From time to time we all rise to the occasion, whether it is selfless or self serving. We as humans are inherently good natured although some of us fall away from that natural human aspect from time to time. This is what brings me to the title of this little opinion piece I decided to submit to DNO.
As many of you know, we in Dominica have an abundance of Geo-Thermal activity. We see hot spots all over the island. The question some of you may ask is “what is Geothermal Energy”? The term geothermal comes from the Greek word geo, which means earth, and therine, which means heat. Geothermal energy is energy derived from the natural heat of the earth.
In Dominica there have been many who have investigated the ability to effectively use this energy source to turn it into electricity and possibly market energy locally and to neighboring islands. The Government (Labour Party Government), I am sure have entertained many men who have brought out their proposals and designs for capitalizing on this resource on the island.
There have been many advances in producing electricity from this energy source and one thing we must remember is that it is a renewable resource. The Government of Dominica has a vested interest in ensuring that this energy source is used effectively to the benefit of the people and country. If this energy can be harnessed and turned into electricity efficiently and at a relatively low cost, it would go a long way towards lowering the cost of electricity across Dominica.
As it stands now, our electricity costs are too high and that prevents businesses from expanding and puts unnecessary financial pressure on the ordinary man or woman. Today we all use electricity in our lives in one way or another. Many companies complain about the cost of doing business in Dominica and one of their primary complaints is the high cost of utilities with specific mention of electricity. To be competitive in this global age, we need a reliable source of electricity with little or no interruptions. We also need to generate this electricity at lower costs than what we are able to produce it today.
This brings me to my main point… I have seen and heard a few Dominicans based in the USA attacking the Government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit from various angles. What I tried to examine is their motives for doing this and what it is they hope to gain from the exercise. These men were not part of the UWP administration, nor were they known party supporters. We all know that the Government owns the land around some of the areas ideal for geothermal development and the Government by extension is the people. This potential energy source should be harnessed for the benefit of all Dominicans. If Mr. Skerrit and his administration were to be careless and allow anyone to get licenses for geo-thermal exploration and electricity generation, this could cause irreparable harm to Dominica much like the sale of Domlec did a few years back.
A group which included Mr. Gabriel Christian, Mr. Thompson Fountaine, and Washwoa Douglas among others approached the Government of Mr. Skerrit to obtain such a license for Geo-Thermal Electricity Generation. These men did not have the necessary financial backing for undertaking such a venture, nor did they have any experience or expertise in the field. Although they did claim to have some knowhow, the money to effectively construct and harness electricity from the ground was nowhere to be seen. What these men wanted to do was obtain the license and not harness electricity or construct any power plants or conversion plants. They expected to get this license from the Government simply because they were Dominican Citizens.
What they intended to do with these licenses was to sell them to the highest bidder on the international market. If these men had succeeded in their endeavor, they would have been holding the golden card, a card they would have been able to profit from on the ‘heads’ of Dominicans while doing no heavy lifting. The Government and people of Dominica would not have seen a penny, not one red cent. As a Dominican, I expect all governments to act in the best interest of the people and country and that is exactly what Mr. Skerrit and his administration did by denying these men the opportunity to profit by their deception and greed.
When Mr. Skerrit said no to these self-serving ex-pats, he was essentially creating enemies who are now hell bent on trying to discredit him and his government. What these men do not understand is that the Prime Minister and his Government have a lot of information in the proposals made by various persons including these men. Mr. Skerrit if he chooses to, can obliterate the many agents of greed and destruction seeking to discredit the Government by exposing the real nature of their discontent for all Dominicans to see. The Prime Minister chooses instead to speak out with actions and infrastructure projects, instead of hearsay and politicking.
I decided to write this after gathering some facts on my own. I support this Government and someone has to speak up for truth in Dominica. The many pronouncements made by these men ring hollow with the Dominican populace, and it does so for one simple reason: People see tangible development and infrastructure. A few years ago we underwent austerity measures in Dominica. It was hard and tough, but necessary. We are doing better today because we swallowed this bitter pill. The same will be said in 5-10 years when we have realized the completion of these infrastructure projects going on around the island. Our people will be able to move about easier. People, goods, and services will no longer be confined to certain areas of the island. There will also be improved safety when driving for locals and visitors, while cutting down on fuel costs and travel time.
The majority of Dominicans living abroad love their country and supports it in one way or another. They only want what’s best for Dominica irrespective of who does it. The only thing that the above mentioned guys have in common with the UWP and its supporters, is their hatred for the Skerrit Administration and the shared goal of exacting revenge on a man who told them NO while putting his country first. These men claim to be interested in Dominica, but they live in foreign countries and have no interest in moving back to the Dominica. Country first is not part of their modus operandi and it never will be. Their only interest is reaping whatever they can however they can, with no care for the country or people. If these men who have joined forces with the United Workers Party are ever allowed to have some access to our natural resources, God help us all.
Given the facts, as I understand them, I consider Mr. Christian the consummate opportunist and Mr. Fountain a lost son of the soil. I will reserve judgment on Mr. Douglas as he is a small player in this endeavor. Neither of these gentlemen are willing to put Dominica’s interest first they are simply motivated by greed and are angry at the Prime Minister for standing up for the Dominican people.
August Christopher
August Christopher you don’t even have the decency to use your real name yet you acttack falsely the good name of gabe, fountain and others.
I know for a fact that fontaine was never involved in what you said.pure lies. In fact, if I knew your real name I would ask him to sue you for defamation of character. Or maybe he should ask DNO for your real name because these allegations are absolutely untrue. It’s about time someone make an exmple of you guys.
Just want to know why don’t we approach more well known companies like HESS, EXXON, ARAMCO and SHELL to get this project of and running? Why are we wasting time messing with questionable companies.
Is there any frame work inplace to monitor waste and emmisions?
Propaganda to support the treasonous french agenda.
Simply doing French national service?
How many wars have the french fought to get control of our resources?
What did they do to Haiti?
Is it the descendants of the slaves that own the french islands or the Bakey’s?
Another “cookoo” just let of the cage aux folle to attack patriotic Dominicans like Christian and Douglas.They are DOMINICANS and they have the right to persue business opportunities in the
land of their birth.We won’t be SILENCED!!
IF Christian, Fountaine And Douglas were from Asia, Europe or China Christopher and the Labour Party would welcome them on red carpet.No surprise The Lord said.
“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country”
Just a correction Christopher, We do not have a Labour Party Government.We have the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
So…..what’s the latest on Geothermal, is it dead or is there going to be another speech on this life-blood ?
And by the way, be sure Domlec is not involved eh, not even in the next overdue ‘speech’!
Its tough being a leader. One once told me “It’s a lonely seat up here” You give licence you wrong. You dont give licence you wrong. That old tribal war thing is following us from Africa to the Caribbean and into the 2011s, eh? We will not drop it. A house divided cannot stand. Dont blame anyone when you fall.
n allu want to blame MOTS for everything political on D.N.O,,,,politrix was the last thing in my head,,,,for that is a matter which interest me (geothermal energy),,,but then the writer went after people in the diaspora n ya’ll know the rest,,,,when will these henchmen stop making excuses nah,,,,mr just spoil another great debate alas,,,,doh blame MOTS for the politrix o.k look at the so-called men who should know better
one person left out in your article is that Emanuel Finn fellow.
If any Dominican talks about Bad Governance, stealing, lying, enrichment by politicians through illegal means, corruption to the T, lack of or no transparency and accountability, no open tendering for national projects, robbing the Treasury of people’s money for rubbish and fertilizer Bobols, linking with crooks of all sorts, like the one in the US jail all now, decline of agriculture, manufacturing low-key, local businesses closing while Chines businesses taking over Roseau, unemployment and crime on the rise, it is wickedly viewed as hating Skerritt.
Of course citizens of any nation must hate those corrupt practices and inefficiencies, speak against them and act to correct those ills. Under our constitution every citizen has the right so to do. Well, if the above-mentioned CAPS of inefficiencies and corruption neatly fit Skerritt and the DLP Govt. let them and their supporters wear them. But do not try to fit those caps on others heads.
Why shouldn’t the commanding heights of our economy be in the hands of Dominicans? Why should a Govt. which is worth its salt and concerned about development, and that DOMINICA MUST BE FOR DOMINICANS, and DEVELOPMENT is ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY, just give away our BIRD Island, our tarish, our rich soils, our rivers, our GEOTHERMAL, Dominica passports to sell without accountability, our…………. to Foreigners to control and Dominica gets PITTANCE and go on BEGGING outside countries?
WEST INDIES POWER CO. should NEVER, I REPEAT NEVER, be the entity to control the exploration of our GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES. Augustus Christopher or whatever your real name is, must be living in Mars. Does West Indies Power Co. have the funds? Where is the GEOTHERMAL PROJECT going? What is the status of that important project to Dominica? At what PACE is the project going? A TURTLE is moving much, much faster.
You see, factually, Govt. despise and mistrust its locals to the point that they prefer to sell our beautiful Dominica to the HIGHEST BIDDER. If Govt. had any VISION, it could try to convince the world of the necessity of Geothermal exploration to drive Dominica’s economy and plan some sort of JOINT VENTURE with LOCALS and seek international assistance as well as collaborate with foreign expertise. ALBA funds could be obtained to partly fund that project. I read that part of ALBA’s mandate is to assist countries pursuing alternative energy development and supplies. NO PLANNING.
Instead Govt. quickly set up PETRO CARIBE, to sell diesel oil for Venezuela. Still deepening dependence on Fossil fuels, instead of fast forwarding the exploration of our Geothermal energy potential The debt to Venezuela for selling diesel for them is astronomical so far.
The only person who has so far benefited BIG TIME from that Geothermal project so far is the lawyer and others of his ilk. Imagine almost $2,000,000.00 spent for legal fees and other things as meetings and Dominicans did not know what was happening .
The article smells unbearably of Partisan Political excreta and cannot fall anywhere in the line of objective writing on the issue of seriously exploring our Natural Geothermal Resources for the good of all Dominicans.
With regards to Christopher’s presentation I must say that this was an absolute waste of time. Foot soldier Christopher gave us the impression that he was a geothermal pundit but alas he merely copied information regarding geothermal energy form some previous posting. After reading Mr Christopher’s article my only conclusion is that the man is just one of those dumb foot soldiers employed to detract and create false impressions.
What we did not hear from Mr Christopher is the governments plan going forward. We all know that the proposal from Mr Christian and others is a no no so tell us how is this project going to get off the ground. Tell us who is now going to finance this project. ere the money is coming from.
To Mr August Christopher your effort is no different from the Mervin Paul attempt to lynch the engineering company or the Charles Saverin call for the destruction of Brisbanes.
Stuppes…. is what that article deserves as a comment.
started well,fell in the abbis and loose all sense of reasoning.
bunch of bull on you part what a crazy article ,just another labour wanna be ,i thought those guys wanted license for a bank get your fact straight.
that is rong
From what I know the entity ‘West Indies Power’ who was granted the license in Soufriere is headed by the same individual who had the geothermal license from Ma Charles time. He could not deliver then. The DLP through support of the OAS strip him of that license and the same DLP turn around a few year later and give it to the same individual.
The fact remains that West Indies Power is cash strap (they don’t have money) and they have never developed a geothermal power plant so that puts them on the same page as the individuals you mentioned in teh article.
If you had done your research as you said and was not politically bias you would have found out the West Indies Power is looking for investors all over the place to save face on the Nevis Geothermal Project. The Russian Investor wants out!! They project is dragging along and has gotten very expensive so much so that it may never make money for the investors which is one of the reasons the Russian wants out.
So let’s see how West Indies Power is going to develop the geothermal resources in Soufriere with the track record that they have in Nevis. My guess is it will be very, very difficult if not impossible for West Indies Power to raise money for geothermal development in Dominica given their performance in Nevis.
So West Indies Power have no track record in the development of geothermal power plants and they have no money. I wonder what makes them different from the individuals you mention in your article. OH YES – they are DOMINICANS BY BIRTH. What else – hmmmm, maybe not enough money to go around on the deal
Your credibility went down the toilet when you took sides. You could have been objective without taking sides politically.
just was nothing like i expected…. lol tell you the truth politics was the last thing on my mind when i saw the heading
I really thought this article was going to be objective, informative, and thought provoking, but it just took a surprising turn.
Secondly, I know Mr. Christian and Mr. Fontaine. These gentlemen are as far as can be from the selfish greed individuals that you are portraying them to be. Mr. Christian has the interest of Dominica at heart, and so is Mr. Fontaine. Not because they don’t see things like you see it you should blaspheme them. These gentlemen are very likely to have positively contributed to Dominica more than you ever would. Ask the Cadet what Mr. Christian has done for them, and ask other Dominicans the knowledge we have obtained from thedominican.net, a gift from Mr. Fontaine, way before DNO. Let’s agree to peaceably disagree Dominicans.
Thirdly, the dream of geothermal energy loweirng the cost in Dominica is a little hard to swallow for me. I started doing a little research on the energy cost and energy consumption of countries around the world, and something struck me, Dominica is one of the contries in the world with the highest percentage of renewable energy as the souce of electricity generation, yet it is one of the most expensive in the Caribbean (Trinidad (roughly a 1/4 of what dominicans pay) has the lowest, followed by Belize which pay about 1/2 of what we pay in Dominica). Yes people – hydro-electricity is renewable, and “green” to but that does not seem to help us. I think the whole problem is the size of the economy, operating cost, and greed. Geothermal energy as far as I know, has a very high start-up cost, and whichever, company is controlling this is going to try to get a return of their capital investment as soon as they can- and it is going to come from you-know-who ? the consumers. So don’t be too excited, let them give you details on how they going to charge – let government set price sealing on such a vital commodity – electricity.
I wish Dominica well.
We just need to work together for the benifit of Dominica, put GOD first and the Country. Stop complaining.
Reserve comments on Mr. Douglas?! Seriously?! Mr. Christoper – if that is your real name – do you know the work that Washwoa has done for his commuinty and by extension his country?! Brother wheel and come again. I am not a supporter of the UWP … NEVER HAVE BEEN! But I am wise enough to be objective. This nonsensical piece of yours should be placed next to your comode and used to whipe … well, you know your what!!
you just wasted 10 minutes of my life in reading this i want my 10 minutes back
man i am listening and ihear you , i just hope what you are saying is ture, because i want to see that too. iwould not be able to say it like you, we need to have DA at Heart, and not be burden with all these Chats, from all these Crats. Tecnocrats, diplomats, dlp crats, uwp crats, dfp crats and all that, all of them are just bombo clats, it’s time to act.i would like to drop the “C’s”, but i doe want to be disrespectful.
Well look it. They now coming up with commentaries!!!!
I thought this was going to be educational but it turned out to be just another political platform attack on “these people.”
Nice article … but, but. but, dah not your real name!!!!!
You claim not to know ” these people” as you refer to them but you pretend to seem very familiar with what their motives,plot,plan, etc was going to be.
Your article is biassed,unresearched and incredibly polarised.
Very lucky for DNO to be giving you such valuable space to waste evrybody else’ time with your unresearched political nonesense.Especially at such a critical time when we are usefully debating very important issues in our country’s development. Somebody should do you a favour and scrap your pc.
Best to shut up and let those who know inform the public of facts and not the bye products of our useless imagination.
Yours is a very crasse article. Shame on you.
Commentator,
Your comments seem to be rather harsh. I for one, found the article quite informative, if a bit biased. To say it was “unresearched” is certainly incorrect, as it provides considerable information about Dominica’s geo-thermal potential and the dealings of certain “opportunist”.
What we need now is to harness this potential and produce useable energy for the benefit of all Dominicans.