President of the Mahaut Bus Drivers Association, Bernard Coipel, believes that help is on the way and that bus drivers in Dominica will be compensated.
His comments came after a Zoom meeting with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in an effort to address the concerns of bus drivers on the island regarding their share of the COVID-19 economic relief measures which the government has announced.
The bus drivers are being offered a $15,000 loan from the government through the AID Bank at 1 percent interest.
A number of bus drivers have rejected the notion of a loan as a form of assistance claiming that this will put an extra financial burden on them since their earnings have dropped significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bus drivers in Portsmouth and surrounding communities gathered at Borough’s Square in Portsmouth on Monday 25th May to express their dissatisfaction with the $15,000 loan facility.
Some bus drivers have suggested that a grant facility would be more beneficial to them at this time.
Speaking on Q-95 Radio recently, Coipel said the Zoom meeting held with the Prime Minister was successful.
“The Prime Minister decided to keep his promise and during the conversation, I watched him straight in his eyes…I feel confident in speaking with the Prime Minister and he told us what he is going to do,” Coipel stated.
He said some bus drivers cannot afford to pay the $15,000 loan.
“Bus drivers are crying; some are saying we already have a loan to pay and for us to take another loan of $15,000 at 1 percent, they said, is not making sense. So, we discussed with the Prime Minister that the bus drivers are asking for a grant, so, whether it is $2000 a month or whether it is just $7000 upfront and then we will take the rest at the bank,” he said. “The executive met and we did speak to AID Bank as well, they were invited as well and we got some good results.”
Prime Minister Skerrit earlier this week, speaking on KAIRI FM, told protesting bus drivers that they should “stop being silly” and take advantage of the loan facility at the AID Bank which has been put in place to assist small business owners impacted by Covid-19.
“My advice to them: stop being silly and go to the Social Security; go to the AID Bank; fill out the forms and access the funds,” he said.
He indicated then that if bus drivers have an alternative suggestion, he is more than willing to listen.
“But I am not going to be engaged in any shouting argument at the Borough’s Square,” Skerrit declared. “If you have a legitimate concern, put it in writing; send it to me or ask to see me, but if you were to ask me for my advice, I will tell you that it is nonsensical for you to say you don’t want the money.”
The $15,000 small business loan facility includes a six (6) months grace period on both the principal and the interest.
“So for the next six (6) months you can be making money and not have to pay anything on the loan,” the prime minister noted. “There are no penalties for that.”
He told the bus drivers that denying themselves from making money is not a wise decision.
SHAKA ZULU,quote the section of LAW which say BUS DRIVERS are entittled to compensation.
“The executive met and we did speak to AID Bank as well, they were invited as well and we got some good results.”…..Please show me the results! Bro a promise is a comfort to darn fool and you know the Senior Liar will never keep his promise.
“My advice to them: stop being silly and go to the Social Security; go to the AID Bank; fill out the forms and access the funds,” he said….Stop being silly? I get it sir, they are your children and subjects who does not know better but to come and kneel infant of you and beg. Next time kick their sorry Aharse in the face!
There are 10 Parishes in Dca and if we have one representative from each Parish on a small “task group” for this purpose a decision can be reached very easily. That Task Group will decide what happens to those greedy, POLITICAL and wicked drivers and bus owners who fail to fall in line once the decision of the simple MAJORITY (6) is taken. This is very simple! Unity is strength and we need that now!
“The Prime Minister decided to keep his promise and during the conversation, I watched him straight in his eyes…”
What kinna littleboy talk dat nuh,,,
No wonder allyou getting what allyou deserve allyou need to multitask Garçan!!!
Soh much land Dominica have allyou cannot get a couple spots and grow something to fall back on!!!
MyYout stop putting all your eggs in one basket!!!
Word of advise “use the bus money to reinvest in more sustainable business like Agriculture so when the bus break down or crash or something like this happen you have more than enough to fall back on”
Allyou Pardners have come too Laaaazzzzy!!!
Go get some real work to do and stop looking for handouts and FASTMONEY!!!
You are entitled to COMPENSATION IF THE GOVERNMENT ACQUIRE YOUR PROPERITY FOR PUBLIC USE.The bus drivers are NOT entitled to compensation.SKERRIT is only trying to help them.The MEDIA WHORE IS A JACK A
This Moron cannot be related to Michael Coippel,it’s impossible.
I am not concerned much about what Mr. Copel says or doors because I do not know his position in Christ. However what really offended me as a born again believer was when Copel and another individual referred to as Worrell St. Jeanne told Matt on q95 that he is a pastor. I was offended because by that declaration the pastor helped me to understand why Dominica is in the mess that it is. The pastor had an obligation to lead by example and he failed. He had a responsibility to let his light shine by being transparent and not being involved in any under table deal with the PM and he failed. The pastor had an opportunity to let others know that he is not selfish but one who thinks of others and the prosperity of his fellow bus drivers and he failed. It is clear that what the PM has made available to bus drivers is a $15k loan that very few are qualified for he had a way to get his supporters qualified. Covid 19 affected all and a pastor should not be part of or encourage any secret deal
This guy was told the law made it clear that he should get compensation directed by President. He said he was ignorant of the law but he confident he making headways. All this says is he feels good about himself that he can have audience with the PM of a country and get what he wants the selfish gratification. Furthermore he stated he knows pm telling the truth cause he looked him in the eye. Skerrit cannot watch anyone in eye when he talking to them cause the amount of lies he tells. Some people take pride in being stupid in this country. You would think skerrit has just been got in the public sphere and have no records. Dominicans seem to be drinking amnesia juice.
they really have yall like tebeh in that place, yes
Dominica cannot and will not develope until all idiots are dead….lol
Why the big red tie in the neck ?
Listen to those invalids.
Skerit should wipe his dirty feet on all of you .
You guys behave as if you all have no purpose in life,no value.
LAVROV,this guy is the brother of Michael Coipel.Michael was the PRESIDENT of failed CAHUR,if you remember.Michael Coipel was made PRESIDENT of CCM,after $60,000 was allegedly STOLEN(STOLEDEN).Michael was made PRESIDENT of CCM because he is an uneducated JACK.Why didn’t they make JOHN BLANCHARD President?
Coipel, you watch the PM in the eye my boy and he mesmerise you like a rabbit that is caught in the searchlight. You know how many young ladies he catch like that already? You stil believe in Father Christmas, don’t you. That PM so wily he running rings around you and you don’t neven know it. Well, he succeeded brother, dividing you and your fellow drivers. That red tie round your neck told Skerrit you are a willing victim. Don’t say I don’t warn you.
I am not concerned much about what Mr. Copel says or doors because I do not know his position in Christ. However what really offended me as a born again believer was when Copel and another individual referred to as Worrell St. Jeanne told Matt on q95 that he is a pastor. I was offended because by that declaration the pastor helped me to understand why Dominica is in the mess that it is. The pastor had an obligation to lead by example and he failed. He had a responsibility to let his light shine by being transparent and not being involved in any under table deal with the PM and he failed. The pastor had an opportunity to let others know that he is not selfish but one who thinks of others and the prosperity of his fellow bus drivers and he failed. It is clear that what the PM has made available to bus drivers is a $15k loan that very few are qualified for he had a way to get his supporters qualified. Covid 19 affected all and a pastor should not be part of or encourage any secret deal
But TOTO, the other one, the St.Jean guy, the former police officer,is even worst than Coipel; Coipel may have seen his own interest in skerrit eyes, but to tell me that Matt is trying to tell the guy that the law gives them the guarantee of compensation, for the guy to say publicly he does not worry about what the law says, but instead he is going with the fact that Coipel saw the magic in Skerrit eyes and things are working so they going with what is working to hell with the law…boy, boy and this guy is a former police office. I am willing to bet my last dollar that this St. Jean guy, never won a case in the court. Better yet I wont be surprised if his superiors never allowed near a court of law. Can you imagine this guy in a court of law telling the court he set aside the law because other things are working in his favor. And these guys with their mentality seem to be in the majority, garcon we in trouble.