What did the Governor of  the ECCB ACTUALLY say about the CBI  in Dominica?

Anthony Astaphan, SC

What did the Governor of  the ECCB ACTUALLY say about the CBI  in Dominica?

The Governor said

 “We believe that this is extremely important for people to know how much is collected, how it is spent,” he said at a media event on Wednesday. So we welcome the efforts of the government to establish in the last budget specifically how much is coming from CBI and what it is being spent on. We think that’s important.

Antoine continued, “We suggested a template that can be used to publish this information on a regular basis so anybody here, home or abroad can see this information and understand what is happening with the program.”

He pointed out that “none of us” knows how long the CBI will last.

“We hope it will last for a long time, but we really don’t know,” Antoine remarked. “Right now Dominica is doing well on it in terms of collections, but who knows the future?”

He went out to say, many of the countries in the OECS have such programs and so he advised governments to be prudent by not using the money for recurrent expenditure.

“Don’t use it to pay wages and salaries; don’t use it to pay the light bill…because when you do that, if the funds stop you’re in trouble,” he advised. “So what should you use it for? To pay down domestic arrears. If you owe local suppliers of goods and services to government, local businesses, and so use money to pay them, if you have foreign debts, pay them on that.”

He also advised that CBI funds should be used to build physical infrastructure.

“Clearly in Dominica, post Erika, there is need for roads and bridges, we also know that the government is going to use some for geothermal development, we believe that those are good uses of CBI,” he stated.”

The  words in red and underlined show that far from criticizing Dominica’s CBI and transparency, the Governor  was actually complimenting the Government of the  Dominica.   The Governor is right!!

As I have written before, I am aware that a few days or weeks ago, Lennox Linton met with the Financial Secretary of Dominica to discuss the CBI. Linton is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament with the right to ask questions of Government’s revenues and expenditure. He has met with the former Director of Audit  one on one, and with  the Director of Audit together with the Financial Secretary. He can also ask questions on the XCBI as a Member of Parliament. 

Also, at every Budget Debate the Prime Minister gives a detailed report of the citizenship programs including the funds raised and expended.( See the publication of the excerpts of the 2016/2017 published by Link-News Magazine Team in Dominica, page 35 and 36).  The Budget Speech and this information were broadcast live. There is no question therefore that the Governor was correct  when he complimented the Government for indicating specifically how much is coming from CBI and what it is being spent on in the last Budget.

Further, the names of persons granted citizenship are published in the Official Gazette. This stopped for a period when control moved from one ministry to the next. But thisomission  hasbeen remedied retrospectively, and publication now continues under the CBI Unit. The Head of the CBI Unit, Ambassador Nanton, has said the intention is to ensure that all names of persons granted citizenship under the CBI program are published.

I therefore find it extraordinary that Lennox Linton and his supporters  are now doing  a Devil’s dance with  the Governor’s statements. But bit is clear the Governor said nothing to support the lies and misrepresentations of Linton on 60 Minutes or elsewhere, and certainly made no statement that Dominica’s CBI lacked, or lacks, transparency. 

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25 Comments

  1. Jon Jones
    January 18, 2017

    This man clearly doesnt realise how discredited his words are nowadays bearing a lot of similarity to the case of the emperors new clothes. He has been caught telling outright lies regarding the CBI and represents no electorate other than a government preoccupied by self interest , greed and criminality. Their incompetence level must be really high if they have to resort to this as a spokesman when there are elected ministers who should deliver the message.

  2. January 16, 2017

    What I read and understood didn’t in any way commended the government of Dominica with the way the CBI monies was spent. I like Mr. Astaphan’s spin but it doesn’t fly. Building toilets in Layou, free homes for supporters in Senjo and hotels in Portsmouth are not rebuilding infrastructure after tropical storm Erica. Try that in a courtroom it might work for you but don’t spin it on DNO. NO CAN DO!!!!

  3. MILITANT DOMINICAN
    January 16, 2017

    You’ve Been Doing Well; You & Your Family Always Have, At The Exploitations Of Dominica, & Dominicans Tony The Tiger. The CBI Program Is Putting More Than Enough Money In Your GREEDY Pockets So You Can Afford To Talk All The CRAP That You Want Bcuz You DAMMMM Well You WILL Get Away With It. & When You Done Jus Say What We All Know You For Saying TONY THE TIGER; THATSSSSS GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

  4. Dr. Petrie Almond, D.Litt.
    January 16, 2017

    Why do we have to listen to this junk.

    The Governor of the ECCB is a paid employee of a company that is 100% owned NOT by its member states (for which it decides monetary policy) but by PRIVATE FOREIGN PERSONS.

    Why are private foreign persons deciding our monetary policy in the first place?

    Tony, you have a big brain, answer that. No lies though, I am just as smart as you are and can present evidence to substantiate what I say, so please reciprocate.

  5. Truth-B-Told
    January 16, 2017

    Two questions:
    (1) Forget the official charges; does any record exist showing how much money passport sellers get for handling buyers’ CBI applications?
    (2) If everything is above board, how come ALL passport sellers who are getting conspicuously wealthy are ALL strong DLP supporters?

    • My 2 Cents
      January 16, 2017

      If we think, we could answer most questions ourselves. Do you know of any government in this world that would give someone against them to do something so delicate for them? Let’s be real man. Commonsense could answer your question for you.

  6. jonathan st jean
    January 16, 2017

    Tony the governor of the central bank said there is a need for transparency about the CBI program.There is nothing difficult to understand about these words.Why don’t you shut up Tony

  7. January 16, 2017

    Dominicans don’t allow Tony, Skerrit, and all the others to try to stop you from asking questions about the CBI program, it’s about time that the people of Dominica make those folks know they cannot be taken for granted any more enough is enough. Linton is not a problem because what he said are things we knew before nothing was new there, Now Skerrit told us we are getting all that money from the CBI program and we cannot see any of it on the grounds is not acceptable and we are not going to take it any longer . And I’m sure those that are spinning are getting either more passport to sell or money to change their tune,. What the Government should do is stop the program and see where need adjustment before going on but don’t ask us not to listen to the comments from CBS or even Linton when Skerrit wouldn’t discuss the program, and if they continue to carry on CBS will let out information that might damage Dominica much more so I would suggest they look at the program again.

  8. Shaka Zulu
    January 16, 2017

    Tony seems to be doing some pro Bono work. Why is there a need to explain what ECCB said. He was clear and don’t need interpretation or explanation.. the fact that you on there trying to twist stuff alone is telling Mj.

    • My 2 Cents
      January 16, 2017

      He has to because soooo many of you don’t seem to understand basic stuff. Guess that’s why they say Dominica has a 80% plus illiterate population

      • Me
        January 17, 2017

        If that is so 2 cents this government’s education programme has not done too well after all these years in power, has it? By the way, 2 cent coins are no longer legal tender!

  9. Optimist
    January 16, 2017

    seeing that you explain everything and whilst at it please explain this individual for us as he allegedly own a bank in Dominica which is to take up the space in Portsmouth at the building that Cable and wireless was once housed.. The Governor wasn’t aware of this ????

    http://behindmlm.com/companies/pedro-fort-owns-1-2-million-miami-mansion-fort-ad-pays/

    • Jon Jones
      January 18, 2017

      Here we go again.

      Is every CBI passport holder some kind of crook? Too many dubious characters always out for money getting these passports. There is a clear pattern emerging of the type of person who these passports are being sold to by our government and its agents. Transparency of the CBI needs to include a list of passport holders that can be identified and verified before international authorities declare our travel documents that of a pariah, criminal state enterprise.

  10. Observer
    January 16, 2017

    I think the Governor of the bank spoke in the English language; it was simple enough for the average reader to understand. Now, why do we need this gentelman to \”interpret\” for us what the governor said? it beats me!

    • My 2 Cents
      January 16, 2017

      It’s simple because you all don’t understand basic english

  11. January 16, 2017

    When AA people needed help I. Intrepretation the milatre like To h Astaphan will refuse help today when all understand he wants to volunteer opinions, Boy go an sit down .

  12. %
    January 16, 2017

    You definitely do NOT have to tell me what the governor of the ECCB said about our CBI programme!..Do you have a position called “The Teacher of Dominicas Fools?”…Again Tony I say this CBI programme on island is very badly managed,it lacks transparency and accountability…The programme can suddenly come to an end,because according to CBS 60minutes,,the sales of diplomatic passport is not part of the programme,but it takes place UNDER THE TABLE in Dominica…So lazy and incompetent Skerrit better put the money into good use that can sustain the economy…Honourable Linton,the patriot has been saying that all the time..Let me commend the honourable patriot again for his appearance on the CBS PROGRAMME,and for speaking the truth!!.Can coward Tony and Skerrit tell us now,where they were hidhing??

  13. January 16, 2017

    Tony, you can’t fool any right thinking Dominican with that crap, if things was so nice and dandy with the CBI program, why the failure to give information, in the house of parlament? why didn’t Skerrit show up on CBS? after all that talk, I’m fully convience Skerrit and the DLP are selling diplomatic passports
    One question for Tony, how many passport are sold??

  14. Tjebe fort
    January 16, 2017

    Tony, please shut it and stop embarrassing yourself further man. You want to be better than Chubby Ckecker the king of twist, who is still performing at the age of 75 by the way?
    We all heard the Governor of the bank. He spoke clear English and he does not need an interpreter. I know what I heard and the man wants complete transparency and accountability for Roosevelt’s passport scheme.The same message that Linton has been preaching all along brother. There must be something in the air Tony!. I am not a S.C. but I’m not stupid.

  15. January 15, 2017

    My sentiment enkor the man would like to be an elected representative and cannot win dog Carther title so why are we give Tony Astaphan an opportunity to be in the news. As much we call a snake he is still spewing his demonic dogma.

  16. WHO HAVE A BACKHOE?
    January 15, 2017

    OK Tony, what did CBS news 60 minutes say about the CBI program? That’s what is important because CBS reported the truth to the world and you and Skerrit refuse to go on CBS to clear the air. What you all scared of?

  17. street side
    January 15, 2017

    Tony, the Prime Minister Skerrit said the he set aside 6Million from the CBI to pay NEP…
    The Governor warned against paying wages and bills…and ask for more transparency….
    He was just diplomatic as he has to be….

    For someone who is a Snr Counsel you think all Dominicans are foolish….haha

    Tony u are all over on Caribbean sites trying to pin Linton, you don’t understand that the US are aware of everything so if Linton had lied and said Yes things are fine it would not make a difference….

    I think u noticing that the Winning Legacy is about to crumble for the Prime Minister..

    Nothing last forever dude…history will show u on the wrong side in Dominica…as you will be counted as a disgrace to the island,spreading lies and deception…

  18. WHO HAVE A BACKHOE?
    January 15, 2017

    Tony all I ask of you is that you read this article, give it a good spin for us as you usually do, tell us if the former oil ministet is free, or self exile, and if the alleged former election commission in Nigeria is like ours today

    https://www.today.ng/tag/diezani-alison-madueke

  19. Elephan
    January 15, 2017

    Didn’t read. Why are you giving this idiot a platform for further embarrassment?

  20. MWEN ENKOR
    January 15, 2017

    Tony Astaphan is not in government, He should shut up. Where are the elected ministers?

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