Private sector wants closure on widespread looting after Maria

Several businesses were looted and vandalized after Maria

President of the Dominica Business Forum (DBF), Savarin McKenzie has said the private sector will not rest until there is closure to the widespread looting that took place in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Speaking at a symposium on housing and construction on Wednesday, he made another call for a public inquiry into the matter.

“As a private sector organization the DBF will continue to remind the authorities and the population that the treatment given to the private sector enterprises in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria through the looting and vandalism will not disappear until there is some semblance of closure which gives confidence and comfort to private investors to invest in Dominica,” he said.

Following the passage of Maria, many businesses in Roseau and environs were looted and vandalized.

The looting has been described as the ‘human hurricane’ by the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), which said that the private had suffered a major blow and will take some time to rebound.

McKenzie said the private sector’s request is simple.

“There is a need for a public inquiry to find out the failures in the security apparatus which allowed Dominicans to turn on the private sector with such brutality,” he said.

He pointed out that the private sector contributes significantly to the Dominican economy and an enabling environment must be created for private investors.

“So when an investor, foreign or local, makes a conscious decision to invest in Dominica, the enabling environment must be created to ensure that this investment as small or as big as it is, succeeds and is profitable,” McKenzie stated.

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17 Comments

  1. DALover
    January 28, 2018

    Hopeful Dominica investor here…I was concerned about the latent damage caused to a house we are hoping to buy and renovate to stimulate the economy there. Initial looting behavior doesn’t concern me as an investor. What you all went through there was terribly traumatic and our brains are wired for survival. However, the home had one broken window 3 weeks after the hurricane. When I flew there to look at it 2 months post Maria, all 8 of these very large, expensive windows were destroyed. I am a small time entrepreneur who won’t likely make money off of this investment but love your country and its people fiercely; my husband and I feel called to help. I will share the realization of the anger causing that destruction months after the hurricane spooked me a bit. We are trying to work in the costs of added security to our figures to see if we can still afford this investment along with all the repairs. Please remember you are all amazing people of character. Stay strong!

  2. jazz53
    January 27, 2018

    I am not condoning what happened, but this happens all over the world Dominica is not the first place to behave like that! the merchants should get on with their business ,put in their Insurance claim and look ahead for a brighter future, if by chance the police can put names and faces to the looters the should carry out the duties .But don`t talk about merchants or private sector want answers.Everyone needs an answer some way or another!

    • Neverson St jean
      January 28, 2018

      That is false ,it is the duty of the police to protect life and property and they were MIA for too long

  3. TeC
    January 26, 2018

    Mckenzie…. Look Your Answer, Just Listen:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciLQrIrechU

  4. blokay
    January 26, 2018

    But what closure you want again? What you want to hear McKenzie? an apology from the state? what closure you want again? it happened, that time past. now get over it! Insurance will pay those big business people. YOu want the police force to say something about increased security and promise it will never happen again? what closure again you want. You that have to leave that alone wi feller.

    • Paul Rossnof
      January 26, 2018

      It was the duty of the state to prevent this from happening. The government failed the police failed. Heads of each of them need to role. The need to get used to being held accountable. This can not continue.

  5. January 26, 2018

    Unfortunately, I agree with all of you. With one exception: not only the head clowns but also the under clowns must go. NOW!

  6. Paul Rossnof
    January 26, 2018

    Police officers turning into looters doesn’t help either and the rest being known criminals and DLP supporters is the reason Skerrit is not inclined to do something about it. It’s just to close to home for him to risk a detailed investigation.

  7. UDOHREADYET
    January 26, 2018

    youth is the issue… and when youth is an issue good parenting is nowhere to be found. I bet its those same horrible parents that like to blame other people and the government for their children behavior.

  8. Roy
    January 25, 2018

    Looters and most criminals are human beings at their most animalistic. We suppose to be the most superior animals on earth but given a chance some people are no better than chimps.
    Parents and leaders must take the blame for letting feral beings grow up in society.
    Give them a short amnesty to return the stolen goods, then, through good detective work, the government must let it be known that they will relentlessly hunt down looters and bring them to justice.

  9. anonymous2
    January 25, 2018

    The problem is lack of respect and jealousy. The two main things that have brought this country down. Many of the children are not taught morals or ethics because the parents don’t demonstrate them.. They are just turned out in the streets with their r electronic devices to entertain themselves.

  10. January 25, 2018

    The chief of police Mr Cabon need to retire , he promise the people all would be well , and he fail the people, the police force should have been in full battle gear after the hurricane, but the was”snt but anytime there is a protest against skerritte the show up in full battle gears, both skerro ,and Cabon must go.

  11. Neville
    January 25, 2018

    Mr. McKenzie, many people have asked for a public inquiry but the government is not interested in doing so for reason which are known to us all. Having said that we are not in a position to tolerate the inactivity of the government any longer. Now we need to DEMAND a public inquiry and we need to demand an independent one. We can no longer afford Skerrits nonsense, he is at a stage now that he puts the entire country in jeopardy. We have to put him on notice.

  12. Kermit
    January 25, 2018

    I agree with you! All now me that have headache spending all my money for what Dominicans do my business.

  13. jihan
    January 25, 2018

    Mckenzie am against the looting ,but move on.you forget what island your in man,let me remind you dominica,keep on dreaming,a lawless country,what closure are you looking for?wake up!!!!!!! :-d

    • January 26, 2018

      You should have insured your business

  14. Kelzo
    January 25, 2018

    Totally agree with your concerns.

    This country is no longer what it used to be. The problems faced (looting) after the hurricane was based on a latent hate and disregard which was harbored deep in the hearts and minds of those who felt that it was time to “take a foot of all those people that have”. That is the new Dominican mentality. To all those folks who did it, they will tell themselves that it was “ok” because “dem man have a lot”. Sad.

    Fast forward a year later, the private sector has to employ those same irrational folks (young, not-so-old, Blue, Red, Green, etc.) that chop-off the hand that provides more than any government can give. These folks don’t have a clue.

    Sir you are absolutely right!

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