With the country presently facing an acute gasoline shortage, a boat with the precious commodity is expected in Dominica either tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday) morning, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has revealed.
Speaking on The Heng on Kairi FM on Thursday morning he also said the government is going to increase the storage capacity for gasoline at Petrocaribe and a national reserve will be created.
“We expect the boat to come in either tonight or tomorrow morning, certainly tomorrow morning,” he stated.
According to the prime minister, the boat is in St Kitts right now where it has been experiencing difficulties in offloading.
“So the government spoke directly, not only with the agent there, but we spoke directly to the ship captain. That’s the extent through which we have been making efforts to get the product there. And the captain told us that he is waiting to offload, to discharge in St Kitts and the next stop on his itinerary is Dominica.”
Skerrit said going forward the government is going to increase the storage capacity of gasoline at Petrocaribe and create a national reserve.
“So we will be constructing additional tanks for gasoline and to create a national reserve for the country,” he said. “We are about, in the next few weeks after the holidays, we will enter into an agreement with a regional supplier of petroleum products or gasoline, on top of our arrangement with PetroCaribe, so that we can have a national reserve in the event of such eventuality that we can provide the private sector if they have difficulties in bringing it in.”
He said such move is not to compete with the private sector but to compliment it.
Skerrit also revealed that Dominica has received three shipments of petroleum products from Venezuela in the last couple months but sanctions placed on the South American country has made trading difficult.
“Venezuela has not been able to transact with petroleum products to the extent that they did before the sanctions came into effect,” he explained. “And even with the ability now to supply petroleum products they are hampered by transportation because shipping companies are still not prepared to do business with Venezuela because of the fear that they will violate the sanctions on Venezuela and find themselves in problems.”
He said the shipments included four to five thousand barrels of gasoline which were then used to supply Rubis gas stations.
“We expect to get a shipment from Venezuela soon on this and of course with the increase of (storage) capacity, we can get any quantity we want from Venezuela once we have the storage capacity,” he stated.
The prime minster described present gasoline situation in Dominica as “unfortunate” but said that it is not fair to blame the government for it.
“But the same people I hear and I see, it’s the government’s fault are the same people who criticize the presence of Petrocaribe,” he noted. “But I believe in our strategic plan, I believe the government must have at its disposal, for its own national security and its own national economy, to be in a position to have a national reserve and is something that we have never done in our life time as a country and I think with all of the challenges we have with supply chain and all sorts of things, I think it is important.”
Previously, the government had said that shipments of gasoline were expected in Dominica on December 22, 25 and 27.
No wonder we have become the laughing stock of the Caribbean, the Dr Dr, master of “deception and lies”, thinks he can bamboozle his way around every thing and everyone; garcon, Ross: DCP: Banks all run from Dominica; don’t you think it’s time for you to put your hands between your legs where your brains are; take your steel beam and go too.
‘The whole world is in the power of the evil one’. Just as true now. To jpin the top of the world elites’ you have to literally sell your soul. Join the dots.
First Vince gave the excuse of the quality standard of gasoline as being partly the reason for the shortage then the double doctorate dude comes with more tim-tim bois chess. Recall it was Skerritt who fell out with Rubis about the price of petroleum products and the one man government decided that he would be now responsible for importing gasoline for Dominica. Since then there have been issues with the poor quality and Skerritt tells us don’t blame the government. Yes we will blame the government for this unprecedented mess in gasoline supply and quality issues associated. Skerritt hasn’t seen a problem which he alone can’t fix. Remember Donald Trump’s saying “I alone can fix it”. The Donald Trump of Dominica, Skerritt, is to be blamed for the gasoline and other issues affecting Dominica. He wants the praise if anything goes well but don’t blame him when problems arise. The circus goes on with the same puppet master and his cast of characters.
All you know already that he is a liar. Why is everyone still posting comments saying Skeritt is a liar? You all just found out? Repeating this over and over again tells me that you all don’t have anything new to say or offer. I’m laughing and Skeritt must be, too. Jokers. The next person or people who keep posting about Skeritt being a liar should do something better with their time. Get off your behind and hit the streets! Every street every road. That once a week walk will help you get some exercise. But it will not, and cannot bring about any systematic changes in Dominica. We need to sit in front of Banks, Supermarket, drugstores, bridges, airports, ministry buildings, financial building, etc. we may have to fill the Stolkfarm prison. These drastic movements will never happen in Dominica because all we have are “Big Mouth” people. Suck your Salt. All Skeritt vehicles are filled with gas. Do you see any police vehicles in line for gas? All I can wish you is a GAS FREE CHRISTMAS 🎄
“Skerrit said going forward the government is going to increase the storage capacity of gasoline at Petrocaribe and create a national reserve.”
Wasn’t there a similar gas shortage in Dominica a couple months ago? Did it not occur to these incompetent guys that they needed to examine their storage capacity at that time? They are forever reacting to events and no one seems to be looking ahead and planning for the future.
What a hopeless group.
How can Roosevelt create a reserve of national proportion, when they do not have the resources to pay for the daily consumption of gasoline?
Roosevelt is simply piping crap; well, he heard big countries i.e., the United States has a reserve, so he too is talking reserve!
Government of Antigua owns 51% of the Bulk storage tanks in Antigua, all he has to do is pay Gaston Brown what he owes, and they will ship gasoline to him.
Mind you they do not refine crude oil in Antigua!
Hoo Ray! Papa Hoo Ray. Sea swelling but my head is not swelling. Not giving myself anything horrors with what all you allowed and now crying like babies. Even going out of country to buy gasoline without any fire extinguishers on all you pee pwee. The chaos is unbearable. I’m keeping cool, though. Playing my favorite childhood game sitting under the lamp post. “Ship sail, sail fast; how many men on deck?” One stupid man. Truck drive, drive fast; how much gas in your tank? I will know in a few days. Maybe a gallon.
Please lord, deliver us from the depths of this corruption. We are a laughing stock amongst those in the free world. Larger countries are slowly chipping away and taking bits for themselves. Please deliver a dose of accountability to these “leaders” so that they may put the people first. Please let them be satisfies with outside money so they can stop taxing the people. This could be a paradise if they relinquish their greed. None of us are better than the other, status is not a license to be wicked. The people are poor, uneducated, with no hope for advancement under the current leadership. People who leave come back to vacation, not build. Our land is being sold to people with skin unlike ours. People don’t have basic needs covered. Our cities are in shambles. Please make these “leaders” worship real actions instead of cheap suits and cheap speeches. We are circling the void. not even milk we make ourselves. Buy from your neighbor not these charlatans in suits. We can save us.
Pay the gas bill. Swells or not they will come. Come on people. I’ve not seen this happen in my lifetime. I guess they’ll blame uwp or freedom for it. The worse part Is that everyone suffers, supporters And nonsupporters. We need better leadership. Forget this popularity contest. This is foolishness.
A nation is like a business we need professionals to run a profitable business
All those voters who backed Skerrit in the the recent elections now claiming shock of his shortcomings are jokers, a man whose sole qualification for the post appeared to be “looks a bit like a male model with his dimples”. Dominicans, it’s time to grow up!
Skerrit, issue remains that no supplier wants to do business with you because you do not keep your word and honour agreements. Pay for the fuel and these people will deliver, it’s as simple as that. Just to remind everybody of his comments so far: 1. There is no fuel shortage in Dominica, 2. We are expecting a delivery tomorrow, 3. Due to sea swells the boat couldn’t unload, 4. We expect a boat either tonight or certainly tomorrow morning, 5. The boat has been experiencing problems unloading in St. Kitts…
Every day a new story, everyday a new excuse. Does anybody still believe this Scharlatan, anybody still have faith in this CM? I for one… DON’T!
Whenever the gasoline boat arrives in Dominica, can someone please find out from the captain whether The Captain, The King of Lies did communicate with him while he was docked or enroute to St. Kitts. We all heard from The Captain, The King of Lies that he personally spoke with the captain of the gasoline boat as to the arrival of gasoline into Dominica. It is so shameful to many when one is being called a liar, but Roosevelt Chichi Skerrit is shameless when called a liar by every man, woman and child. This is the legacy that this soul wants to leave behind. Shame on you Roosevelt. Even your dad would be ashamed of you. Your dad would openly and truthfully boast of his deeds (crimes).
What strategic plan!?!?! Lies and more lies from that man’s mouth. Alas. Poor us.
Do not know when and when not to believe king Liar… Mr. Lies so much..
Remember Skerrit has NEVER, EVER spoken the TRUTH since entering politics.
The man is a pathological, impulsive, compulsive and egregious LIAR, so whatever he says must, and should be considered a BLATANT LIE…But his putrid shenanigans on a largely unsuspecting people will run out!!
He rules by deceit, trickery and deception, that’s why the country is mired in this morass in which it is…
Hs said “HE RUN TINGS”, ..The blame is therefore squarely on his lying and demonic shoulders.
WICKED!!
Apparently Dominica is climate resilient. No gasoline, no cooking gas, unaffordable goods in the shops, cheap rubbish littering the Bay Front in the guise of a Christmas market. It’s really pathetic. Doesn’t he feel embarrassed or ashamed. Labour ka travail. Really? Merry Christmas to the Skerrits – the only people who can afford it.
Roosevelt’s leadership in this and many other areas is wholly wanting. They were too busy riding camels in Dubai and enjoying great jolly after jolly on the taxpayer’s dime. A quick look at the total number of vehicles registered on island during the last 22 years would inform planners of the course of action necessary to prevent this now, daily occurrence. This is a case of poor management, greed and ineptitude on the part of the Dominica Labor Party after 22 years of mismanagement, coupled with a “Political Reset,” that requires yet another “Reset” that does not include the “Cronyism” that the Labor Party has perfected during the last two-decades in office. This is a case of unwanted political aggression on the citizens of Dominica, based solely on the low turn out and percentage of the citizenry that voted or did not vote for Roosevelt and his greedy, inept band of “Elves.” Now the masses are paying a hefty price for this unchecked fleecing of the Nature Isle.
If we are being serious, where is the Oppostion in all of this? They crying day and night, year in year out, about electoral reform. But on issues that effect the people, they are quiet, allowing the Government to control the narrative. It’s unimaginable that none of the main opposition parties have raised concerns on the government created gas shortages.
Is it because they themselves fully support the way Skerrit has handled Rubis?
The way gas prices are formulated is way too secretive for something thats govt controlled. This year oil was $120/barrel, then dropped to $80/barrel but instead Skerrit increased prices, then he lowered it back to were it was when it was at $120/barrel. The opposition said shit. Skerrit comes out and says how he cut taxes on gas, but it’s all a lie gullible people swallow. Look he blaming sea swells, and the opposition quiet.
These losers don’t fight for the people, but they want people to cry for electoral reform.
You voted for red so now take it and leave blue out of it wicked
Leave the opposition out of it. They didn’t kick Rubis out, they didn’t kick Ross out, they didn’t abandon DCP. The opposition didn’t contest the election and asked all you to boycott it too. But all you could not resist the cheap rum, the burnt chicken wings, the free flight ticket and the $50 envelopes. All you made your bed, now sleep in it. I just hope all you sleep well.
@ Anthony, what you want them to do? Things getting worst and Dominicans keep voting the same way. Every other Country, the people demonstrate critical thinking, and vote Government that works in their interest, pas Dominique, they vote for their handsome PM.
You don’t want to hear them when they advocate for you and appeal to you before things turn upside down.
And now when you are in the deep, you want to hear them?
If that is how you can hear, then let the crisis speak for itself. My mother has always said ‘Who cannot hear will feel”
As soon as things get nice again you are back to worshipping Skerritt. So why should anyone waste time with you?
Take what you get like a woman.
/
Alas, this disruption cannot conveniently be put down to climate change or an act of God. Large sea swells at this time of year have been a feature of our climate since time immemorial.
As with so many blunders of late, it brings us back to the folly of man.
Skerrit the blame squarely falls at your feet which exposes your high level of incompetence and lack of humility for the people.
A few years now we are hearing Rubis is unprofitable, they may close their doors and are in talks with the GOVT.
Rubis supplies 65-70% of the market and is responsible much of the storage on island. Therefore it is clear with their absence this would bring the Dominican people and economy to its knees….and the GOVT armed with this info provided no concessions.
The GOVT should have provided Rubis concession for 6 -12 month as a short term solution. Then work on a Long Term solution to build storage facility , work with current supplies and new ones to expand their imported volumes…..BAD GOVERNANCE.
This PM must be the most wicked and diabolic leader Dominica and the Caribbean has ever seen. His interest is HIMSELF, and a few other handlers… This morally and ethically depraved PM, smiles like a devil and he continues to “zumbify” his fanatisc with this deceptive smile, which reveals two dasheen holes on either side of his face!!!
Only in Dominica people tolerate this crap from a sinister MISLEADER posing as a PM..
He said he “run tings” in Dominica. This gasolene shortage is obviously his deliberate and well planned fault.
The countries of the OECS occupy the same geographical space as they are in close proximity to one another. Only Antigua and Dominica have experienced shortage of fuel because of rough seas. The truth is a colossal failure of leadership is the principal cause. Both Gaston and Roosevelt don’t have the mental acumen to organise nor lead anything, not even a community parade.
For the good of the country, I hope that the fuel situation will be resolved by tomorrow. If you put a sheep to lead a pride of lions expect chaos and anarchy to follow.
We could track that vessel ourselves if only name was provided.
Using a vessel tracker app, I see no tanker either in Dominica, or on the route between St. Kitts and Dominica.
Something is telling me that’s the same boat they brought Mehul Choksi to Dominica that br-ing-ing the gas you know. But why it taking so long nou? Same captain same crew same everything but this time it taking forever to get to Dominica as if the captain forgot the way. Boy imagine PM Skerrit called the captain himself to see where they be Lol 😂 😂 😂
No joke but since when Dominicans got so sort nou? You think they didn’t put something in the turkey and ham to doltish us?
That man is such a liar that even he believes his lies! Thats the very reason why I refer to him as Lieonel.
Skerrit knows that this calamity of significant proportion can and will not be forgotten by we the people. Those of us who have common sense, not labour sense know nou fe-ni-bat in this onemanwealth. NEVER in history have we seen such calamity for fuel. Limited buses, no fresh farm products, no christmas lyming, no parties, no shopping, no buzz in roseau. Not even Santa can roam the streets of roseau because the boats cannot offload the donkey feed and grease for the buzz-wheel on his carbooway. Lionel and his gang of vorlaire-grinchies have stolen the soul out of Christmas and for that we should never forgive then.
On the first day of Christmas our true love gave to us a boat with empty fuel.
On the second day of Christmas our true love gave to us one empty boat one salted ham and no gas to cook it.
On the third day of Christmas our true love gave to us one empty boat one salted ham one small turkey but no gas to cook it
On the fourth day of Christmas our true love gave to us four more lies one empty boat one salted ham one small turkey but no gas to cook them
On the fifth day of Christmas our true love gave to five stones to hold one empty boat, one salted ham, one small turkey but still no gas to cook them
On the sixth day of Christmas our true love gave to us six more lies, one empty boat four more lies one small turkey bust still no gas to cook it
On the seventh day of Christmas our true love gave to us seven more lies one empty boat, one salted ham, one small turkey but no gas to cook them.
On the eighth day of Christmas our true love gave to us, one ambulance, one fat nurse and…
this promises he cannot keep or never plans to
This statement by the prime minister reminds me of something i saw at home depot last week …This young girl is sitting on santas’ lap says to him ”are you a politician? his answer why you ask ? her reply was is your name Skerrit? because you do the same things he does make promises he knows he ca
I wonder if that boat that bringing the gas is not the same boat Skerrit told farmers in the east a few years ago was on its way to pickup their agricultural produce?
Don’t be surprised if they tell us tomorrow that the boat developed engine problem or it sank somewhere. When dealing with professional liars expect anything
So much lies that we don’t even know which lie makes more sense while the crisis deepens in Dominica. Matthan Matthew gave his but minister Dr Vince pushed him under the bus with another lie and then Skerrit came today with his version of lie which completely dumped Vince under the train. Boy look lies and liars