Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is once again defending the State House Project insisting that it will be a source of national pride and a sign that Dominica is coming of age.
The $27-million Chinese-funded project has been the target of severe criticism from many who think the money for that particular purpose was not a viable choice for Dominica in its present economic state.
On many occasions since construction began the Prime Minister has found himself in the position of defender-in-chief of the project and while addressing a gathering of Dominicans living in the diaspora on Wednesday he again took on that role saying it will instil pride in Dominicans. “We may not have skyscrapers and so forth…..high rise buildings but what we have must have a degree of pride,” he said.
According to Skerrit it is unthinkable that in the second decade of the 21st century there are those who think Dominica does not need a state house. “Every country in CARICOM has a state house,” he argued. “In every state in the US there is a governor’s palace……all of us who travel to Washington must go to Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House….you go to England to see the Buckingham Palace.”
He pointed out that many who are old enough would remember going to the Governor’s House and how much it meant to them. “You would take up your Sunday best because you are going to the Governor’s House, a place that is mighty and there is a certain reverence to it,” he said.
“So you will hear talks of the state house house or state palace or state malice but we as a people must have sense of pride,” he insisted.
The prime minister told those present to stop by the project and see what impact it will have on them. “I urge you when you go back to town stop by the state house and watch it from outside and you will see how much pride you have in yourself and see that our country slowly but surely is coming of age,” he said.
come on people. The state house is like the white house. The white house is the home and office of the current president. My assumption is the state house will be the home and office of the prime minister. Get rid of Skerrit, and the state house is no issue.
sigh.. Chinese this, Chinese that, Skerrit Skerrit Skerrit. Where are the positive minds in this country of ours? Where are the folks that would say something that I can agree to for once; something that actually makes sense? All this Tit for Tat business is elemantary. Yet you wonder why the country not moving forward. Dominicans we want change, YES! But when you read the commments here time and time again, how many people really inspire change? YES the money could be used for more pressing issues in this nations development. Our politicians have let us down. If we as a people would change our outlook on life, don’t you think the politicians would comply to our demands? PEOPLE, we are Skerrits, and the host of them employers. We sit by, argue rubbish, and then expect change… You see where I’m going with this? We settle for mediocrity, however we expect all the best life has to offer. How does that even work? whether you like the pm or not, he has a job to do. If you not satisfied, vote him out.. Ah, but the plot thickens. hmmm. Re place him with who? The opposition of today? HA! these grown men going about like little boys? Coming to parliament, leaving when they want… This the kind of representation we want? Do we deserve this? When you get the opportunity to challenge the current administration,what you do? LEAVE! Come on people. The world is looking at us, some are laughing. Enough of the party politics.. That BS is what kills the country. We need fresh ideas. You older folks are despicable… you guys look down on our generation and say that we’re vain, materialistic, and we only care about money. YES, YES, and YES. The shocking truth is we don’t give a D. about party politics. Its surprising that we’ve figured out that the best way to move forward is networking, piggy-backing of positive meanngful ideas,working together. That’s what leads us to a brighter future.
JustMy2CensT. 
Skerrit what is wrong with you? In this day and age we need an International Airport not a state house. trust me if we had to choose it would be the airport. i work in the Tourism Sector and many guests compalin that while the island is very beautiful they would love for improved air access so that they can be able to come in at times convenient to them. Please man WAKE UP and stop trying to fool dominicans with this nonsense. we are DOMINICANS not DUMBINICANS. just the other day the hospital didnt even have test strips to test the blood sugar of patients at the hospital, no paracetamol either. what is going on in this country? tell me
Good job Mr. PM, Antigua has a state house thats an eyesore in St Johns making that area ugly. Keep up the good work in beautifying our environs in our city. The majority of Dominica supports you. May God Bless you.
Seriously (Yes)??? Gob bless you, Please question ask yourself for doing what ??? we are no better off than we were 10 years ago.. The PM have tarnished Dominica image and Creditability through out world. Dominica has way more pressing issues for the PM to be investing soo much time and Money into a state house. Wake – up People. This is absolute nonesense.
…source of national pride and a sign that Dominica is coming of age”…hmmm maybe get a state of the art HOSPITAL! Then you can talk about national pride & coming of age..smh
the White House was built by Americans and Buckingham Palace was built by the British now who is building Dominica’s State Palace? is this guy serious?
how does a chinese designed and constructed state house equates to a Dominican identity? this P.M is delusional, the architecture does not identify to any person in Dominica plus it has been built by Chinese imported workers!
when are you hard headed people going to learn, the 27 million is for the state house and State college, I am not sure if it is for the hospital too. Good grief, you’re worse than dogs with a rotten bone. Drop your stupid noise and move on.
Whats done is done, lets hope it is as eco -friendly as can be possible since the chinese are cutting costs like crazy on solar water and lighting panels. I hope the building is used to the fullest, weddings are permitted on the grounds and it is not locked up and left to rot like the last one. After all are we not the eco capital of the world since Costa Rica permits logging, indiscriminate building on globally important turtle nesting beaches and shark finning. Any new building going up should have govt subsidies towards installation of solar power. Spain and other countries do it.
way papa well if is state house that will instill national pride then build one in every corner of dominica because every other dominican has lost his/her national pride… we cant put food on our table, maintain our shelter, provide adequate healthcare and education for selves and our children and dont have the jobs much less the funds… so where the national pride is… way papa skerro say is in the statehouse… what a waste, such malice… our next level with the new labour party
You had a state house, you just didn’t take care of it
What the peas and carrot are you talking about??
What state house are you referring to? The one in Roseau? That building is old and would also need renovation which could be costly. It is better to build an up-to-date one.
We are moving on; not backwards. I always say or faces are in front and not behind our backs. Progress is necessary.
dominicans wake up….first of all lets ask.
1) why is it 26 rooms..why the number 26
2)what does the number 26 mean to china
3)what is street number of the palace
3) how tall is the palace)
do u know that the washington monument is 555 feet above ground and 111 feet bellow…what does that add up too…hmmmmmm
another confusionist,dominican chatter box here you come.pale pale trop sot.al domi ,koshoni.all u haters will meet all u doom talk .talk is cheap haters,nothing good all u dont want , but for those that want this your confusions cant help , it matters less , best you go do what u do best, go to bed and cant sleep well thinking on 666 555 plus 111 biased mentality brain washed mentality u better go and get delivered cause u need jesus , False prophet here u are.
And the foolishness continues!!
i placed a comment last night. where is it?
maybe in the air hanging,hope its not Koshoni.sorry bros i dont know.karma maybe hit it off here.ha ha ha ha ha ha ha , your quaetion got me cracki8ng up.
i placed a comment last night where is it? maybe u taught u did in your dream , please wake up and write one in reality,and lets hear what u have to say.hope its not abortion cause will dissapear again with pain, ha ha am having fun here , reading peoples comments in DNO even though am not a dominican , oh boy come see confussion here, DNO u guys will not kill me here , see topics see coments see haters and etc.
Those blighters will not release it, until the topic goes to archive. Biasness.
National pride for me is a state of the art hospital, so our cancer patients don’t have to go abroad for chemotherapy. But when those politicians sick, all you tax money sending them Barbados Martinique etc, so what they care if de rest of Dominica (those who can’t afford overseas health care)taking drips under rotten, leaking galvanize?
sot dey sot…
I thought they had patched the galvanize with red When I saw the red spots on the floor, someone said, that’s blood; but I said no, it is from the roof.
I thought they had patched the galvanize with red pottie. When I saw the red spots on the floor, someone said, that’s blood; but I said no, it is from the fancy roof.
Is this man serious,or does he think all dominicans are fools. What are the benefits in having a state house, and compare that with the benifits of having an international airport. Direct flights to and from international destinations. Jobs being made available. Increased visitor arrivals to Dominica. Does he even consider how the economy of Dominica would be impacted. Does he he even care? He does not have to look very far, all of our neighbouring islands have int’l airports and are doing alot better. Is this man serious. D/cans open your eyes.
International airport?? What a joke!!
Are you aware that it is costly to run an international airport?? If people not coming now, why do you think they will come because of an international airport?? People don’t go places b/c they have a big airport. They go b/c they have something to look at such as the state house and other things.
I live in a small city in the US. We do NOT have an international airport. We have dash-8s (LIAT planes) and other regional jets coming here. Mainly USAirways and Delta operate here. Southwest just came in last year and there are two AA flights a day. For that matter the total incoming flights a day does not exceed 15.
A lot of people visit this city b/c of what it has to offer. Not b/c of the airport!!
Dominica’s problem is NOT the airport. It’s lack of development is NOT the government (Freedom, UWP or Labour). Our problem is the mentality of the people. They do not want to develope!!
Image a 6 year old child asking for Colgate at the store. The merchant gives him the Colgate and he saying not that one, the one with the green stripe. All soap is breeze, all tooth paste is Colgate, all we know is what we knew and nothing different.
That is the problem my friends.
Do you think that we could possible operate a business where people are allowed to serve themselves??? No!! b/c the mentality is to take, take, take. \In the US you ask for a soda and you are given a cup. You take what you paid for (maybe plus a refill) and you leave. In DA they will bring their bucket and fill up.
The mentality of the people is the problem.
The government gave them good road. What do they do?? Go wrong way round the round about, drive on the wrong side and abuse it in any way and fashion they can. Dominican’s don’t even obey a simple stop sign.
The mentality is the problem
When I was at home there was so much more pride in the people. We sang “Oh Dominica, the land of beauty …” do they teach this now?? We made a pledge, “Before God and All mankind I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart.” (not the pledge of today) Do they do that now??
We need pride!!
When it was Independence time children longed to stand in the hot sun for hours just so they could get the opportunity to solute the Prime Minister. Now they begging children to show up.
We need pride!!
LOL! Good one! Very true!
People like you, makes the intelligent ones of us feel sick up to our stomach, when we read the nonsense that some of you write the rubbish you have submitted here makes sense to only you!
A fool thoughts make sense only to the fool, and no matter who argues with fool to convince that fool of reality can never succeed, because the fool cannot understand any thoughts except that of his/her own!
What do you know about a municipal airport, and expense of operation never mind an International Airport.
The saying goes ” fools rush-in where angels fear to thread!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Imagine the comments of the pime minister “quote”. look from the outside and see what national pride you feel inside. He should be aware of the cliche ” ALL THAT GLITERS IS NOT GOLD”. How about inviting the tax payers on an inside tour.
I live in the USA and there are so many unemployed people, as for paro, is here that have paro. Does that stop the people in the US from building nice houses? If the island was under developed with an ugly state house they would comment negatively.
Mr Prime Minister, I love you and I know that there are a lot more who love you. I wish you God’s blessing as you serve your country, well. Not one government, has done anything near what you have achieved for our country.
So, LET THEM TALK!!! One of these days they will be eating their words.
thanks u got wisdom dont mind those haters n loosers thier opinion dont count at all.
you crying for your ticket well early
LOL! Good one!
thats why you should go back to live and work in Dominica like the rest people that know how had it is for them and next thing why did you run to the us ?thats just the thing with my DOMINICANS as long things are good with them the rest can go to H have are nice life hope you go back to Dominica soon and start your business so you can have some young people working wel thats if you have it in mind of going back lets see how much and how long you can stay loving our PM when your money runs out thats if you have any at all lol
you sound more like a Dominican jac saa
I acknowledge your views and approve them. Some people are behind time. They do not want what is best for the country. They would prefer that DA remain as it was with no progress. We know who are on the side of the PM. Their envy and critics will get them nowhere.
Hold up dude, I am the ORIGINAL Dominican Queen. You need to change your screen name, seriously.
At least we on the same side. Love your comment.
The PM is mentioning the White House, Buckingham Palace, each American State having a governor’s mansion so why not Dominica. Well those places dont have to go 5 weeks with no film for the Xray machine in their hospitals. How many jobs are we getting for that $27,000,000 loan. Mark my words, Skerrit will end up living there when all is said and done. It is a crying shame that the vast majority of DA folks are so dumb. I dont care what party you follow, right is right and wrong is wrong.
Hundred thumbs up for that statement…
While the mayor of New York was talking about laying of civil servants he was talking about building an east river promenade. The problems are the same everywhere. The reason I mention this is because you all are always giving examples on other countries especially the US. And please don’t let me start with the conditions in some of these nursing homes in NY.
I wish america kick out all illiterate Dominicans… god you fools make me SHAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
@ zabocca
You are talking garbage, garbage, garbage! Nonsense! Those who do not want progress and are not interested in progress are the ones who are dumb. Critics are not on the side of the PM and you are one of them.
I am a Dominican who resides in Canada and I listen to the U.S. News. It appears to me that you do not follow the U.S. News and the one in N.Y. for that matter. Approximately a year ago as reported on CNN, a poor woman was in a hospital waiting room. She was not attended to for the whole day. She fell on the floor, no doubt sick, hungry and dehydrated. A hospital security guard passed by her lying on the floor and even kicked her. She died due to lack of hospital/medical care. CNN showed the picture. In fact, all TV Stations including Canadian ones broadcasted this sad and discriminating incident. Viewers worldwide were extremely angry about that. I could only cite what I remember for the present. You better follow the U.S. News better than you do.
Dominica needs a State House which will also accommodate political dignitaries. I wholeheartedly endorse it. I am all for progress. This is my principle.
All governments and countries have their flaws. Canada is no exception. Those who reside in Canada know it. Some governments are better than others and some want progress for their countries.
Dominica needs to progress. The Dominican PM wants what is better for DA. If are not able to visualize this, you and the other critics have a problem and are unfair to the PM and your very own country.
I don’t think the PM should have to defend this project. It is visionary.
Compare to many countries around the world our Dominica is riding this recession with stability.
We Dominicans have to learn to give praises where it is due.
Some of us are trying place Dominica in some of these more modern western worlds. Many countries have tried, but only succeeded with self destruction.
The world is complex and several factors contribute to countries dynamics, to include; culture, finance, geography, and even environment. It is human to ‘follow’ others, but one has to be very careful what you wish for.
Yes, I know, I’m from a little island with limited mundane knowledge, but remember many to include the diaspora would like to come to Dominica, not for its great industrial complex, but for its ‘Columbus era’ tranquility.
As we celebrate our 34th independence aniversary, lets take a moment to think of where we came from. Look at some of these old time photos (Pic of the Day) and realize that we have thrive on a culture of community in Dominica.
Many of you have travel and resides overseas. You know it is a ‘dog eat dog’ world out there.
Let’s not set a dangerous precedence. Let us agree to disagree and give praises where it is due.
Dominica is ours. Lets try to preserve it.
well said.
you are soooo contradicting yourself….make up your mind….do u want a 27 million dollar non revenue generating state house or “Columbus era” tranquility?
columbus era tranquility, wow, these are the words of under developed, backward…. blind supporters are so annoying
Sir/Madam Boss; I totally agree with you, and I believe that we all should be happy with it since it serves as a booster to our national pride.
Every country in the world has a State House, my only regret is that it is not painted totally white.
It is expensive, but of course it is not an 16 X 12 wooden shack, as what the colonialists left us; some of which termites have eaten through and might be ready to collapse.
There are times when we need to play politics, but this is not one of the time because this Building is necessary, some people are angry about it for no other reason except the Chines are building it.
If the building contract was awarded to a Native Dominican, when it is complete, it might be just about ready to be demolished, the architecture might be an open wound, we all would have to live with it for the rest of our natural life.
Fortunately, when it is completed we might see something better than a pile of concrete blocks pile one upon the other, and a pile of electrical wires exposed running all over the place inside.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I feel pride when I drive from Portsmouth to Roseau. I can show off that we were donated a very reasonable road. I feel pride when I go into the stadium because other than being a recognizable figure it also generates revenue and international attention. I felt really proud when Dominica was even featured on Al Jazeera news more than once with cricket news coverage.
These are things that the everyday Dominican can experience. There’s no class-ism in the sharing of this feeling of pride.
I don’t feel proud when I have to drive through Roseau having to bare the stench, especially when it rains. I don’t feel proud having to dodge pot holes driving through the capital of my country. I don’t feel proud when only the Picard area in Portsmouth looks like it’s had any infrastructure work in the last century. I don’t feel pride going through our airports. I don’t feel pride having American Airlines pull out from coming to Dominica. I don’t feel pride when doing an island tour and still seeing a level of poverty that resembles those starving children’s commercials on television. I don’t feel pride seeing that we still have people who can’t afford pipe born water or electricity, cooking gas or in some cases groceries. I know I wont feel pride when after the State House is finished if I was to be outside watching and someone asks me “what’s this building on the other side of the street?” and I would have to answer, “That’s my country’s national library”. I know that one will take the pride right out of me.
I have no problem with building a state house, palace, country home or white house like everyone else in the world seem to have, but I would have felt more pride if we had better hospitals, libraries, roads, houses, commerce, more export, less import and more attractions to commercialize on overnighting tourism. I know I would feel more pride if I could drive around the country and see a better quality of life for the average Dominican.
What sense of pride should we feel while we’re drinking champaign in the new State house while the children we’re promising a better education to go to be hungry? That’s a proud feeling that I do not want to experience.
Ever so often one would hear the national pride talk which bother on the humurous side. National pride in mansion? Imagine driving to find day papa mansion and roads bad n terrible. So per there will be a section called national pride in da mansion.
Please fix da roads, clean da country, get farmers back to work, fix up Dominica”s image, educate da yiuths , give Roseau a bath n face lift, honour local heroes, deal with poverty, get to work, inspire people, n much more, only then can be proud. If nt folks will runaway n leave de place for dem foreigners…
It will be a sign of chinese pride, not Dominican pride!
it will be indeed a chinese mansion, most of the inhadiants will be chinese Skerrit might have to rents a room from them
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I do believe that the State House will be Dominica’s pride. I would not criticize the cost and construction. Some people have some small minds and are chronic critics who incite others to cause trouble. What an unhappy lot, bent on making others unhappy. Some of you also lack peace. You also project that you lack love in your hearts. You are in dire need of these godly traits/virtues.
Look around you, all over Dominica and note how many beautiful houses are constructed. Everyone who could possibly afford it be it through a loan would love to have a beautiful and comfortable home. It is the pride and joy of the owners. There is nothing wrong in that. The beauty of Dominica has been enhanced due to those beautiful houses, the majority of which look like mansions. Why then are some of you so critical about the State House? It will serve an excellent purpose also for government officials who visit. Learn to accept what is and the beauty of it. I reiterate that after construction is completed, it will be pride and joy of Dominican nationals and visitors including other visitors who will admire it. Yes! In this era of the year 2012, let us move on. The PM is correct. Be encouraging.
yAWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Is all of the 27 million for the actual palace? or was some of the money for other projects?
Diasporans and suffering DOMINICANS you understand why it is important to not have SKERRIT in a debate with any other political leader? The man is a ticking fart bomb particularly when he does not have someone’s written speech. Besides not having any foundation to stand on or debate on the PM is a hopeless case. If we cannot get the pm to discuss issues with the other leaders then Hartley Henry or Tony Astaphan would do just fine since both men have been making decisions for Dominica over the last 11 years.
Contrary to the thinking of some people (of which they are entitled) I am of the view that the state house is a historic investment – many years too late. This structure will be the central edifice of the capital. We shall all be proud of ourselves to take a visitor and Dominican living abroad to visit this building. I look forward to dining in the President’s house. Great vision!!
Next our brand new hospital…….make sure we have professionals to take care of us including technicians to do the tech things………right.
Love you bblc
Guys the Chinese are fixing things for when they take over
Ha ha ha ha
True dat!!
with so many diabetics in Dominica, it should be a greater priority and a basic requirement to stock diabetic test strips.
The tour will continue from Ville Case through Borne where another mansion will be our next stop. This stop we will call the pride of advising the corrupt one. The next stop we will call the Picard land deal. A spectacular view of the Portsmouth harbor.
In the tune f the bouyon artist ” you want pride I’ll show you where is”
Next year I am organizing a tour of pride to show visitors and diasporans where we have some exclusive and exquisite pride and prized buildings. The tour starts in Guilet Savan Paille area where the touring visitors will witness how crab sale could result in the construction of crab villa village. Stop number 1 we will refer to as the 8 wonders of the SKERRIT era. The next stop will be a journey through the Penville back road to the village of E O Leblanc. There the visitors will witness and experience the pride of Dominican construction where a $400 K mansion actually cost a few millions
Oh Boy you took the cake
what i would like to know:those who criticise,if they get in power will they use the house,close it,tear it down,ignore it or make it a hospital?when skerrit lose the next election ,supporters of the opposition do not go in the house.sakwé bann’ makak!!!nothing they do will ever satisfy you all.even if they put food on your table,you will still say:put it in my mouth!!our people get more horrible day by day.foreigners just looking at us as fools.CHINA IS HELPING AMERICA! READ THE DAMN NEWS!
China is not exactly ‘helping’ America. America owes China a lot of money- they gotta pay it back.
China helping America what……..America have enough bolo moolah for America……you doe hear the Chinese man in de ad …..america now working for them….
What’s wrong with me tonight….de cold…America has enough moola for china….yes that’s what I meant
Be realistic. There would be no sense in tearing it down after it’s been built. Converting it into anything else but what it was built for is just going to be as wasteful as building it in the first place.
If you don’t have food in your house would you spend a donation on refurbishing your house first or would you first buy groceries and ensure your family can eat and then use the rest to do manageable refurbishment?
Use your damn head.
nowhere do i see solar panels or lighting in any plan. eco friendly??? if you want to be rightfully proud of it make it as environmentally friendly as possible, all water solar heated, all lights too. you’ve a lot of roof space for panels, make it a state house that other dictators will be envious of as far as being environmentally conscious.
Let’s say I was thinking of changing my stance on this state palace to one where I support the building of it. The PM’s argument just in an effort to justify it is pure crap.
He should have taken a different approach.
The building won’t increase any pride in any country when am broke.
So Skerit built a $27 million palace just for national pride? If the Pm is so concerned about national pride the he needs to answer the following questions:
1. Will a state house bring more pride to us than a jet landing airport?
2.What would bring more pride to the diaspora: a direct flight from the US, the VI, England, other caribbean islands or a state malice that will not help create any employment whatsoever?
3. Add the $ millions he dumped on his failed nightlanding airport to the $27 – million spent on his new “National pride” building, how far would that take us in getting an international airport?
4. Since the PM said that every country in CARICOM has a state house, did he forget to say that Dominica is the ONLY COUNTRY in the CARICOM that does not have a jet airport, let alone an international airport? Also, did he forget to say that it is UNTHINKABLE that in the second decade of the 21st century, his govenment paid his Trinidad based consultant, to come to Dominica, only to hear him imlpy that we should think of using boats and small planes to bring people here, since we do not have a jet airport? That’s what is unthinkable and depressing Mr. PM! Is it national pride,or national embarrassment?
The night landing has not failed!
I dont understand your comment at all! People can now land up to 7:30 at night whereas before 5 pm was the last flight. That 2 hr difference makes connections far more favourable for us now compared to before with the 5 pm cut off point.
In fact, LIAT can now land at 2 in the morning if traffic warrants it!
You international airport wannabeneverseecomesees just vex that the success of the night landing threatens even further, the possibility of the jet strip.
Be glad that for now, in the real world, the night landing is working. And it is working whether you want to admit or not.
If its one feather Skerrit has in his camp in any international circle of repute is that night landing!
Sorry folks that’s the facts!
Anonymous, Night landing in Dominica is working you said? Your point of reason is people can now land at 7:30pm opposed to the 5pm we were use to. People can land at anytime they choose to even at midnight. However, when you go on liat’s web site you will see that their last schedule flight to arrive in DA is 18:00pm or 6Pm. Before any work was done on the airport I remember landing on here at 8pm. So I don’t see with you. Furthermore, if you call 7:30 night landing and see it as a success, then I wonder what STV would call theirs because their last liat flight lands all 10:30pm and liat is not their last flight. I guess they should call it super night landing. Boy we so behind in our thinking that when we get a ride on a donkey we feel soooooooooooo satisfied! Talk about 500 years behind!!!
ou toe sot is 7:30 at night? Last time I checked it was herego NIGHT landing.
When you talk to the many, including myself, who did not have to overnight in another island because of the later flight then yes, it is a success.
So I am not at all sure what your point is. We would have a 10:30 flight too if the traffic warranted such a time. Just becasue you now have facilities to acocmmodate night flights that does not mean the airlines just come flocking automatically.
DA has to prove herself to LIAT and if we can through increasing demand, then we would have more flights and later flights.
For the time being we now have facilites to accommodate, daily, flights at any time of the day and night so we are prepared for that day when demand increases if it ever does.
You not accepting it doesnt change the facts. I am only responding to you to help the sensible who are reading this dialogue to understand better not for you.
ALL OF THE ABOVE COMMENTS ARE FROM THE HATERS AND JEALOUS ONES.
nothing constructive in that comment. Hitler got as far as he did because people were happy to follow blindly without questioning his actions. There’s nothing wrong in questioning people’s actions – there’s nothing wrong in having an adult debate. No need to resort to childish statements.
Yes Mr PM.i took a walk in the yard and iam proud of the building,it look nice from the outside.
Mr PM soon after that i walk down the street and the state of the town and the number of paros and unemployed people asking me for some coins,washed away the pride i just had and left me with the sadest feeling i have ever felt for Dominica and my people,only to realise the pride i had for the state house was FOOLISH PRIDE.
the PM made a good move, If the PM wants political haters to shut up, all the PM has to is to fool them with welfare checks and food stamps and they will be just eat all day and stop showing the world of their ignorance.
people have pride in thinge they work hard to aquire. hurray we are going to get a state house but most of us will never see the inside and there is still no revenue from the palace just taxes to keep in running. smell the caco dominicans
What a dotish comment.
Dignity and pride comes from living in a country where there are jobs available and knowledge, not ignorance is king.
Dominicans look more and more stupid by the day for putting these nutcases in govt.
if you have the level i am voting for you next election
after the ribbon cutting and everything complete, one night en passe, i just flinging un sac caca aleh maison sot sa la….un pachay sot sot sot…
mwen las tan kot masion FOO sa la…
BOY …. every other month boss man have to come out and defend his proji man??? stupes…… hooray for skerrit tan….ce sa zor vlay tan… hooooooray!
Seriously?????? I honestly thought there was a better reason why our health system has been totally neglected and this state palace given such priority over every other national issue.
This is so shallow! Is that it Roosevelt Skerrit? National Pride? You just can’t be serious! Absurd!!!!
I am almost positive the car and furniture you have in your house is on hire purchase if you have to wait until you can afford to buy it cash i’m afraid your dream will never materialised so shot your gub up
there will never be a convenient time to do anything there will always be more important things to be done, the economy will never be good for everyone, there will always be needy poor ones,everyone will never be satisfied, some like hot food others don’t. the state palace is up and we can not break it down, so lets move on. the bridge by KFC was a problem but now all of us saw the need and are using it.
Pride in a state house built by chines,when our people could have constructed it.i would have been proud if it was built by dominican
I’d be more proud of a country that had less beggars, drug and alcohol addicts and homeless walking its capital, less poverty, proper health care, a roadmap for career opportunities for young people (how about an environmental sciences college ?), a more professional police force with access to the technology and resources they need for better crime prevention and successful resolution, help for families who cannot afford school books and uniforms, running water for everyone ….The list goes on.
Cease being negative. Place the blame where it belongs. Every country has beggers and addicts and such. The majority of them have done absolutely nothing for themselves or for their country since childhood, when they were attending school and thereafter. They were not interested in schooling but only selfishly interested in themselves. They were school drop-outs. Have a discussion with them, ask them relevant questions and they will verify it. Too many are blaming the government rather than themselves for their personal misfortune.
Skerrit understand his audience, one that is visiting and don’t have to deal with the daily economic grind and the lack of vision the GOVT has for the country. But who will be sold by erection of buildings which drive them to an emotional place as they compare it to their past time in DA then quantifies it as success.
His hope is the emotional stage will capture the visitors for the 2weeks of their visit then they will leave thinking DA is making progress without thinking about the obvious measuring sticks that indicates rampant poverty on island.
Secondly it is sad and frighting when our Prime Minister ask his audience to draw pride from a building….clear indication of a cult idealogy and irresponsible leadership.
Note:: Haiti had a Palace for years while it drowned in poverty to this day.
Do not compare the Haitian government to the Dominican PM. Haitians did not appreciate a good government. They ran him away from Haiti into exile. It is by no means the corrupt Duvalier.
Note that Dominicans will never migrate to Haiti even after a hurricane or earthquake; not under their conditions. Haitians migrated to Dominica to seek asylum for their livelihood. There must be something good in DA and there must be a good DA government.
Keep your ears and eyes opened for with your ingratitude and critic, in the future you may very well get an evil DA government to the point of regretting your words. Just wait and see. The eyes of God are on Dominica as usual. Pray to him for your government and nationals, of course yourself. This is what He requires and expects of you. God does not appreciate complainers. They are ungrateful people.
I have never heard such utter rubbish from a person at that level. A building to instill national pride? What about growing the economy so that we would have food security and jobs? How about building character in our young people? Instead of that, a building? Come on Mr Skerrit do not insult the intelligence of returning Dominicans, you have tried it with Dominican residents and it has not worked with all.
The state house is just window dressing, it is not a priority, a proper hospital and athletic facility would take us further in our development!
This is the Next Level indeed!!
You have it all wrong. National pride, self pride and building character should primarily commence with their parents’ nurturing. You could do your part.
So what about athletic facility? Who grows the economy? Is it the government or those who own businesses in the country?
Governments are not in the business of constructing employment places as offices and factories. What are Dominicans doing? Do they not a vision to build up Dominica? God help those who help themselves.
You have not mentioned a Church where God is worshipped and praised for giving life, health and strength, a beautiful, sunny, tropical country and all other amenities which are necessary for our livelihood and health. When will you commence doing that for the benefit of Dominica and its nationals?
and just to add my two pence we go to china get a loan for a project and then hire the same chinese to do the job so that cash we have to pay back never left main land china… and these either WICKED or STUPID dlp supporters cant seem to grasp this! but they are still unempolyed eh!!!
Face the fact. In all fairness, the Chinese have proved better, ambitious, reliable and serious workers than some nationals.
Every caricom or caribbean island has a state house hmmmmm. but if the government cared so much about people, a state of the art hospital would have taken priority. i am tired of going hospital/casualty and being sent home with two paracetamol and ibuprofen. it does not matter what pain you have is paracetamol.
How wise is it to spend other’s money unwisely? The funds would be better spent on education improvements, healthcare and infrastructure!
I agree with some of what you people say, but at the same time some men will get jobs by taking care of the grounds women will get cleaning jobs, some kind of work will come out of it I hpoe
In oder to build a repport and to be able to accommodate those from other countires we indeed need to show some class,or at least look like we know what we are doing,and yes most countries do have top of the class facilities to accommodate worl leaders that may be of help, but seriously I believe that the PM should make sure that “FIRST” the hospital is well equiped with the necessary tools and equipements so the doctors and nurses can do their jobs, that people won’t die, because of the lack of equipements, or has to fly to another country to save their lives or that of their loved ones. So wake the Hell up. I pray everytime I visit that I don’t get ill.
Nationals must also take care of their personal health. How many have done that? They should not always rely on medicine and medical care. They must take charge of themselves so that they can live a healthy life. They must eat healthier. Today, the emphasis is exactly on that, healthy living.
Healthy foods cost more and we can’t afford it. It is Skerrit’s economy that’s causing the health problem
Yes it is up to nationals to take care of themselves. The diet has changed completely in Dominica and it seems that the average Dominican today is obese especially the women.
The increase in weight is puzzling since it is so easy to eat healthily in DA!
However it is up to Skerrit to ensure proper healthcare facilities because people will get sick no matter what and also it’s not health alone that brings you to hospital. Accidents too. You can be the healthiest person in the world and get hit by a car then what?
A fully equipped hospital and trained personnel is what we should be aspiring to have not a state palace! Good lord! and certainly not an international airport just so you can feel like you laahhhge.
go and get work for all you to do and stop all you have no self esteem like nothing good. country moving well done Prime minister . all of you who have only bad things to say look out for you parents and siblings at the red clinic. wicked!!!!!!
Did the PM just say dummi-nicans need a state house to build some pride ?omg..well well well look at where my beautiful people standards have gone.This is sad and just to imagine these people still going to vote for him,oh I forget they have to vote for him because he pretty…Boy this is a joke of a country,I am totally appalled and I bet everyone clap when he said that….
only laybar rats will sit and eat these crumbs of cheese that skerrit is throwing to the ground… skerro… young people don’t look to a state house for national pride…. what brings national pride is when young folks can pay for their needs.. help pay theirs and their parents debts… to be employed and know we have a strong health system in place… that’s where our pride comes from…. not a state house… we don’t give a what what about who coming to dominica for bourgeois meeting… stop fooling the gullible and stop taking advantage of the meek and the weak…..
when i wake every morning and know i don’t support the ‘damn lazy party’… i feel so relieved, knowing i can shed light to those in the dark….
One would think that the money came from your pocket and that of other critics. The money which is being used to build the State House did not come from your pocket/income and some others. Be appreciative. Show gratitude and to all those hard-working taxpayers’ income overseas who helped build it through loans/grants.
I concur MOTS! Many just doesn’t get it. It’s a shame just reading the comments in support of this man who thinks he can run D/ca as an estate.
Time will tell!
What Skerrit fails to grasp is that I would take pride in my Ferrari, but that is only after I have a house that is paid for, a serious bnak account, my kids education which is paid for….you get my drift.
If zI take pride in having my Ferrari parked in front my tent which is my primary residence, then I am a fool (or a Bedouin).
You are a fool. Such nonsensical statements some of you make. How many people in the world can afford to pay cash for their house, furnishings and vehicle? Whether your house, vehicle and whatever else are paid for or not, you should still take pride that you are able to achieve, accomplish and own something. Rome was not built in a day. In reality, they belong to you; are in your name and no one else. If someone stole and/or damage them, would you say they are not your belongings but that they belong to someone else? Sensible people should know this.
The man/woman is not a fool. He/She is only trying to inform people like you that he prefers having a roof over his kids head, secure education for them and money in the bank before he gets things that he can live without!
What is foolish about that? Some of you guys comment before reading!
I thought that was obvious, Cancun. Piper, I totally agree with you!
Flash comes last not first.
To: Tuth & Justice
You must have a comprehension problem if that is your response to above post. Do you really believe having possession of expensive things is a sign of success? Sometimes it is, other times it just indicates that you are deep in debt.
“Every country in CARICOM has a state house” he argued…Oh please!!!
Every country in CARICOM has an International Airport
Every country in CARICOM has paracetamol and rubbing alcohol in the Hospital..
EXACTLY
That’s exactly what someone in the audience should have said to the PM. “Every country in Caricom have an international airport” and just why is the State house a priority and not the international airport. I would be beeming with pride if we had such an airport. Mr. PM, an international airport equals jobs, jobs, long term jobs!
LOL! I want to know if the other CARICOM countries send home patients because of no available hospital beds?
I love tha comment!!!!!!! It is so TRUE!!!!!!!
woyyy lmao. that comment bout rubbing alcohol and paracetamol is the best.
so darn true.
Yeah! Imagine paracetemol…….thats what we going to have in de spanking new hospital……me dabar wee!
Every country in CARICOM has a higher crime rate than we do you want that too, GM? More rapes, murders, break-ins, muggings, drive by shootings. You can’t pick and choose what you want to emulate because with the cost and tax burden of an airport come the side effects.
and yes even Trinidad with all their oil money runs out of tylenol and you dont want to end up in their General Hospital on a bad day!
The statehouse is absurd I agree with that.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So a stupid building is what will create national pride??????????????????????
Really?????????????????????????
Not a job with opportunity for upward movement so one can earn an honest living and provide for one’s family????????????????????????????????????????
No not a job but a building.
But lets face it you know the state palace was easy for you do as its someonelse footing the bill not you personally.
The hard thing to do was actually grow the economy and that you know and we know you dont know how to do so you bamboozle your simple electorate with “jewels”
What a leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo PM BRAVO. What a role model you are!!!!!!!
choops!
GREED GREED GREED Nothing but greed, so much needy families in DA, and u building a statehouse, hospital needs help… Greed Greed Greed!
Explain how the building of a state house (i.e. a national monument, ultimately) constitute greed. Once built, does Skeritt get to take it home? Does he own it? Can he trade it? Exchange it, as if it were his own property?
With this “jump on the bandwagon mentality,” our inability to think beyond the sensation, headline and hoopla, it’s no wonder we continue to lag behind.
And when the building (by the Chinese) of Dominica’s new hospital will begin, it will be greed too?
Such parochial thinking. But then again there’s a lot of that everywhere inside Dominica, and among many of us living abroad.
Pitiful.
So….. Your grandchildren will finish pay for it and not take care of you in your old age when you Dorian and borokee!
Sorry I meant Dotish and borokee
That is what you call tunnel vision. Stop looking through the key hole and open the door to have the full view. The 27 million could have been spent on a project that would benefit us all and grow the economy instead of benefiting ONE man. Truth Seeker, how does the building benefit you? I’m not saying that the One man should not have a home, but $27,000000? With people who think like you, it’s no wonder we continue to lag behind.
Well said.