An Open Letter…
I believe that I speak on behalf of ALL landowners in Laudat who have not been paid by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (GoCD) through the Dominica Geothermal Development Company (DGDC) Limited vis-à-vis the Geothermal Development Project.
I am one of the (22) twenty-two Project Affected Persons (PAPs) ie landowners in Laudat that will accommodate the Geothermal Reinjection Pipeline.
I first received correspondence from the DGDC on 24 August 2020, stating that the Lands and Surveys Division would contact me.
On 27 April 2021, I received an email from the Lands and Surveys Division with an offer for compensation of land acquired. I accepted the offer on the same date, albeit I did not receive any acknowledgement!
After chasing up for months, I finally received an email on 2 September 2021and I was instructed to complete the Agreement Form and return it to the Lands and Surveys Division. On 10 September 2021, I sent the completed and notarised Agreement Form via email and submitted the hard copy on 4 October 2021.
On 13 October 2022, after chasing up for months with the Treasury Department, I was then told that I needed a letter from the Lands and Surveys Division. I went to the Lands and Surveys Division and they were a bit clueless at first and then after enquiring they confirmed that they have to issue the letter. I was told that they will contact me when it’s available.
On 14 October 2022, the Lands and Surveys Division rang me and stated I needed to submit the original Certificate of Title in order to issue the letter. I submitted the original Certificate of Title on 26 October 2022. NB I keep chasing up with both the Lands and Surveys Division and the Treasury Department.
On 27 April 2023, I was told that there is a cheque stating PAID and awaiting CLEARANCE. I have been chasing up ever since and still nothing. I was even told to await the BUDGET on 26 July 2023! Even though I’ve chased up since, I’m still waiting…
It is interesting to note that the project which is partly funded by the World Bank states on its website for the project https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects- operations/project-detail/P162149, that there were (3) three Disbursements in 2022 and (4) four in 2023 (See below).
According to the DGDC Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) dated December 2021 (updated) which is available on their website https://www.geodominica.dm/, the RAP Implementation Schedule has not been implemented – pun intended (See below).
I am certain that my fellow landowners are going through the wringer as well. So, my question is this, when will we be paid? May I remind you that it’s OUR land and it’s time “the powers that be” stop pussyfooting and pay us! We are not beggars…
Nancy NASSIEF CAUDEIRON
Landowner
I think it’s prudent that the government finish this geothermal plant first, rather than airport, cruise-ship birth, zip line, etc, strictly for the benefit of tourists. Put everything else on temporary hold and complete the geothermal plant.
The politician kicking the goal further down the road is getting old and disrespectful. Build it. All the big & small companies that value affordable/cheap electric rates will come.
That’s unless we’ve been lied to that foreign direct investment is desirable to grow our economy.
Here we go again. This government has a habit of not paying the debt on time.
Again I ask: Has the government ever been late on paying Skerrit’s $64K monthly allowance?
I doubt it very much. Having said that, I think these payments ought to stop as of today anyway. Didn’t the serial liar say at the time the payments would stop after a year? So here we have. Stop these payments, there is absolutely no justification in paying 64,000 monthly for his accommodation. Hundreds of our people are still living under tarpaulin!!!
@zandoli, You having a laugh and a nerve to say ” This government has a habit not paying debt on time” take a step back and think of Edison James, government snakes and ladders party that didn’t pay many of its debt money gone missing up to today not single penny have been found, Labour government was left to pay it back and still paying countries such as Trinidad and the rest , so don’t come here playing dam hypocrite as if workers coolwosh party was whiter than white.
I would not be surprised if you later find out that the cheque that you have since been awaiting has already been cashed by a civil servant and since gone!
Let us all be honest, this is what Dominica has become, corruption, fraud and theft by captain down to cook in this crooked Labour party government! Thieves, kawats, bastards, salops, malpwops, seepoom, vermin in high places in this Commonwealth of Dominica!
@Truth Be Told
Truth is like bitter medicine but excellent for the soul. What you have advanced is rather harsh but it is the irrefutable truth.
The actions of the illicit actors in the present government of Dominica have lowered the morality bar so low, every villain, thug, miscreant and dunce can clear it. It’s by no accident nor freak of nature that Dominica is last in everything, Regional Austrie said this.
I would not want to know how many people in and around Wesley are still waiting for their money from the biggest land grab in Dominica. Rise people and demand what is legally yours!
I am somewhat surprised that Skerrit let this happen to one of the somewealthy ones. Has this group of wealthy business people finally woken up and smelled the coffee? One can only hope so. Very interesting closing statement from Nancy: I remind you that it’s OUR land and it’s time “the powers that be” stop pussyfooting. I personally believe that it’s high time for ALL citizens of DA to stop pussyfooting around with Skerrit and his gang of corrupt incompetent people. Right now he is even working on spoiling the process of overdue Electoral Reform. The country simply can’t afford to have these Gangsters at the helm any longer.
It is now ten months since an articulated vehicle, the owner of which was under contract with the Ministry of Public Works, lost control and crash through my entrance.
I am still awaiting compensation for the damage done.
Does it matter where or for whom the driver worked? This seems to be matter for the police and insurance.
Where are the rest of the land owners. So nancy could not get one other land owner to sign the letter with her? Am I to assume that they do not agree with her position (open letter)and have adopted their own approah. Is not everyone that likes to publicise the fact that they are due for a windfall of cash.
Point? Read the nonsense that you wrote here and ask yourself what is your point? Does Nancy not have the right to represent herself and her land? Does she need others to make and state her case? Who cares what you and Labour party like or do not like? She could do it with others or do it alone, it is her land and her choice! But Labour party does not believe in choice so is alright. Is Labour way or no way even for someone personal property. Have you people gone mad with power going up you all head? The end is coming! This is Nancy approach, the others are entitled to their own approach. We will sing Sankey again in this Commonwealth of Dominica and this time for Roosevelt Skerrit!
You sound like you have your facts well sorted out. I would pursue legal action…
@hmm, just asked a simple question and stated my opinion, all based on the fact that no other landowner joined her with her open letter.
Deduct money from the 64k a month rent payment and use it to pay the landowners.
My only wish is that you would have initially got a lawyer to oversee this on your behalf. I can only hope they would NOT have advised you to surrender your certificate of title until compensation had been negotiated, agreed in writing and paid. You could have pooled your payment resources with other in the same position to afford a group legal representation.
It’s just plain crazy to give up your title before you had the compensation in your possession.
Safety in numbers: people need to learn to work together in situations like this. You have a better chance of avoiding harm or mistakes in a group than as person working alone. It’s still not too late, I’m sure you can still work something out…
I pray on the basis of human kind that a kind lawyer or group of lawyers will be will offer you and your fellow landowners advice pro bono.
Let us pray!
Absolutely sound advice! I hope all the victims of this cruel stunt by the most deceitful scoundrel will come together and sue the government not only for the payment due but with interest.
I agree with the lady.Pay the damn people.Every damn thing in this country is come at 12 come back at 4.Come tomorrow,come next week come next month.Every where is a bloody waste of time,too much gossip,fake news and lies.Files buried on desk’s,people on phone gossiping,politician supporting destruction and laziness.The manager is even worse,always looking under women’s skirts.No dicipline in the workplace.The utility companies are even worse.No emergency weekend numbers.
whose fault is that? all of those people involved in this fiasco are government workers
Simply unconscionable! But what should any rational being expect from a government led by a man a very checkered reputation.
Would you believe that there are missionaries of Roosevelt who would eviscerate the victims of this wicked subterfuge of Starboy of stupidity.
Every person who still believes in justice should raise their voices, use their pen as a mighty sword, to demand compensation for these economically wounded people.
This is a very interesting open letter from Ms. Nassief Caudeiron. It is one that my late grandma would describe as an act of: Lord, I can’t take it no more!! Those who have eyes to see, let them see and read. Dominica has been laid low by corruption and is slowly becoming a story of tragedy and unpaid bills (recall the recent news story of the two US universities demanding payments?) They killed agriculture and concentrated all their energies on the golden goose of passport selling that allegedly made of them filthy rich but is now on the brink. They allegedly stole all the money and then put a medical doctor as Finance Minister. Magre sar!
…and the medical Doctor is corrupt and greedy enough to play along in this Pappy Show which has been playing now for 20 years, inscenated by the Viceroy of Morne Daniel.