The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) is calling for a full report on the accounts and operations of the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Program over the past five years to be presented for debate at an emergency sitting of Parliament within the next 14 days.
The party is also describing a government consultation on the program at the State House on Monday, which party members did not attend, as a “sham” and a “partisan public relation event.”
In a press release on Tuesday, the UWP sought to explain the rationale behind its call fo an emergency meeting of parliament to debate the CBI.
The release stated, “This long overdue exchange in the nation’s highest decision making body will set the stage for 1) full CBI compliance with global security arrangements for the safe movement of people and money across borders; and 2) harmonization on critical elements in the operation of Citizenship By Investment programs in CARICOM as follows:
• Definition of economic citizenship
• Vetting/due diligence to determine fit and proper applicants for economic citizenship
• Financial requirements for the acquisition of economic citizenship
• Rights and privileges of economic citizenship throughout the integration grouping.”
The release quoted Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, as saying, “it is time to move away from the sort of sham CBI consultation witnessed on April 24th which was nothing more than a partisan public relations event in the pageantry of Roosevelt Skerrit’s feel-good politics. The program has been severely damaged by the Dominica Labour Party administration through inaction and failed policy actions and needs to be properly fixed with sound input from independent thinking stakeholders.”
Members of Parliament from the opposition sought to explain why they did not attend the consultation.
Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Joseph Isaac believes if Monday’s CBI consultation was really intended to help place the CBI on a more secure footing, “then stakeholders would have been presented at least 14 days before with an agenda for the meeting and a white paper addressing relevant questions such as the number of passports sold and the total revenues received to date along with other relevant background information in keeping with any professionally organized consultation. This would give stakeholder organizations time to consult with their members and/or constituents in the development of their proposals”.
“The fact that the Parliamentary Opposition was not asked to present its position at the consultation which featured the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor and a panel of government sympathizers, clearly indicates that this was a public relations/political event,” Isaac said.
Member of Parliament for Roseau North Danny Lugay also added his voice to the matter.
“An invitation delivered on the Friday 21st April to participate in a supposedly important CBI consultation on Monday 24th April is disrespectful and makes a mockery of serious commitment to proper governance,” he was quoted as saying in the press release.
Lugay said the nation cannot afford further suppression of critical information about the difficulties in moving CBI revenues through the global banking system and the questionable vetting procedures for the grant of citizenship that compromise global defense systems against the proceeds of crime.
“We cannot develop improvement strategies with lies and non-disclosure of truth and fact about the reasons why remedial treatment is necessary; and that is why this matter of grave national importance must be dealt with decisively at an emergency sitting of Parliament,” he stated.
Rubbish linton they had CBI meeting the invited you up till now you doe reach so go to hell!
You learn a new word we,”Sham”.Zor pas feb noh!!!
That the UWP would boycott this high-profile meeting emphasizes the point that they have nothing to offer Dominicans. Linton is Protester-in-Chief because that is all that he is capable of. He runs away from all serious meetings and discussions where civility is required. What an embarrassment that this is all we have for a Leader of the Opposition. An empty barrel.
I am unable to comprehend this man. He was not interested in attending the Conference and so he boycotted it. Now he wants a one-on-one emergency meeting? For what?
Lennox is cantankerous. We know what you are up to. He is not interested in having an amicable discussion. That meeting will be a waste of time. Simply ignore him.
I am so sick and tired of stupid religion and politics I feel like going to the moon . After the British gave us independence all we do is wast time our entire life talking politics without creating nothing . Live the CBI program alone. We do not generate enough money to build not even a one mile road. We have a chance to collect money from rich people without digging trenches in the hot sun for the first time in our history as black people you all want to kill the program. People don’t let emotions get in the way think. If the program need fixing fix it , but you people should talk in private . The overseas people want you to come back to the imf and borrow money you cannot afford . We should be talking about geomathal energy , I want to buy 20.000 shares in domlet at $4.00 a share , dominica does not have one broker selling stocks , I have to work with a broker in st Vincent , that’s a shame. It’s an opportunity for a Dominican to open a brokage house, tell Tong to do it.
The DLP aren’t educated enough to handle that level of discussion sadly.
really! keep drinking linton soda
Who do you think you are? Mr big stuff! Think the PM is your little boy? Or you just like observation?
I am no fan of Skerrit, BUT, I am not sure Linton is any more ready to govern. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines. It is an entirely different story when you are the leader of the country.
Lennox sounds like a spoiled child who doesnt know what he wants.
Correction, right
Personally the opposition should have been represented in this forum. Don’t stay away from things and criticise it. Again it shows the weakness and lack of strategy by the leadership of the UWP. If Lennox say that he has the country’s interest at heart he don’t need to be leader to contribute. In my opinion Lennox contributed more on his ” between you and me” program than now. I believe you need more ruthless and charismatic leader, like Joshua and Issac. Guys do what is write for the country and your party. Your leadership has peaked.
Why didn’t you guys go to the consultation and raise your questions? If you had been there and not been allowed to speak or ask questions then that’s something else. If you asked the real questions and got shut down then that’s something else. But when you don’t even show up then complain about not being asked to voice your opinion or calling for emergency meeting then that doesn’t make any sense to me.
Come on man. There are many people who are dissatisfied with the current state of governance but you guys are not showing yourselves to be a viable alternative. You need to come better than that.
UWP is asking for a special meeting of parliament to make their case? Alix Boyd Knight prevented a vote of No Confidence from even appearing on the order paper a few months ago and Lennox want to question Skerrit with the supervision of the speaker? OMG
If Skerrit invite you to a consultation at short notice, the plan was for you not to go. So what did Skerrit do, he place your seats in the most strategic location, right in front of him, and he place your name tags, ten of them, knowing that you will not come. So as a bunch of professionals all you did not go. This is not the time for professionalism Lennox, this is the time for raw politics.
You should have gone and take your seat, surprise Skerrit and we all would now be laughing to see Skerro giving a speech but he facing sideways, because it was impossible for him to look at ten UWP parliamentarians head on.
Then you should demand that the opposition be given the opportunity to make a presentation an say all what you said. Sad!
If you people only would UNDERSTAND..that Linton does not rule the world…in everything there are rules…there are disciplines…Order of Business….and that is why he gets into problems…he thinks the world is his home…and everytime he brays everyone had to comply…haha…he would demand them to allow him to make a presentation….did you see who made a presentation…..and did you notice the civilized citizens of Dominica…ask questions and make suggestions….get real Ms Trump@
The Prime Minister has approximately one year to prepare the national budget, the opposition leader is given three days to reply in some cases. Why does he believe he would get sufficient time to prepare for the CBI consultation. Members of the opposition did the right thing not to attend. Had they attended, their would been chaos in that hall. I cannot see Mr. Linton going to the consultation and when question time comes along, he would not question the government about Monfared, Lap Seng and Madueke. I don’t believe Mr. Linton would have gone to that consultation and not ask the Government about the status of Government’s accounts at RBC and NBC, with reference to CBI. It is alleged , millions of dollars connected to the CBI account were returned to depositors, is that true or false. Skeritt should not hide under the skirts of a consultation, take on Mr. Linton in a debate concerning CBI, if he fails to appear, then he can talk about being disappointed.
Lennox Linton as the head of the Public Accounts Committee has ALL and I repeat ALL the information that he is requesting readily available to him; and that’s an indisputable fact. Why he and his colleagues chose to go on this campaign of agitation, only he knows, but I suspect it’s just a play for power.
If Lennox Linton was really serious about accountability, then he would disclose this to his constituents or is he afraid that the truth will not make him look good in their eyes?
Mr can only chat through his pop route.
Has Lennox apologized to the speaker? I’m not sure why he is calling for a emergency seating when he is unable to participate. All he needs to do is apologize for his bad behavior. Also, his arrogance is what’s keeping back the party. Had he and his members attended the session on the CBI, they could have made their case for having an emergency meeting of the house. This is just another one of several blunders by Lennox. I wonder who has the guts to take control of this party. One thing, I’ll give him the credit for keeping his team in check after making an example of Isidore and Joshua.
You do realise if they were there.. they would be ridiculed. Like the numerous times in the house. Understand DLP and their cronies don’t give a damn about the opposition and will not work with them at any level. The real sign of ignorance on their parr
He can participate at the next seating,. he was suspended for the remainder of the session the time he caused the chaos with his violent tendencies
What rubbish is this, wasn’t the law governing the CBI discussed in Parliament? When the UWP came into office they made changes to the Law the DLP came in and they made changes. Are we going to call an emergency meeting of parliament to talk about a law that is already in force for several years? Is Mr. Linton going to table an amendment to this law?
An emergency session of the House to discuss fake news, unsubstantiated allegations such as 10,000 passports dispatched to Morocco for sale to Syrian based Al Quaeda and ISIS agents; the lie that Francesco Corallo and rudolph king were issued with Diplomatic passports; the finding of a stash of foreign currency at the home of the former oil minister of Nigeria as proof that diplomatic passports are being sold to thieves and internal scoundrels. To dismiss the paid services of foreign agents such as Rijok and lastly, but importantly, to discuss the continued failure of weekly protestations around Roseau.
And, to make matter worse they are coming to consult AFTER they already announced 1,000 new projects and $1BILLION in spending! One would think that the consultation would come first and then the projects? How much money is left in that CBI purse to continue spending? Must be a whole hec of a lot more!
Dominica must go down as one of the most foolish countries in the region. We want success but refuse to think critically and be honest with each other!!
SO TRUE….. after they spend CBI money like water they were drinking now they are coming with this ridiculous consultation story…. what’s the point now, are they going to change the amount they so stupid boasted they were giving out????
Linton needs ……… …………
It has been SIX months since parliament has been convened! There should not be a need to request an emergency meeting…if this government was serious about IMPLEMENTATION of development ideas we would have had 2-3 meetings by now. One to discuss the “national health insurance fund” another for “CBI” and a third for the international airport.
The forum for discussion and debate already exists as the House of Assemblt but their crisis management firm must be advising these “non-official” channels so that promises can be made and quickly forgotten. That announcements can be made without having the proper supporting documentation.
All of this chatter, promises, and crap and Dominica still economy still can’t catch up to our neighbors. We still can’t get basic and proper national audits to give us the truth. The IMF revealed that despite all these funds our economy is stagnant, and the best response is a “national consultation”? Puh-leeze!
The UWP has my full concurrence that the so-called national consultation was a public relations effort by the DLP government. Why should they be part of the government’s public relations campaign?
Liar liar liar pants on fire. Do you sleep at all? YOU have chosen the devil, therefore you cannot sleep.LL you are obsessed with gaining political power that you are short sighted.. How about the people who elected YOU? Our village is becoming the New slum in DA.
Before January 2017, the CBI lacked suffered from a good public relations program. The people generally were not too aware of how the proceeds were being utilized. yes Monday\’s event served not only as a information sharing event, but indeed sought to improve the public image of the program and those who are behind its management. Did you find anything wrong with the information that was given? If so then you should have been there to raise your questions. I dare suspect you followed Bozo\’s lead – boycott. Then resort to what people like you are so adept at doing. Go to the media/social and commercial and LAMENT.
Lennox, there are ways you can gain small victories from a ruling administration. It’s call building friendship and building bridges. My friend you are the minority. You don’t get everything you ask for from a party in power. They will always tell you that the information is available to the public on site. You need to win six more constituencies in the next general election. If you want to be Prime minister, focus on the most vulnerable ones. Your political career is diminishing chasing the wrong things. Where are you plans to move Dominica forward?
Engineer, don’t ever anticipate friendship with a dog, or a snake, the operate on instinct, and they will bite you as soon as you let your guard down.
Can anybody build friendship with someone who continuously seek to destroy them? Skerrit and the Labor Party do not want corporation from the UWP, or Lennox personally!
Roosevelt Skerrit is a dictator who do not want an opposition party in Dominica.
His goal is to make Lennox his personal enemy, that is why as soon as Lennox breath he takes him to court. Dividing the nation is Skerrit’s most important goal.
He is hungry for power, and fears if there is corporation between the parties that might cause the hatefulness to cease between the different factions (people), and that might cause them to become more pro-country, than the partisan politics which strangles the nation.
What we have in Dominica right now is hatred among families, hatred among neighbors all because of Roosevelt Skerrit dictatorship, he sets the…
Continue:
What we have in Dominica right now is hatred among families, hatred among neighbors all because of Roosevelt Skerrit dictatorship, he sets the people of the country against each other, and if you and I are not careful we might get into each other throat, right here on DNO; and that too would be Roosevelt Skerrit fault eh! that sucker would the argument and laugh; and say, I destroy two more!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
He like turmoil, he like entropy, the man even like when family murder their family in Dominica, the man is evil, he does care for kindness, or any form of friendship!
What motivates you to write such foolishness as though they are true. Before you hate someone you should try to understand them. Hatred is a poison, it is the greatest poison to the happiness of a good mind.
Linton you doe ready yet boi.
You boycotting a meeting concerning cbi to call an emergency meeting concerning cbi.
Garsa attend ppl meeting so the can attend yours.
But since when is Parliament “Linton’s meeting?” Have we really gotten so dotish in Dominica that we don’t want the Prime Minister to come to parliament? People really defended a prime minister HIDING from parliament? We may as well just shut down gov’t and sell Dominica to the highest bidder if we so quick to turn sot when we see dollar signs!
Dominicans should be ashamed to have to hear an ELECTED member of parliament demanding that parliament meets. We pay these folks every month but they meet 2x a year? Meantime public servants working all year round and some getting paid every 3 months, others have to fight for a small increase. What a sick place!
But you are not fed up of skeritt and his lies and deceits?, It seems like you get fed up of doing good ,and embraces wrong doings, Carry on
I fully support this call for an emergency meeting of Parliament to talk about this issue. What I would expect from the Leader of the opposition is a full report in his capacity as chairman of the public accounts showing the failings of the program, where and how monies were misappropriated if at all and passport inventory. As chairman of the public accounts committee the Leader of the Opposition has the authority to interview the relevant public officers to ensure that government accounts are properly managed. If the leader of the opposition and his committee was not given access to requested information we want to know why. If however no attempt to investigate this matter by the leader of the opposition was made, then his call for an emergency meeting of Parliament is a SHAM.
Exactly. That’s y he told Huffington Post he has no evidence for these allegations
Lennox described the event as a sham, wow. This shows that this man is not ready to lead a group of people much less the entire nation!
Don’t worry about what Lennox says. Watch how much of this “consultation” translates to reality and then you’ll SEE a SHAM.
After Bin Bobol – After Layou River – After NG Lap Seng – After Monfared – After the BaronMESS with her “Dominica development fund” – After the PhD from obscure university – After the abbatoir – still act shocked when the next scam is brought to you.
As they say “first time, shame on you” but after the 100th time taking you all for fools, Skerrit must be ashamed to be from such a SOT set of people. No wonder he have his babies born in the US! He don’t want them carrying a passport linking them to such a silly set of supporters!
This political tribalism and blind political support for a party is the albatross around the necks of Dominicans. This is antithetical to the progress of all citizens and residents. Many people don’t even bother to think for themselves anymore , if my party say so, it’s so. I would implore everyone to think for himself/herself. Do your own analysis. Political parties dress up lies as truth. They play on the ignorance of the unlettered. After reading the statements of Representatives Isaac and Lugay , both gentlemen have a point, they are being reasonable. Let’s stop swallowing the toxic lies and propaganda by any political party. Think people think!
That’s a reasonable assessment. I do believe in what they’ve said. But I also believe the information has been set before them in the budget but they just don’t believe what they read. How did IMF get that very same info??
Doesn’t look like yonahu’ve been thinking
IBo France, the CBI is not a \”just come\” activity. it has been around with us for some time. Indeed in the last four months. dominica has spent a tremendous amount of time dealing with the fall out from a CBS news 60 minutes program which featured the Opposition leader and was extremely critical of the CBI. In the last four months and so, the CBI has been on the lip of every Dominica. So for the Roseau based parliamentary representatives to claim that they were not proper;y notified of the event is a way of trying to find an excuse. have you heard of their excuse for criticizing the construction of the new roseau bridge?. An important piece of infrastructure that is designed to not only improve the aesthetics of the city but indeed to protect the lives and property of their various constituents. They oppose it because resources from the CBI was utilized. With their full support, the matter was brought before the court because they keep looking opportunities to oppose the…
UWP this is getting old
Bully tactics alone!! My way or the highway!
I don’t know about you all but I am tired with politicians playing politics with my future.
So why not just attend the function? Stakeholders were given a chance to raise concerns. Even students asked some very pertinent questions. You all had the opportunity and you slept on you! Don’t come asking for emergency meeting after you pass for fool.
All I can say is “Stupessss”
Nothing that this regime tries is satisfactory to the disgruntled men on the other side.
Invite all you —- NO SHOW
Don’t invite all you ……… Complain that you were not invited.
Mi cochonie!
You want me to support you and vote for you? ……. Wheel and come again!
A meeting only becomes a “sham” when opposition members boycott because the only meeting they want is a street protest. The opposition can’t compel changes; for that you have to win an election. The opposition can focus on the issue of what CBI is doing to Dominica’s reputation and whether the funds are spent above-board: but only by participating, posing questions to the majority, and if you get the run-around, take that to the people. Disparaging the result of a meeting you refused to attend is the way to lose the next election too.
That why there is a parliment the official debating house in the land for the records. In a functional democracy the parliment is used for these matters so the representative of the people can bring all ideas to the table. No policy agreement can com from such consultation. As a matter of fact the government can have it’s consultation and that is okay. The opposition can have it’s own consultation on the same issues. It is only when these ideas are debated and put on the floor in parliment that we bring legal and concrete results. However that only happens when a democracy functions properly. This National consultation hastily put together to redicule opposition and save face means nothing if the PM does not respect the views and wishes of the opposition, who by the way represent half the population. Stop being blinded by party loyalty and ignorance.
Half the people??? 15-6. That to me is less than a third!!
And of course policies can be set outside of parliament. Only laws can’t be made outside of parliament.
Which half, the one in your head.
Your call to stop blind party loyalty and ignorance only shows how phony you are.You should be the last person to be espousing such thing. You do not need to educate us as to what Parliament is, the record of the opposition regarding Parliament debates speaks for themselves.
Do i need to tell you the difference between a consultation and a debate. What is more important in moving the country forward a debate or consultation, especially a national consultation involving all the stakeholders in the country in one venue talking about how to move Dominica forward. The UWP thrives on debates, debate is contention in argument; strife, dissension, quarreling, controversy, is such behavior helpful in moving the Country forward, is this suppose to be the major focus in a democracy.
Your suggestion that the Government can have their own consultation and the UWP have their own consultation,well do you think that make sense, does the country benefit.
to cont..
What’s wrong in having a National consultation at one venue with the UWP, Government and other stakeholders pitching their ideas as to what they think is the best way to move Dominica forward. Do the Government and the opposition need to go to Parliament for such purpose. Where do you get the idea that the UWP represents half the population, is it from Rijock. The UWP will always make nonsense excuses to avoid things they have no interest in doing, moving Dominica forward.
“SPIKE” stop being a receiver without critical thought and open up your mind.
If the opposition is not allowed in a meaningful way in Parliament to contribute to the proper implementation of The CBI program is in a Consultation Forum it will be accomplished?
Sometime I think we were better off as SLAVES because mental bondage is worse than physical bondage…Sad to Say!!!!!
Look pappishowness
In any democracy, the opposition will have its say. Government will and must always have its way. Anytime an opposition party can prevent a government from functioning by effectively blocking its plans and programs, particularly its legislative agenda, then the government has lost all moral authority to function. The opposition must also know that its view on how things ought to be done is not necessarily the only way to get the country\’s development going. Mr. Linton must get out of his political novitiate and learn the hard way. You have a view on how things ought to be done, it is not always the only way things could be done.
Your view is complete rubbish.. if thats the case, then why is there an opposition? You got it all screwed up.
Then give an example of where this has happened. U rubbish a statement with no facts, just as there has never been any fact presented to support UWP claims
there is no opposition in Dominica some man linton that’s hungry for power by anyway but the ballot
The Leader of the Oppostion might also have to pay regard to the protocol for submitting questions to be asked in Parliament.
I am not versed on if this is a matter requiring an emergency sitting of Parliament but hope his concerns are addressed.
You guys do right. These are legitimate questions. Let skerrit use parliment. That what it is there for and going to the meeting would be endorsement to his crap. Let him fool those sheep. Government can consult with public if it wants but every thing has to be open and honest and there must be no secrets. It cannot be the rules according to Skerrit. The devilish prayers by Thomas priest from Villecase alone is justified in not going. To those of you frowning on me calling the priest prayers devilish, Jesus was betrayed by a disciple and Thomas is a man full of issues.. Coco like the prime Minister.
I will always encourage people to critically analyze what they hear or read. Don’t ever swallow any point of view wholesale before giving it thorough scrutiny. Don’t look at things just as Black or White. Life has many shades of gray. Again Shaka Zulu, your comments are quite fair and rational as usual. I always look forward for your thoughtful analyzes. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion but the comments of some are just what we find in soiled diapers.
And what part can parliament play. If you and the opposition have not realised it by now the Government lead by Skeritt has the majority in Parliament. This hostile approach by the opposition to every issue is not helping a more civil approach would be better. Lennox must realize that he is not the PM and he cannot want to adopt this dictatorial attitude every time he feels agreived.
Why not??
Give the Opposition the information that they are requesting and at a Parliamentary sitting. They are entitled to be informed. That is good governance.
But this information is presented in every budget. Even the IMF got that info when they made their last report.
The opposition continues to reject the information they are given both in and out of Parliament. What the opposition must tell us since as far as they are concerned the government is lying, what are the facts surrounding the CBI. This information can be easily obtained as the opposition leader is the chairman of the public accounts committee a duly constituted body with full powers to inspect and report on Government accounts. So go do your work oppossition leader and find out what the truth is.
Bondieu…whose sins Dominica paying for…with this Man…Lord put a hand!…
Sure Lennox, after you drop your kids to school, wait patiently for it while your watching cartoons.
hmm well that didnt seem to take long… sighsss
UWP and company your constant bickering is nonsensical and tiring. Try something different. I’m just so tired of the idiotic way you all approach everything….BORING
It boring and since they spoke the government spring into action trying to sideline the real issue with talk of money too pah too?
Well if it was exciting I wonder what would happen.