An earlier version of this article claimed that Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, said that over $60-million was spent to get Roseau, tourists’ sites and other areas ready for the Cruise Ship Season which began on Tuesday.
The figure of 60 million dollars as reported by DNO, was incorrect. The figure is actually 6 million. We regret that error and offer our apologies to the minister.
Tonge made that announcement while addressing the official opening ceremony for the 2018/2019 season held on the Dame Eugenia Boulevard.
“Over $6 million have been spent in terms of getting the city ready, in terms of getting the sites ready, in terms of getting all the beaches cleaned, all the various sites and all the work that had to be done to get us to this particular stage,” he said. “Over $500,000 have been spent in terms of supporting the hair braiders and the vendors at the Bayfront at this stage…”
According to him, although the country was severely damaged by the passage of Hurricane Maria, much work has been done to bring Dominica as close as possible to normal.
“As you know we suffered severe damages as a result of Hurricane Maria but as you can see today much work has been done to bring back Dominica to as close as possible to normal, but as you can well imagine we have much more work to do and the Ministry of Tourism, Discover Dominica Authority is fully committed to making this happen,” he stated.
He revealed that over 95 percent of the sites are back to normal, except for two that are ‘unofficially opened.’ He stated that people still visit the two sites because they are actually safe.
According to Tonge, a significant amount of monies have been spent to bring Dominica to this stage.
He encouraged members of the public to welcome the visitors and ensure that the country kept clean and green.
“Continue to provide the best possible service,” he stated.
Meantime, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dominica Air and Seaport Authority (DASPA), Benoit Bardouille said the day was special for Dominica.
“This is a major thing after Hurricane Maria, because last year we had to miss some of our calls because of the fact that last year we had a major hurricane that hit Dominica,” he remarked.
He welcomed the MV Celebrity Summit to Dominica and told passengers to enjoy their stay.
“We look forward to increasing the number of calls to Dominica and the passenger count on our lovely island,” Bardouille said.
Dominica is expecting well over 300,000 visitors in this cruise ship season and about 189 calls.
Six million here and another 18 million on a bridge. How many hundreds on Melville Hall. I guess the boys continue to line their pockets as usual.
Isn’t that where you all want to be so you can be the ones doing the lining up of pockets ?
He must learn articulate properly. He reads every presentation and still doesn’t sound prepared. This Minister has failed the Tourism Industry. He needs to be replaced!
He hasn’t failed any tourism industry, where have you been, is that you with the big belly in the pic above?
DNO has some smart readers.So our concerns about the EC$18 000 000.00 bridge and a myriad of other projects were more than justified.
DNO you must have been called by Robbie,because he was getting good blows..Robbie you are in the mess,so take your blows…You even deserve more,so I don’t apologise to you.
EC$6 000 000.00 is enough to raise eyebrows as well.
The real figure looks more like EC$6.00 to me.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
Admin what happen to all the great comments your patrons wrote previously? Why have you gotten rid of them. Dominicans are beginning to discover the lies these useless politicians are telling, let us not hide the opinions of the people as they expose the lies they have discovered.
As far as I am concern that guy perhaps does not know the difference between $6,000.00; or $60,000.00 and the difference of $60,000,000.00 dollars!
If you have a blank cheque and can spend any amount you’d like without consequence or repercussion
would you know the difference between 6m or 60m?
It’s merely a round error
Telemaque I can’t believe that you did not understand that DNO claimed to have made the error, which is what they are explaining here. Man what is wrong with you?
Well, well, well; I did not read where an explanation was given Miss Elizabeth!
I mean I read everything on DNO, every comment, but unless I was a god, something will always evade me!
How about cooking some yellow yam and fish for both of us again so that I can come and eat all and leave you hungry again?
Is wicked I wicked so eh!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!