Govt secures leased property from Ross; to seek compensation for breach of agreements

Aerial view of Ross University and Picard after Hurricane Maria

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed that the property on which Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) was housed is in fact owned by the state.

In August 2018, the University announced that it was shutting down its operation in Dominica and would be operating in Barbados from January 2019.

RUSM which was based in Portsmouth for the greater part of its for forty-year stay in Dominica, was a huge source of income for the island’s second town.

“We have already stated that the property which housed the Ross Campus belonged to the state as per an agreement between the government of Dominica and Ross University back in 1994. So, we are happy that Ross has come to that understanding,” Skerrit said.

He said this has placed his government in a better position to continue discussions and negotiations with a possible replacement for the departed university.

“Obviously there is a next step in the discussion with Ross in respect to compensation for the breach of the lease agreements and other agreements that we had with them,” Skerrit stated.

He said that will be left to the Attorney General Levi Peter to continue to deal with.

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40 Comments

  1. joe
    December 25, 2018

    dr pm, please show us the evidence so we can shut up

  2. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots.
    December 22, 2018

    Those buildings will make an excellent barracks for a future Chinese or Russian naval base in Portsmouth complements of yours truly his highness and glorious leader.

    • UDOHREADYET
      December 23, 2018

      Are you working for America or Dominica?
      somebody talking sense on whats best for the Island but you choose to talk nonsense as if the government doesn’t have the capacity to know whats best for the state, when in fact it does.
      you have the mindset of a you know what… you living in a fantasy in your head, the reality is whats written in the article.

  3. OBSERVER
    December 22, 2018

    Francisco Dodds and Penny, if you read and understood that the agreement so Ross Campus belonged to the state as per an agreement between the government of Dominica and Ross University back in 1994.
    This was done by a previous administration. Why are you not seeking clarification from persons who were part of that administration?

    • Karl Orndem
      December 23, 2018

      none of which are part of the current opposition

  4. HI FIVE
    December 22, 2018

    While all these comments going in all directions Skerrit going back and forth getting the money for Labour party to win the next election…Thats what important to him now

  5. Ibo France
    December 22, 2018

    The PM has zero credibility left. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth simultaneously. Initially he assured the country that there was no hostility between the government of Dominica and ROSS. Now a court battle of epic proportion is about to ensue over ownership of property. Skerrit and the truth are eternal enemies. The man is very generous and liberal with lies but most economical and conservative with the truth.

  6. Shaka Zulu
    December 21, 2018

    DNO i am dissapointed in you guys a lil and the other media houses. Why can’t you guys interview PM and ask the tough questions. When this all was announced the PM said it was a business decision by Ross and was quite ok. A contract was recently signed so he should have know the conditions. Why now there is a breach. My suspension is that better air access was requested by Ross among other things that is why we saw a shift from we dont need IA to we alone can build IA. After the hurricane Ross realize Dominica will never get an IA. If before hurricane we did not build how the hell we can afford if Dominica was set back 50 years. Ross infrastructure has outgrown Dominica infrastructure and development so they had to move. The PM is not very intelligent enough to understand basic business and leads on insecurities. Portsmouth and the north getting what they vote for. Look at possi on a whole it is Dominica zoo. Surrounded by a mental fence.

  7. Man bites dogs
    December 21, 2018

    When one steps in dogs crap the smell follow them all over the place. This is my Christmas message to the clowns and idiots.

    • Neville
      December 22, 2018

      A person that bites dogs for sure must be stepping in dog crap on an ongoing basis. For that reason the smell around you must be intolerable.

  8. Liz M
    December 21, 2018

    For whom to deal with, did I read this right? Is that the same fella that caused Dominica so far to almost miss the boat on revenue from medical marijuana while all around us have begun to cash in? Nah, that’s a lot of lost revenue for a little island. Whew:-x

    • Karl Orndem
      December 23, 2018

      also failed to advise the pm on the Tommy Lee matter

  9. max
    December 21, 2018

    PM one advise…the AG cannot handle that matter…….I would approach Cara Shillingford for that matter. Awa not the AG PM.

    • Frank N Stein
      December 24, 2018

      All you country bookie we. One little case they give Cara to keep all you quiet al you want to act as if is some accomplished lawyer. The girl still inexperienced. She is doing well, no doubt and I am proud of her but gimme a break man stupes. Gullible people no wonder Skerrit can be doing all that sheet he doing.

  10. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 21, 2018

    “We have already stated that the property which housed the Ross Campus belonged to the state as per an agreement between the government of Dominica and Ross University back in 1994. So, we are happy that Ross has come to that understanding,” 

    If I am not correct, I think I a almost sure that in the quote above is a blatant lie!

    And as such I challenge Roosevelt Skerrit to produce documentary prof of an agreement in which Ross stipulated that if and when the leave Dominica the buildings (campus buildings) they spend their money to build will be forfeited  to the island government.

    This guy believe every is stupid, and only he is smart: There are two sides to a stipulation; which can be written in a simple way: I will do this if you do certain thing!  If you fail to provide such and such a thing I reserve the right to declare the contract “agreement null and void.”

    What did Roosevelt promises and did Dominica promises?

    • ???????????????
      December 21, 2018

      Francisco Francisco. I assure you that something great will happen at the Ross Building! Bet it will happen and I will tag you when it will. Francisco blessings !

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 22, 2018

        What you do not understand is that it is all over for Dominica as long as Roosevelt is prime minister you know. Haven’t you notice that any company operating in Dominica which was foreign own has all left?

        Let me draw to you attention Harris Paint, operating in Dominica for more than fifty years left and bought Lee Win Paint in Antigua, and are now extending it into the United States Virgin islands.

        Colgate Palmolive, which products are sold all over the world has left: Beer Factor left, Clare Water Answering service left Tram Company left. Ross University School of Medicine left. Chines Dragon Windows left they are in Barbados too.

        The Shine Company left and relocate on three other islands in the Windward islands, all left during the tenure of Roosevelt Skerrit, and if you forgot this one or never heard about it there was an American company in Dominica producing sea coral they too left under Roosevelt.

        Why?

        That’s an example for foreign investors to crave Dominica?

      • Karl Orndem
        December 23, 2018

        great for you may be simply mediocre or sub par for me. that what will you say? I am never satisfied? being satisfied also depends on the level of experience and ones expectations. so maybe the real issue is that he cannot satisfy the learned Dominicans. those who have better sense to realize there is too much mediocrity going on.

  11. Alex
    December 21, 2018

    Anyone, any government any lunatic can file a suit, proving in court that your suit warrants being heard or a decision for compensation being rewarded is another thing. You might just loose that suit and the land sir. so stop using technical statements to appease the suffering portsmouth people. And where is the voice of the pal rep for possie anyways?

  12. fan-tuch-yo
    December 21, 2018

    who can remember this SLOGAN: “Patrick gone O.J next Alliance is the answer”

    well! bello, colgate, kubuli, and 10 more too many to mention has gone, what is the answer? passport money!

  13. Neal
    December 21, 2018

    Now I am hearing this property will be used to house Haitians who will be airlifted from Haiti and given passports to vote in the next elections in various constituencies? Will they be transported to the various villages by the SSU?- the men with big guns, masks and tear gas!!!!! What are you hearing?

  14. Fake news
    December 21, 2018

    Just plain BS… Securing keys to the property will not ease the financial burden on the people of Portsmouth. The PM is playing politics. I hope the people of Portsmouth wake up. This government has ruined their lives. The quality of life in Portsmouth will never be the same . If labour win in Portsmouth in this coming general elections, then the people of Portsmouth deserves what ever that comes their way. This fake Dr PM is taking the people of Portsmouth for a laughing joke. This is the biggest blunder that any government has made in the Caribbean in recent memory. Lazy government, incompetent government, corrupt government. 5000.00 SALARY MILLION DOLLARS ASSETS.
    The man is a fraudster PM. He will be jailed. Just look at what happened to Saddam and Qaddafi. Women in Dominica should never vote for this PM.
    The PM is a French man his wife and kids are American citizens. Every time wifey gets plugged by the Pm she flys up to New York to give birth. Women and babies…

    • dd
      December 22, 2018

      @ Elizabeth, really????

  15. Dominican for life
    December 21, 2018

    AT least we can say Thank God for the Dominica freedom party when they were in Government they make sure the property belongs to Dominica. Almighty God can you Please give us a Government like the Freedom Party again..?

    • Yes I
      December 23, 2018

      I agree with that. Can we please get an honest Government like the Freedom Party? Give the new Freedom Party a chance.

  16. Stevenson Bellot
    December 21, 2018

    AT least we can say Thank God for the Dominica freedom party when they were in Government they make sure the property belongs to Dominica. Almighty God can you Please give us a Government like the Freedom Party again..?

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 21, 2018

      Thank god for the property; what are you going to do with it?

      Do you believe any foreign company is going to go do business in Dominica, in this century under these backward conditions. I do not believe anybody in their right mind would spend all the millions of dollars building something if they know it will be forfeited if they decide to cease operation in a country.

      Roosevelt have people like you fooled; ask him what was promised to Ross that the government of Dominica could not deliver which caused Ross to leave?

      Talk is cheap, Roosevelt is one who like to lie!

      Since Dominica is a where they like to write long letters, and publish on DNO and in Newspapers, I am challenging Roosevelt to publish on DNO the complete agreement so that we can see where Ross agreed to forfeit their property if they decided to leave Dominica.

      And show a recent document agreement in writing where Ross came to that understanding!

      • PENNY
        December 21, 2018

        Well said Francisco Telemaque but you know this double doctor will not put out any documents concerning Ross because he lacks accountability and transparency. Also it would make him look bad because They didn’t give Ross what was asked for. It takes forever to get to Dominica who wants to go through that Struggle When you can get to Barbados in no time. Also look at the conditions of the roads in Dominica.

      • ??????????????????
        December 21, 2018

        But Francisco with all your hatred of the PM, it was not he who made the agreement. I know for a fact that when Colgate purchased DCP, there was an agreement that the property would remain if they pulled which they did. So Francisco check the facts and remove that hatred mask so you can think correctly. Mamo back then made sure this was in the contract. Also Mr Nassief made sure that was also in the contract. So you see DCP operating again. Francisco may God give you peace so you can think properly and not awkwardly. Imagine someone like you who profess to be intelligent.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 22, 2018

        Question marks; if you believe any entity operating in a country, within a lease agreement would by any chance stipulate that if they cease operation in that country; any investment they have in Real Property such as buildings, when they leave they would  simply forfeit it to the lessor something would have to be wrong okay!

        So, if Roosevelt is trying to impress the nation that Ross has come to the realization that they agreed to simply forfeit, or seed their property to Roosevelt, he need to publish that part of the stipulation on DON, let us all see it in writing.

        He can’t because he is a damn liar; and if you believe I hate him because I  do not get down on my knees and worship him and praise him, that is a matter for you. I only worship God; the Trinity: God Jehovah, his Sun Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

        Roosevelt is a nobody little yellow belly rat to me!

        I honor only God!

  17. Annon
    December 21, 2018

    A good negotiator would, in addition to this, do the best to maintain a good relationship with Ross’ parent company. You never know where a good relationship with Adtalem can lead for the future; bearing in mind this team has already blew it with their ‘obway’ way of maintaining business with Ross. Food for thought!

  18. Kirsty black
    December 21, 2018

    I am fed up with all the bollocks coming from that man.

    • December 21, 2018

      Sorry, but you can’t shut him up. If the headline was, court awards portsmouth property to Ross you would be happy and jumping for joy.

  19. jamie
    December 21, 2018

    Skerrit breach of what,they are gone and Dominica is in shambles,stop fooling the people.like they will be the ones getting compensated.

  20. %
    December 21, 2018

    It’s only an incompetent,lazy and non caring government that would allow a company contributing so much to a failing economy to exit its shores.What incompetence!
    Reason why Ross left? According to Lisa Wardell the government of Dominica did not have a bias in getting things done to advance education and health.This is the same incompetent gang of numskells who want to bring another foreign business to the compound.It is clear that any other business will leave with greater speed than Ross.These DLP MISLEADERS do not bother about country but their pockets.It is pellucidy clear even to the blind that their candle is all but burnt out.No teargassing of people by their goons,no incoherent garbling by their police Commissioner, no intimidatory tactics shall work.After Skerrit caused Ross to go, don’t let him pick you, that he has or can bring some other bussiness on the site and be praised.Deception!Deception!Deception!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

    • Anon
      December 21, 2018

      Hey Lennox…or who ever, we try to read both sides comments but it’s getting very boring to read your sentences (sense or no sense) that consistently have no space after all your periods. Elementary. Full stop. Space.

      • December 21, 2018

        @Anon, it is not only %, not that I am defending that individual, but most people who write here do not know the format of writing, which is very, very, important in the line of communication.

        So they know nothing about when to use a comma, a semi-colon, question mark, far more so for an exclamation mark. They know nothing about the space after a period; worse about paragraphing.

        So they simply write a pack of words and post it here for us to read–if only they knew how pitiful they are!

      • RandyX
        December 25, 2018

        Liz, we can’t all be as clever as you are. Shame you don’t use all that wisdom in the wrong places. Come to think of it you can’t be that clever because you still have not come to the correct conclusion a far as Skerrit is concerned, 2 + 2 still equals 3

  21. james martin
    December 21, 2018

    Sorry sir ,I don’t believe anything that comes from your mouth.

  22. RandyX
    December 21, 2018

    Levi Peter to deal with it? OMG no more incompetent than this man. I hope Ross University is showing you lot the middle finger. First Skerrit works hard to get rid of Ross and then he wants to sue them for breach of contact. I’m sure that man is loosing it big style. Who does this little man thinks he is?? But some Dominicans still love their PM!

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