UWP,many of us would love to be back home but due to the corrupt system in Dominica of which I among many others has refused to be a part of,we are forced to seek life elsewhere.It really hurt my feeling alot when I still see that the PM is trying to use psychology on the people of Dominica with a deliberate intention to fool them and mislead them.People Dominica is in shambles ,many European countries are looking at what is going on in Dominica very very closely especially Great Britain,it is now being considered as to whether Dominica should continue to be a member of the commonwealth which would totally finish the work that the PM is currently doing to Dominica. He will not tell the nation this,because so many Dominicans are helping their families in England.SHAME..

  14. Who cares
    March 17, 2017

    Well if Mohamed cannot get to the mountain ,the mountain must come to get Mohamed.
    Banks blocking incoming money , so in. Other to scrape what is still available , direct passport sale will maybe be the best option ,and bring it back in breifecase ,because we in set my self up mode and forget about other citizens.
    Save what I can ,take what I can , grab what I can. And enjoy what I can before everything done.
    You cant blame him.
    The story out ,bad name out , and well that’s all you business , I well fix when I leave

  15. truth , shall set you free
    March 17, 2017

    willy , you really needs to be free, Someone”’Please free willy

  16. %
    March 17, 2017

    We can safely substitute the word “embarrassment” in the english dictionary with “”Skerrit””..Skerrit is a national embarrassment!

  17. %
    March 17, 2017

    While the CBI is so tainted,and could end at any time,Skerrit is doing damage control in all villages on island by giving out money..What a waste of resources,by a clueless gang.

  18. will
    March 17, 2017

    No Mr Prime Minister, it’s not because of what UWP said or have been saying or have said, this is so because we failed to sue CBS for the so called lies and slander of our country, it’s because we failed to have an air tight program and it’s because we failed to do enough due diligence processes on 6 unworthy diplomats and then air them out to dry when they get in trouble. Our bought citizens wants to know if something happens to them if we will suddenly disclaim them as citizens and they will lose their investment. That’s why you need to do damage control

  19. The Thinker
    March 17, 2017

    A list of the countries to be visited should be made public.?

  20. IFF I WUZ PARRY
    March 17, 2017

    I would tell Skeritt to stay home and try to bring a solution to the freezing of salaries his Government is proposing to the public service. He should tell Skeritt what has been done is already been done, going out their with any kind of damage control will be opening out himself to many unanswered questions.

  21. Doc. Love
    March 17, 2017

    What damage control is he trying to fool Dominicans about. The only damage control that can be effective is to resign as Prime Minister. Is he going to CBS news and apologize for all what he said about them after they aired the story concerning the CBI program. Is he going to fire all the rogues who is presently holding Dominica’s diplomatic passport. Is he going to declare to the banks the names of all the people whose due diligence were compromised. Is he going to tell the rest of the world that immediately, the alleged selling of Dominica’s diplomatic passports are going to stop. Is he going to have a press conference with CBS. Is he going to assist the US government and the Iranian Government during their investigations of Madueke, Lap Seng and Monfared. Is he going to come clean with the rest of the world concerning the alleged sanction busting and old tankers carrying Dominica’s flag. If he is serious, it has to be a Dominica thing, not a one man thing.

  22. Dominica
    March 17, 2017

    If the PM had spoken to CBS and gave an account on the due diligence of the program, he would not have to be dealing with consultants for damage control. Instead you treated CBS like you treat the citipzens who voted for you, with contempt and disrespect. Only time will tell with your self serving attitude sir. One day you will wish that you answered us. But it will be just too late for you. I will continue to pray for you, since you are a danger to yourself. Best wishes.

  23. Anansi
    March 17, 2017

    Well Skerrit you may as well just charter a non stop flight around the world. You see, Linton is not the so-called damage cause to the CBI program. Even without Lennox, the Economic Citizenship program continues to fall under heavier scrutiny. How are you going to handle continuous investigations by Copley, Ridjock and the like? How are you going to handle other networks’ prime time shows investigating Cash for Passport deals? We’re not only talkling CBS, but CNN, and soon to come Fox News. Awa Skerrit, do like your rich friends in Dubai and move your office onboard a 767.

  24. %
    March 17, 2017

    Why is it that, YOU SKERRIT damaged the programme,and YOU YOURSELF want to do damage control??Do you have the ability?Are you going to IRAN to beg pardon for the criminal MONFARED,who resided at MORNE DANIEL?..Are you going to plead on behalf of NGLapseng,or to Nigeria to plead on behalf of Madueke?Your LIES that Dominicas CBI was clean and above board are now coming home to roost..Man you are such a DISGRACE,and a DISGRACEFUL leader.Let me compliment LLL,Leader Lennox Linton,for educating Dominicans on the extent to which the DLP gang have tarnished Dominicas name,with a VERY GOOD programme that was CORRUPTLY MANAGED,because of GREED,,,,VO WAS IT TAY!!!Never give a “vowas” to share food.He SHALL take all!SKERRIT MUST GO!SKERRIT MUST GO!!SKERRIT MUST GO!!

  25. Kali
    March 17, 2017

    Wow wow wow…you see how it all comes together? Questions are raised as to the whereabouts and spending of CBI dollars, so the PM and his cabinet embark on an island-wide blitz announcing projects to be funded with CBI dollars. Then, a few short months later (and likely before much, if any of that money is spent on those projects), he announces that he is now “forced” to fund this globetrotting expedition and “lower revenue projections”, which will of course translate into the postponement and likely eventual cancellation of said projects. The end result – the people of Dominica are no closer to seeing the benefits of the CBI money than they were before, and Skerrit et al have a convenient scapegoat (aka UWP) to blame it on. That is nothing short of diabolical brilliance. If that brainpower were directed towards nation building, we’d rival…

    • Jon Jones
      March 18, 2017

      One thing you can count on is Skerrit’s bank balance growing everyday. No low revenue forecast there.
      How can a man on a modest prime minister salary have accumulated such wealth beyond the means of his earnings, yet the country is so poor?
      If CBI is doing so well then why arent the records available? Why no response to 60 minutes?
      Why are diplomatic appointments secretive?

  26. Eat Rocks.
    March 17, 2017

    He is going to see how he secure the rest …… But he is under the microscope now so he better be careful.

    • dee
      March 17, 2017

      Damage Control Trip : DCT

      All finances for that trip should come from ones own wages .
      lets see how world wide it would be .
      i sure it would only be a Vielle Case trip .

  27. Do Not Say You Did Not Know
    March 17, 2017

    Dominicans do not be fooled by Tony Astaphan and his puppet. You are paying $90,000 per month USD to a marketing firm to lie to the world about protecting the good name of Dominica; the same good name that you destroyed by appointing …. all over the world to represent Dominica until they in the hands of police and in jail.

    Where all the CBI money?

    1. Marigot hospital closed.
    2. Portsmouth police station falling down
    3. Bailey bridge on coastal road washed away
    4. You cannot pay police
    5. You cannot pay public servants

    Yet every day you handing out money for cronies.

    Who hid Monfared at Morne Daniel? The people want to hear about that. We dont want to hear lies. Now you on trip around the world for more money when all the money you got, we don’t see:

    1. one factory built
    2. one model farm
    3. no jobs

    Boy, move there and take your rotten regretful cabaret with…

  28. March 17, 2017

    So you have to travel over seas every week for some stupid reason that you just make up cus you are not obligated to no one , just using the tax people money no wonder they say Dominica is on remote control, but nothing last for ever ,ask the ones before you, kadafi Duvalier ,excetra.

  29. LifeandDeath
    March 17, 2017

    “As you know bad news travel further than good news….”, Go figure, is that a pun that Skerrit travels farther than Lennox Linton?

    Hardly two good weeks in the country..

  30. I want to know
    March 17, 2017

    I want to know if part of the damage control trips will take Skerrit to the USA, the UK or to Iran, and if so when will he be going to each of the mentioned countries and, if he will have to meet with any of the investigating firms of any of the countries? DNO, I am simply asking because I want to know

    • Aliko
      March 17, 2017

      He may go to Nigeria and explain that their oil minister he appointed was a genuine gesture of help from a fellow commonwealth member and that he only did that out of the goodness of his heart?

    • Jon Jones
      March 18, 2017

      His UK visits tend to be only for DLP supporters as no one else is made aware of his presence. They tend to be the ones who get a ticket to Dominica around election time. Not everyone in the UK is privy to this so it is very hush hush.

  31. March 17, 2017

    Here we go again, closing the barn door after the horses are out, if there was transparency from the start there would be no reason for damage control sir, you owe that to the people, and that is what Linton is saying, you had an opportunity to say it on 60 minutes and you was to scared, so now deal with , an other neglected opportunity of your, and your cabinet sir.

  32. Thomian
    March 17, 2017

    Mr Skerritt we are not dump as you and your party may think. Listening to the Opposition for the past months concerning the CBI Program, all the Opposition is requesting from your party where the CBI is concerned is transparency and accountability.

    Stop play politics and talking about damage control.

    OMG…..when will thi end

  33. Clinging on to power
    March 17, 2017

    Mr. Skerrit

    Does the name Alireza Monfared even ring a bell???

  34. Floridian Diaspora
    March 17, 2017

    Boy that skeritt is one clever guy!!! Or at least he thinks he is. What an opportunist!!! He sees a chance to take a holiday and he Sanchez it. None of these trips can be referred as necessary or official business. Like I said it’s vacationing. Just like he created vast unemployment then used nep to try to fix it leaving those fools at his feet singing him songs of praises for giving them temporary jobs, he created this nep mess then uses Lord Linton’s factual discoveries as an excuse for traveling. Long live in d the well vacationed pm. Long lived the hundreds of US dollars he gets per day for being out of the coutry. By now this wildebeest should have racked up enough air miles to take at least 50 trips for free. Go ahead clever guy, Let them sarcway sir sort continue to praise you

  35. Erasmus B. Black
    March 17, 2017

    The only kind of damage control needed now is the one that starts with launching an investigation to determine how so many alleged rogues ended with Dominica passports and how so many “Ambassadors of Shame” were appointed. The next step in the damage control should be focusing on the due diligence methods and making the program itself more transparent. Perhaps Dear Leader should follow the example of Antigua and implement new diplomatic passport guidelines and have a policy for the appointment of ambassadors. Using the same old playbook is nothing but a political stunt.

  36. jonathan st jean
    March 17, 2017

    Stop it Skerritt.You damaged CBI by running away from CBS when contacted to defend CBI.The UWP has always said it supports the CBI.The Antiguan Prime Minister was on CBS defending the CBI where were you.Now some banks won’t accept the CBI money,so who do you want to blame for that too.I wish you would’ve been traveling as much to support the export sector but after 17 years all you did for Dominica is beg for assistance,sell our birthright and tax the Dominican citizens to high heaven.Tourist arrivals are down, exports are almost none existent,air access is a nightmare, agriculture is crying . Unemployment is rampant.The only thing flourishing under your tenure is giving handouts, more cultural activities so people can drown their sorrows by drinking more alcohol,Yet all you do is more and more traveling out of the country

    • No name
      March 18, 2017

      Well said

  37. Anonymous
    March 17, 2017

    Will foreign-affairs Francine Baron go with him? Maybe she could get more cheques for charities in London?

  38. no justice, no peace
    March 17, 2017

    and you fool the fools, You lying boy, You cannot go no where, i want to challenge you ,to take pictures of you out there , prove us wrong

  39. Link
    March 17, 2017
  40. FORKIT
    March 17, 2017

    OMG…

  41. Anthony Ismael
    March 17, 2017

    I spoke too soon in my other responses. Just when I thought the boys were taking a much needed break from the usual jollies, there goes Mr. PM announcing more expanded jollies on the backs of the tax payers. I guess the thrill of camel rides in Dubai is over now and it’s time to bring the Discovery Channel back to life and create new experiences and new memories.

  42. LuCClu
    March 17, 2017

    Aye my boy is a ah spin doctor extraordinaire!! Vacation on taxpayers money SMH!! Then blame UWP for the reason, that’s a classic!! !

  43. Din-din
    March 17, 2017

    Please, please resign Skerrit. Why is the PM of St. Vincent not involved in that passport thing for his country? He is smarter than you 10 times.

  44. John Jay
    March 17, 2017

    You not behaving young man. You playing macho

  45. Hide & Seek
    March 17, 2017

    Yes Skerrit, you MUST go on damage control trip to tell the people that it was Lennox Linton that SOLD a Diplomatic Passport to Mr. Aliereza Monfared according to http://curacaochronicle.com/region/dominica-diplomat-arrested-in-billion-dollar-embezzlement-scheme/. Tell them Mr. Linton as hiding Monfared in Dominica for 6 months

    Tell them it was Linton and UWP that sold a Diplomatic passport to a woman that was charged with corruption and was trying to run to Dominica to hide : https://qz.com/880155/nigerias-ex-oil-minister-will-have-to-give-up-153-million-in-stolen-cash/

    Be sure to tell the Lennox Linto was the one in photo with NG Lap Seng, a day before Erika, and two weeks before he was arrested in New York http://thedominican.net/2015/10/seng-skerrit-in-dominica.html

    Tell them it is UWP and Linton that sold a diplomatic passport to http://curacaochronicle.com/judicial/francesco-corallo-bought-his-diplomatic-passport/

    Tell them is because of these deals Linton forced u…

  46. Titiwi
    March 17, 2017

    How disingenuous can one get? Roosevelt Skerrit’s obsession with Lennox Linton is insane and borders on the pathological. Everybody knows that it was not Lennox Linton, who procured diplomatic passports for non-existing positions to internationally dubious characters . It is not Lennox Linton, who caused the banks to refuse to handle suspect money but the Govt. inability to provide plausible sources of untainted revenue That is what he needs to address, not trying to talk good what has been so disastrous for us. With regard to the CBI programme I have never heard the opposition say that we should not support it. Indeed, the previous government ran it themselves. What mr. Linton has been demanding is transparency and accountability, that’s all. Mr. Skerrit can dress a pig in a three piece Armani suit but to everybody it still is a pig., albeit a fancy one.

  47. jihan
    March 17, 2017

    Go ahead and keep fooling the damn fools.you cant pay the civil servants but you can travel around the world,you will not stay in power forever,you will come to past.

  48. Extremely
    March 17, 2017

    And of course domi – in – cans will pay for it

  49. March 17, 2017

    Dominicans play over and over the 2017 Calypso for Sye because the answer is in there, so don\’t allow yourselves to be had.

  50. March 17, 2017

    Dominicans play over and over the 2017 Calypso for Sye because the answer is in there, so don’t allow yourselves to be had.

  51. Look It
    March 17, 2017

    Mr Prime Minister if it wasn’t for Lennox and the UWP, we the Dominican public would have absolutely no idea how important CBI is to the economic boat of Dominica, which is sinking by the way. It is only after the talk of CBI moneys being mismanaged did we see CBI being used to fund things in Dominica…. NOT EVEN LABOURITES CAN DENY THIS.

    For all we cared it was Petro Caribe money that was being used, since that’s all you spoke about… AND THE QUESTION IS, WHY?
    WHY DID YOU KEEP THE VAST AMOUNT OF EARNING OF CBI FROM US DOMINICANS?

    btw it makes absolutely no sense that you have to go around the globe to restore the “good name” of the CBI programme… I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER REASON WHY YOU ARE LEAVING DA for, which sounds like an extended period of time.

    OH BTW, GIVE US THE LIST OF PLACES YOU WILL BE GOING TO, TO “RESTORE THE GOOD NAME OF CBI PROGAMME”

  52. Channel 1
    March 17, 2017

    Well Lennox, I find you well powerful papa. Look Roosevelt blaming you AGAIN for something caused by his own incompetence and backwardness.

    Question of the day y’all – How many times a night does Roosevelt see Lennox Linton in his dreams/nightmares?

  53. March 17, 2017

    Well obviously someone has to correct the wrong-doings of Lennox and his power-hungry team

    • %
      March 17, 2017

      Honourable LLL Leader Lennox Linton has not given,and/or sold any diplomatic passport to any crook and/or criminal..

    • Me
      March 17, 2017

      Willy, what can I say, you truly are a Wally and an honourable member of the Flat Earth Society.

    • Locs Girl
      March 17, 2017

      Willy, please put your comments between your legs and scram.

    • Dan is the Man in the Van.
      March 17, 2017

      IDIOT IS YOUR NAME.

    • No name
      March 18, 2017

      Sort, dotish, foolish

    • viewsexpressed
      March 18, 2017

      ….and who is that someone…..? Skerrit….??????
      Then you joking. Would you send a thief to protect your house.? NO!
      Would you send a Vet to monitor your unborn baby..? NO?
      You see, as you rightly say, “Well obviously someone has to correct the wrong-doings of Lennox observed and brought to the public of this power-hungry, corrupt, inept, devious Labour government, A team engaged in the Bobol scandal and the Fertilizer scandal and now the obvious biggest fraud, the passport scandal, selling our birth right and all we are asking for is account for our money.

      Thanks to Hon Lennox Linton and the UWP and patriots all over that Skerrit and his corrupt Labour government Bobol scheme have been brought to light and you all hate Linton for bringing the truth to us. The truth you labour corrupt people cannot deal with. Show me your government, show me ur corrupt labour Party, we tell you followers of this corrupt regime, who you are. Blind followers of an inept Skerrit & corrupt…

    • jonathan st jean
      March 19, 2017

      Come on Willy,you sound like a willy

      • Music Producer
        March 20, 2017

        :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Willie sure does! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

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