Skerrit says Dominica may legally seek compensation from Ross

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said his government is not ruling out the possibility of a legal battle between Dominica and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM).

He made that announcement during a special interview on State-Owned Radio DBS on Tuesday evening.

In August 2018 RUSM’s  parent company, Adtalem Global, announced that the university was leaving Dominica after 40 years and from January this year, the company started operating in Barbados.

RUSM was located in Portsmouth and was a huge source of income for the island’s second town for the past 40 years.

“We are not ruling this out because we believe that, my view to the government is that we should pursue Ross where compensation is concerned,” he said. “We had a lease agreement with Ross, Ross broke the lease unilaterally and there are several of our citizens who would have invested based on the lease with Ross, specifically to Ross and I believe that we very well may pursue Ross where compensation is concerned.”

Skerrit further stated that his government is in a stronger position to continue engaging partners interested in replacing RUSM.

“Now that we have the full possession of Ross University owned by the people of Dominica it place us in a stronger position to continue engaging those partners who can now come with no hindrances or encumbrances to visit the campus and to inspect for themselves whether that campus is suitable for them to operate as a school,” he said while speaking during a special interview held on State-Owned Radio DBS on Tuesday evening. “But we are very confident that we shall find a replacement to Ross and even maybe a better partner.”

He continued, “Ross took a decision by itself there is nothing that Ross ask the government to do that the government did not do.”

According to Skerrit, as a matter of fact the firm decision by the government was to focus on the campus of Ross, “so we got lights back at Ross before anywhere else, we got water back at Ross first before anywhere else, we got internet connected at Ross before anywhere else, we engaged Ross by indicated to Ross what else do we need to do?”

He mentioned further that some of the buildings that got affected by Hurricane Maria were buildings that were part of the partnership agreement to be replaced with all of the concessions granted to Ross.

“These were not buildings that were built recently that got damaged, these were buildings that had to be replaced anyway, based on the 25 year agreement we had with them,” Skerrit explained. “So there’s nothing the government could have done or Ross asked us to do…”

Meantime, he made it clear that in instances where some of the landlords will need support for bridge financing to ensure that they can hold on to their properties, that the government is minded to providing them with some financing to meet their obligations for a period of time.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

42 Comments

  1. posse
    January 11, 2019

    lol am from posse i laugh so much while reading these lies lol,ross dca for 40 years yet he wait till they leave to realise we mite need a international airport

  2. viewsexpressed
    January 11, 2019

    “We are not ruling this out because we believe that, my view to the government is that we should pursue Ross where compensation is concerned,” he said. Also Skerrit, please be advised and take note>
    “Suffering Dominican people says to failed Skerrit that legally we will be seeking compensation from inept Skerrit and his failed corrupt Labour government that We the Dominican people are not ruling out this consistent corruption in government because we believe that, in our view to this corrupt Skerrit government is that we should pursue Skerrit where compensation is concerned, to retrieve our taxpayers money the states, under Skerrit has allegedly misappropriated through the Red Clinic, handouts and has failed to invest this cash in the interest of socio-economic development of all Dominicans ” we say. We are saddened by this level of on going corruption where the minister of Finance and his worthless cabinet sat idle by and failed to challenge Skerrit to account for our states money.

  3. January 10, 2019

    Good evening Mr.Neville
    Thanks so much for your comment. I wish you the best. DNO edited my comments. This is their website and they have every right to do so. I am not angry at them. I am pleased with them. Mr. Neville, I am one of the fortunate ones, who does not need Red Clinic money or any other kind of money. Unlike you I am independently wealthy. Learn to ask questions.”There is no enemy outside your soul. The real enemy lives inside you;ANGER,EGO,GREED and HATE. No matter who runs this country,until they have engineering skills, topographical skills etc.it will go nowhere. Every poor man wants to be rich. I do not know who skerrit is.

    • Neville
      January 11, 2019

      You must be one of Skerrits passport agents! SOB

  4. Anonymous
    January 10, 2019

    Is mr. Skerrit implying there is a way that is not legal? I hope not.

  5. Jonathan Y St Jean
    January 10, 2019

    Since Skerritt is not sure that Dominica under his leadership will be taking RUSM to the court why come forward with such a reckless statement. It suggests that the double doctorate dude has not dotted his i’s and crossed all his t’s. This flim-flam approach to government is one reason why the country is adrift and there are so many government ministers yet only you can manage all issues and address all issues. A glaring failure you are. Go ahead and take a well run operation like RUSM to court but the money will be better spent developing the country. You mean that Pickard is the only place in Dominica you can offer a serious potential investor in a school of medicine? Liar liar your pants are on fire

  6. January 10, 2019

    With your double Dr PhD you have just confirmed that you are the smartest and wisest fool in the Caribbean; bro go back to the tape where ROSS explained their reason for choosing Barbados; and did you not find it strange that Dominica was not mentioned a single time by the CEO/ROSS or the PM Barbados at the official opening; lack of transparency will continue to be your downfall, had you presented the people of Dominica with the contract you signed with ROSS we would have been wiser to all the misdeeds you have brought on this blessed land.

  7. LifeandDeath
    January 10, 2019

    Skerrit ain’t serious..Dominicans doh even have to wait and see..Just look busy Skewo, election coming, some people need to believe that you’re working in their interest..

    Ross should never have left, but they couldn’t find a gov’t with a bias towards action in education and health services in Dominica..They tried eh, 18 years of promises..but there comes a time when everybody’s eyes opens up..Ross opened their eyes, what about the rest of us Dominicans?

  8. RandyX
    January 10, 2019

    Skerrit, instead of seeking compensation from Ross on our behalf, why don’t you tell us first the real reason why Ross left in the first place and don’t come on here and try and tell us it was because of Maria. Skerrit you would do very well and stop your daily rethoric and propaganda and instead provide us with real facts and accountability not only in regard to Ross but also in regard to CBI and PetroCaribe amongst others. Stop your waffle, we are sick and tired of it!!!

  9. Midnight Hour
    January 10, 2019

    So when Skerrit forced Ross out last year, he told us Ross loves Dominica and we love Ross and further blamed Maria for their departure and said Ross did nothing wrong, today he talking g legal crap against Ross? Skerrit is tired of lying to us and for the sake of Dominica we need him out for us to survive. So just now he will sue Maria man?

  10. sisserou
    January 10, 2019

    New portfolio for Skerrit; “minister of lies”. :-?

  11. January 10, 2019

    ……..DOMINICA has offered an environment that has graduated over 1,400 MD. unlike The Washington University on the other island. Dominica offers peace,serenity, security and an abundance of fresh oxygen conducive to creatng doctors. Mr. Ross did not create RSUM in the 1970s for maxium profit.
    We may not like the politics of the Prime Minster, but we certainly should not have to be globally insulted by Miss prime minister who has ran with her loot. Mocking our Prime Minster by saying that we had an engagement with RUSM for 40 years but we did not do what we were supposed to do to lead to a marriage. You know the truth Miss Prime Minster. “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it,let it loose,it will defend itself. “Good Wishes,Mademoiselle et Madame. Go in peace.

  12. January 10, 2019

    Hello my people! When we communicate,let us listen to understand. Let’s not listen to reply. What if I told you your Prime Minister had nothing to do with RUSM departure from Dominica. Even if Portsmouth landlords had worked together to repair roads to and from RUSM. It would still not have made a difference.
    Mr. Ross vision to staff American Hospitals
    with Doctors is a thing of the past.
    At present there is a new vision, a new company a new African-American CEO officer and President of ADATALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION,Ms. Lisa Pickrum Wardwell…….

    • Neville
      January 10, 2019

      How much is Skerrit paying you to write this rubbish??

    • Sense out of nonsense
      January 10, 2019

      New CEO or not a company wouldn’t make a move that costs so much money if it were not to their economic benefit. So obviously something was not right for them here and considering that the cost of living is so much higher in barbados and most likely the cost of labour is also higher, it must have been something really significant that they could not get.

  13. Pipo
    January 10, 2019

    I think it could be the other way round bro., you being sued by the people that own Ross. Who is advising you on that, not Levi I hope because a little bird telling me he can not practise in London again. Check that bro.

  14. Annon
    January 10, 2019

    What a waste of time and money to spend on lawyers and end up with nothing PM. I guess that you didn’t have any prospects lined up after all to replace Ross. DA is too much of a leech. If you think that someone has money, you want to take all that you can. That drives people away.

  15. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots.
    January 9, 2019

    Ross may turn around and file a counter suit on Skerrit personally for his lack of planning for an emergency and causing the students undue hardship. There was no planning for an emergency evacuation and the PM could be held liable for damages, he may have to dip into his ………………………… overseas bank accounts to pay.

  16. Kim
    January 9, 2019

    If they broke the lease, why not just keep their security deposit?! :wink:

  17. JBaptiste
    January 9, 2019

    I believe that Skerrit have read The art of war, and I advise Lennox to read it also. How else would you expect people to believe this crap. I have heard of man walking on water and being raised from the dead but this man being at the helm for so long is nothing short of supernatural.

  18. Frank N Stein
    January 9, 2019

    Wait! one time Skerrit taking Ross to court not Blackmore may? Why don’t dem fellas shut the heck up stupes. Fellas its not working just chill. why Blackie exposing Skerro lies nah. Skerro told us Ross talking to him about compensation then is court case now is may?

  19. Kim
    January 9, 2019

    If they broke the lease, I guess you could just keep their security deposit?! :lol:

  20. Child of Itassi
    January 9, 2019

    Before swallowing a mango seed, first calculate the diameter of your anus.

    “Adtalem is very mindful of the people of Dominica and the needs of the community, and is creating a plan in close coordination with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the government of Dominica that will take these matters into meaningful consideration, including an appropriate transition of our campus property and buildings. Furthermore, Adtalem is committed to providing support to colleagues during the transition.”

    From a recent press release: https://www.adtalem.com/newsroom/press-releases/Adtalem-Global-Education-Announces-Barbados-as-New-Location-for-Ross-University-School-of-Medicine.html

  21. Ibo France
    January 9, 2019

    Before RUSM abandoned Dominica, the country was in deep economic peril. The unemployment rate was unacceptably high, the economy was stagnant and wages were minimal. Post Maria, many businesses closed further exacerbating the already dire economic climate in the country. I’m yet to see concrete and viable economic plans to rescue the country from collapsing. The people must not only be put to work but their wages and salaries should be livable ones. The economy should be creating good paying jobs so the average man could live a comfortable life. He should not be penniless from the cradle to the grave which creates a vicious cycle. Only visionary leadership can bring a complete turnaround. The leadership of this country has no vision. Where there is no vision the people perish.

  22. Bob Denis
    January 9, 2019

    Yes , Mr Skerrit , take Ross to the ICC . A very winnable case at that , but if Dominica should win , the Island would still lose , Ross would not feel obligated to step up . A case in point , Antigua , won a landmark case against the USA on offshore gambling , to this day, not a cent have been forthcoming . Expose Ross’ shortcomings to the world , Dominica is not isolated on this topic .

  23. RasB
    January 9, 2019

    Our Prime Minister looks ill. He has aged very quickly and from here it seems as if he has a renal (Kidney) issue or may be he is on steroids for a health issue that has not been made public.

    Did he not tell us relatively recently that he had some five parties that are interested in viewing the property left behind by Ross with a view to investing? What has happened? Are these five groups no longer interested or were never interested?

    • Neville
      January 10, 2019

      He does not only look ill, he is ill. He is ill in the head!!

  24. jahchild
    January 9, 2019

    Sue your dam self first! You are a such joke!!! You have strong capable Dominicians, with all their strength coming to you to you on their knees, you should be ashame to call yourself a leader!

    Your people can not make ends meet, they have to constantly rely on your crappy handouts! MAN before I sin my soul this Jan 9th let me get off this page.

    Resign, it will be better for you!

  25. jamie
    January 9, 2019

    Who the hell your trying to fool,for your failing government and your dictatorship acts,Election is coming so continue the empty promises,all God needs is one day Skerrit to deal with you and it is coming.Ross is gone and you will not be getting a damn cent,Keep fooling your base,not anyone with common sense,i see you were giving out the millions of the Hurricane monies you begged for around the world,this is why i told people in the tri states its all a scam and today it was proven.

  26. RandyX
    January 9, 2019

    This man is delusional and unstable. Ross asked for talks with him on several occasions but he could not be bothered to talk with them. Now he wants compensation from them?? Skerrit grow up! Do you think you could enforce to get a penny from them? No court outside DA would rule in your favour. Grow up and tell the people of DA the truth!

  27. Lexo
    January 9, 2019

    Soon we will hear All Saints University is going to occupy the Former Ross Property. We will also hear later that Ross won us in a Court battle and the Property belongs to them again. Just Stop dude and tell the truth.

  28. DEE
    January 9, 2019

    Magic word ”may”.

    psychology on dose sot .

  29. Zammm
    January 9, 2019

    Hello Mr Pm, could you kindly address the Blackmoore issue right now, instead of talking about Ross who isn’t taking you all on. Ross has left, you guys not telling the whole story. Ross is happy in Barbados. Telll us bout your ministers….

  30. LaPlaine Observer
    January 9, 2019

    After 40 years of Ross University economic contribution towards Dominica’s GDP, your incompetence and failure in leadership caused Ross to depart Dominica. Now you’re trying this political stunt to make it look like Ross left prematurely. You will fool your RED CLINIC recipients, but not intellectual Dominicans.

  31. %
    January 9, 2019

    I listened to Skerrit on the Ross issue last night, and the man in his usual characteristic inarticulation was shameless be

    enough to talk about a possible court battle for redress…Now this is the same Skerrit b
    who fooled some people by telling them Ross left but “””the parties have no acrimony”””.
    Lies!Lies ,Lies,and more lies.A grotesquely and outrageously compulsive and inveterate lying human being will only make for a bad society…
    Skerrit, Lisa Wardell told us why Ross left and it’s because your lazy DLP “”Does not have a bias to develop health care and education.””Essentially it’s because you as leader are lazy,and you other MISLEADERS are lazy ..
    The biggest body blow to Dominica has happened under your Leadership.
    You are a square peg in round hole.. Shameless!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  32. Time Will Tell
    January 9, 2019

    It’s the other around. It’s Ross that will put a massive lawsuit on Dominica, one far worse than the Jamaican artists pocketed on us

  33. Jo Jo
    January 9, 2019

    A brilliant man who knows what he is about. Great leadership.

  34. January 9, 2019

    Why a Ross Representive tell Dominicans the real story why they left Dominica to relocate in Barbados something had to be serious because these folks are not stupid,

  35. zandoli
    January 9, 2019

    Who is advising this guy? You had a lease arrangement with a company. The country is destroyed, the facility suffered damage from the hurricane. The infrastructure of the island is such that the company cannot operate for several months. They had to make special arrangements to protect their students and company. Now Skerrit comes out telling Dominicans he may take legal action against Ross? Which court would find Ross in breach of that contract given those circumstances? All Ross has to do is apply force majeure.

    Skerrit, stop trying to fool the people. According to Judge Judy “you have no case”.

  36. Required
    January 9, 2019

    Can someone give Ross a lil ‘soupsyon’ :-D :-D :-D :-D
    There’s gonna be trouble.

  37. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 9, 2019

    Shut up Roosevelt, seek compensation for what?
     
    You fail to deliver an International Airport; you fail to ensure that Ross faculties,  and campus with Fiber Optics:
     
    The decade saw the greatest advantages in the use of fiber optics for data and communications was a refractive index profile expresses. the relationship between the ore Ri and the cladding Ri for a fiber of a given bandwidth as the length of the fiber increases what happens to the bandwidth.

    That is modern technology, which if Ross had might help to keep them in Dominica; you believe because you are Roosevelt Skerrit, when people hear your name they should drop on theirs knees.

    Some of your dumb supporters might worship you in your backward kingdom Dominica, but to  an American, and people in the more develop world, you are nothing!

    You are a nobody; your name does not ring a bell! Ross had every right to leave after you spewed your hogwash talk about clearing land and install container shed for…

  38. JAH KAL
    January 9, 2019

    Skerrit keep on dreaming we will read see or hear later by that time u will be wearing an orange jump suit mark those word it will be very very soon dominicans look out. Monfared will starte talking pretty soon.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available