The Government of Dominica has donated $3.7-million which will go towards the renovation of sheds which house the Clear Harbor Call Center which is located at the Industrial Estate in Canefield.
This was announced by the Chairman of the Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development (AID) Bank Martin Charles.
Charles was speaking at bank’s post-Hurricane Maria press conference at the bank’s conference room on Tuesday morning.
“We are also thankful to the government for making available some $3.7-million for restoring and refurbishing of the sheds occupied by Clear Harbor at the industrial estate in Canefield,” he stated.
He noted that Clear Harbor is one of the single largest employers on the island and therefore the refurbishment of the facility was critical.
He said that the Prime Minister’s (Roosevelt Skerrit) decision on donating the funds came following a site visit to the facility with the members of the Board of Directors of the AID Bank and its management team.
“Prior to this announcement the Prime Minister ensured that a generator was made available to Clear Harbor weeks after Maria so that they could have commenced their operations,” Charles remarked.
Meantime, Charles has expressed his gratitude towards the Government of Dominica for the millions which have been invested in the bank over the years especially through the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Fund.
He said that the government has ensured that Dominica’s economy will recover by lending to the productive sectors.
Charles said that as a result of the government’s investment it would create: “an increased employment, the control and production of the food import bill and increase revenue and foreign exchange earnings.”
The site in which Clear Harbor operates at the Canefield Industrial site is owned by the AID Bank.
That appears to be another form of the NEP. I can understand a loan, but a donation to an American company, which has been making hundred of dollars in profits, Skeritt has gone mad. What Dominicans have sewn, that is what they shall reap. The many Dominicans who have received insufficient money from the insurance companies to repair their homes or those who are residing under blue tarpaulins, should ask Roosevelt, why has he favored an American Company, who should have been covered by insurance, instead of them, especially, laborites who worked so hard to get him where he is today.
It is the government stepping in where AID Bank has fallen short. The American company DOES NOT OWN THE PROPERTY. THEY ARE TENANTS. However, they employ hundreds of Dominicans. If CH were to decide that they pack up and go to another island, simply because AID BAnk doesnt want to fix the sheds fast enough then it will still be Skerrit headache to answer to people like you about why the government didnt do anything. I am not a laborite nor do i like politics but this move was necessary. right now businesses are closing and firing workers. It has been left up to th government to find jobs for over 1000 locals. You think the PM wants to add another 750 to that? no man put the money to fix the roof. And let AID Bank sort it out with government in an effort to keep one if not our biggest employer.
Did they say is for CLEAR HABOUR or to fix the building CH is using to hire 75% of all HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE grads and students.
CH equipment is computers, phones and communication stuff. None of which is going to be bough on that money. People please read and understand and stop making Dominicans look like we cannot think.
CH don’t need to be in Dominica and if I was one of the execs at CH I would not lower my business reputation in a building that is broken down by a hurricane. them people depending on some-one will always be dere to tend customers.
A broken down building that can go anytime surely not part of any business plan. especially one that is soo deeply involve in your employment statistics yearly.
This is a joke or what SMH. so let me see if they are going to donate money to Ross University. This government is a waste of time
@marie-claire R Skerrit
PMTH ENTIRE economy runs on the promise that ROSS will be opened. If you were the PM would you pay 2 MILLION to fix Ross or would you let your people that took tons of loans for >hotels, apartments, restaurants, fish boats, farmers that provide to the restaurant to sell to the students etc. to suffer great losses because of the absence of the main income channel.
I am not saying that is the choice he have to make but in my situations that is the types of things you have to battle when u rule? we all know what decision you would take Marie Claire, THANK GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF PMTH YOU ARE NOT THE PM.
Doesnt Ross own the property they operate from? Making it their responsibility first to fix their own roof? Then whatever assistance government can offer after is secondary? The sheds that CH operates from are rented from the AID Bank. Would you build back the roof of your landlords house from your own money so that you can live? or would you sooner relocate to somewhere else? Also i doubt Ross wants money from the government, Clear Harbor isnt asking for money either. The issue is the fixing of the shed in order to operate properly.
I cannot believe we arguing if the Government should renovate a building that is basically employer 500+ employees and hiring every couple months.
I don’t like the Government and I never work Clear Habour but I if people debating that then that country more lost politically than I even thought. Which other business in Dominica that hires frequently like Clear Habour?? Shouldn’t that be a business we try to save especially when we have so much job loses from other business sectors?
We need to stop be arrogant and step out of our self. I agree there are alot of places that need fixing but CH should be at the TOP OF THE LIST specifically because of the employment and training they give.
Training that might benefit people that need a job and never had experience in Customer Service.
People we can don’t have to applaud the Government but PLEASE DON’T ACT DUMB.
I find that foreign investors take advantage of the people and the government in particular. They get champagne deals to lure them to these underdeveloped economies (tax breaks, duty free concessions). Although they provide employment, many workers are usually underpaid. They make humongous profit then ‘extradite’ most of it to their countries of origin. Most local entrepreneurs are not afforded these sweetheart concessionary deals. They are left to fend for themselves. At the slightest signs of difficulty, these same foreign investors threaten to shut up shop and vacate the country if they are not given additional assistance from the government. The government quickly acquiesce to their demands because of the dire unemployment situation in the country. All I’m conveying is that we are used and badly abused by these uncaring foreign investors. They are solely motivated by profits for themselves. The people’s wellbeing is of little or no concern to them.
When will Dominicans bloody wake up.
Government cant just create jobs out of thin air. They can however create an enabling environment which allows jobs to be created.
They can invest in technology, art small business, tourism, sports, culture, music and in doing so you get a vibrant mix of creative persons seizing the opportunity and creating jobs.
Can you as an individual just create a job out of thin air,think about it. You must have some sort of business entity, income and capital to do that. It is no difference with the government.
I mean this is basic commonsense. So lets just please stop and thin for a minute.
How much did you donate to Ross? That’s why we wont come back. The prime minister is not doing enough.
Good. I tired of working in that hot … place with no air con.. It just mess up
Martin Charles is one of Skerrit boys, another Piper. This guy has no job, his only form of employment is to be on Skerrit’s boards. How many years as chairman of AID BANK and the bank is just a failed institution. I just don’t understand this at all. PM when will you dissolve the current AID BANK Board, are they there until you leave office because some of them are there longer than the AID Bank staff. Now as for the current GM that is there, please terminate this lady…………………….. poor management skills at all levels …………………………………………..
What about the other businesses and Ross University? Couldn’t the government do the same thing for them?
Since it’s state funds, what about public tendering to do the work?
We are begging international governments and organisations for monies to rebuild Dominica after hurricane Maria and now the government is here giving away state monies to a private company for free. Are there any conditions attached to the donation?
This money could be injected into the productive sections of the economy and/or take care the public buildings (Police Stations, Health Centres, Fire Stations) just to mention a few. Instead, the government have public officers working in deplorable work environment and conditions but still expect them to perform at their optimum?
There is no transparency in those decisions and it smells like a classic case of deception.
That is why we need parliament to be convened so that these decisions can be taken at a higher level than the Cabinet.
This video is for the young generation coming up. They need to hear what the healthy tone of a ruling government currently in power in the nation of Ghana sounds like …led by President Nana Akufo-Addo. Wise words.
https://youtu.be/YmR2n6ryQvg
Whoever you are who posted this comment and link, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY IN EVERY WAY.
Just by posting this link You have contributed immensely to NATION BUILDING. You have provided food for thought in stimulating a new generation of forward thinking, strong-minded individuals with an immeasurable hope towards self-determination, a new entrepreneurial class, path finders in innovation and entrepreneurship.
It is my hope that out of the rubble and despair brought by hurricane Maria, we can dispel of the “macaquewi & koshoni” of tribal politics, the socio-political cannibalism and economic indifference that seem to so consume us, and rise to the occasion of a NEW DAWNING, a new vision towards soaring levels of economic activity, social and cultural cohesiveness and striving to new educational heights, that, combined with the DIVINE DIRECTION OF THE ALMIGHTY, will bring us peace, prosperity, happiness and contentment.
Mr. Cadette, take a bow for your intellectually stimulating and sound comments. I wish you would comment more often and continue with your thought provoking statements. What polish does to the shoe your comments do to the mind. Kudos also to ‘Override the handout mentality’ for that useful link. I viewed it and was very much impressed.
I think this should read “Gov’t donates $3.7-million for AID bank’s Canefield Industial Estate shed renovation”
CH only rents the property, Aid bank Owns it. and don’t the Gov’t own AID bank …
Thank you. I was wondering at the headline, since it seems less like a handout and more like government is simply being a responsible landlord.
Steve, it is correctly called a donation, from the Govt. to the bank. It is the latter, who is the landlord, not the government.
But when AID Bank is owned by the government, that seems like a trivial distinction.
Sometimes it’s embarrassing to read some of the comments on this website. It gives the impression that Dominicans are not well-informed. Their comments lack principle just raw emotion or something they pull out of a hat.
That being said. “Donates” is the wrong word to use. Clear Harbor is a tenant, government owns the building. It has a legal obligation to renovation the building if it sustain damages due to hurricane Maria. Furthermore, Clear harbor is a major employer on island keeping it happy is important.
Faith, you have made an excellent point sometimes am wondering who the hell are these people where do they come from .Opposition leader is a nono looloo his followers are just tribal idiots,Mr Skerrit has got a big job on his hands containing this sort of people, as i have said before am not the sharpest tool in the box but boy there are some idiots in and out of Dominica.
Faith was talking about you and your friends!
@ Paul Rossnof,My advice to you is to get yourself a Life, you are a very sad loser am sure, something else Paul, find yourself some friends instead of writing crap 24hrs a day on Dno.
Can you write any thing that’s positive
Man Bites Dogs, I realized that you have improved your spelling and sentence construction and that’s good. You continue to offer no helpful solutions but relentlessly attack non-public officials who dare to take the government to task for its blatant blunders, that’s bad. People have a right to criticize public officials for their mistakes or missteps (decisions) as these can adversely affect the life of every citizen or resident. If everyone were like you, heap praise on the government even when it does something inappropriate, Dominica would experience an even more sorry state of affairs.
My comments are sincerely meant to heal not hurt.
Doggy, I love it when you’re upset. For heaven’s sake make sure you do not burst a blood vessel!
cool. sounds like they will finally get AC in the buildings
Martin Charles you are a joke. Next you will be announcing all the millions your bank making for the year. but no repairs to the area are even a substantial clean up. Again i urge the Canefield Urban COuncil to take a stance and address this as this is in your community.. Canefield people you cannot even use your playing field anymore because they put how much containers and metal poles and junk on your field.
Martin Charles as chairman has no independence in how he chairs that bank, he gets his fee, his free lunch but he has to do as Skerrit tell him. I wonder if Blair Court got one of these 2% loans from the Aid Bank.
NOW! To my knowledge thew property BELONGS to the AID Bank. A Bank that boasts profits annually. I understand the urgency of fixing the property in order to get the employees back to work in order to serve the international clients like Farmers insurance, proctor U, etc. These clients have demands that clear harbor must meet. However, it is the responsibility of the AID bank to ensure that their tenants (Especially on of their best paying tenants) is well treated. From what i hear in those old building all AC vents have mold and pieces of fiber glass in them for years. The AC has been broken for months yet they expect workers to sit behind computers in those sweat box sheds and serve diligently. (My hats off to the agents who have done so. Non the less. AID Bank, your whole industrial site is a complete dump and a mess. If not for CH and D Treads for making their own sheds look presentable that entire area would be old trash and derelict vehicles. AID Bank has no standards.
So in this instance my hat is off to the PM as he insisted that the sheds be renovated in order for clear harbor who employs more than 500 persons to begin to resume normal operations. BOld steps must be taken in these times. And Martin Charles and his underlings act like they should hold progress ransom. Also when will more sheds and production space become available for small manufacturers. When will around the sheds be cleaned up and properly taken care off to the NEEDS and Requirements of manufacturers. The average manufacturer doesnt want to spend half his funds fixing a place that should be turn key (ready to go) in order to operate.
I understand the whole rationale behind the donation, but i think there are so many public buildings that should be given consideration before Clear Harbor. they are a private firm and should come up with the monies/funds for their renovations , they can face AID Bank after all Martin Charles is a very good friend of theirs. Public buildings like the Goodwill Secondary School and the Roseau Market should be given consideration. This nonsense has to stop the Government is going down the wrong road. Dominicans open your eyes, if we continue to pretend that we don’t see what is going on we will suffer!!!!!!
Clear Harbour is a MAJOR employer. If they pull out unemployment would sky rocket. They are mor important right now than dilapidated public building what have been falling long ago. It will be a disaster like if Ross left for good.
And who says they won’t. With our infrastructure in such a delapidated state and the difficulty of access the temptation must be to up sticks and go somewhere else. What worries me greatly though is that the Prime Minister can make such a decision without apparent cabinet approval. Doesn’t he consult his own people any more?
You are right landlords (if you know who owns the industrial sites in Dominica) should never repair their property as its not their responsibility and in this case they should send the 750 employees home instead of continuing operations in Dominica.
Do you understand English the building is the property of the Aid bank .Read and understand before you write nonsense.
Charles is another faithful member of the Skerrit cabal and on this occasion gave us all a good dose of political propaganda just shy of crawling into his master’s rear end.
I am in favor of anything done to keep people employed especially at this time. Having said that what I would like to see is an independent inquiry to confirm that PM Skerrit does not have any shares in Clear harbor. Something deep inside is telling me that there is a secret that has not been revealed but I would like tangible evidence to rule out my doubts.
are you a fool? all you need to do is go to the international business registration logs and look at who the share holders are. All foreign.
That does not mean a bean. Any interest could be through a nominee. Remember Blar Court?
Blokay, since you seem to be too smart for this world, can you please tell me if you have seen Aliereza Monfared Dominican friend as a share Holder of my Dominica Tradehouse?
lol.you started of saying something very intelligent and then your stupidity got the better of you. You need to read more not everything your small brain creates is true. A simple google of ‘Clear Habour’ and you would see the entire business model.
You people give the PM to much credit. HE IS NOT THAT SMART. the guy is the Prime Minister of a Third World county aka “……..” according to an American President.(not that it makes it anymore true)
The guy has no ARMY, NO TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN WARFARE. He lives in a house that is arguably 1.7 million EC dollars. convert that to any world power currency it’s barely a house a billion would give to a mistress.
You guys think Roosevelt Skeritt to powerful and he is not. The opposition make the man look SUPER HUMAN and he is not. He is just a man and POWER IN THIS WORLD MEANS ..BILLIONS + ARMED FORCES
None of which Roosevelt Skeritt pocess…smh..lol
in due time they will be gone,within six months.
This is making my head spin. Don’t these private businesses have insurance to protect their businesses?
I keep reading how the government keeps giving private enterprise money for things they ought to cover as part of their normal course of doing business.
The company I work for uses natural gas burning ovens. We have all kinds of fire suppressant devices built in to our ovens. However, we have insurance that covers us for damage AND loss of profit in the event of a fire that put us out of business during the restoration period. THAT IS HOW YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS.
You cannot run a business on the assumption that everything is always going to be OK. But if the government always steps in to bail out these business, they will take their profits and let the government pay when they face difficulty.
Exactly….. where I live all private businesses got their insurance money, so I don’t understand why he has to pay for clear habour’s
Way to go, Sir. I am not liking you too much these days but this is a good move. Keep people employed and create more jobs. No more handouts.
But isn’t this a handout? How much do Clear Harbour contribute to our tax revenue, if they any tax at all on their operating profits.
so if the leave who will suffer?
Not smart people because they already left D/ca
Man Dominica have some ignorant people.
And that iss the reality of it all. WE need more industrial space so that other call centers and back office operations can comfortably establish and operate. As it stands, if another company the size of CH comes to Dominica, where will they be housed? Will we have to kick out one shed tenant to accomodate another? Are there other sheds suitable for these kinds of operations. the need for industrial space is SO serious we are setting ourselves back. Right now, DCP is renting space to one or 2 manufacturers and making a nice change i hear. If i had 7-8 acres of land along the coast close to a port, i would set up a proper industrial site. even if i had to do it 2 -3 sheds at a time.