Local activist and businessman Jerry Brisbane has labeled Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt and his administration’s hard stance on the $27-million dollar state house project as “unfortunate”.
Skerrit reiterated his government’s position on the matter during last week’s sitting of parliament stating that a modern state house cannot be seen as a luxury and that it is a necessity. “Those with limited or blurred vision will eventually come around to appreciate the importance and necessity of this project. In the meantime, however, work must continue. We cannot wait on them to finally see the light,” the Prime Minister argued.
In response Brisbane said, “It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t see that there are greater priorities.”
He pointed to the deteriorating port platform at Woodbridge Bay. “No one is against the refurbishment of the state house, the fact is we do need better facilities, but to take that sort of decision is unfortunate. But it’s the PM’s decision and it just means that down the line the people have to make a determination as to whether they want him back,” he added.
As for his campaign Brisbane insisted that it has always been about educating the public on the issue and raising awareness and will continue to do so.
“It’s always been about showing people that there are alternative areas that this money could have been used in. It would have been good to get the government to reconsider but being able to point out things like the urgent need to preserve the integrity of the port and the alternative spending options has proven quite effective,” he said.
Skerrit also said last week that the government will make no apologies for its decision.
I don’t give a rats a*** about the petty politicking, the building will one day open.
What id do want to hear from the mouth of our illustrious leader is that at least 75% of the building is solar powered, and that all water is solar heated too. Otherwise why bother building it. Make it a showcase for other edifices of importance globally.
The Chinese are blazing a trail in solar power, for both electricity and water heating globally, and it would be a cryin shame to see our …building…. employ none of this. Given it’s location there is no reason why the entire building could not be totally solar powered.
But i guess, as a nation striving to be the eco friendliest on the planet, our leaders may decide otherwise.
Hi,
Im a 16 year old guy from Guatemala. Ive been assigned to investigate from Dominica´s political and economical situation. I read a few articles, but Im not really getting what is all the trouble with your PM, the budger, the corruption, and the possible revolution. Can somebody help me with this issue?
First of all, there isn’t going to be a revolution in DOminica. Based on the commented here, you would think that is the case but it is not.
The truth about the political situation in dominica is:
1. The ruling Government, The Dominica Labour Party (DLP) is currently in their third consecutive terms (5 years per term) in office. The previous government, The United Workers Party (UWP) after being voted out of office amidst rumors of corruption, is now the opposition party. Other political party is Dominica are; The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), The People Progressive Party (PPP). There is another but i can’t remember the name. At the last general elections held in december 2009, the DLP was voted back in office, winnning the elections in a landslide (DLP-18, UWP-3, DFP-0, PPP-0). The curent opposition made numerous claims that the elections would not have been fair before election day, and as a result, observers from numerous regional organizations were present on the day and all of them said the same thing; The dominican Elections were free and fair for all.
In the time since the election, the UWP has decided to boycott the house of parlimaent citing the following reasons:
1. The Prime Minister, Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit and other members of his party, were uneligible for election because of thier dual citizenship.
2. Due to the large number of people who were brought home to vote by the DLP, the UWP thinks the results have been altered.
3. The claim that the voting list used for the election was tainted and needs immidiate attention. To do this, they believe that the implimentation of voter id cards is essential.
4. The believe that the speaker of the house of assembly (house of parliment) is biased in her apporach and as such, she does not give them a fair oppotunity.
The opposition has filed an appeal so that the matters that they deem to be unfair be ruled upon by the court of law.
Hey are the general oppinions of the People of Dominica, i am sure that you have seen some of them here in comments.
1. “Workers (UWP) are just a bunch of jokers. they are just wasting people’s time. They have no plans for the country and they just chasing after Skerrit.”
2. “Okay, let’s say we demand the government leaves office, what’s next? what ideas do you have?”
3. “The curropt government and its ditactor needs to leave dominica to the people who care about it.”
4. “Skerrit and his criminals in government just robbing the country blind and the his stupid supporters to blind to see it.”
These are just some of the views of the people.
That’s Politics in DOminica. if have anymore questions, feel free to ask.
As much as I would love to see my country with a brand new state house, its really poor timing. Come on folks, just sit and think about it for a minute. Dominica NEEDS so much more. A modern library, better hospital equipment and fascilities, a bigger prision, better postal options so our mail doesn’t have to go to Antigua first, and list goes on. Alot of the things mentioned like the new and improved roads were really needed years ago. These were good investments within the country, but not this YET.
No, the state house is not a revenue earner as mentioned above. Why not invest in industries such as cocoa and bayleaf processing, organic foods, recycling, all of which provide real money and jobs.
We have to demand more from our elected officals and I believe thats what Mr. Brisbane is attempting to do and nothing more.
Of all the comments i have read about this aricle, yours is my favorite. I would disagree with you on one thing though. Yes the roads were needed long ago, but when would this government have done it? When they had just taken over a financially unstable dominica? when they rebuilding the economy through the IMF? I think the timing isn’t really that bad.
Things like agroprocessing should be left to the private sector. Someone should invest in something like that. Their a government assisted small business program available to the people of dominica. We should take it upon ourselves, to make investments like this happen.
I know a farm who has about 50 grafted mango tress on his property, mango wine, mango juice, mango jam, mango pie…. all these are avenues they can look at. but instead they waiting on the government to say… “here is an avenue” and until that time they do NOTHING!!!
No matter what we say or think of the government, we can just as much of a role to play in nation building. And WE the people elected mr. Skerrit to do what HE thinks is BEST for US. but at the same time WE must ALSO do what WE can to DEVELOP DOMINICA!!!!
As I’ve expressed before, this is totally outrageous! How can you justify spending $27,000,000.00 on some “State Palace” when in 2011 there are still families living in plywood shacks on this island? A housing project would have been a much more brilliant idea. As long as WE Dominicans continue to look the other way and bask in ignorance when our government makes such poor decisions…we will continue to struggle daily. Yes I said it. This is OUR government because WE exercised OUR rights/powers and elected them into office. WE entrusted them with serving and taking care of US and our children because they promised to do so. The government works for the people and not the people for the government. We are the bosses and they are the workers. We the people have the real power! If we did not have the real power then why would politicians spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lavish campaigns, travelling around the country BEGGING for our votes????
As far as I can see, WE have been betrayed and repeatedly disrespected and embarrassed by this government. So far, they have performed horribly. Therefore, it is time for something different. Wake Up fellow Dominicans!!! Education/Knowledge is the key. Read the facts! Pay attention! Wake Up before it is too late!!
Who is to say it is a poor decision. Only time will tell.
Who build a state house for a selected few to enjoy when our hospital need serious attention. Instead build a state of the art hospital so that every one can reap the benifits.It is time for the thousands of Dollars that’s being given to the french countries for medical attention remain in this country. May God bless this land and hope our government start caring of the people.
Aren’t there people who get the care and treatment from the hospital for free??? Aren’t there school children who get taken to school at subsidized rates??? Don’t all centinarians get cooking gas for free??? Isn’t there a program designed specifically for taking care of the sick and shot in of our community called the “Yes we care” program??? I thought it was impossible to widen the back road??? i thought soufriere-scotts head was never going to get a barrier wall… Isn’t Pointe Michael going to get theirs too??? Did you go to grammar school when the roof was falling on people children head??? Don’t they have a new school now???
If we talking about no caring for the people… i don’t know which government you talking about.
Lets plan on creating parking garage in Roseau; water park at the botanical gardens; a new hospital.
Portsmouth- A marina and better first impression. ; get rid of the old houses.
Lets add some toll booths to generate income for road maintainance. not popular, but necessary.
A state house is not seen as luxury,but an international airport is not seen as one either.for instance we have international cricket in dominica right now and the only option we have is that forsaken mellville hall airport.where are the dominicans I known of that would would not stand for bullshit?what is he going to name it skerrit state house?if its those petty thinkers we have for government,that country will never move forward.
YOUNG WISDOM. HITLER WAS A VERY GOOD LEADER I AGREE, BUT HE WAS MISSING ONE VERY CRUCIAL ATTRIBUTE: VALUES. HITLER HAD NO VALUES AND HE LEAD THE PEOPLE (WHO LIKED HIM) DOWN THE WRONG ROAD.
I think mr Skerrit has values does does care genuinely about the dominican people. everything he does won’t be liked but he to has good leadership skills and he is TRYING his best.
de state house project must go on we say so 2 bad for jerry springer brisbane
News update, Dominica has just recorded a government of Blind and Cripple Administrators!!
Congrats to the citizens of Dominica for that overwhelming success of creating History by having this Government in Office
Surely God Bless you all on your visionary Path!!
FYI: According to the U.S State Department, sanctions against Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), while not impacting the country economically, “give a message to the world that it is dangerous to do business with Venezuela and PDVSA”, indicating that in the near future, Washington could act against those who enter into contracts or agreements with Venezuelan companies. why aren’t we hearing anything from those responsible. Does this include Dominica and Petro Caribe??
http://www.pdvsa.com/index.php?tpl=interface.en/design/readmenuprinc.tpl.html&newsid_temas=48
You are misinformed. Although there are sanctions against a subsidiary of PDVSA for dealing with Iran, The USA still imports crude oil from Venezuela. So, why shouldn’t we?
The USA imports blood diamond from Nigeria, cocoa harvested by child labour in the Ivory Coast and other goods produced by forced labour in South East ASia.
well thank you for informing me senator…..I guess gay marrying in new york now so we can do it too… and so the cycle continues…….
one thing i like about america, although i cant stand an american, the law is for EVERYBODY!!!
u form the ass in public office, no matter how many people do it before you, your ass get caught, you going to pay….why we not doing that too nuh????
Anon what american law are you talking about, Then anthoney case should show you the law is very very different for some people meaning white people in america
Anon, the the high power white collar crooks get away with everything in America, just like they get away with it here and worldwide.
OK am lost here. why do we need a federal building built from the ground up. did we not just guild a new government building close to the ministry a few years ago. and what happen to the ministry building it self, would it not be cheaper to renovate it than build a new one, even more so this building has historical value one that no amount of money can buy. I mean who comes up with these a*8 ideas.
It is more expensive to refurbish an old building that to build a new one. The structure has to be reinforced and then improved.
To those you who obviously know nothing of construction, if you have rebuild an old house, you may have to redo as much as 65% of the old house. The means you have to break it down, and build it back up. Because of this breaking and building up process, it may end up costing more.
YOU NEED TO TAKE OF THOSE DUST PARTICULES IN YOUR EYES THATS WHY ALL OF YOU ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.WHEN INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR COMPANY DOES NOT COME TO WORK YOU DO NOT PAY THEM, BUT YOU SUPPORT THE OPPOSITION TO SAY OUT OF PARLIMENT AND STILL COLLECT TAX PAYERS MONEY FOR DOING NO WORK. OVER $20,000 DOLLARS EVERY MONTH. YOU ARE SUCH A WASTE
How can u pay someone who does not work, u people are sick?
Jerry, for your information the STATE HOUSE will cost around $8 million dollars not $27 million dollars you keep pumping into the hearts of ignorant, uneducated people, your fool. Jerry, I dare you to clean all those rodents running around Roseau and Canefield and keep your mouth shut for a moment.
HELLO. IF YOU STOPPED BEING A LABOURITE FOR A FEW CRUCIAL DAYS AND KEEP UR EARS OPENED YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD MR. BRISBANE SAYING THAT THE STATE HOUSE DOES NOT REALLY COST ALL THAT. HE SAID THAT THE CHINESE WERE BEING TRUE TO FORM BY INFLATING THE COST OF THE PROJECT AND KEEPING THE LOOT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR “FRIENDS FREINDS… F R I E N D D D S S S” GET IT? OK YOU CAN BE A LABOURITE AGAIN NOW!
LOLOLOLOLO hHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH i like that, If the point didnt get across the first time. im sure it did now, LMFAO
Caribbean Change it is the very same immature and ignorant behavior of people like you that fuel the arrogance of politicians . You need a lesson in basic civics. You will soon realize that there is no need for a sycophant to keep his nose clean.
Why don’t you show your civic duty by cleaning and sweeping the capital every evening after the business day is over keeping Roseau clean and spray and kill all the rodents running around Roseau. It is the capital of the OECS.
i will help u to say it again for all skerrit ministers that posting here, This man Skerrit just does not understand the concept of ACCOUNTABILITY to citizens of the state.. He will never understand that he and the rest of the people in Government are the SERVANTS of the people and not their bosses! Lord help us to understand what is going on in Dominica.
Keep it up Jerry, you are doing good work for dominica
Dominica is a lost cause.. i finish with DNO it is too painfully obvious that our fate is sealed. let me see if there is someone out there who wants a flag to buy, i no longer want to share colours with this trash talking parrot
That’s right PM, stick with what you know to be in the best interest of the people of Dominica! Do not let the naysayers and negative propagandist like Jerry derail our national development.
They have no ideas and plans for building a better Dominica, that’s why they are not leading our great nation. We elected you, Roosevelt Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party for good reason – You have the vision, foresight and energy to lead Dominica. That is why the vast majority of Dominicans are with you and will stay with you. Keep up the good work.
SO DID THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY GAVE THEIR UNWAVERING BLIND SUPPORT TO HITLER
Yes… he saved them and they followed him until they had enough of him. That’s why he was about to kill so many people. Germans actually liked Hitler. and if we are speaking of Leadership Skills… Let me repeat, Leadership Skills…. Hitler was an excellent LEADER!!!
RUBBISH, where solid waste/?????
Seem like you don’t even know what is good for yoyu. It is sad that you depend on a politician to decide what is good or not good.Blind followers have no voice!!!!!!!!
just look at how many thumbs up he got for his statement, and u will see just how blind our country men are, either that or two other things, labour have people on payroll to give thumbs up or down or DNO is RED!
Please explain how the construction of a state house/palace constitutes national development and the building of a better Dominica.
Mr. Brisbane, you do realize that this country is OUR own, not one person nor one party,thus we all have to play a part in its development. If you feel that there are other avenues that is in need of refurbishment and renovation all that money u spending on the public campaigning and those banners all over the place, why not put it to better use on all those things you talking about that could use the help.
it more seem is u and skerrit own. is that the OUR u talking about?????
My Dear u need to open up your mind and think before you open up your mouth. Skerrit is one man everybody seem to think that skerrit is the only person that can make things happen, is all of us responsibility for nation building, the sooner we realize that the better, instead we all want to blame one man for everything that happening in the country, when there is so much we as a people could do if we just your our heads together, instead everything is a politics and a colour, yes OUR country meaning all Dominicans here and abroad, and its benefits all of us when we strive to help it move forward instead of keeping it back with negative talk and playing the blame game. That negative energy i getting from you, channel it to something positive, you’ll get a better outcome.
i blame you father for fooling you into thinking that everything he say is right, and it translates now to the your blind acceptance of everything your prime minister say, go and research venezuela and the petroleos de venezuela that allu doing buisness with….toidi
That is typical of you ignorant laborites. Brisbane is spending his money not tax payers money and that is the fundamental difference. So if you must comment say something sensible so that there could be a meaningful discourse.
thank you for slapping some sense into this “propagandist” before i had to…
oh Please, you all are so bitter and full pessimism that YOU are the ones that are blinded by pure hatred and jealousy… while you sit on your bums waiting for the next article of the country progressing so you can spit negative comments at, there are people working hard to make things happen despite all u naysayers.. Tackle one topic at a time is either u on PDVSA or on the state house you idiots, you guys have yet to recover from the 18-3 blow u got in 2009, let me recap.. WE the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica voted in the Dominica Labour party, it was overwhelming, and today we are proud to say that OUR PM is doing great things, when history will be written Skerro ( the one all u despise so much) will be written as a great leader.. put that in your pipe and smoke it.. We getting our State house, n i dont need to tell u all the wonderful things he’s done for the country, i’m sure u have sat at the stadium, or maybe u pass back road to go to goodwil, see where he made a highway, somewhere people thought was impossible, take a drive down possie u will see it progress!!! u want more?? Deary, have u flownin and out of Dominica, boy what a pretty airport and it ain’t done yet, i rather go forward with progress n take a lil bump in the road here n there after all noone is perfect than join u n go backwards into stone age. The tax payers money is what helps build the country, n while i dont expect everyone to agree with everything i do expect that u will be educated enough not to make it so glearing clear that u just blue vex!!!
tell you prime minister and his minister for public work to pay public works the money that they owe, so public works can pay their god damn workers, blackmoore was there all the time ordering do this for that one do that for this one and now is time for them to pay treasury saying they waiting to collect money from port and inland revenue to pay their bills. dont think my hatred is blind it is many things but it not blind….continue to bling your country and not teach it to have mindzzzzzzzzzzzzz and see if men like those u support wont continue to rape it till it bleed…. progress my ass.
GHANDI DID NOT CONSIDER INDIA TO BE HIS OWN
ROSIE DID NOT CONSIDER DOMINICA TO BE HIS OWN
MANDELLA DID NOT CONDIDER SOUTH AFRICA TO BE HIS OWN
DR. KING DID NOT CONSIDER DOMINICA TO BE HIS OWN
E C LOBLACK DID NOT CONSIDER DOMINICA TO BE HIS OWN
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?
THEY DID WHAT BRISBAIN IS DOING NOW:
ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROPER REPRESENTAION OF FHE PEOPLE’S INTEREST
CORRECTION KING TO AMERICA
i cannot believe in this day and age where people have internet and the access to information that can widen the scope of their perception , that 4 FOUR useless people would thumb down what u just said…..well we cant all be scholars, or should i say not everyone is able to get out of the box and think for themselves…..being the puppets that they are..
Ghandi preached love to his people. He was always telling them that war will not solve anything. He gave his people tangible advice.
Mandella gave his people an example of how they should react to persecution.
Dr. King preached love to his people. He gave them advice on how to handle the daily troubles.
Jerry just telling us Skerrit wrong…
Jerry, all of this talk is not resonating with us. Please formulate a structured and strategic plan that will show the people how you intend to generate revenue into the country. Present this plan to the Govt and if they dont assist, then you can blast them.
But bawling on radio and TV on a few trinklets is nothning. You look like a lonely man in the wilderness.
Flexibility is something that must come from all sides, not just from the government side. Mr Brisbane will always have difficulty getting wide support for his campaigns (which are mostly good) because he is as much a dictator as the PM. Mr. Brisbane’s inability to negotiate, listen & respect others opinion and take good advice is very much like our PM. While I agree that the State house is not a priority right now, Mr. Brisbane is definitely not the right messenger, and the messenger matters otherwise people don’t listen. I am sure that if he were in the prime minister’s position he would have a hard stance on everything. Ask those who know him and those are working and have worked with him. This country need men and women who are humble and wise, able to sit and talk over issues and resolve them with compromise and understanding bearing in mind that this is the only way we are going to get thngs done. I know that Mr. Brisbane is the kind to walk out of a meeting if things are not going his way or he is not hearing what he wants to hear, if he is in a position to impose his will then that’s what he will do. The pride and arrogance of our PM and Mr. Brisbane is not what we need at all. Blessed day to all.
the people not obligated to listen, like when i warn my kid about running around too much, when his ass fall and he bawling i dont even bother say I TOLD U SO!
“Those with limited or blurred vision will eventually come around to appreciate the importance and necessity of this project. In the meantime, however, work must continue. We cannot wait on them to finally see the light,” the Prime Minister argued
This is the same blurred vision the financial center has provided today.
Hmmm…
If Jerry’s aim is to educate the people, then why is the sloan of it so negative. Why doesn’t Jerry so a less bias sloan, so that people who don’t share his political view may be more open to understanding what he is talking about.
It is one thing for Mr. Brisbane to sit and say what is wrong, and where more money should be spent. As a matter of fact anyone can do that. Why don’t Jerry and the others like him come out to the public with palns, developed and searched fiscal plans so that we may see just how wicked Skerrit is.
But until you and your “activists” can give me something better than just lip service…Labour 2015!!!
i bet u a begger..
I bet you can’t put a well constructed sentence together
more like young ignorance… i dont feel sorry for you people anymore unno, because some dominicans wicked to their own self…when the hunger strike me and my children will eat barbque labourite for breakfast lunch and supper….. and pick our teeth with allu wicked bones…
First of all i think you should remove the word wisdom in your alias. The pm is being paid from taxpayers money, so he is the one that has to have the plans and policies to develop our country. He is being paid to do that, jerry is using his own money to point out where the gov is making bad decisions. So think before u talk cuz the bias is no good to any side or the country
Isn’t he being paid to do what he thinks is best? If i understand correctly, won’t the palace include a place to accommodate dignities, a conference center and a building for the electoral office?
After it is built, we hold a professional conference in Dominica with an attendance of about 1000 people for one weekend.
one night at any hotel around Roseau is $100us… multiply that by 3 nights, and then again by 1000. If i’m not mistaken that is $300,000 just in hotel fees. They are will need taxis, food, entertainment and whatever else we may offer. so for one conference isn’t it safe to estimate over $1,000,000 in revenue for THE PRIVATE SECTOR? If that’s Mr. skerrit’s plan… it ain’t a bad one.
Yes Jerry is a private citizen, but he claims to be a man of the people. He has the right to voice his opinion against Mr. Skerrit and Mr. Skerrit has the right to say no thank you. If YOU were not bias Caribbean Super Genius… you would have saw that i am asking m. Brisbane to offer an alternative. If he can spend so much of his own money just to say is nonsense, why can’t he save his money and just give us a better idea for 27,000,000 that mister skerrit intends to spend.
This man Skerrit just does not understand the concept of ACCOUNTABILITY to citizens of the state.. He will never understand that he and the rest of the people in Government are the SERVANTS of the people and not their bosses! Lord help us to understand what is going on in Dominica.
Keep it up Jerry, you are doing good work for Dominica!
You tell the level of education of the people who comment here when you see that 12 people disagree with a comment such as the one above! It seems these people have succeeded in the dumbing down of Dominica! Help us!
It’s only due to the fact they only see infra-red