The initial half of an $8 million cash injection from Dominica to troubled regional airline LIAT is expected to be made within a matter of days, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
He told DNO on Friday that the Dominica Government was holding talks with LIAT on the matter, and that it intended going ahead with the first $4 million dollar investment that would result in Dominica becoming an equity shareholder of the company.
“We have to discuss with LIAT, we are not going to dive into this thing without knowing what is below the ocean, so we are in discussions with LIAT about this, and once we finalise our discussions with them the monies will be transferred to them,” Prime Minister Skerrit told DNO.
“It is important that Dominica play a part to protect Dominica’s interest and to also secure our investment in tourism,” the prime minister said.
“If LIAT were to stop flying, one can appreciate the tremendous untold difficulties which would be brought on to Dominica,” he said.
In response to criticism of the move PM Skerrit said “We are not unmindful of LIAT’s financial problems and present financial predicament”.
However he pointed out that there appeared to be no private sector people willing to invest in LIAT, and Dominica had to act despite suggestions that it was investing in a company that is failing.
The prime minister argues that some companies “which play a more important role than the bottom line” have to be supported.
He made reference locally to water company DOWASCO and the main Princess Margaret Hospital as essential services which had to be subsidized, and said his government sees LIAT in that same vein.
To critics who say the $8 million promised LIAT could be better utilized locally, PM Skerrit responds that their suggestion that he is neglecting the country in favor of a regional entity misses the point.
“I am protecting Dominica, because without LIAT the hotels cannot be filled, the taxi operators cannot be used, we cannot get departure tax, we cannot get the increase in our revenue, and people cannot come to do business’” he argued.
“We have to spend money in other areas, and of course we could have used the money for a number of other areas,” the prime minister acknowledged.
However he is not backing down on what he considers the important move of Dominica becoming an equity shareholder of LIAT in the interest of ensuring the island’s air travel needs are met.
Some of you people are so funny… you hear Investment you think Give-a-way! Liat has been here for more than 55 years….lol
Ohhh please spare me foolish people!!!! Liat is yesterday!! Dominica Tourism numbers cannot compare to those of St.Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad, St.Martin Etc. Ask yourselves what they all have in common? Direct connection!!
where is the money coming from since the coffers are empty and you cant pay teachers?
yes, LIAT has been there through thick and thin, but if they are a monopoly and don’t care about customer service, why give them money for the same poor standards
i hate when mr PM do what he wants with our “dominicans, tax payers” money.
“I am protecting Dominica, because without LIAT the hotels cannot be filled, the taxi operators cannot be used, we cannot get departure tax, we cannot get the increase in our revenue, and people cannot come to do business’” he argued.
Garçon where you come from Vieille Case right??? how many hotels they have up dere and how many taxi Drivers need that plane to land for them to make a living???
Garçon is rich soil we have as what Nature gave us to sustain our livelihood,,, Antigua that is the main HuB for Liat why don’t they infuse some off ALL THAT MONEY they making from ALL that HOTEL and TAXI to infuse into D Airline???
Doh make me get vex you-know pardner,,, one ting I doh like is to hear man take when they doh even know from deir to deir Elbow,,,
The other day dere I was going St. Lucia,,, Dem man wanted to route me all d way up Antigua and den back down to St. Lucia wi another time dey wanted to route me to St. Lucia via Barbados and is Dominica Marn was leaving from yeah,,,
The officials of LIAT including but not limited to Dat Pardner from Grenada that always coming and talking about dem, have manipulated any other prospective competitor and have orchestrated those new visionaries demises, so LIAT should actually close up shop if dey doh figured out yet how to Run a profitable and dependable operation,,,
Doh worry Richard Branson sure could be coaxed into establish VIRGIN CARIBBEAN,,, all dey have to tell d man is he going to get all dem flights out of them islands connected to his VIRGIN ATLANTIC wi for European markets and VIRGIN AMERICAN for D American Markets,,,
After-All nuh man if is invest Skerro want to invest that would be probably the greatest investment he could make if he really want to connect Dominica to the World for reasons of Tourism,,,
Rastar-Man doh really talk Much,,, is weed dey say Marn does Smoke but Marn does meditate plenty,,, Maybe Skerro should take a couple puffs and meditate a little before he make that plunge,,,
Oh wait huh,,, My bad I was soh vex!!! is St. Vincent Prime Minister I meant to say Dat always coming-an talk about LIAT not Grenada Forgive me yeah My-People,,,
I am sorry to see the PM resort to scare tactics to justify financing the private sector with public funds! This tactic is used in America to justify all its wars, and the use of drones to kill innocents.
PM said, “I am protecting Dominica, because without LIAT the hotels cannot be filled, the taxi operators cannot be used, we cannot get departure tax, we cannot get the increase in our revenue, and people cannot come to do business’” he argued.
There is zero evidence LIAT will not be funded by someone other than Dominican people. If you look at LIAT history there is no evidence it will not be funded!
It is simply not the governments job to do what the people can do for themselves. Utilities and the hospital are legitimate places where government can do what the people cannot do, invest or regulate. So to use the water co. and the hospital as example is just plain bogus.
I promise this money will go down the drain. Not sure how long it will take, but if you look at history LIAT will again be begging in a few years.
Sorry I must tell the truth Mr. PM, you have already agreed per your own statement to give the money to LIAT (no matter what). You have bowed down to appease the private money interests of the island of Dominica, not to protect anyone but them and yourself interest as a politician.
The truth shall set you free!
MOKENMAN
So we sit in our A## and do nothing? Hilarious.
While we go down the drain? No AA?, maybe less LIAT? Don’t care? … well I DO.
Re international airport …
IF you spend 100’s millions on an international aiport and then who will fly here? Why would they? Because we have a nice new airport?
We are a small backwater. That is the truth. We are what we are … precious, beautiful … but no business potential for airlines.
70,000 people. Not really a big market.
I would love to see us grow but we have to think how? Not just bankrupt ourselves.
Guadeloupe and Martinique airports are the key. Why? They can land a 747 they already havce passenger flow. That means that any flight traffic to Dominica (Via these islands) will have also French citizens and tourists to those islands. Why is that a good thing? So that the flight will make a profit. Then the airlines will want to come. then they will not cancel the flight midway through the season.
ATM … you can fly from Paris (all Europe), Montreal (Eastern US and CA), Miami (obvious), Havana, St Lucia and Santo Domingo (many US cities)for example.
… It is a case to see how we can unlock the puzzle.
Some ideas. We can influence the ferry schedules to meet late flights (no stop overs outside DA = money for us NOT Antigua and Puerto Rico)), cheap shuttle flights with no tax?
Let’s start thinking how we can use what is already there. ADD.
you r so stupid.
Generally, I support the injection of funds in LIAT by the government. The encapsulating rationale or framework for the decision as outlined by the PM is reasonable and justified.
The problem for many of us is the way in which the PM goes about taking these far-reaching decisions, even if he may be well intent. Procedure, timing, protocol, appearance etc are sometimes just as important or more important in some cases in giving legitimacy or obtaining public acceptance of a leader’s substantive action. Therefore, some of the criticisms of the PM are justified and his supporters must be mature enough to recognize this. Even the strongest of supporters who are honest and intelligent enough understand that.- right Prof and Peeping! Cool.
One shouldn’t engage in frivolous criticisms for the sake of criticizing. Therefore, the name calling and attempts to belittle the PM’s critics as a “bunch of narrow minded people”, “clowns” “buffoons” and “Dominican Talibns” etc. is unnecessary- in the same way that I do not think that all UWP/Freedom Party supporters are necessarily “Patriots”. In fact, one could say that by the mere branding of the PM’s critics in such a disparaging manner may be a manifestation of one’s own shortcoming as a partisan and narrow minded individual. We can do better than that and engage in more constructive public debate.
Though late and in a rather arrogant manner, the PM has put forward some reasonable and practical arguments in support of his decision after everyone, including Tony, Ian and Gonzales have spoken in his defense. You know, I sympathize with the PM. In that role, one must be faced with tough decisions and honestly as a young person Mr. Skerrit deserves credit for taking on the role of PM under the circumstances in which he became PM at such an early age and being able to survive all this pressure for over 10 + years. I take nothing away from him for that achievement.
Without repeating my previously expressed opinion on this subject, the concern is about transparency, timely disclosures, accountability, respect for the citizens of Dominica, more timely consultation, effective negotiations and planning, more cost-benefit analysis, more economic planning and forecasting of the country’s needs before taking such major decisions and more robust/active follow up etc. All of the above could potentially result in less erratic and potentially unplanned actions. I hope that by expressing these genuine concerns, those who disagree would not see if fit to brand me as a narrow minded UWP supporter etc. But then- this country (the internet) is very free Mr. Moderator so people can say want they want!
but what u eat nuh.
The PM of St. Vincent told Dominicans we did not want an International Airport, we agreed and vote Labour. He went back and built his own. Do you still want to listen to this Guy.
Very smart move by Mr Skerrit. He is either smart, has great advisors, or both. My people, this was done for our own good. What other airline would there be? Others come and they fail.
liat belong to the patrimonial of the caribbean area and all must be done to save that companie wich is not only a bisness but a social link for us. I hope liat will open a line between canfield and guadeloupe…
Dominicans Far & Wide u all must start treating Skerrit like the Greek People. Don’t let dem get away.
if only we had an international airport….. smh
You call that type of investment 18-3.
It is none of your Da- business
Go to Hell! Go to Hell! Go to Hell!
Dominica is well on its way to Hell by this regime. Who can jump off the hell bound train better do so early.Misery and Poverty cannot be matched by the Red Clinic. It’s a total mess!
Our country cannot stand idle and do nothing to help our #1 air carrier to stay afloat. $8 Million may seem like a lot to some people, but to a multi-million dollar company like Liat this cash inject is just enough to keep them going. I fully support PM Mr. Skerrit on taking the brave initiative to do so. No investment is risk free, but when Liat turns around we will all benefit.
Yes indeed. Reality check DA. No LIAT no DA doing well.
I think we need to discuss the issue from a broad perspective. The PM’s comment suggests that LIAT is in imminent danger of closure- imagine what would happen to Dominica’s tourism should LIAT close. After making over $20m in losses in 2009 and the same in 2010, would $8m save the company? What percentage of the equity would Dominica now have and what impact could this have on the decision-making process? Had LIAT been making $20m profit annually, would they have invited Dominica to share in the good fortune? What is the procedure for membership? Has the board agreed to accept Dominica and under what conditions? Where is the $8m coming from?
The air services provided by LIAT is without question a necessity, however Dominica needs to review the company’s strategic plan and the projections to see whether there is a decent plan in place to make the company more efficient and eventually seriously reduce these loses in the future. Tossing up an $8m coin in the wind and saying inny minny miney moe, certainly isn’t going to cut it.
If some of you would actually learn economics! How much cash is being paid to AA and the other airlines to land? Some countries subsidize the other airlines for gas prices etc. WHO IS SUBSIDIZING LIAT? No one! Get your facts straight
i will create my own airline and i only want sexy hot girls with ambition to travel on it and dem getting the best prices.travel and go create opportunities for urselves and youts.hot gal airline is the name,comin soon to a airport near you.big up ur self pretty ladies of dca and the world!!i love you all bad!!
And tell me: How EXACTLY will you determine who is “hot” enough? What one may find hot may be ugly in another person’s opinion..
Remember, beauty (or hotness
)is in the eye of the beholder!!!
LMAO love it. Hot gay airline it is. That mad my day.
There must be some kick back or under the table deal for that investment.
AT LEAST THERE IS ONE DUMMY IN THE CAN THAT SOME ONE WITH SOME BRAINZ
Ok,Ineed to understand this,am i to believe that 1 airplane of liat being out of service will cause dominica to go hungry because liat will not be able to travel to dominica,at what year did liat started to operate,and remember we are in 2012.Have liat ever lost a plane in an accident?So if they did why were they still operateing,where was the money comeing from,why are you paying money to an insurance?
Narcissistyic behaviour. Wanting attention. Feeling of could do no wrong. After Skerritt unilaterally took his decision to take $8,000,000.00 of Dominican taxpayers money, without any consultation or information, he claims now to meet with LIAT to finalise things.
We smell a rat. Even before investigations into the incident to check cause of fire, whether deliberate act of arson or accident, even before report and claims re. insurance Skerritt comes out. Dominicans only got to know because of an article in the Antigua Observer news and info on Q95 about $8 million for LIAT.
Then all kinds of scare tactics. Skerritt twist the thing of secretly making deal about investing in LIAT to Dominica will finish; LIAT will discontinue operations; No visitors would come to Dominica anymore; No investments; Nobody would be able to fly to or leave Dominica because no other airline would come to Dominica. You see his strategy? Scare!!Scare!!Scare!!.
Remember, LIAT took thousands of our money for charter flight for night-landing.. Soon after LIAT say it could not land safely at night because of tailwind. Tailwind was there all the time. Skerritt was on land waiting for those who risked their lives on that special charter to land at night at Melville Hall.
Dictatorship style flourishes in Dominica. When people ask questions about how their money is used, for what? why? they are chastised.
No electoral Reform. No obedience to our Electoral laws concerning Bribery, plane charter, giving free tickets and perks to fly to Dominica, vote and return next day. Their eyes are on being in bed with LIAT, and transportation for that special occasion to bring in the folks from the diaspora to vote. Nothing more, nothing less. It has happened already. The laws against Bribery are clear.
Dr. Gonsalves didn’t have to come here for u to open up and come clean on some areas of de issue against the wishes of Tony Astaphan. All we want is for u to explain urself Sir. So u come out.
What I hear from u is that our economy is so fragile. Imagine Liat is de fabric keeping our economy afloat. If we lose Liat we go under. So what have u and ur Government been doing to boost our local productive sector. Liat is not local. They even closed their local office recently. Do u see what I see?
So Liat brings in 70% of our tourists u say. To my mind, ur persistence with Liat means less cruise ship arrivals on de horizon. Ian not doing his job. At St. Joe u admitted that some of dem dragging their weight. Give him another job. Full-time party song singer.
Seriously though, Liat is important to us. We need to get serious about getting Carnival Cruises or similar back in town. Oh yes, we need an International Airport
you all plp make me sick the govnt invested not gave a donation they invested to get a return so whats the big deal why you all so backward the country is trying to help liat stay afloat how many time american airline got bailout money in billions. And you all still saying hurray for america. you all sound so selfish sometimes, and you know what you all are selfish all the time.other counties help us so whats wrong in we helping someone else. and it an investment.
no fan of the pm but what othe airlines are stepping up to fly to dominica??? AE is leaving next year how else would people get to the small islands is liat is allowed to dissolve
murdaaa? some dominicans really narrow minded? does dominica have an intl. airport?No. what other airline is going to take a chance to come to dominica especially when the route is not profitable. Liat is already the caribbean’s airline and yes it may have its issues which every airline has but fact is Liat problems are made public. but we have to realize thats what we depend on for the time being and better will be done eventually. if the hotel sector begins to develope we might see a fare amount of air carriers begin to folk our little island.. am not saying to shut up and take what we getting because i know there is a lot of issues that needs to be address concerning liat, but in life we take chances ,thats how we learn if they are profitable or if we make a loss. so mr pm you have my support.
You refuse to ask why we do not have an international airport. It is because of the backwardness and incompetent leadership we have in this country. One that is taking us to hell, and stupids like you cannot see that. I go by the saying those who cannot hear will feel.What we are already feeling is just the beginning.
exactly that is wat he need to do try build an international airport then every one will profit and it will have jobs for the youth Dominica is well big enough for that Skerrit should invest the money some other way and stop make dominicans suffer
stick to selling tickets travel agent….you are NOOOO economist… and ignorance seems to be very contagious in good ol Dominica
Are you saying that the route is not profitable, well well,anyhow Antigua and Barbados are profiting big time on Dominicans
I check my flight for DA independent this year, what i am paying Air Canada to depart from Toronto International airport is nothing comparing to what I am paying to LIAT / for landing in Antigua to catch the LIAT to DA
The PM said that he is investing in LIAt for tourism, well Mr PM you been travelling for a long time and you no the hustle and bustle Dominicans over on the other side are facing when travelling to DA, are you in your right mind think that tourist will want to go through the hustle and bustle to come to DA?.
For sure Antigua and Barbados would not like to see DA with an international airport because all the monies these two countries making on Dominicans and others coming to DA
What Dominica need is an international airport
mr Skerrit nobody believes you…. except the credulous simpletons of course
All you can pledge money for all you king to appeal court case…What’s wrong with the PM investing in LIAT?!
how come he as so much money to throw around and we dominicans so brokes …….dont make sense to me but i guess i stupid
ALLLLL of you guys think u have the best answer why ya’ll ain’t running for election? let me answer because you guys are NOT QUALIFIED.. You don’t have the balls to do half the work he has done… If you ask the average person why they think it is a bad move to invest they will stumble and say exactly what they heard someone else say not because they are know why… Sometimes i just shake my head when i read some of this ignoramous statments.
All of them that are so negative about the PM move supporting LIAT they are the very same ones that would sing another tune if LIAT services to Dominica are terminated.They will be the first to say WHY SKERRIT DIDN’T DO SOMETHING…..
Look what happens in the region when LIAT strikes.. every one of you get on DNO and FOOLISHLY and STUPIDLY beg back LIAT to fly to get you all out and tourists in.
Did AA, Air Caraibes, CAL and Red Jet come in to save the day? I’m sure that the people of St Lucia was happy that LIAT provided airlift between both airports after the hurricane and got Guyanese back home after Red Jet bailed out on them and got caribbean people home when AA striked from Puerto Rico;
Who would brave te weather to get caribbean people home when other airlines pull back? who would accept all you boxes of provisions to send to antigua for all you families? LIAT LIAT LIAT.
Dominicans hae been living in denial for soo many years that they don’t even trust themselves
American eagle is going to stop it
Operation in the carribean without liat what other option do we have.
“Caribbean Airlines, Air Caraibes, Air Antilles, Corsair can come to DA as they are all now currently landing at Vigie airport in St Lucia”.
source: CC
does that adequately respond to your misleading and &**&&^ question?????????????
This lazy incompetent and clueless regime posing as a government should be celebrating the opening of an international airport.
It is good that the PM has tried to explain the $8M expenditure. But, why did he let the people of Dominica hear about it, second hand, from Gonsalves? Did the Dominica Cabinet know about before Gonsalves?
It is time for our PM to grow up and treat the people of Dominica with the respect we deserve. Would he have have offered this explanation if Mr. James had not raised this very important issue?
“Cash injection in LIAT will secure Dominica’s investment in tourism” – Skerrit. What the heck does this statement mean, Mr. PM? You really think we are retarded, don’t you? Prior to your announcement…and/or your injection of 8M$ into this hell hole called LIAT…I don’t get it…tourists really fly this piece of garbage airline to D/ca? Papa met!
Do you remember the amount that was paid for this test flight on LIAT, to celebrate the so called night landing none sense? Waste Money Galore. He hid at the airport and let the others go on this drunken trip.
Do you listen to yourself? We need to be objective sometimes. Everything is an issue for you all. Don’t you see why all good leaders in Da are leaving? Because we can’t appreciate jack.
@ YES So we are asking why the bad one is not leaving PAPA GOD!THE COUNTRY IS SINKING…..
ohhh brother….. smh
I fly it !!!
I dont like you skerrit, but i support u on that! Good move…..
First foresight i have seen come from you.
Thank-you Mr PM for making a good decision regarding air travel into Dominica. I can see you have your hands full with a bunch of narrow minded people. Please let them know that you can invest geo-thermal, build them an international airport, hospital etc. but without tourism and private companies willing to come to Dominica to invest, this means absolutely nothing. If they don’t want to support LIAT tell me how are they going to get American Airlines or Delta. Dominicans you better start changing your attitudes and get with the program. Lots of people love Dominica and there are many wonderful people there but this bashing of your own needs to stop.
PLEASE REMIND ME WHY THE WORK WAS DONE ON THE AIRPORT IF IT HAD NO REAL BENEFIT!!!!!!!!!!
please somebody TELL ME!
EDUCATE ME
dem man speaking on one side of their mouth and wistling on the other side
lolololol i AGREE!!! u can see it in his face….. quoting proverbs: “She (or in ths case he..
winks with his eyes, and signals with his feet.. she (or he) is not to be trusted…. and should not be allowed to leave the house. It have more about luring young men to her ( or his) bed, but that not relevant to this comment… or IS IT?????
So this horse done bolted out the stable. The committment has been made.You now address your lowly subjects after you make your deal however we must all say thank you for the explanation and move on?
Skerritt why are you afraid of your own shadow….If GOVT build our economic and grow the GDP, companies including AIRLINES will come into Dominica to invest.
The number one focus for any company to invest is a strong economy. The country is economically failing and the clear indicators are the numerous lay off, volume of business closing down, poor healthcare system, poor agricultural sector, weak tourism sector and escalating crime.
Note: You cannot grow tourism from outside you have to start from inside first( Meaning we have a create a Sellable product), although we need to focus on more substainable sector for economic viability like agriculture. I am not adverse to investing in an airline where we have major influence but not a failed one which has not provided a fully re-structuring plan for success and its current debt situation.
It is very reckless and niave to commit $$ to an investment not fully understanding the state of the asset. Also as an investor is D/ca liable for a percentage of LIAT current debt?
Here in D/ca the economic sectors and institutions are failing. The GOVT clearly understand why but would not provide an injection of cash to help. Rather on impulse you inject 8M to a bankrupty airline whose DNA sits in Antigua.
This is total genocide to a country.
Instead of saving that $8 million for your international airport, u all putting night landing and paying LIAT, GaRCon all u SOT Wi!
All u fellas will never pass St.Lucia in development with that backward pm.
The PM is making valid arguments. Sometimes tough decisions need to be made and this is definitely one of those decisions that the pm must make in spite of parisan politics. I do have a problem with making a commitment to Liat when the PM is now admitting that there need to be consultation and negotiation. This is counter productive. It is total arrogance to come out and tell us that you need yo negotiate with liat because people cry foul. The leader is suppose to negotiate and then come back to the people. You don go make bragadose statements and promises when your ducts are not in order.
so with the night landing and all that fanfare we still cannot convince another carrier to service our route??????????????? can u blame the people for the lies piled untop of lies that we have been fed??????
boy lasseiz liat tombeh a ^*(^*)
the pack of cards start to topple on allu now?
I can whine and complain about Blackberry not beeing able to execute properly but this will have no impact on Blackberry.
But because Blackberry is critical to my business I decide to become a majority shareholder in the company.
Now I have the leverage to effect changes in the comapany and have a voice as to what strategies are important.
Dominica is doing the same…whine and complaining on DNO can do nothing to the board of directors. Becoame a shareholder with vested interest and see how quickly they will adapt to your request
DOMINICA
Can everybody just sit back and picture Dominica without the services LIAT?
ya it would open the doorway to other airline companies that would give a better service than that dead beat company
Airline companies such as?? On the landscape of airline companies that are existing right now, name one that would come.
Through the years many have come and gone.
I am no huge fan of LIAT but without what we are getting right now, we would be in some serious crap.
SO YOU ARE NOW AGREEING THAT THE INVESTMENT MADE INTO THE AIRPORT WAS A WASTE RIGHT??? justify that for me please?????????? remind me why this money was spent???????????????????????? ohhh yeah for liat alone to land right?????????????
please lumpsum . tell us like who going to come here and make money?
for example Lumpsum Airlines Company(LAC)
Like Lumpsum Airlines Commpany
yeah!!! the chinese will stay in china
I think it is a good investment. Now Government just need to ensure and follow up that we are getting our Money’s worth. Key area of course would be MORE flights at more REASONABLE rates. Quite understood that we do not have an international for direct flights from the Major Cities but there is NO reason why we should pay even more to fly to Dominica from other caribbean islands when it cost so much less from a major City to whichever island we choose for a hubb.Also there is no reason when one needs to get to DOMINICA from ST LUCIA/BARBADOS that we should fly over Dominica to ANTIGUA and then back to Dominica no wonder it cost so very much. I look forward to seeing the investment works for us.
i am puzzled because i just came into to dominica from barbados without going through antigua and i had that option three times in the same day. so where you getting dis thing from? secondly rates can’t go down when its the damn GOVERNMENT TAXES that make the flights costly. its not the actual ticket price. do yourself a favour and actually check out the fares that LIAT charges and you will see.
Great point. Insane taxes for all the governments
i guest now people not travelling liat making things more flexible..
Femme Dominique, I think you need to update your facts. You are not current. LIAT is scheduling about 10 flights into Da daily. NOw convenient connections into Da.
I’ll be coming to Dominica in 2 weeks, an over 4000 mile trip, I will get to dominica the same day and the tickets were not outrageous.
Learn how to use the internet and get the best fares and routes. Liat has consistent JUST GO fares. US$77 from Barbados to Dominica before taxes , sometime US$66.
Barbados is our New Hub. Convenient connections to the rest of the world. It is working good. And everyone luggage is getting into Da from Barbados…
Yep and them Bajans treating Dominicans like dirt in the airport and hotels
I agree with the PM on this – i’d do the same if I was in his shoes. LIAT is essential to Dominica’s progress and it would gross negligence to allow it to fail knowing the repercussions such a failure would have on our country. Our equity stake now puts us in a position of strength in matters concerning management decisions that affect us.
To the naysayers, think about it – this is not unlike President Obama investing in the US auto industry 3 years ago. Obama realized that, with the US in a recession, the country losing on average 500,000 jobs a month at the time, he could not sit idly by and allow market forces determine the fate of an industry that, if it collapsed, would mean the immediate loss of 1.5 million direct jobs, and another 3 million jobs in businesses that depend on doing business with the auto industry. That is strategic thinking. And he was heavily criticized for doing that – as a matter of fact, Obama’s challenger in the upcoming US presidential elections went so far back then to write an op-ed in the New York Times telling Obama to let the auto industry fail and go bankrupt. Now that the industry has rebounded and doing great and very profitable, he now claims that it was his idea to help them – if that’s not hypocrisy and plain lies then I don’t know what is.
That’s a ridiculous comparison with Obama’s bail out of the US auto industry. There was consultation with the people BEFORE Obama decided. That is the essential difference. Nobody wants LIAT to fail.
Who were those people consulted? besides, our govermental system allows greater executive privilege than does the US. But in any case, does every action by the government have to be dissected by those who no inkling of the cause?
what people you talking about? surely u cannot be referring to the American public, because if u are, u are lying. FURTHERMORE, when you’re in a position of authority and it is your business to make decisions, as a manager, you make decisions. Not everything you do has to be up to a vote or general consensus. If you manage your life or business by asking everyone what they think before you act, you are no leader – you’re a follower
eh eh, i tot it was to take dem “out in a hole” after the fire? now is an investment? who they fink they fooling? i guess they must be vex with the “cunning fox” from st vincent because he put the secret outside…. mi debas
Skerro had expressed a desire to invest in LIAT since last year so i really don’t understand your argument. furthermore if you take dem “out in a hole” by cash injection for shares isn’t it an investment regardless?? what really wrong with people? dem don’t read anymore?
Now I see that Dominicans never support local and regional business. The other airlines are handled by LIAT employess in the other islands and when they see how Dominicans despise LIAT? THEY WOULDNT WANT TO DO ANY SERVICES THERE.
Boy, I don’t understand Dominicans! If LIAT pulls out and American. Then what? ANd if you all know how to run an AIRLINE create your own. I am tired of hearing people speaking non-sense when they themselves have never done in there own lives but think they are expect at every thing..
NOnsense..
This is were I have a problem with Skerrit. We know that Skettit lacks leadership qualities, but he must not make it obvious.A statesman or good leader,knowing that he was going to use such a huge sum of money comming from the treasury would have held a press conference or incase he is afraid to face the press send a press release to all news outlets informing them of his Government’s intensions,he does’nt wait after the people’s reactions then they are given a ton of excuses.
Stop being so myopic and small holed-caved minded. A Press Conference for that? Think Big my friend.
paper giant
I would like DNO to inform us as to what is the national debt,dont forget to include petro caribe.
love or hate de man you can’t keep winning election after election if you lack leadership qualities. it can’t happen. you might get lucky with one but not multiple victories. use objectivity
using your theory wouldn’t he be even greater if he listened and consulted with his people???? I guess he took ALLL the brains when god was sharing right, so that means YOU and I did not get any…
Did i mention that he is my old college lecturer??
there is a difference between nobility and guile and craft.
Boi, I think we need a DNO comedy CLUB in Dominica. ANyone wana take this idea? set it up? Use a club or bar on a week night and have DNO laugh and Kicks happy hour… That would become popular, cause its real comedy on here!
I get real good laughs on here.
This is not a bad idea at all. Yes, the funds could be used for something else, but without Liat flying into DA, that would be an inconvenience for travelers. I would love if Dominica had its own airline, but we all know it takes $$$$$sss to make this happen.
Funds can always be used somewhere else…don’t make no mistake about it.
Some countries spend billions on war and their people suffer…who said those words, Bob Marley or Peter Tosh?
GOD I TIRED OF HEARING THAT &&^%%^
BOSS…wherever there is money to be made, there will be someone there to make it……
so what are you all saying if liat flops we are all stuck??????????? we can and will overcome liat…..they are NOT
TOO BIG TO FAIL!!!!!!
true dat
so tell us the alternative? ferry? give me a break. when dominica hosting regional conferences you expect heads of government to catch boat? what if someone gets ill and needs to fly out without air ambulance. we going put dem on boat? to bring another carrier other than LIAT will cost DA big money. you how much millions SLU and ANU have to pay international carriers to land in those isalnds if they can’t meet a certain passenger load? you would cry if you knew.
The problem here, there is not money to be made flying to Dominica….lol…haven’t you notice.
You so bright
But someone has to do it….ALAS
It seems you’re so blinded by Political partisan that it overrides your thinking process to comprehend the matter at hand.
now u hit my nerve… if u hearing with ur other ear…. write this down on a piece of paper and eat it so you will hear it clearly in the next 2 hours….
1979 DOES NOT SUPPORT OR PARTICIPATE IN PARTY POLITICS…..
people like alick lawerence, isidoor, condwany, duncan,stowe and others that should buy shares.. not our hard earn tax payers money… and i know 8 million is nothing to pay buy these gaints….
check who buy the buildig bu CIS for 1.6 million
What about people like you? Why can’t you buy shares? Do you all listen to yourself? Why are u calling on someone else to purchase shares. why can’t you? And if you can’t, the problem starts with you. LOSER? I am only asking not calling you one.. lol
The reason private investors are staying away is because LIAT is a major LOSER. Nationalization of losing propositions is a great way to cause a country that is already experiencing hard times to go toes up!
Dave LIAT is a big looser because countries like Dominica at on it’s tooshes for along time while Antigua, Barbados and St Vincent tax payers money were spent to keep LIAT flying investors and tourists to Dominica.
You’re the FAT and BIGGEST LOOSER HERE, tell me , did Caribbean Airlines and Red Jet ever come to Dominica’s aid to transport people and cargo to Dominica?
Wicked and perverse generation of vipers.
u have jokes wi. so now all of those countries fed up waste money on liat now we jumping in? we well early papa.lol
List just need to get rid of them noisy propeller planes an go jet engine yup
Why are we putting all our eggs into LIAT’s basket, how come we are not encouraging other airlines to fly to DA?
Dude are you not following the news. Airlines are a stuggling business, not making money.
Continental and United —Merge
American bankrupt—US Airways wants a hostil takeover
Delta and Noorthwest Merge
In Urope you have mergers too
Red Jet statred in January failed in February
Caribbean Airlines bought Air Jamaica
No more Air Guadeloupe and Air Marunique
Win Air stop flying to the Caribbean ..only does SXM to SABA and the little islands
What other Airlines can we get into Dominica apart from the birds and the parrots that fly across the airport from time to time
“A fuss” I don’t like to here dottishness
Prof. Wikileaks i tried telling them about the hardships of the airline industry but they just don’t listen. its always the ones who don’t have money nor positions of great authority who always casually say why we don’t do so and so.
Wall Street 24/7 just projected the possibility of American Airlines out in 2013!
don’t you think we should try to organise the appearance of Da first so it can automatically attract tourist rather than forcing them to come and then there’s not proper presetations… look the arial tram is shutting down what do we have to offer… just a natural site??? they already have that we should focus on our farming and culture first… Mr. PM invest in Dominica first because how is it possible to help someone else when you are in as much as them??
Caribbean Airlines, Air Caraibes, Air Antilles, Corsair can come to DA as they are all now currently landing at Vigie airport in St Lucia.
if you could please do Dominica a favor and RING THAT BELL in the ears of those who keep saying that no other carriers exist in the caribbean…
They can come to Dominica, but are they coming? I won’t be surprised if they are being subsidized by St. Lucia.
I think St. Lucia is paying AA to land there.
you will pay for passenger shortfall on these carriers which you don’t currently do on LIAT?
with a wicked nation hell bent on creating a monopoly for liat on the backs of its poor people you think they would come?????????????
mayber A FREE MARKET would give them the incentive to come…. and a government that does not put it’s AA where it does not belong?
**FINALLY**
According to the PM:
“We have to discuss with LIAT, we are not going to dive into this thing without knowing what is below the ocean”.
That’s funny because I think we did already dived first not even knowing what was below the ocean
So why did we make a commitment for something which was NOT finalized???
I thought talks/details should have been finalized “FIRST” then make the financial commitment!!
I wonder how many more millions will we continue to surrender to LIAT before a restructuring plan can brought to the table!!
Still I wish the best for all of us ESPECIALLY WE THE TAX PAYERS!!!!!!
was thinking the same thing.
EVERYTING IS BACT TO FRONT, EVERYTING IS INSIDE OUT PAPA BONFIEU
for some reason i dont believe him. am supporting him but i ont believe thats what the mo ney is for
Well maybe you will get some of the money since you know what it for.
payment for tickets owed to liat from the last elections or purchase of tickets for the coming elections…….
remember they started campagning two days after the 18-3 elections
Roosevelt stop playing with our minds. You are NOT protecting us by investing in a failed enterprise. You are helping your regional political compatriots who can no longer convince their people that they must bear the cost of keeping LIAT operational. Therefore you are helping by disguising it as Dominica wanting shares. WE DONT WANT SHARES IN A FAILED ENTERPRISE! When are you going to get it? This is like throwing money in the wind.
STOP treating us like step children with no education .
Assertive, NOt by any means Agressive!
Sounds like you really need an education. You can jump high jump low, scream, toufay, faint all of this…we need LIAT more than LIAT needs us.
So failure or not, some people have to fly in and out of the country.
So Unless you change your name from Anonymous to Millionaire King and start your own Airline or Some other Rich King in DA do it, we will be investing in LIAT.
Some might say it is too small , some might say we should have gone farther
what kind of prof. are U ,i am reading ever single comments against the government u at people throats ,i am also in business tell me with all ur knowledge u pretend to have (so failure or not ) who invest in a dying company,how many have invest and still no difference ,liat have been in over 200plus millions dollar in dept and climbing,you’re saying put 8 million of something thats hard to come by.also dont forget even the prime minister believe the money can be use else where.Do u know that hospital DONT even have Paracetamol have pain
which one of god creatures that don’t have shame again??????
oh yes… I remember now….
Hmmmm…whatever, moving on.
Prime Minister, thanks for the clarifiction because we have to realise that air access to Dominica is essential and LIAT plays a major role in our development.
What we need to do is shut our big mouths about badtalking travel to TOURISTS who want to visit our island and to give people a true sense of adventure in Dominica.
When we continue to say LIAT THIS AND LIAT THAT, we running people away from Dominica. I just tell that a jewel is a rare item that is hard to find and get to but hen you get it you’ll be relieved. Domiic is a reward and an adventure though LIAT may be late sometimes and things happen, we are there to ensure that Visitors come to Dominica.
God bless the PM and God Bless LIAT.
COMPETITION is what will open up markets with better prices and SERVICE…. just look at lime and digicel… and take a look at how domlec quavaying us because they have monopolized energy….
the PM should put his focus on the GEO THERMAL project….then if his is the financial WIZ that he “is”. he could use the returns from this to finance a much needed international airport.
this would help us to put some pressure on Domlec at the same time creating a level playing feild for liat and other service providers…
but it seems there is too much to be profited from simpletons who NEVER plan for future success but only to starve off FAILURE…
by the way there is something brown on your nose.
and those are the FACTS
Concentrating on geothermal with no air lift doesn’t make sense to me.
Elaborate please.
Put all his focus on Geothermal and forget our short term Air Access and the impending AA pull out.
How stupid are your small holed-caved mind
SMH….its not my fault that you DJ and WIKI use your brain to sit on….and I won’t be the one to spoon feed you simpletons…..do the math and stop drinking strawberry koolaid and yall will be KOOL
Liat failing won’t be the rapture and the end of the world so fear not..
i like that one,, the hit the fan
Geothermal=(power to negotiate reduction of energy cost)+ returns from sale of excess energy (if yall were not LYING as usual))=
easier financing of international airport (international airport) = more diversity of carriers into dominica + jobs) reduction in energy = lower cost of living (more diverse carrier service = better rates and service)
see if you could put .5+.5brains together to =1 brain and figure it out…LOLOLOLOL
What has been clarified?
if you were not so dumb you would have understood the clarification.
“We have to discuss with LIAT, we are not going to dive into this thing without knowing what is below the ocean.”
1. So you already decided to invest in a company not knowing what you getting yourself involve in?
“If LIAT were to stop flying, one can appreciate the tremendous untold difficulties which would be brought on to Dominica,”
2. That’s why you invest the 8 milion in Dominica, specifically the air and sea ports and make it more attractive to other airlines to fly to Dominica. Discuss with other airlines the posibility to of having one direct flight during peak times from a US destination such as Miami to Dominica.
“He made reference locally to water company DOWASCO and the main Princess Margaret Hospital as essential services which had to be subsidized, and said his government sees LIAT in that same vein.”
3. Mr. PM DOWASCO and PMH belongs to Dominica and has a direct impact on the lives of Dominican, LIAT doesn’t…You can’t even begin to compare the importance of DOWASCO and PMH on the lives of Dominica with LIAT.That’s like comparing appple to oranges….
And your supporters say you are the best thing since slice bread….SMH
one direct flight from a US destination during peak times is your solution? thank goodness you sit and criticise instead of actually running this country
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH PLEASEE
so LIAT can save tourism in sweet Dominica??????
boy DNO best yall help the supporters of this government and take down this headline….
REALLY????????????
NO WAIT….REALLY PM???????
please tell me today is april fools…. cuz this is a good JOKE.
not medical tourism bass??
not the yachting industry bass??
not the criuse industry bass???
not eco tourism attractions and hospitality enhancement bass??
not even tapping into the ferry service and the populations of millions next door to us bass???
LIAT will save our dying tourism industry bass???
well thank heavens ALL our problems are answered…
ok bass
“We have to discuss with LIAT, we are not going to dive into this thing without knowing what is below the ocean, so we are in discussions with LIAT about this, and once we finalise our discussions with them the monies will be transferred to them,”
bass that is the BEST thing I have heard from you all week.
I know right? Money already pledged before discussions? Seems the cart has finally learnt how to drag the horse.
lol
I would like to see the cost benefit analysis that was done to effectuate this decision.