Ross did not contribute 30% of GDP says Ambassador Henderson

Vince Henderson says the figure of 30% is not practical. File photo

Dominica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Vince Henderson, has refuted the suggestion that the now- departed Ross University accounted for as much as 30% of the Dominica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ross has permanently relocated to Barbados where, according to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the university’s $100.00 million contribution will represent 1% of that country’s US 4.8 billion GDP (2017 figures).

Speaking on Kairi FM’s Next Level Programme recently, Henderson said Ross’s contribution to Dominica was in the region of 7 percent.

“From the figures that we have and since 2006, if you recall, the government started categorizing education services as a category for the purposes of looking at the economy and the growth in the economy,” he said. “And the figures from 2013 to 2017 show that there was about 11.3 percent that education services contributed  to GDP and out of that include public education services and when you remove that and get to private, it is about 7.6 percent, with Ross giving 6.2 and All Saints giving the rest [1.4 percent].”

Henderson continued, “When you look at that, even if we are to say that we didn’t capture all the data properly, there is the underground economy that you could not capture because it’s underground, even if you were to cater for that, that is a far cry from 30 percent.”

He said it means that about 23.8 percent wasn’t captured.

“I mean that’s not practical,” he stated.

However, in an article which was posted on Dominica News Online on July 13, 2018, Neal Nixon, a member of the Green Haven Group, reaches a different conclusion in making the correlation between Ross University’s contribution and Dominica’s GDP. He broadens his measurement to include the impact of income from Ross on other aspects of the economy outside of the education sector.  In Nixon’s calculations, Ross made an annual contribution of about $109.4 million (as per table below) to Dominica’s economy and using a GDP of $580 million (Dominica’s GDP last reported by the World Bank a year or so ago), he concluded that Ross University accounted for 19% of Dominica’s GDP, 19 cents of every dollar generated.

Ross University’s Annual Contribution to Dominica’s Economy

Tuition and Fees$83,835,000
Rental Expenses$8,748,000
Living Expenses$14,813,280
Other$2,000,000
Total Contribution$109,396,280

But those whose businesses and livelihoods have been affected by the Ross move, do not appear to be interested in revenue to GDP ratios whether 7%, 19% or 30%. Their main concern, some have told DNO, is the unavoidable reality of their economic demise with no remedy as yet in sight.

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87 Comments

  1. OneMile
    August 11, 2018

    So….83 million in tuition and fees, allu think that money stayed and circulated in Dominica? Absolutely not. Ross was just a vessel it does not create or sell tangible goods.
    The majority of the students leave after they graduate. The MAIN contribution from Ross and its students was the housing and dining in Picard area. Nothing more.
    Dominica was there before you Ross and she will be there long after you. Good riddance.

    • %
      August 11, 2018

      Dominica was there before you Ross, and reducing our GDP by 30%,speaks to the core of bad governance and laziness of Skerrit first, and secondly his other MISLEADERS.
      Where The Wicked Rule the People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

    • Mickey m
      August 13, 2018

      Thats the problem with Dominica too many Onemile, there should be some sort of test to be able to vote i am in fright that someone who says good riddance to Ross considering the state of Dominica will one day be at the ballot box deciding the future of Dominica, I would go further and sterilize you, you should not be raising and educating any young mind.

  2. Gary
    August 11, 2018

    Finally, I got someone to confirm what I believed. I always thought that it was utter nonsense when it was repeatedly reported that Ross University presence in Dominica contributed 30% of the GDP. The Tourism Industry spearheaded by the cruise ship arrivals surpasses Ross contribution to the GDP, monies collected from the CBI surpasses Ross University, even The Agriculture industry which The UWP and their supporters call a dead industry surpasses Ross. Why are we ignoring the
    facts to advance a political agenda.

  3. Tony
    August 11, 2018

    Hello and good morning my people. Well Mr Henderson regardless of what percentage of GDP Ross contributed can you please tell us how is our Government going to replace whatever percentage Ross contributed.

  4. Child of Itassi
    August 11, 2018

    So it takes 100 gallons of gas for our boat to get home.
    Ross took 30 gallons from us.
    Vince tells us “it is not that bad, Ross only took 7 gallons.”
    Time to row.

    Pwason ni konfians an dlo é sé dlo ki ka kuit’ li.
    (The fish is confident in water, and water is used to cook it.)

    • Gary
      August 11, 2018

      Why are you so silly with your comment. You have not proved or demonstrated that RUSM contributed 30% of The GDP, so long for your nonsense.

  5. Not a Dominica Diplomat
    August 10, 2018

    Vince is Dominica ambassador to the US and did not lead any delegation to Ross head office in the US to argue for them to stay. Now he crying and braying…meanwhile Possie dead as a door nail and theit MP in the damn rum shop. All of you must resign…just move there..bunch of jokers.

  6. Self
    August 10, 2018

    You are right Vince to hell with Ross they did not contribute 30% of our GDP, so Ross leaving Dominica is no big deal.

    • kean Blackmore
      August 11, 2018

      What is ‘Gross Domestic Product – GDP’
      Gross domestic product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.

      yes they did!!!!
      Do the math

    • Believe it or not
      August 12, 2018

      Shut up and go and see what Picard looks like now. Dead like a furneral home. Tell Vince to come and see what Picard looks Like now also before you talk. no work and no money circulating there. Go and interview the the home owners and business people, the bus drivers and people who use to work for Ross and everyone else’s who worked in picard. This is another disaster. Ross was a big investment in the Portsmouth and Picard area .

  7. August 10, 2018

    Nice try Vince :lol: :lol:

  8. London valley
    August 10, 2018

    Vince I really thought u had more common sense than that revise your diggers. Rental figures are wrong so do is living expenses. Where is travel expenses and the taxes on travel including departure tax. Vehicle rentals hotel expenses from family visit. U missing out so much. That’s the thing with you guys . Stop and think then get it right b4 u all act.
    Who are u going to do with all these apartments.

  9. August 10, 2018

    Vince whether it’s half a percent, you guys are a bunch of waste. Stop wasting Dominica’s time and get the hell out. Good for nothingers.

    • %
      August 10, 2018

      And I fully concur!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go Now

  10. Dowad
    August 10, 2018

    Vince whether it’s half a percent , Ross said in no uncertain terms you and the other fools caused them to leave. Bunch of waste. What am suggesting to you idiots ,is to call the election to stop Dominica’ s further hemorrhaging.

  11. August 10, 2018

    The university is leaving bro! Whats wrong with you? Who cares about the percentage? Jobs lost, ross contribution to portmouth is enomous and dominica at large, why are you talking about 30% , ? Why not address the real issue? Antigua gaston brown is trying to help with the problems in our lack of air access, thanks Antigua gaston brown, what are you doing?

  12. ROSS Left months ago
    August 10, 2018

    Calling all people especially left and right politician. Ross left 10 months ago and finally out of DA. DA survived 10months. Pick up the pieces and move month. Why still lament over split milk. Now is the time to work together GDP or not.

    • mike maya
      August 10, 2018

      Are you really that stupid

  13. Karl Orndem
    August 10, 2018

    thank you Mr. Henderson for clearing that matter up. We need to make 30%. in order to make some progress. you fools here talking about ross was 30 of gdp.

  14. AP George
    August 10, 2018

    Mr Henderson says ‘Education services” contributed 7%. We just need him to clarify ‘Education expenses’, that’s all. That we we can clear the air.
    But obviously, he is not looking at other areas, such as airport taxes, utilities (phone, water, sewer, trash, electricity, cable), entertainment, leisure/dining, transportation (taxi, car rental, buses, ferries, etc), cleaning services, landscaping/maintenance. All these services were paid by Ross itself, Ross employees/faculty and students. So all these things are impacts.
    SO, all Mr Henderson needs to do is to clarify and tell us exactly what’s included in the ‘education services’ he is referring to. That’s all.

  15. August 10, 2018

    Did we not survive before Ross? So what is the big deal.

    • August 11, 2018

      You called that surviving. lol

  16. Anon
    August 10, 2018

    What exactly was the point of the ambassador making a comment regarding Ross’ departure to begin with? If anything isn’t “practical”, it’s that.

    Are any of these sources for GDP contribution remotely objective? I doubt it. But the people affected don’t need GDP percentages to gauge loss; people have their senses, and what the departure of Ross feel like isn’t something that require a number to represent.

    The ambassador can downplay the effects of the departure as he please, but with all things considered, Picard is looking to become a ghost town for the foreseeable future.

  17. August 10, 2018

    Could Neal Nixon tell us how tuition fees of $83, 835,000, can impact the GDP of Dominica when it is sitting in some US Bank in the name of Ross University?

    • Joseph John
      August 10, 2018

      That tuition fees was paid to Dominica by Ross students…….wow !!!!!. So Ross was teaching for free.

      • kean Blackmore
        August 11, 2018

        you clearly have no clue as to what GDP represents. You’ve never seen an economics text book.
        Reading these comment and listening to Vince, I am ashamed to call myself Dominican.

        Vince insults our intelligence because guess what, our illiteracy is on display for all to see.

        This DLP are liars. Barbados said 100Million$ which is consistent with the actual figures, but only in dominica we are lead by a gang that continue to fool the people.

      • Gary
        August 11, 2018

        Wow, it is very sad reading your comment. it just shows gross ignorance on your part of not understanding what Anon was saying.

      • August 11, 2018

        @kean Blackmore you seem to be an economic super genius, so just tell us how tuition fees paid into Ross bank account in the US adds value to Dominica’s GDP? I would be glad to get an explanation from someone who has at least read an economic book not one who is only capable of presenting word salads that make no sense.

    • OneMile
      August 11, 2018

      Exactly! Intangible goods with no long term impact outside of rent.
      The knowledge that was derived from the Ross educational facility did not remain in the country. Therefore, growth, employment and competitiveness was not realized. Dominica was used like harlot. It was time to turn the page.

  18. DA Fails
    August 10, 2018

    Uhhgg, I might have believed him if it wasn’t on Kaiririririririririri he said that :lol: :lol: Keep Singing for your super son Africa

  19. August 10, 2018

    Ok Vince, so if it isn’t 30% of GDP, tell us what the actual definitive number is then…….?? …….and while you’re at it, tell us what meaningful % to the Dominican economy your stint at the UN is contributing…!!

  20. Truth Be Told
    August 10, 2018

    Are you all serious? Do you know that the international community can read this nonsense. This is how much you value private enterprise and foreign investment contributions to the Dominican Economy. Any one business in Dominica including local business leaving Dominica or closing down right now in these hard times after Maria, is one business too much! Are these politicians heartless or just plain stupid! If Ross only contributed 1 percent to Dominica economy it would be too much for Portsmouth to lose right now! Maybe you should just say Ross contributed nothing, zero, 0!

  21. Sisserou
    August 10, 2018

    Vince boy you were in a very prestigious position in the government as a minister yet still you contributed to the brain drain in Dominica. Did you left because Skerrit was made pm? as ambassador tell us what you are doing on Dominica’s behalf and what you have done to try to con-vince Ross to stay and…

  22. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pmapers
    August 10, 2018

    Let’s just say that I believe Vince, for argument sake, which I don’t, the impact and void on the town of Portsmouth and surrounding areas is quite significant. Keep in mind that we do not have an international airport and our stay-over tourism numbers is atrocious. Basically speaking, the residents of Portsmouth with outstanding debts on these apartment buildings are in serious financial trouble. This will also impact the banking sector and their ability to fund new projects on the island. Time to vote this Cabal out of office.

  23. Annon
    August 10, 2018

    Even at 7% that’s a huge, big, heavy deal. 7% of any ones economy gone you’re more and more like Haiti. An apology is in order, not embellishment.

  24. Shaka Zulu
    August 10, 2018

    Vince all of a sudden is a dr in economics and one to start an argument on % GDP contributions. What ans AHole. This is the reason Dominicans should kick these idiots to the curb. There is somthing called an economic engine and here is how it works: A medical school comes in and needs services. Housing, food, supplies, services. For housing you need carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers and maintenance workers ect. They need materials to do there work so those contruction material company stay busy they to need to employ folks. The housing require house keeping laundry, maintenance, ac repair etc… More employment. For food we have vendors and restaurants who need employees and material. You guys get the point . i am not going to talk about transportation and all the other sub businesses like security etc that started to support the institution. This is the multiplier effect that a company that provides 100 mil a year can generate. Vince and the DLP need to be taught a lesson.

    • Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
      August 10, 2018

      Shaka, you’re too pragmatic for Vince. Your assessment flew right over his head. The goal of this regime is to line their pockets fat, every change they get. These people are totally inept and they do not care about the plight of the ordinary citizen.

  25. Patience
    August 10, 2018

    Vince why didn’t you provide figures for at least the past five years to prove your point? You think everyone on your Island and skerritt are dumb? Now you all finally succeed in running Ross off the Island you are telling us it’s ok they were not as important as they said they were? Only those clowns in Portsmouth will buy your trash!!

  26. Elornic
    August 10, 2018

    Using a very simple scenario put forward by my friend Gerald Williams . If Ross is earmarked to contribute 100 million Barbados dollars to the Barbados economy as pointed out by the PM of Barbados, in their first year? Calculating this would be approximately 135 million EC to Dominica. What % of our GDP is 135 million? Definitely not 6%.

    Using the GDP for Dominica 2017 563 million. That would be 24%.

    Give and take adjustments..for spending from visitors directly related to Ross faculty and students….we are above the original 30%

    This 7% crap by Skerrit and his spin doctors trying to stir fry numbers…out the window.

  27. Enough
    August 10, 2018

    You people making a mess of this Ross scenario bad enough skerrit insulted the people by not seeing them now you making it worse by telling them there investment in Dominica was insignificant, vince are you people crazy, stop playing politics, you playing with people livelihood to feed there families and you acting so reckless. I cannot believe people voted for you people, look incompetence!

  28. Patience
    August 10, 2018

    Why would Vince run his mouth without putting down figures for at least the past five years so we can compare? He thinks everyone is dumb on this island of his and skerritt? Now that they run after Ross, Ross was of little significance to the island? Thanks for making the picture clearer Vince!!

  29. D/can
    August 10, 2018

    Dear Mr Henderson

    You all think too little of the Dominican public. The breakdown provided by the experts on ROSS’ contributions I think is severely lacking. Right off the bat let’s list the areas they added value to: Lending institutions, Domlec, Dowasco, tours, taxi, restaurants, supermarkets, appartments, rentals, scholarships, donations, employees. These students also left the island frequently despite our poor air access. They also had visiting families who would have to pay what? Should I continue? Dominicans do not need the government or opposition to apply common sense here. The nature of GDP calculations is that you cannot account for everything, it can be fickle. However, I think, in plain English allu lying wi.

  30. Clever voter
    August 10, 2018

    Who should I believe after about 18 years of lies!!!

  31. Ibo France
    August 10, 2018

    No amount of fuzzy math will lessen the excruciating pain of the people of Portsmouth and the country as a whole. The horse has already bolted the stable and the contribution of the horse to the national economy cannot be downplayed or minimized. I’ll repeat this for it is true. The Skerrit led DLP autocracy is all about winning elections and fattening themselves financially. The shabby conditions of the country, the deplorable and desperate state of the working poor and the unemployed, do not prick their consciences. These wealthy tycoons have become impervious to the hardships of their constituents. Whenever they depart from the seat of power, the country will breathe a collective sigh of relief.

  32. I am mine own
    August 10, 2018

    It doesn’t make sense not to include the economic impact of Ross outside of the education sector. Students paid rent, bought food, electricity, cell phones, etc. I’m sure he’s just to assuage the public, but it isn’t fair to those affected to say that Ross had less of an impact. Let’s start being real with ourselves, we have to find something that can replace Ross, because right now, we are hurting.

    • August 11, 2018

      We can count the ecomic impact of agriculture outside the agriculture industry, we can count the ecomic impact of the tourist industry and we could just keep on counting to make stupid political points. People are hurting as a result of the departure of Ross and sadly too many Dominicans are happy at the outcome and the happiest ones are those who call themselves Patriots.

  33. August 10, 2018

    I used to believe that when one attained a Doctorate (PhD) that one had reached a level of academic status where the rest of us seemed irrelevant in the educational realm and thought process; but amazingly a few in our country who continue “to wear their ignorance as a badge of honor” have proved my statement wrong. Garcon whether it’s 1% or 100% the important discus is the monumental and significant impact the departure of ROSS is going to have on our economy right across the board; the domino effect is even beginning to impact our neighbor Antigua. You are all so academically dishonest that you have allowed your political cult like behavior to get the better of you. Least we forget when you boastfully stated that “people were jealous of you that little black boy from Back Street, St Joseph” because you were “rubbing shoulders with billionaires and millionaires; you never mentioned that they were the ones who are now in jail while holding our Diplomatic passports.

    • Me
      August 11, 2018

      Vince Henderson has no PhD.

  34. Rat Race
    August 10, 2018

    Well if those figures are true then ROSS contributed to 20% of our GDP which is a huge blow to an already doomed economy that has no path to self sustainability. Dominica needs to hit the reset button because we are heading in the wrong direction real fast. I have been mentioning GDP in my comments for years I am happy that it is now coming to light because the people need to know, especially the uneducated ones.

    • DA Fails
      August 10, 2018

      Best we keep them in power, I want them to ride D/ca till the wheels fall off, so they cyanna say nothing when we disbanned the labor party. :twisted:

      • Rat Race
        August 10, 2018

        Real talk wi!!!! But is the youths of Dominica that I feel sorry for. Instead of setting them up the government is setting them back. Notice I say government because it doesn’t matter who in power, once you suffocating the youths future you need to step down. It’s unfortunate that the innocent have to suffer so that the wicked gets punished. Maria was the physical punishment, Ross is the economical… sad to say but more to come.

  35. Uncle
    August 10, 2018

    So we won’t miss them that much then is what you are saying Vince? Well you alright then in you ivory tower, fancy suits and tax free income but people in Possie sucking salt for real.

  36. LaPlaine Observer
    August 10, 2018

    Your bogus economics proves that you are illinformed on the GDP contributions Ross made towards Dominica. This ungrateful behavior by government ministers may have driven Ross to take their business to Barbados. You tell that to the countless people of Portsmouth who depended on Ross for the survival of their businesses. The economic impact will be devastating.

  37. LifeandDeath
    August 10, 2018

    Thank You Vince, how convenient..lol..You fellows must be buried in Foreign when you all die.
    So if by direct impact it’s about 20%, isn’t it reasonable to attribute between 5% to 10% more for other indirect impacts such as the extra employees Domlec or Flow or Digicel would take on because they were serving Ross? or The amplified activities for Whichurch IGA in Portsmouth, the usual upkeep that the owners would pay to cleaners and handymen etc..Not to mention Social Security Contributions and Import Duties on the Port etc..
    All of a sudden try and downplay the impact of Ross because it suits you all better to do so now..It’s not only about what Ross spent, it’s also about what support service businesses were created because of Ross..now tell us the impact on Employment in Dominica and on the Social Security System, and on Domlec, and Flow and the Banks etc. etc..

  38. waypapa
    August 10, 2018

    $83,835,000
    Rental Expenses $8,748,000
    Living Expenses $14,813,280
    Other $2,000,000
    Total Contribution $109,396,280

    Vince is very wicked if he wants to tell the public that this is all Ross contributed to the economy. when the domino starts to fall Viince will be out of state.

    Rental expense of 8mil, where do you think this went? Overseas or underground? No it went into the banks, credit unions, inland revenue, stores, shops, hardware, hairdresser, every single aspect of the economy lived on that figure. Same for all the other expenses. With all that NEP in every business place in Dominica tell me what will happen when it is gone. This is what Vince should be talking about not semantics. Vince you too wicked, you know the masses don’t understand GDP so when you reduce it to a small percentage they will think we didn’t lose much. People even the figure here on its own is 109 million. Can Dominica afford to lose 109 million. I am a commoner so I will leave the…

  39. wayne shaw
    August 10, 2018

    Sure there will be more estimates of the contribution Ross has made to Dominica’s GDP, depending on the writer’s point of view. Some may be near factual and others way off the mark. Whilst that is going on persons will have no income and families will be broken up. Accommodation will be empty, shops and businesses will have no customers and income. More should have been done, yes and stupid ignorant looters may have put the nail in the coffin but it is never too late to save the day. Negotiate with Businesses and think about new technologies old Ross has to offer for the future. This is a great opportunity to move Dominica forward.

  40. Perfect idiot
    August 10, 2018

    “Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says his country will not suffer from the withdrawal of the Ross University’s School of Medicine

    Posting to his Facebook account, Skerrit said despite reports that the university contributed 30 percent to the island’s economy, it was significantly less.” Believe it or not Skerrit posted that on his Facebook page according Barbados today and looptt .com.
    After listening to Skerrit, Vince Henderson who were both schools teachers talking this crap. I don’t even want to mention the rubbish of Tony and Vaulney trying to blame Barbados, while Skerrit’ is on record saying Barbados and Ross are not at fault. But after listening to these boys with toys they clearly gave the impression that everything we learned in school like ” a Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. The new message these weaklings are now teaching is A Bird in the hand is worse than zero birds in the bush.

  41. Plato
    August 10, 2018

    It is appalling for a man of the stature or Dr. Henderson to try to pull wool over our eyes as he minimises the departure of Ross University from Dominica. Mr Henderson we can’t look at this is the way you say, but rather in a holistic manner. As you rightly said economics also includes the underground economy. Oh by the way I just read in the Trinidad Express about a 3 megawatts solar farm opened in St Lucia. Mr Henderson I thought you had a major role in bringing renewable energy in Dominica. I think people it’s time to try fresh hands at the wheel. The driver is need of a rest.

  42. d-a born
    August 10, 2018

    Of course this straw man will say that.

  43. viewsexpressed
    August 10, 2018

    Vince ……please go away and return to the USA where life is ore comfortable. We do not need your thoughts. As Ambassador what have you done to represent us by talking to Ross n the USA.
    Y9u have failed and as a matter of fact, we are not sure that you warrant the money y9u have received from Domininca all these years to be in the USA. You and Skerrit have failed us Big Time, now you down here in comfort while our people are still suffering after Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Skerrit and Hurricane Labour Bobol. this is how we feel of the government that you are associated with.

    Skerrit must Go….Labour government must Go…Get lost. You this corrupt labour Government have overstayed your time in government. Go away

  44. REAL!!!!
    August 10, 2018

    Henderson…..Are you still around. What is your role in improving the lives of Dominicans as you keep picking up a check on the backs of taxpayers..

    Vince stay under that non- productive rock.

  45. viewsexpressed
    August 10, 2018

    Where did Vince come from…where has he been all these years and as Ambassador to the US on Dominica’s behalf, did he attempt to represent us while he is in luxury in the USA what really is the purpose of his visit in Domininca?
    Vince we are fed-up with Skerrit…We are fed up with you…we are fed-up with this corrupt Labour Party Government fleecing our economy with no development taking place in this poverty stricken island over the past 18 years. You Labour people have created “Shocks” to our economy and as an ongoing ailing economy we have a bunch of Labour idiots running this country created by a failed and corrupt Labour government led by an immature and irrelevant Prime Minister…….accommodated by weak Ambassadors, weak Ministers (18 0f them and useless) and blind loyalists, (for eample Lambert talking BS of kairi) after anyone who has rejected Skerrit as a failed leader. Skerrit and his bunch of idiocy must Go…and now.

  46. Passing cloud
    August 10, 2018

    As Tony Astaphan would say Hogwash! The numbers above are so damn misleading. In the break down I did not see any mention of departure taxes in their many to and from trips, no mention of the $300 dollars each oh them must pay to Dominica before they leave Florida, no mention of taxi fees which includes trips to the airport, to Roseau, sunsetbay, tours to different sites, no mention of monies spent at market etc. Even if I were to accept that number yet I cannot understand how a government not do everything within their power to ensure they keep that so called 6.5 percent. Barbados pm Ms. Mottley says Ross Wii add 1% to their GPA and they jumped and grabbed it with both hands to the point that they gave Ross the buildings that were to be used to house their offices. Magwesa Skerrit and Vince! Vince you Skerrit and the DLP walked away from 6.5% GPA in an economy that was already not growing? Boy you all should pack up man

  47. %
    August 10, 2018

    What can you do to cause Ross to return? You are shameless.That’s what your concern should be.
    Shammmmme On Yet another Educateddddd Idiotttt
    Where The Wicked Rule the People MOURN
    This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  48. money
    August 10, 2018

    boy Mr. Henderson u can lie. it have a special place in hell for you.

  49. Anansi
    August 10, 2018

    Whether it is 30% or 7%, you still have to add that negative figure to a minus GDP figure. Anyhow you look at it, Dominica has been pushed back in the negative.

  50. AA
    August 10, 2018

    What is the big hoopla about nah, we should just wait to see the figures and the ripple effects on GDP. These deceitful men trying to spin this at the end of the day we are going to see and feel the impact, the financial sector, utilities, the agricultural sector and the business sector is going to feel the meaningful contributions that Ross use to make. bunch of deceitful and hypocrites

  51. August 10, 2018

    OK Vince I will start by giving you the benefit of doubt but please educate the Dominica population by giving us a break down of OUR GDP. You seem to make light of a very serious situation but ignorance is buried in the hearts of those who do not know better. Since you know the percentage of Ross contribution to the GDP tell us where the other 93% comes from.

    • Charlie Rose
      August 10, 2018

      From Custom duties. that’s wrecking havoc on cost of living in Dominica. I can understand they use it in part to help pay civil servants, so they are playing it safe by not touching it. Bbut that’s a problem. By not lowering duties they depriving the nation of millions the gov’t stand to make thus increasing turn over for businesses and creating hiring/job opportunities exponentially. Even Skeritt said he was going to lower the 160% on vehicles by removing compounding, which only touches it 155%. Well…these people are not business minded at all and that’s another issue.

  52. Floridian Diaspora
    August 10, 2018

    In other words what Mr. Henderson is trying to say is “relax, we really haven’t lost that much, things aren’t so bad after all, the 30% is just an inflated figure”. SMFH !!! Even if there’s truth to the “underground economy” the fact is what ever contribution it made Dominica has still lost it because Ross doesn’t exist on our shores anymore. Dear Mr Vince Henderson, I find your visit to Dominica to be in quite a timely manner. Ross is gone, now you’re here like our knight and shining armor. Did Skeritt think you could bring them back or were you flown in because you’re thought of as an influential character that might sound convincing to the public? Here you are trying to do damage control but the damage has already been done. Down in St Joe we already plan is Workers we voting next election so you can take your sexy well dressed unconvincing over elaborative self back to where thou once cometh from

  53. Chakademus
    August 10, 2018

    I would question the Tuition & fees part of this calculation. Were these paid here in Dominica to the local entity or in the US? If they were paid locally how much of that actually stayed in our banks to circulate in our economy and how much was repatriated? For sure staff salaries, maintenance of the physical plant comes from this amount and that part does contribute. I seriously doubt that the entire $83,835,000 actually went directly into the Dominica economy.

  54. Roy Williams
    August 10, 2018

    On Tuesday night their will be a discussion on Q95 concerning the GDP. The opposition is saying the GDP is 30%, Vince, onbehalf of the government is saying 7%. I hope Vince will be honest and brave enough to join the discussion and convince us why we should believe his figues are correct.

  55. %
    August 10, 2018

    This is the failed contribution of an academic idiot,who cannot give the unemployed Ross workers,those who have mortgages with the banks, etc,etc, any hope,but has come to spin for Moo Moo Skerrit,the most inept PM Dominica has had.Did Ross contribute 40% then, because this crap is below what Dominica expects of you now.Stop insulting us.Many of us,sons and daughters of peasant farmers have a modicum of common sense too.Thats why people like me see you as an unconscionable soul who is impervious to the sufferings and cries of the Dominican people. To whom much is given,much is expected.Break loose from Skerrit,and speak on behalf of Dominica.
    Permit me to refer to your comment as garbage,since this will not put bread on the table of those who depended upon Ross.Skerrits dunceness and ineptitude as a PM has caused Ross to go,and with an educated fool like you on his side,he Skerrit,will only get worse.
    Where The Wicked Rule the People MOURN
    This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  56. Cyrique
    August 10, 2018

    Whatever Ross University contributed to our GDP is gone with them. Time to seduce other investors and move on.

    • Reon
      August 10, 2018

      Bro its easy to say move on!!
      Think of it… For 18 years we were not able to pull in any significant investments – so why do you think that all of a sudden we will attract new investments? As a matter of fact.. a number of startups and established businesses, have closed their doors.

      Hmm.. is a case of the government not creating an environment for businesses to strive or as some may spin it – just lousy businessmen?

      Its easy to say “God will provide”, “we will rise again”, etc, etc… I guess the Haitians said the same think while a dictator was destroying their country.

      Optimism alone my friend will not do it. Right decisions, positioning one self, changing direction – for Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results

  57. betty
    August 10, 2018

    u come believe u can cover up. That not calculation of voters to come and vote for election especially in the St Joseph constituency who live in Newyork and new Jersey area The bible say thou shall not steal Vince .

  58. Hmmmmmm
    August 10, 2018

    Vince is giving us percentages and no figures to back up those calculations. On the other hand Neal Nixon guy may have some serious errors with his calculations. Usually, GDP is stated in USD. The 109million contribution, what currency is this? So we have 580million usd(GDP) and contribution from Ross which is (109million EC) hmmmmmmm

  59. Roland Alan Mitchell
    August 10, 2018

    Mr Ambassador Ross’s EC$100 million will be multiplied by the local Barbadian economy about 20 times, because they have fewer leakages from barbados than we have in Dominica. All the food to feed the university students and staff, will no doubt be grown in Barbados. The beds and furniture that they will require will be built in Barbados. They will make EC$2 billion just out of Ross University alone each year hence forth.
    The barbados PM is a clever QC. She has more brains in her little toe, than I have in all my big head. Dominica has been outplayed by a master stateswoman. I respect her for her skills. We need more woman like her in politics world wide. These people fight for their country, with passion and skill.

    Let us learn from this experience and build Dominica again, on agriculture( Bananas, Coconut, Citrus), tourism, industry, self help, fisheries, self sufficiency in meat and milk, By so doing, we are not at risk of shutting down our economy.

    • Gary
      August 11, 2018

      How can EC$100 million be multiplied by the local Barbadian economy about 20 times when the Barbadian currency is higher than the EC currency, money does not multiply in circulation, it multiplies by making a profit. Do you know how silly you are to suggest that “all the food to feed the university students and staff, will no doubt be grown in Barbados”. really. Why write such things without knowing about Barbados, it seems you are a great practitioner of voodoo economics. How can Barbados make EC$2 billion just out of Ross University alone each year.

      Being a clever QC does not mean PM Mia Mottle is goin to be a great leader of her Country, to solve the economic situation of the country regarding the huge National debt, to early to predict such thing. Before we can learn from this experience and build Dominica again, we must know Corporation are more powerful than Governments and we as Dominicans are the solution to our national economy.

  60. Roland Alan Mitchell
    August 10, 2018

    Mr Henderson, you are a clever Guy, no doubt asked by your Master Mr Skerrit to try to down play the loss of Ross University to Dominica. The quality of cash paid by Ross students and spent by the university has a “multiplier effect”, which is unique to Dominica, and arguably the boost given by this annual expenditure targeted in the Portsmouth area may make its economic effect more valuable than 23%. Let me explain. Rents paid to Portsmouth people, are repaid in local services from agriculture, fisheries, taxis, cleaners, the local town council, mortgage repayments to the aid bank, Tax and national insurance to the central government etc. When you multiply how many times this annual injection of EC$100 million is passed around Dominica, then this money may be worth considerably more than 23%. I would guess that it is closer to 50%.
    This is the scale of the disaster. Stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes and wake up, I wonder who in government was involved in causing this loss?

  61. Roland Alan Mitchell
    August 10, 2018

    I understand that about 10,000 people left Dominica after Hurricane Maria to find work and opportunities abroad. I suspect that after the loss of Ross University, a large number of Portsmouth residents and civil servants will leave Dominica again. these exodus of people should be a warning to the government of Dominica. Usually skilled people leave to find work abroad. For example nurses, teachers, civil servants, bank staff, builders, carpenters, agriculturists, entrepreneurs, making our country poorer. We cannot fight Mr Skerrit, but we can vote with our feet to leave. After all we cannot all be branded as “traitors” to Dominica. A significant number of Dominicans send back money to relatives and loved ones which helps the economy. I would say that this amount of cash is also significant

  62. Roland Alan Mitchell
    August 10, 2018

    The fact remains that Ross university helped revitalise Portsmouth. With Ross going, Portsmouth will revert to the Ghost town it once was. We can argue the percentages ad infinitum. Barbados PM thinks it is worth EC$100 million. Dominica post Maria, cannot afford to lose that sort of income. It is a man made disaster on top of a natural disaster.
    The question now is where do we move from here. It seems to me that having an international airport is crucial to any future development, irregardless of the cost to Dominica. Access to Dominica is holding back development. St Lucia, Barbados, T & T, Jamaica, Antigua, St Thomas, all have international airports. maybe we should study the impact of an international airport on economic development in the caribbean.
    To not build this crucial infrastructure, means development is held back and we are in the second division of economic development in the caribbean. Therefore Mr Skerrit. tell us if we have the funds to do so.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 10, 2018

      Thank you Ronald, you seems discover the Dominica problem: 

      For that idiot to suggest that Ross only contributed 7% to Dominica’s economy is ignorance, Vince is a fool; so what does he have now to replace what we lost!

      Saying Portsmouth will return to the status  of a ghost town is an under statement, most of Dominica will suffer the same fate. If only you knew the amount of business which failed, and others for the same reasons as Ross which left the country, you could see the bleak and doom prospect the people of Dominica are subjected to!

  63. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    August 10, 2018

    ” according to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the university’s $100.00 million contribution will represent 1% to that country’s GDP.”

    I keep calling our Dominican people stupid; most people do not understand why; but  here is the epitome of a very stupid person.

    The economy of Barbados is much larger than that of Dominica, hence whereas Ross contributed 30% to Dominica’s economy, in a lager economy such as Barbados the percentage of Ross input into the Economy of Barbados must be lower, we do not need an economist to cypher,  and dictate that!

    Standing there running your dumb mouth off cannot alter the fact that Ross after forty (40) years left you all in your corrupted mess, such nonsensical  garbage spells sour grapes; put you intelligence where your mouth is i and show us what you can do by  replacing Ross with something that will contribute 7% to the GDP!

    Guy shut up, you are just another ignorant waste of time idiot living of the blood of our people after next…

    • Man bites dogs
      August 10, 2018

      @Francisco, sing your song and don’t forget your lyrics Linton and people like you help Ross to walk away from dominica with you all attitude and propaganda nasty low class behaviour Francisco you think smart but bad luck will catch up with you old man.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        August 10, 2018

        Don’t blame Lennox and me: Blame the master idiot, that stupid boy Roosevelt Skerrit, scum bags like stupid Vince Henderson, and you the genius child who do not know what you are talking about, as far as I am concerned, you are so disoriented you don’t know when you are in Dominica or England eh!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

        Fire away your next insult at me see if I care, all I have to remind you is that Ross left, they are in Barbados today, and it is the fault for chief diplomatic passport, and Parrot salesman that corrupted Roosevelt Skerrit eh!

        Ask him what has he done with Dominica two dozen parrots he said he sent to Germany to get medical treatment almost a year ago. I had heart surgery, and hours after I walked out of the hospital and went home, it seems to take longer to medically treat a parrot than it takes a doctor to go into my heart and resolve a problem.

        Who thief we Parrots nuh?

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