Govt and Secret Bay Residences sign contract for development of Secret Bay

Secret Bay

The Government of Dominica and Secret Bay Residences (SBR) have signed a contract for the development of Secret Bay Resort under the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programme.

The contract was signed during a special ceremony held at Ti-Bay in Portsmouth on Monday.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said, while addressing the ceremony, that following completion, 120 Dominicans will be employed at the resort.

“The project comprises of 42 villas and at the end of completion will provide direct, permanent, sustainable employment for 120 Dominicans,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the project would succeed, “and we are going to see one of the best resorts in the western hemisphere here in Dominica.”

He stated, “We are not here to simply sign a document that will stay in a filing cabinet in the government and will stay on the coffee table…”

Skerrit added that under the contract, actual commencement of construction will begin within 90 days.

“This is no pie in the sky agreement… this is not a show. It is a practical undertaking between the government of Dominica and Secret Bay Residences,” he said.

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43 Comments

  1. February 21, 2019

    Hello and good morning my people. How can Nassief family qualify for the CBI program funds when it’s for foreigners to invest in our country and subsequently receive citizenship . If you are investing our funds in the private hotel then tell us what percentage of the property will belong to our Government. Don’t we have any private organizations in Dominica that can sue the Government to see the contract of how our money is being used and if it’s being done in the best interest of our citizens. Am a home owner and and I pay taxes therefore I need an accounting of how our funds are being used by this administration .

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      February 21, 2019

      Tony, there is no Citizenship by Investment Program in Dominica you know. What Roosevelt has is the sale of the nation passport, and then give the money away to  his cronies and supporters.

      This is how that is legally conducted: Citizenship-by-investment enables individuals to acquire an additional citizenship by making an exceptional economic contribution to another country. This can be done by successfully completing a citizenship-by-investment program commonly  referred to as immigrant investor program.

      The way that is done in Europe and the United States, one have to deposit  a certain amount of money in a bank start a business which must employ a minimum of 25 people, once the business starts operating citizenship is granted to the investors.

      No money is exchange to obtain a passport; it is not about the sale of an American passport, or a European passport. That program commenced in Ireland around 1962 when citizenship was granted to foreigners with plenty of money who…

  2. Magweh Sa
    February 21, 2019

    Why could we help Garraway, Evergreen and Anchorage get on their feet??? Nassief already fix his place. Really man????

  3. For Love Of Country
    February 20, 2019

    So what about “ROSALIE BAY RESORT” in the Pariah of St David? Wasn’t the resort badly damaged by Hurricane Maria, as well as tropical storm Erma.

  4. RandyX
    February 20, 2019

    People of Dominica, Skerrit is using the CBI money which belongs to all of us to make the already rich and himself even richer. The rest of us get, if we are lucky and make certain promises, a few dollars here and there. This can’t be right, all of you deserve better and you all can stop this injustice in not voting for the DLP. And those members of the DLP would do well to remember that Skerrit is not one little bit interested in the party but he rather uses it at means to his end. Remember he let Ross go without even as much as a little fight, knowing full well that the Ross departure would impact a lot on his most loyal supporters in and around Portsmouth. He did not care and instead he offered you a few empty promises. All I ask you is to think and put one and one together and show him the door in the upcoming election. He pretends to care but his actions show you that he does not. All he cares about is himself!!

  5. Concern dominican
    February 20, 2019

    I find it very interesting to understand why would the PM make such statement. Is he saying they have been keeping document in cupboards and on top of coffee tables in the past. That they want to stop that practice and start on a clean slate.
    He realise his party will be given its marching order by the ppl, yet he can’t help himself but continue with foolish statement.
    Guess the mad man can’t change his tune ehh.
    Worse pm I’m the history of our beloved island.

  6. Liz M
    February 20, 2019

    Translation: Payback for Nassief, political insider. As long as they create employment for the 120 people it is ok investing but who owns it or the returns when done? Yet I think coming from a politician approaching elections it’s more like 60 people, but u got to pay the piper for his political contributions. Ether way we will all benefit in the end.

  7. MBW
    February 20, 2019

    Saying its “no pie in th sky” does not make me trust him or believe him. Too many past promises never materialised. Hmnnn….. yes PM Skerrit, we waiting.

    • Karl Orndem
      February 21, 2019

      Gregor usually does what he says. I believe with or without the governments help, which they will get because of CBI, it will happen.

  8. Braindamage
    February 20, 2019

    We Dominicans are either too wicked or too dottish, to be supporting all the lies from Roosevelt Skerrit.
    The PM has admitted his previous projects were just to Full the fools, but for this project, is business time… Great urgency for him and his partners to remain another 5 years… to continue killing Dominicans softly… 19 years + another 5 years of Hard Labour, it’s time to VOTE them out!

  9. Annon
    February 19, 2019

    Pie in the sky…..by Skerrit. His latest book.

  10. February 19, 2019

    What is it with the double (Dr) PhD that everything he gets involved in cannot be above board; boss you the”government one man” sign a contract i want to believe it’s on behalf of the people of Dominica make it public please; “TRANSPARENCY” show us the $$$$$$$$$ figure, including the under-the-table-deal too; CBI monies is not yours bro, to dish out at your whims and fancies; at least give us the thing on your favorite propaganda radio station.

  11. Massacre
    February 19, 2019

    Mr. Skerroo , can you please open just one hotel first, before you make all these plans and sign all these contracts to open so many projects in the sky? I would really like to see a functioning ONE on the ground, sir!
    And where will all these occupants of these hotels be landing in Da, seeing that they will be coming form the sky! which airport?

  12. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    February 19, 2019

    Although I am no fan of commercial banks, what role are they playing in the continued development of Dominica? How does the Citizenship by Investment affect the bank’s ability to both make loans, receive payments with interest and continue to help spur economic growth? No matter what name we call it, we are an agricultural based economy.

  13. UKDominican
    February 19, 2019

    This implies the development will be financed by the sales of Dominican citizenships. Does this mean that Secret Bay Residencies are government authorised CBI agents in their own right? If not, who of the existing agents will handle these sales for them?

  14. Ma Moe
    February 19, 2019

    The efforts by the government to improve the island’s economy is to be commended, but private sector investment is what creates sustainable jobs and improves a country’s GDP and quality of life. The government should facilitate conditions conducive for doing business, not to be the main employer or investor.

    • DEE
      February 19, 2019

      Ok, should we now believe ,(WE, Dominicans) through the GOVT of Dominica have shares in Secret Bay and Jungle Bay ? Contracts signing , Monies going , Man talking, but where can we see the documents ? at the registry ?
      do we have to wait until ……………….. just like when Ross left to be informed that signed contracts were koshoni .
      weh weh weh , i always believed Govt had serious shares in Ross wee.
      SEE HOW FINGS CALM DOWN EIN .
      DOMINICANS ARE CLASSIC , in a league of their own , unique .

    • Joseph John
      February 19, 2019

      Ma Moe . The private sector is very dormant when comes to investment. In fact what we have is more a retail sector for imported goods. Where the private sector is dormant government have no choice but to take the initiative.
      For example since the 1960’s Dominica was given most favoured nation status for paper. That was the government pursuit to help in the private sector development but what happened…
      In CARICOM we have the same status for oils and fats but what happened.
      Well the government policy is to use tourism as one of the main economic drivers so they must execute initiatives in that regard. That is the boost. Enterprises like Jungle bay ,secret bay and the hotels at Portsmouth are good examples of the execution of government tourist policy. Government have no choice but to take the lead to inspire and motivate the private sector. Citizens should form groups and companies to invest in the hotel industry.

      • Ibo France
        February 21, 2019

        JOseph John, your eagerness to defend this kakistacratic government dims reasoning and objectivity. Governments around the world have divested much of commercial investments to private entities. Governments are not efficient of running commercial entities for a profit. Private persons should invest their own money into the hotel industry. The government can offer incentives such as tax breaks, duty free concessions, long term land leases at reasonable rates, etc.. A good economy depends mostly on jobs generated not by government but by the public sector.

  15. Silent Majority
    February 19, 2019

    I’m no fan of Skerrit but comments on here shows a totall ignorance of how the “Citizenq By Investment” program works.

    Believing that Skerrit is getting personally wealthy from the program is one thing. But please let our comments and criticisms be from an informed position. As citizens we owe to ourselves and our country.

  16. My bad
    February 19, 2019

    It even seems like government and Satan signed a contract and neither government nor Satan keeping to their contact. But I even have more confidence in Satan holding to his part than Skerrit the deceiver

  17. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots
    February 19, 2019

    Promises, promises, promises, international airport, 5 star hotels millions of dollars to be withdrawn from banks in Florida, Cayman islands and Switzerland stashed there by yours truly for his own personal use to be used. Right Ralph, must be election time again. Time to bamboozle the masses again as usual.

  18. Truth be Told
    February 19, 2019

    CBI sale of passports money and hotels, that’s the economy of Dominica today! It’s the only show in town! Everything else dead!

  19. Ibo France
    February 19, 2019

    There is no strategic planning. Things are done in an ad hoc manner. They make it up as they go. Many meaningful projects are started then soon abandoned. Many shiny ornaments are tantalizingly dangled before the eyes of the electorate just before an election. Then, they are abruptly abandoned once the election victory is sealed. This cycle of deception repeats itself whenever the Silly Season commences. This has been a tremendous waste of taxpayers’ scarce money. The foolery should come to a screeching HALT, NOW!!!

  20. Ibo France
    February 19, 2019

    The announcements, projects and empty promises are going to be coming fast and furious. The farcical announcements have worked perfectly well, in the recent past, for Skerrit and the DLP. Here they come again at the start of a new election cycle. The million dollar question is: are you going to allow yourselves to be fooled for the umpteenth time? Skerrit’s tenure as the Prime Minister of Dominica has been fraught with corruption and monumental blunders at the expense of most Dominicans. Only himself, his wife and his errand boys have flourished under his stewardship.

  21. On looker
    February 19, 2019

    So they see it fit to fix the beach, while at the same time refused to fixed some local citizen’s homes. SMH

    • I often wonder
      February 19, 2019

      Well it’s 4 Massa Nassief’s project. and it’s broadcast as : Govt and Secret Bay Residencies sign contract for development of Secret Bay No secret but check this out. Govt and CHINA signs MOU/ contract for Annexing the Commonwealth of DA still a BIG Secret since when??? WE see it fit not t insist in asking what’s in it.
      Should we be getting ready to learn Oriental Mandarin? We already have tangerine & tambrine.

      Do you guys remember Kitchener’s take your meat from me rice.
      We need dem to takeway dem dog meat from we dasheen & Plantains

  22. weh
    February 19, 2019

    The govt should finish other projects first before promising all these new ones just to win votes. What happened to the Moroccan hotel, and the Roseau Rehabilitation project?

    • DE TRUMP
      February 19, 2019

      This is so true.

  23. Ibo France
    February 19, 2019

    I have come to realize a familiar trend with Dr. Dr. Skerrit’s most recent declarations. He now adds a qualifying statement after his announcements. These are very defensive. It shows a conscience preoccupied with concerns of guilt and wrongdoings. Why does he feel compelled to add these words concerning the project? ” This is not pie in the sky agreement…..this is not a show. It is a practical agreement between the government of Dominica and Secret Bay Residences.” He is acutely aware of the public’s perception of his fantastic tales and promises. The international airport, geothermal, replacement for RUSM are just a few blatant lies that readily come to mind. Skerrit is an expert liar and a malignant narcissist.

    • We are in doodoo
      February 19, 2019

      I concur IBO : the short comings here is that he did not learn application in the little psychology he seeks to employ he did not learn well. Deep inside tis guy is an element of fear. He knows he is deficient.
      I will always see Nkomo as an opportunist. This lawyer guy try to push some crack & bull story about double Dr. turning down an offer to Havard to contest VC & serve DA.
      Alick NKomo Lawrence take a …………… Saqway??????

  24. Neville
    February 19, 2019

    The citizens of Dominica demand from Skerrit to see said contract with SBR (read Gregor Nassief). Furthermore, we demand to see the contract with Jungle Bay and we want to know who the owner/owners are of the Kempinski and the other one in Picard. We demand answers and we demand documents.

  25. jamie
    February 19, 2019

    But really,signing of all these resorts over the years,but the never seem to open,smdh,Complete failure on this corrupt regime,Maduro will be out soon,next is you Skerrit.

  26. Looking
    February 19, 2019

    “This is no pie in the sky agreement… this is not a show. It is a practical undertaking between the government of Dominica and Secret Bay Residences,” He said. So can we safely say the other pronouncements were pies in the sky? All hoteliers should benefit though and not those who have been benefiting for the good part of 19 years

  27. Gouvelma
    February 19, 2019

    Tell them again. This is no pie in the sky. The agreement is not going to sit in a cabinet. It is going in the trash bin. Work will begin and hault at the foundation level like the houses for the people of the south east. People this is political and election gimmickry.. Do not be fooled. Time to get rid of the labor party.

    • DE TRUMP
      February 19, 2019

      AND PUT WHO??????

      • Ibo France
        February 19, 2019

        Any other political party can outperform the DLP concoction of inept gluttons. Dominica has hit bottom under the present ruling regime. There is no where to go but up. Voting back the DLP in government is tantamount to self infliction of misery, poverty, pain and hopelessness. The EXIT door for Skerrit and his gang of misfits.

  28. RandyX
    February 19, 2019

    What does the state of Dominica get in return? Don’t tell me just a few jobs. Where are the accounts of the CBI program???

  29. Paul Rossnof
    February 19, 2019

    Skerrit, what is the government of Dominica getting in exchange for investing all this money??? Don’t tell me 120 lousy low paid jobs. Is that really the best you can come up with?? If Gregor wants to expand his business tell him to use his family’s money. We need to stop Skerrit from giving away our CBI money to make him and his friends even richer. Just think, these lousy jobs would have been created anyway if the Nassief would invest their own money. They can’t run this enterprise by themselves. All you stop voting for Skerrit and ask him some serious questions!

    • %
      February 19, 2019

      Do you expect Skerrit to come up with anything better? Does Skerrit look like a thinker to you? Skerrit has no love for the poor,struggling Dominican..He has frittered away hundreds of millions of CBI money,but the poverty and indigency rate keeps increasing. The small businessman is still struggling. While this resot is getting so much,the poor only gets money for his meals at Skerrit’s Red Clinic..What a shame!!!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

    • Joseph John
      February 19, 2019

      There goes the chief antagonist of Skerrit. These hotels are being built in Dominica by Dominicans. Dominicans by birth. Building those “lousy” villas provides all kinds of jobs in the construction sector, plus the 120 in the operation of the hotel(s), plus the add ons like food and farm products. This is called creating job opportunities. This is a far cry from the conditional idea that hotels have to built on Miami type sandy beaches. This is what Thailand and business in the Woodlands, Texas are doing. This is called putting your land resources to work. Have you been to the River Walk or the Guadeloupe River in Texas This is called national investment. But you only know mercenary activities as you are practicing against Skerrit
      you are against Dominica being a tourist and travel destination but we shall overcome.

      • Paul Rossnof
        February 21, 2019

        We all know about the ‘jobs’. What we want to know is, what the state of Dominica gets in return for its investment under the CBI program. Does the state of DA hold shares in this development now? Why doesn’t your master inform the citizens of DA of the contents of the contract. It’s an easy thing to do if there is nothing to hide. It’s the same with the other hotel developments. The bottom line is that the rich of Dominica and Skerrit and his friends are getting richer and the ordinary citizens of DA are getting poorer. But that’s ok for the likes of you as long as you keep getting your little envelope from the Red Clinic. On one side the likes of you complain about ancient slavery but modern slavery administered by your fellow brothers and country man is quiete alright. You and your fellow Skerrit worshippers are hypocrites and characterless individuals

      • Paul Rossnof
        February 21, 2019

        We all know about the ‘jobs’. What we want to know is, what the state of Dominica gets in return for its investment under the CBI program. Does the state of DA hold shares in this development now? Why doesn’t your master inform the citizens of DA of the contents of the contract. It’s an easy thing to do if there is nothing to hide. It’s the same with the other hotel developments. The bottom line is that the rich of Dominica and Skerrit and his friends are getting richer and the ordinary citizens of DA are getting poorer. But that’s ok for the likes of you as long as you keep getting your little envelope from the Red Clinic. On one side the likes of you complain about ancient slavery but modern slavery administered by your fellow brothers and country man is quiete alright. You and your fellow Skerrit worshippers are hypocrites and characterless individuals.

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