President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin, has objected to the general notion that Italian explorer Christopher Columbus would recognize Dominica if he were to return saying that the government has “improved the lives of our citizens and residents while preserving our pristine and natural endowments.”
He spoke at the opening of Parliament on July 27 during which the 2017/2018 National Budget Address was presented.
He described persons who hold this negative view of the country as having a “sense of cynicism” in saying that Dominica is undeveloped.
“Madam Speaker, Honourable Members, from time to time the views expressed by some that if Christopher Columbus were to return to the Caribbean, that Dominica is the only island he would be able to recognize. Those who expressed that view would so with a sense of cynicism meaning that Dominica has remained virtually undeveloped since the days of Columbus,” he said.
He reminisced on the times where transportation to school in Roseau was by truck, then taking a coastal motorboat from Portsmouth to travel to the capital by sea because of a lack of road communication between Marigot and Roseau, and Portsmouth and Roseau, which took some two and a half hours.
Paralleling those experiences coupled with no electricity and no pipe borne water in most homes in the past, the President said that if Columbus were to actually return now, he would be treated to modern aviation, which would bring his travel time down from 69 days to one day.
“He would fly from Spain to the Dominican Republic, the Hispaniola of his first landfall, and he would do this in eight hours and twenty five minutes instead of the sixty-nine days of his first voyage. From Santo Domingo he would fly to Martinique in four hours and from Martinique to Douglas Charles in twenty- five minutes. He would probably arrive at night to find the airport lit with solar lights. There would be solar lights along the highway to Roseau,” he stated.
In addition to the modern atmosphere that would be re-discovered by the explorer, he said that Columbus would also notice the social development of the Kalinago people who have bettered themselves and found sustainable jobs.
“He would most likely be greeted by a Kalinago Immigration Officer, driven to Roseau by Kalinago taxi driver, received at the Fort Young Hotel by a Kalinago Receptionist, and from the verandah of his waterfront suite at the hotel, contemplate the Caribbean Sea and the largest cruise ship afloat birthed at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth. If he needed medical attention, there would be a Kalinago Doctor and Kalinago nurses at the Princess Margaret Hospital where a $100-million state-of-the-art modern hospital is being constructed,” he said.
He continued, “his legal issues would probably be handled by a Kalinago lawyer, and should he wish to learn English and Economics he would be tutored by a Kalinago lecturer at the new state-of-the-art campus at the Dominica State College.”
President Savarin highlighted several significant developmenst of Dominica with regard to infrastructure.
He noted that if Columbus were to return, he would have been treated to recreational activities at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, enjoy scuba diving and whale watching, and hike the National Trail.
“He would visit the State House and the Financial Center and on Sunday attend mass celebrated by a Kalinago Roman Catholic Priest,” he added.
With these comparisons and evidence of significant change, the President came to the conclusion that Dominica is as developed as “any other island in the Eastern Caribbean.”
“So Madame Speaker, Honorable Members, if Columbus were to return to Dominica today, he would say to the news reporters and the commentators on social media that he had discovered, Madame Speaker, that Dominica was as developed as any other island in the Eastern Caribbean and in some areas even more so,” he said.
He remarked that since Dominica has gained independence, “we have managed our development, and improved the lives of our citizens and residents while preserving our pristine and natural endowments,” which to him, is a “unique achievement” compared to other states that have developed by causing “damage to their natural environment to the lasting regret of most of them.”
when did he set foot on dominica? this is why you people are so ignorant. did honeychurch fool you all.he would have been eaaten alive.ask the french priest who tried it
well said, th Chinese mapped the world between 1421-14 from pole to pole, they mapped Dominica and landed on Guadeloupe, one crew member was killed and they left. Shame Columbus (with a Chinese map, copied by his brother) didn’t land here or there.
Those who say Columbus would recognize Dominica if he returned are implying nothing has changed because there has been no progress. It is sarcasm and meant to belittle whoever they imagine is to blame for a lack of progress caused by their own inactivity.
Dominica is a developing nation not an undeveloped country. Under developed in places where the potential has not been fully realized, yes. But it is also a young nation with a future. Those with a negative mentality, the fault finders, and the critics who have nothing better to do than bad mouth the government and blame the P.M. for everything that goes wrong are the reason for a lack of progress.
This is not the final state of things. Young people are getting their education and realizing what they have to offer. More adults are organizing and putting their talents to work. Change is in the air.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
I think that when people make statement like Dominica would be the only country Columbus would recognized they are talking in terms of the mountains and terrains ……There is no way they could be talking about developments impossible.
Poor countries like Dominica should get rid of this president nonsense, which has a slavery origin. Over $25000. a month, Tax free and all allowances. Living in a palace, while the average Dominican sucking salt? if we want to keep this position there should be a no salary. You should be happy to be living in a palace. And stop this nonsense talk about Columbus. too much wine in that palace.
Flushing toilet: composting toilet is not a sign of underdevelopment. lots of developed countries have composting toilets; till the issue of flushing toilet is dealt with. Where is all that excrement going to/ Is there enough infrastructure to support the “flushing” toilet? Wait till there is another historic rainfall, then we will see what happens with all that “shit”.
Also I heard the Pm mention the use of “cloth” diapers as not “progressive”, not exact words. Check the develop countries, lots of re-usable diapers in use. Don’t fool the people. How are these disposable diapers gotten rid of? In the land fill for about a century? Some countries have banned Styrofoam. Think.
I feel proud of the nature isle and maybe CC will still recognize it if he visits today.Figuratively
While I am in general agreement with what Charles Savarin is saying, I believe he got this section wrong, that “he would be treated to modern aviation, which would bring his travel time down from 69 days to one day.” It is very rare to leave Europe for Dominica and arrive in Dominica within one day! Most people overnight in Barbados and Antigua from Europe to Dominica. Ask LIAT!
With so many major issues affecting Dominica,you mean our President could not find more substantive issue to speak about.It’s a matter of opinion as to wether Columbus would still recognize Dominica. I know you are a figurehead and don’t expect you to criticize the performance of the Skerritt administration,but you can help create a vision and a way forward for the country.President Saverin,be a visionary and play a dignified role as expected of the head of state,but allow rank and file DominicansDominicans to express their opinions without you attacking their expressions in a Democracy.Rise up
Thank you Mr President. Great historical speech. Delivered like a true statesman. Great Job.
I am NOT Columbus and, even I, do not recognize Dominica when I visit. Dominica is so beautiful that I regret the years when I took here for granted. Furthermore, who cares what /who Columbus recognizes? I don’t understand how one can ‘discover” a country when they’d already been inhabited by people.
You got free housing…free transportation..free travel etc…La vie dooo…and so it’s time to talk crapppp….
He’d probably still recognise you though Charles.
I always thought that this reference to Columbus was meant figuratively Mr President. Lol
@ Youth….Its not every one who has your good judgement. Although the reference to Columbus should be used figuratively to describe the natural beauty of the Nature Island, Dominica, There are too many people who make this negatively to insinuate that Dominica is lacking development and is just as primitive as when Columbus arrived in Dominica.
The President should be given credit for the statesmanship he displayed in giving a brilliant historical speech to demonstrate a positive image of Dominica to motivate patriotism and national pride.
You may not like or support him but one should be more objective and fair and congratulate him on a brilliant performance. That speech will go down in history when students will use for historical purposes. I only hope his future speeches will have the same attitude.
What is this man on? That saying was never meant to be negative. As fare as I know it’s a way of saying that the natural environment has remained as pristine and pure as it was in columbus’s day. Putting that utterly stupid statement aside isn’t the position of president supposed to be impartial? Why is this man casmpaigning for the labour party from such a powerful position. Why does this position even exist in 2017.
Agreed, I was taken aback by this article because I’ve never heard the saying meant anything other than very positively. Same with the nickname “Nature Isle”.
Is His Excellency serious? Has he traveled outside of his palace, to the villages to see the misery experienced by the population? Has he seen the throng of citizens at the Red Clinic awaiting handouts from the Prime Minister? Has he not traveled internationally to see how underdeveloped we are compared to other nations? Or is he just a hypocrite?
While I agree that there has been some development, the tooting of horns is premature! We have a pasture for an airport despite the millions spent in renovations/improvements. The much needed infrastructure to promote the Nature Isle we keep referring to is severely lacking. Access to Dominica remains a nightmare yet the government continues to sit on its laurels and hope against all odds that our tourism industry will improve. We keep hearing that five star hotels are being built, to include the Red Roof Inn at Portsmouth.
We have nothing to show the brave souls that make it to our shores. What a shame.
Columbus would be disappointed.
Savarin is well resided in the corrupt palace and lavishly enjoying himself, it is our tax money while the poor destitute and sick are struggling and have their hands out begging for hep created by this inept Skerrit and his corrupt labour government feeing nice boy. How hypocritical. Please do not give any credence to Savarins speech or whatever it is. . He is known as someone the pubic take no serious notice of, sitting in a big while place with states money.
Savarin, we do not need you, you are a big liabiity
I’m not going to bother myself with the comments of the President for the statement that the President took umbrage with was not meant literally but was instead a figurative criticism. I want to turn my attention to something that irks me. The vestiges of slavery and colonialism are still rife today. Instead of renaming the Princess Margaret Hospital in honor of a local doctor or nurse who gave yeoman service in Health Care we still hold fast to colonial names and traditions. The Speaker of Parliament encouraging ladies to wear hats to parliament today clearly shows she is irrevocably stuck in the past. Time for us to cherish and BIG UP our own.
……….. What have you done to improve Dominica? It is the time that you leave this position; a position which appears like your sole property , for another person who has a better idea than you to develop Dominica so that Columbus will recognize Dominica after his resurrection.
After the dashing we get from Erika, anyone who don’t see or notice the improvements, can either be a robot or scatter brain. Person with no love has no soul, so stay with your stress. DOMINICA is the big apple of the Caribbean. As you well know ,I cannot always believe in what you read, visit our shores and see for yourself, You wouldn’t believe a Country like this existed. So much to see, so much to do, and so much to learn
just amazing. If there is a heaven, Dominica is close to it.So come on down. ENJOY.
Thank you PI Robot. Stay in your political cage. The improvements are all in the bank accounts of greedy politicians and stooges. Wake up, wake up smell the corrupt coffee from the CBI machine
What is this guy’s purpose again? In his current role what investments has he brought to Dominica? What projects has he developed in Dominica that is having a positive impact on the people? With all the issues that have been occurring in Dominica lately, how many times have you made interventions bringing differing factions together to tamper down the heat? What do you do ‘Mr. President’ that justifies your expensive maintenance and salary?
Get busy man and earn your compensation instead of coming to the people’s House and throwing fyuh. Of course you going to say Dominica developed when every morning you wake up in a $30 million palace and look at the green lawn.
I say that the post of the President is a ceremonial post that the people of Dominica cannot afford. It should be done away with, period!
He is well ensconsed on his chair,while thousands of people have to be taken care of by a FAILED DLP gang of ineptitudes.Many cant even buy bread, while the country is plummetting into a second Venezuela.Imagine a PM has to be passing from village to village to giving people money.Dominica is steeped in poverty.All because of bad governance.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
Savarin too…and NOw too.
Pioneer
What is your purpose in Dominica? What other than negativity have you contributed to Dominica and the lives of it’s citizen? What investments have you brought to Dominica? When was the last time you promoted your country abroad or at home. Look in the mirror before you point a finger at someone. Get busy because Dominica need your positive contribution. Stop being jealous and do something for the betterment of your country.
Hahaha lol lol. You killing me there my sista. I always say that the greatest ploy the politicians ever pulled was to convince the people to vote and support against their own interests.
Very well said Mr.President..You also gave a historical lecture on the journey of Columbus…Blessed Love
Did Columbus really discover Dominica?
We need to research
There were already people here when he sailed by, so no.
Undeveloped is developed. The country needs leaders with greater vision and understanding than this or we will simply go the way of the others which is mostly down the toilet. And that would be a flushing toilet, of course, because composting toilets are also features of undeveloped countries, apparently. #novision #tunnelvision #loveconcrete
I was kind of enjoying the article till it mentioned “state of the art hospital”……..now I see what’s wrong with Dominica…..
Real Truth
What is wrong with Dominica? I think I know it is people like you who are so politically blinded.
Such a state of the art hospital that government ministers have to seek their health overseas when they fall ill, Charles Saverin included. I guess the political elite deserve a better standard than the common man., whose only purpose is to vote for a master that that treats him with disdain, say thank you for that and shut up. Right now one of them is in Martinique receiving care, flown out by helicopter. I don’t begrudge him that but all Dominicans deserve the same from a caring government. Charles, you have forgotten where you came from as has your puppeteer Roosevelt. I weep for my country.
Savarin,do you walk around the poor communties and see the houses these people live in,dude you guys are really lost,take a walk down Layla in Grandbay,walk in Senjoe and the ghetto in Roseau just to name a few,you guys live the lavish life and the poor continue to suffer,but the good lord has it in store for all the atrocities you guys commit.
The man even too grand to walk the couple of yards from his State House to the Parliament right next doors. And you want to represent yourself as a man of the people, one of us? Fake news my friend.
Of course what else should you say Mr. Savarin? Just work through the rural villages and see how little economic activity that occurs in the small shops. Also for your information- the CBI $$$$ do not translate and go down into these areas unless the PM makes some big announcement hat he is giving this and that to this project in this constituency ( Economics 101).. That is not economic activity that is politics Sir. So yes admiral Columbus would recognize many parts of Dominica if he were to return.
And by the way don’t you have other more relevant things to talk about than making reference to Columbus? Are you out of touch – maybe…..life must be sweet boy.
A political speech or a presidential speech?.I guess its the former…I STRONGLY AGREE with those who are saying that,since it is constantly reminding us that our governance structure should not be predicated upon PUTTING SQUARE PEGS IN ROUND HOLES.Example this present DLP regime.What will it take for another government to undo their MILLIONS of wrongs,and set the country on a developmental path?Just begin to imagine if it was the brains in the opposition governing our ship of state.I fully agree thst we are primitive in many respect,and those idiots in the DLP do not have the answer.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
go and make him go FOOL!
well well well Dominicans.. that is your president.. YOUR president.. is it not necessary or even too much to ask… or to even entertain the idea that one of the most powerful men in your country, can give people an opening speech, of substance to move Dominica forward? i mean come on… seriously?? this is the best we have to offer?