Member of parliament for Marigot, Edison James, is of the opinion that having a ceremony for the renaming of the Melville Hall Airport at the airport itself is not a good idea.
The renaming ceremony will be held at the airport on October 27, 2014 and James think the site could pose some serious problems.
“Mr Skerrit plan to move such large numbers of people into the aerodrome area is irresponsible, reckless and constitutes a serious danger to lives of persons gathering at the airport for his renaming ceremony,” he said at a press conference on Monday.
James explained that the access road in and out of Melville Hall Airport is a dead end road, with a single lane in and out.
“In the event of an emergency, the large crowd of people would find themselves trapped between the Melville Hall River, the airport terminal and the airport fence, with only a narrow escape road for both vehicles and pedestrians,” he said. “Such a situation would lead to disaster. This reckless and ill-timed action by Mr. Skerrit, could also have serious safety implications for incoming travelers during the busy Independence season. It could negatively affect flight scheduling into Dominica…”
James stated further that the availability of the Melville Hall Airport to respond to any emergency needs of aircraft flying in the vicinity could be compromised.
He also stated that the Dominican public or the media, “have never been informed of any Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), entailing hazard analysis and functional exercises to prepare for any emergency arising out of the assembling of a massive crowd at the airport.”
“Outside of such a tested AEP, Mr, Skerrit would have to be held accountable for any injury to persons, trauma, or loss of lives, arising out of such reckless purely political activity as bringing thousands of persons into the bottlenecked aerodrome at Melville Hall,” he stated. “Similarly the road leading to Pagua and Melville Hall has been a tremendous hazard to people using that road. We have seen now that they are busy trying to correct errors they have been involved in for the longest while.”
Meantime, outgoing MP for Roseau Central, Norris Prevost, the timing at which prime minister Skerrit Roosevelt chose to rename the airport will hurt the tourism industry.
Prevost said the Dominica Labour Party’s (DLP) objective to increase visitor arrival through night landing at the Melville Hall Airport has failed miserably.
According to him, more visitors arrived at the airport before night landing was introduced. He said for three years before night landing (2007 to 2009), 147,068 visitors arrived at Melville Hall compared to 141,366 for three years after night landing (2010 to 2012).
Prevost also believed that the prime minister is undermining a major cultural event by holding the renaming ceremony of the airport on the same day with Creole in the Park (CITP).
“By placing this activity on the same day as the opening of Creole in the Park, Prime Minister Skerrit is undermining a major cultural tourism and entertainment activity on our national calendar,” Prevost argued.
Recently the prime minister announced that the airport will be renamed the Douglas-Charles Airport in tribute to late prime ministers, Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles.
he believes,not sure, but yet he is making the statement,eddy stop believing something is going to happen,what are you karma,stop that man,before something really happen,the crowd is a reward to marigot,the shops,the small bars,man come on,you are donkeyluss
bite me. lets move on,Skerrit Skerrit Sherrit.the labor party has 18 sits and you all are doing like the PM is the only person in the party.come on it look like you guys wake up with Skerrit on all you mind and go to bed with him on all you mind.to some of you Skerrit name take Gods place in you all life, you all talk, think,sleep,eat and even maybe think of him when all you making love.If I was Skerrit I would no how much am loved. only someone that you are in love with, you think of them so much.
Wasn’t it you and your mad team who advised Dominicans last year not to take part in an Independence activities? And because of your request the Windsor Park Stadium was overflowing with people? How all of a sudden something Independence activities are important? All you really “FOU”
That is so much nonsense.
Deceased Douglas own son don’t want dat airport to be named after his father
skerrit does whatever he wants whenever he wants.
Rubbish edo come again tell us about the crabs
He said nothing about the crabs
what a shame someone who wants to be prime minister
breaking the laws of the land
According to Hunter all of this guys in UWP are mad
dominica, s stick to Labour
To be honest Rossie and Pierre did not do anything for Dominica What about Dame Eugina who served for 15 years and did so much for our ISLAND . Rossie was PM for one year Pierro the same come on my dear PM Be real
the only thing that needs to be done to this airport is the expansion in its entirety , both the runway and the terminal so Dominica could accommodate larger aircrafts on a regular basis i dont see the need of renaming the airport , dont make sense to me
Excuse me the crowd will mean nothing to UWP, leader Linton. You will have to try something else to win Marigot we are Very Educated people and Independent. Please use the money on the Marigot Hospital instead, we are no fools. We are Voting the Saw for Sure
Well said Truth……..DLP in panicky mode and will do anything to hang on to the straw….any straw
CHANGE IS A MUST……TEAM DOMINICA
I WOULD NOT MAKE A BIG DEAL about renaming the airport, it seems that Mr. Skerrit is trying to pacify his consience this looks like someone who is trying to make amends for the wrongs he may have done to decease pierre charles and roosevelt douglas. this may be also a trick on ian douglas.
Someone please help our PM get some conseling.
He act very desperate to come up with such a ridiculious ideas.
Did he consult the family?
Our PM needs quite a long counseling session. Naming an airport After these PMs. Has he discussed that idea with their family?
Can anyone see, he acts like a desperate person.
Someone please help our PM make some sensible decision
Can they provide a good hospital in dominica. All these stupid things they wasting time on. Da needs a good healthcare system. Stop wasting money pn useless garbage.
Typo error on
Mr. Skerrit, naming the Pond Casse Highway after President Liverpool and the airport after Charles and Douglas will not fool us in Grand Bay again and as for Mr. Liverpool what has he done in Grand Bay, his so call village , nothing and very little Grandbarians knows who he is, apart from the old people .
Ask not what your country can do for u but what u can do for yourself.The Govt cannot do everything for every body.
Waypapa cnt wait for election to be over to much maypew.God pls put the right person to run DA.Am so undecided.
Doh worry na Mr James we will name a pit toilet in veille case after you.
agreed
UWPEEEEE and Edison are trembling in their shirt jacks the massive turn out that will be in Marigot will turn heads. Who is Melville and where is Melville we are independent and we have heroes who worked hard to make our county what it is today so Eddy and his Team Marigot can shut up.
Spending over one hundred million dollars to upgrade Melville Hall is ridiculous.
that night landing is just a failure and naming that airport after two prime minister is very disappointing.
Skerrit don’t care he’s like a two year old, he wants what he wants, creating a death trap for the people,if a plane has an accident will the people exit , it’s all about skerritt
What Skeritt knows about safety and security? You forget the man left for a cruise when a hurricane was approaching?
When confronted about this high level of irresponsibility you remember his response?
James has aged.
ok
Taking a shot and my old for Eddo.
Eddo”stated further that the availability of the Melville Hall Airport to respond to any emergency needs of aircraft flying in the vicinity could be compromised.
Ok fine Eddo. what would have it been like if your plans for Al Marsari to mine DA?
Eddo! Continue to sit by the bay in Crane and throw stones in the sea, Keep hoping UWP by a miracle as the last time when it was said by VOA an unknown farmer became P.M in DA. The news will then read: That same unknown farmer who became P,M in 1995 is now waiting to become President of the Comm of Da, Like my friend would say ” In Eddo’s dream which will never come true.
SMDH…Partners u guys sound so pathetic and far reaching regarding your responses and logic/reasonsing…
If you all dont have anything constructive to say…just shut the hell up already!
Jeezzzzzz….PM please call the election so those kind of ppl who have nothing good to sa about Dominica and themselves can shut the *@#$@ up!
And Administrator, why is it that i cant like to dislike a comment on any of my computers? Inquiring minds wanna know?
Talk about HUGE prophets of doom!! Massive crowd?Is James afraid of the massive crowd? As for Prevost his economics is always back to front!!
“By placing this activity on the same day as the opening of Creole in the Park, Prime Minister Skerrit is undermining a major cultural tourism and entertainment activity on our national calendar,” Prevost argued.
Give me a break Mr. Prevost… Do you not remember last Independence your Party advised persons to boycott the Independence celebrations. I want to know what is really wrong with Team Fou Dominica….. SMH
True say Mr. James…Labourites just cannot accept the truth and sound reasoning. Everything for them is a PAPPYSHOW..
Doe worry Eddoe we will build a pit toilet on weirs flat and name it after you.
Mr. Edison James rewards are in heaven waiting on him. He does not need earthly gains.
So according to Skerrit. the only people who contributed to Dominica’s development are DLP stalwarts?
When Skerrit lose the Election, the new government should vacate whatever name Skerrit call Melville Hall, and return it to the original name Melville Hall!
Skerrit’s motive here is devious, and cynical. St. Vincent Argyle International Airport is about to be opened ceremoniously soon.
One will not be surprised if the opening date is the 27th of October 2014. He is so ashamed that Gonzales made a fool out of him; so his intentions are to coincide his renaming of Melville Hall with the opening of St. Vincent Argyle; hoping his Labor Party clones will believe he is declaring that Dominica has an International Airport too, and that’s why he decided renamed it!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
You are a fool.
pure rubbish start again!
thats the dumbest coment on earth lol
The man has a solid point. This is a bit short sighted by the PM. But I guess no one in the cabinet can afford to say otherwise.
people get a life everyone has freedom of speech
How classy!
Does the Marigot fisheries complex have a name?
The Marigot Fisheries Complex!
It should be named after Edison C James.
Oh please what has Edison C James done for Marigot Nothing…………….
Everything the labor administration do is always such a big deal for these opposition people eh. Give it a rest man. Time for election to come and go.
I’m sure Eddison would not object if it was suggested that the Airport be renamed after him. This smacks of sour grapes. My memory of Eddison is that of him travelling the world with more entourage than Prrsident Bush!!! He ran Dominica broke!! He should get into a small but safe boat and sail away towards the sunset.
now there are two situations here. first it looks like Mr James is afraid of the labour party crowd, he is saying the amount of people who are going to be there, I sense fear. second Mr prevost is coming up with undermining the opening of creole in the park. Fellows stop opposing for the sake of oppose and find something constructive to say.!!!!!
It is obvious the figures has dropped due to the world economy and nothing to do with night landing. But it is a shame that LIAT is going to cease night landing – does anyone know why?
Don’t take that serious these guys are propagandists..
There was an article published in the local newspaper regarding the ethical conduct of Mr. Charles. It is in my humble opinion that as a political aspirant for the UWP, an explanation is due to the people, he has to address these allegations so we could move forward.
Mr James was the airport grounds the same site you were planning to have major demonstration an to block the road. Isn’t that the same area you had plan to do that Mr. James. At that time you did not see the danger. U and team Dominica is just a set of wicked pole. Now dno Dats a message for you also. Delete my comment. Wicked pple
@androcles..you are so very very correct..wonder if skerrit really knows what he is really about…celebration the cessation of night landing ..mr head gone
Can this man, Mr. Skeritte do anything right. Not even the air that he breaths is right for you and your ranting and raving pathetic people. Mr. James you have no place in the history of Dominica. How can you convince the people who has chosen to stay neutral that your party is one of love and harmony. Everything the man does is your base of press conference and criticism. Who are you people, who thinks you and your ideas are absolute. After years of no show in parliament both you and Provost has found common ground. Do you take time to listen, you are never too old to learn. Please strive for the betterment of the island. Stop the hatred and animosity. You had your turn, you were a complete disaster Domininicans has rejected you over and over, keep the little respect that they still have for you and do charity work.
Well said gentlemen.Skerrit is battling for his political survial.Tripple L, the novice has more leadership potential than Skerrit by miles.Thats why I want to be called a NOVICE too. I AM VOTING WORKERS.
Mr James I am going to differ slightly here with you. There will be no one at the airport at that time. LIAT is ceasing night time operations at the airport on the 26th of October so actually what is happening there is that Mr Skerrit is calling a celebration for the cessation of night landing just as he did for the opening of night landing.
Eddison is upset because all the major infrastructures in his constituency are being renamed after other Prime Ministers and past President and none after his name. Poor Eddo stop crying. Oh but wait a minute nah maybe Skerro might consider renaming Sams gutter or Over Gutter in your name.
Former President of Dominica and Member of Parliament for Marigot, Edison James, is of the opinion that having a ceremony for the renaming of the Melville Hall Airport at the airport itself is not a good idea. You are very incorrect E. James.
The renaming ceremony will be held at the airport on October 27, 2014 and James thinks the site could pose some serious problems, is of a clear mind of an oppositionist.
“Mr Skerrit plan to rename the Melville Hall Airport is well over due. E. James you had the opportunity to achieve this during your admini9stration and you failed to accomplish this, so I would encourage that you support this move rather than speak so negative.
If such large numbers of people into the aerodrome area is irresponsible, reckless and constitutes a serious danger to lives of persons gathering at the airport for his renaming ceremony,” let us limit the amount of people physically present and televise this wonderful occasion to the world. B
E. James explained that the access road in and out of Melville Hall Airport is a dead end road, with a single lane in and out. Limit the capacity of attendance and provide a televised broadcast.
“In the event of an emergency, the large crowd of people would find themselves trapped between the Melville Hall River, the airport terminal and the airport fence, with only a narrow escape road for both vehicles and pedestrians,” he said. “Such a situation would lead to disaster. Let us take down the fence to ensure mass exit in the event of an emergency evacuation. Easy enough…..
Provide an FAA message to all intended air traffic of this wondrous ceremony in order to divert flights for the short time frame of this ceremony. It would divert flight scheduling into Dominica…”
E. James stated further that the availability of the Melville Hall Airport to respond to any emergency needs of aircraft flying in the vicinity could be compromised. E. James I am of the firm mind that you me the people of Dominica no Darn Good.
E. James stated that the Dominican public or the media, “have never been informed of any Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), entailing hazard analysis and functional exercises to prepare for any emergency arising out of the assembling of a massive crowd at the airport.” Neither did you when you sat in the Helm of Prime Minister E. James ….
E. James “Similarly the road leading to Pagua and Melville Hall has been a tremendous hazard to people using that road. That same road during your administration rendered no improvement.
Meantime, outgoing MP for Roseau Central, Norris Prevost, the timing at which prime minister Skerrit Roosevelt chose to rename the airport will hurt the tourism industry, rubbish you on your way out, shut your mouth, MP for Roseau Central, Norris Prevost
Prevost also believed that the prime minister is undermining a major cultural event by holding the renaming ceremony of the airport on the same day with Creole in the Park (CITP). MP for Roseau Central, Norris Prevost hush up, man you just hating….
E James IV you hit the nail on it head these UWPEEEE they just opposing for opposing sake everything the Government do cannot be all wrong