Challenges with Moroccan gov’t blamed for hotel hold back

The hotel was expected to be completed in 2013
The hotel was expected to be completed in 2013

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has indicated that the government of Dominica is not to be blamed for delays in works at a Morocco-funded Hotel in Portsmouth, saying the problem lies with challenges faced by the government in Morocco.

Works commenced on the 50-room hotel and cruise and yacht complex in 2011 and was expected to be completed in October 2013, but remains unfinished.

Skerrit, who was speaking as a guest on Kairi Fm Heng Program on Monday, said there were some challenges on the part of the Moroccan Government regarding the project.

“As you know with regards to the Moroccan Hotel there were some challenges on the part of the Moroccan Government not on the part of the government of Dominica,” he said. “We believe that the Moroccan government would have addressed those issues by now.”

According to him, separate teams from Morocco visited Dominica during the course of this year to make certain presentations and to present certain issues to his government

“My understanding from the Moroccan side is that they have in fact signed a contract with a new contracting and design firm and those persons should mobilize very soon,” Skerrit stated. “So let us hope that is the case and we can look forward to the completion of the Moroccan Hotel.”

With regards to the 160- room Cabrits Resort Kempinski, which will be located at Douglas Bay in Portsmouth, Skerrit said mobilization has begun.

“My understanding from them, I met with the developer last week Thursday, and he has indicated to me, and also to the government, that they will mobilize the offices, construction offices would be set up this week going to next week and very soon we will see actual work started on the Moroccan Hotel,” he explained. “That is certainly good news and certainly it will afford an opportunity for dozens of people to be employed during the construction phase of the hotel.”

The Cabrits Resort Kempinski, is expected to be completed by 2018.

Kempinski is a European hotel company established in 1897, with at least 73 hotels around the world and the construction of the Luxury Resort at Cabrits will be the first hotel Kempinski will construct in the Caribbean.

The resort is being constructed under the Citizenship by Investment Program.

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38 Comments

  1. Looking in
    April 27, 2016

    I suspect that hotel will soon be Skeroo’s own. Time will tell.

  2. Dave Bertrand
    April 27, 2016

    So the excuse now is to blame the Moroccan Government? I am beginning to wonder if the cost of the shipment of fertilizer from that government was met ? Is that another protest? The truth is out there somewhere.

  3. April 27, 2016

    I commented on a related article a few weeks ago stating that as a frequent visitor to the Purple Turtle Beach in Portsmouth I’ve had the opportunity to observe the so-called “Morracan Hotel” up close on numerous occasions. I stated that the buildings appear to be sitting in what can only be described as a swamp and that they were the epitome of bad construction planning. Once again, another article appears with another member of the Government making senseless excuses in defense of the non-existent progress at this blatant white elephant which sits as a mosquito breeding farm on the outskirts of Portsmouth and the surrounding villages. I guess demolishing these structures which would be the sensible thing to do would be way too embarrassing to this Administration who simply cannot admit that they have made a mistake. Yet Dominicans by the thousands, especially in Portsmouth and a vast Majority of the North East region, voted for this! They love it so!

  4. Massacre
    April 27, 2016

    Sometimes I believe that Papi and his Progressive People Party would have done a better job than this failed DLP. All we are getting here is promises, promises and more comfortable speeches, while nothing is being built. I am sick and tired of the lies and manipulative acts of this DLP Government. Everything they are doing have to have some bo bol and trickery.
    Who you think you fooling this time? Not even your die hard supporters will fall for this one.
    How can you blame Morocco for the stoppage of work on a project of which there was an estimated cost and that amount of money was put in the bank for that hotel, and now you are blaming the very people who have invested time and money in this?
    I think some of this money was diverted to other things( e.g elections campaigns) with the intent that it would be recovered and redistributed back to the Hotel Development. But you all are so greedy and don\’t have any financial brains , that you do not know how to pay it back. Da…

  5. April 27, 2016

    Promise ,promise,, all in the name of charity,building a hotel on swamp soil,opposition started a hotel ,due to self pride it was not completed by the leading present gov’t,what a shame,how do they feel now?they don’t care,if you cannot feed yourself one day you will go hungry.dominica needs good management ,it is not because 50 people obtained their gce every one of them should be employed by gov’t when 50 did not take their pension,we have so much natural resources ,where are our factories? abattoir is now opened ,no animals to kill,look at the root foundation of the bridge ,irons are almost invisible,building a new bridge to give the so called engineers the biggest pay while little dominican’s carry sand,water iron and tie irons to get the bits,how can they take any long term credit ?skerrit is always in someone elses business ,while every thing he says becomes a story tale,for the moment there are only sea ,sun ,forest ,expensive groceries ,rivers,no traffic signs to offer

  6. April 27, 2016

    It looks like the PM can not cope otherwise he would have seen the completion of all projects in his time as PM.He is as much to blame in my opinion ,sorry PM but if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. No solutions as yet.

  7. April 27, 2016

    All projects start but they never finish. By the way what time is SOON,

  8. Concerned Dominican
    April 26, 2016

    With regards to the 160- room Cabrits Resort Kempinski, which will be located at Douglas Bay in Portsmouth, Skerrit said mobilization has begun.

    “My understanding from them, I met with the developer last week Thursday, and he has indicated to me, and also to the government, that they will mobilize the offices, construction offices would be set up this week going to next week and very soon we will see actual work started on the Moroccan Hotel,” he explained. “That is certainly good news and certainly it will afford an opportunity for dozens of people to be employed during the construction phase of the hotel.”

    The beginning of this extract from the above article suggests that the PM’s comments which follow are in reference to the Kempinski Hotel development yet as the comment is completed, it suggests otherwise!! Why is that? Was that deliberate? Does he have any info, factual info as to when the Kempinski development will begin? Or is this another Moroccan or Layou scenario?…

  9. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    April 26, 2016

    Roosevelt if you believe that people are that dumb to believe that piece of garbage; you need to be on some sort of psychiatric medication, because that nonsense is an indication perhaps you are not a normal person on this planet!

    Skerrit, most of us who did not graduate from the College, or University you claim you graduated from in the United States, with a PhD in psychology, when you claim you majored in English; see something is wrong, perhaps your Indian PhD has confuses, and get you disoriented.

    As a result you believe we do not know that Government such as the Moroccan government does not commit themselves to undertake the building of projects without first allocating the funds to have the project funded before any ground breaking ceremony! Since you are an English major you should know the meaning of the word “funded!”

    Meaning: “a sum or amount of money, or other resources which principal, or interest is set apart for a specific object or project, it is money on…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      April 26, 2016

      Continuation:

      Meaning: “a sum or amount of money, or other resources which principal, or interest is set apart for a specific object or project; it is money on deposit on which cheque’s, or drafts can be drawn. So, shut-up man, just shut up, you are a liar!

      First Ian Douglas blamed it on the Arab Spring, believing that Dominican’s did not know what the Arab Spring entails, there was never any uprising in Morocco during the Spring, the turmoil had absolutely no effect on Morocco!

      I believe the Moroccans are weary with corrupt individuals, or perhaps government, and they decide to walk away from you and your puppets corrupted attitude and behavior; that thing will never ever get completed as long as there is a Skerrit, and a Labor Party at the helm of Dominica!

      Man you need to step down from Government take a “Q” from your former subordinate the fallen and wounded solider Pinard.

  10. Observer
    April 26, 2016

    You are at the construction phase and now you are talking about a design and construction company? These guys must get technical people with them to explain clearly what they do not understand, because for people who understand, it sounds absurd.

    • kewl
      April 27, 2016

      I am trying to decipher that myself because when this thing started it was said to be a gift (cadeau) from the Moroccan government to Dominica and all they asked them to do is to get a management firm to run the hotel. Two years ago ,the MP for Portsmouth said they were meeting with different people interested in running the hotel.Today it’s a totally different story,garcon look melee in DA. Persons need to know there a ways people can get past news and views. Something went wrong .

  11. awa wi
    April 26, 2016

    Kempinski is a European hotel company established in 1897, with at least 73 hotels around the world.
    hmmm so why do they need our passport money and national land to do their project? who will own the hotel? sh#$ not adding up
    my suggestion , with all these hotel rooms that will be empty, is to simply organize petite savanne and coulibistrie ppl and give dem some free rooms. I mean come on man all the passport money is hotel? what about agro-processing, agriculture etc.? boi Dominica eh smh(oops sorry not Dominica na d pm)
    lol pm mus mean pa melee or so it seems.

  12. Anthony P. Ismael
    April 26, 2016

    I will not bet on any of these projects ever being completed, less I want to lose a few pennies. Like the brand new hospital, the international airport, the cruise birth in Canefield, the other 150 room hotel on the grounds of the former Public Works and the steel haul ship to transport agricultural produce to other islands, of which absolutely none has come to pass. Can we please stop fooling our citizenry? I am well aware that many of them have blind political allegiance to the King Maker and his court, but someone needs to have mercy upon their poor souls. Who will that be? Certainly not the King Maker himself.

    • Anon
      April 26, 2016

      Did you deliberately forget geothermal?? lol

  13. The Real Thing
    April 26, 2016

    Can we believe anything this PRIME MINISTER says?This is the man who CONTROLS EVERYTHING and he comes out with this statement.This project is being built in Dominica that requires building control inspection etc.
    The PRIME MINISTER CANNOT GIVE POSITIVE INFORMATION, ON ANY OF THE SUPPOSED CONTRACTS.

  14. FaceThe Facts
    April 26, 2016

    The PM is very economical with the truth. Ian Douglas on the other hand speaketh truth like an innocent child. My PM keep on being economical with the truth cause if you tell the truth the haters will attempt to crucify you. Never give them the opportunity to hear truth to power. You have been consistent with evading truth and that is what makes you my PM.
    Oh how I luv how my PM manipulate the ignoramus

  15. Dominican
    April 26, 2016

    Is it true that the same Trinidad company accused of concrete fraud on the failed Layou River hotel has been selected for the construction of the Kempinski? Or is this yet another grapevine rumor? Please GIS, do your work and tell us.

  16. Tjebe Fort
    April 26, 2016

    If the financing of the so called “Moroccan” hotel was a gift to the people of Dominica it would be logical to assume that our Govt. would be the legal owner, not so? In that case what does the delay and completion of building have to do with the Govt. of Morocco? Or are they the true owners? I can not see how they can accept responsibility if they are not the owners. Can you clarify that please mr. Skerrit because I am not as wise as you and very confused

  17. Hide and seek
    April 26, 2016

    But why Skerrit had to go and hide behind the skirts of Kaire to promote more of his lies and propoganda nou? The man should have called a press conference and allow the press to question him

  18. Zack
    April 26, 2016

    Skerrit- um um ummmmm— the joke is on you boss man.

  19. Lingkokwing University alumni
    April 26, 2016

    LORD JESUS!!!! Skerrit HOW lightning haven’t strike you yet, I don’t know!!!! LAS MANTI BAH MOUN DOMNIK!!!!!

  20. Backstreet coffee
    April 26, 2016

    Bonjayy! How will my friends get there ? People better start learning how to batchay Mosquitos .
    We will be the first island that learn how to use the mosquitos to our benefit. I suggest you send Ian Pinard to test it out first.

  21. Lang Mama
    April 26, 2016

    Just two weeks ago Ian said that the Moroccans went back to figure out the paint and décor. According to Ian the Moroccans were not sure if they wanted an Arabic look or a Caribbean look.

  22. AAGabriel
    April 26, 2016

    Challenges! Skerrit you are the laughing stock of the entire Caribbean. I wonder if Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua have to face as many ‘challenges’ when hotels are being built in their countries. You and your government are useless.

  23. UHURU
    April 26, 2016

    Please…. Please!! Say no more on this “MORON”co-Hotel!!
    Because every time you all say something it just gets worse!…and you all just sound foolish!!

  24. April 26, 2016

    Sorry, but I just got a hard time believing anything Skerrit says :-D :-D

  25. Jasmine dailey
    April 26, 2016

    Ebeh moune ka anni mobilize mobilize on sinking grounds. Not last week Ian say they was buying curtains, sofa and buffet nuh…wehstay la, they will tired give allu stone to hold!

  26. Floridian Diaspora
    April 26, 2016

    Dominica has become one big comedy show under this papi-show labor government. In a few months’ time we will hear of another excuse. Although I’m in doubt about its finishing, if this infirmary ward in the picture above is ever to be completed it will be in 2019 during the election warm up; the season where Destra’s coveted boom boom is featured and the only season when this unskilled labor cabal creates employment for its disciples in order to fool them and make it seem like all is well. So much for “Labor ka Travay.” A script needs to be written about Dominica and filmed in Hollywood where our sexy prime minister and his subjects would be the star of the show. They should name it Dom and Domers as a sequel to their role models dumb and dumber. Labor in action!!!

    • Concern citizen
      April 26, 2016

      Building the hotel has nothing to do the PM or the Labour Party.

    • ????????????
      April 27, 2016

      You again. Wish you had an infirmary to live in I am sure. You cannot say anything good about anything. Floridia Diaspora start doing something forypu and dhow some love for others. Respect too.

  27. Dan is de man in de van
    April 26, 2016

    Morocco funded hotel to be completed in 2013 Skerit made this speech in 2012 promising 100 of Dominicans jobs. Today’s date is 2016 and not one of these persons are employed please go back to archives… This skerit needs to be removed as Dominicans PM he is of no use promises and nothing we are fed up with you skerit we are not talking any more we want you to deliver on your promises… Or else resign you have failed us in every industry… You have failed Dominica the world sees all of us as crooks because of your fraudulent dealings. We think it’s time for you to vacate this position..

  28. Wheel again
    April 26, 2016

    Here we go again, fabricated stories to distract the people…….

    Come straight, come clean.

  29. GivingYouMyAll
    April 26, 2016

    HOTEL HOTEL HOTEL, But what is the Dominican Government really doing to attract people to the country before thinking about where people may want to stay?…like seriously!!! Waste of time and money….Walk before you can jump Skerrit.

    • fed up
      April 27, 2016

      I agree, and there is already many guest house that wishing to get more guest. We dont need those kind of big structure in Dominica. The PM said, we people of Dominica has to build the country, and he want to bring big competition on the market.
      Time for Mister to come out there, we need to stop talk and go down on the street.
      More we accepting , more he going to give us, but it seams that some of us well like it. Still canot understand that level of mentality.

  30. Dubai
    April 26, 2016

    You were wrong to deal with Morocco. You have no insight and foresight.

  31. verna
    April 26, 2016

    will not bet on what this guy says…weren’t the funds for the Moroccan hotel approved before…..tell the truth or it’s some shady deal, something isn’t right…

    but nothing the DLP does will be fruit to the citizens of Dominica, as it’s all trickery and deception.

    as under his watch dominica is the poorest in the eastern caribbean and least attractive. this PM should be giving his marching orders saspo. he is no good!

    • ????????????
      April 27, 2016

      Verna serious disrespect the island poorest you say and least attractive? You have not traveled lately and you have not been even around Dominica. You need a tour of Dominica. Let me know where you are situated.

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