Dusquesne University to assist Dominica with its energy policy

Prime Minister Skerrit meets with the Duquesne officials

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Tuesday met with Professors Gerald M. Boodoo, Robert Sroufe and John Stolz from Duquesne Universitywhere they got the opportunity to look at some of the things the country has done thus far.

The University has also outlined its plans to assist Dominica in a number of areas.

“Our friends are here to look at what we have done because we have shared with them a number of things, the literature of what we have done so far. They have reviewed it independently and they have said to us that they believe that they can focus on a few areas that they believe that they have tremendous know-how and experience in,” he stated.

According to Skerrit Duquesne University is completely self-sufficient where energy is concerned and he said he was totally impressed with how they went about generating energy, “and the management of this you know is amazing.”

“So, they are able to come to us and assist us with our energy policy because it’s an evolving process. It’s not cast in stone; there are things that you can improve upon,” the prime minister stated. “So, critically for us, they have expertise in sustainable development and also assisting the private sector, assisting investors, to look at issues of sustainability, look at issues of resilience, look at the issue of climate change and to better position themselves to see a return on their investment and not wanting to have these immediate returns.”

“It is important for us to appreciate that while we would like to move faster, faster doesn’t mean we will get there on time,” Skerrit noted. “You may very well get into an accident, rather than driving safely and knowing that you will get there.”

He mentioned that his government has taken the more difficult route because building resilience requires tremendous planning.

“It requires a lot of reviews. It requires tremendous resources because to build stronger you need to spend more money and this is why I have said to us in Dominica that this government could have housed 5000 people or build the 5000 homes which we announced that we will build to provide safer homes to our citizens,” he said.

He added, “We have decided to take the better route of ensuring that we employ modern technology to help design those homes and to help construct those homes.”

He said it is obviously costing more money to build the homes and there’s also the challenge of “where you build them.”

Skerrit said his government is employing a mix of housing interventions and has also opted to go the route of apartments in some communities because apartments require less land space.

“We also have to guard against the continued practice in Dominica of utilizing fertile, arable agricultural lands that are accessible to farmers for housing,” he noted. “And we have seen a lot of our farm lands that are more accessible transform into housing residential areas.”

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30 Comments

  1. Pipo
    May 13, 2019

    Which university did Roosevelt Skerrit enrol his son Malik in?

    • Joseph John
      May 13, 2019

      Wow, attacking a student. Well what do you expect from a party with a member of the House arrested for children assault .
      Skerrit is a public figure and a fair target for political attacks, but to stoop so low by attacking children ? Wow.

  2. Nrt
    May 13, 2019

    In the first place how can they assist in getting Domlec to invest/reinvest in Hydro power that they skillfully single-handedly killed. The lamest excuse I’ve ever heard from them is ‘there isn’t sufficient WATER, the LAKE dries sometimes’. Yeh right. Now we are going to double it and spend almost $1 billion on geothermal energy just to hand to Domlec after years of non-performance on hydro. I heard they have already threatened not to save us on our power bills in the first 10 years due to a large loan and grant from the World Bank to rebuild post Maria, The govt is moomoo on that, although they were not the ones who sold the electric co with poorly written requirements without consumers in mind. It’s that bad.

  3. Penville
    May 12, 2019

    If Skerro was not using the country money to give out , how many people will still be following him and his great ideas to develop Dominica?

  4. Ibo France
    May 12, 2019

    This is nothing more than a photo opportunity for Skerrit to mislead the country for political advantageousness. Nothing reported by him is definitive. His explanations and language come across as puerile. Look for more of these useless meetings and photos splashed across the media. These recent meetings and headlines are just all out, desperate attempts to fool the electorate that things are happening with geothermal energy and the international airport, the two biggest failures of Skerrit’s forgettable legacy. Don’t allow yourselves to be fooled this time around, the pappyshow government is playing mind games.

  5. Frank N Stein
    May 11, 2019

    now the excuse is Ross blocking us. So long Ross forget us they get their insurance money they doh care …. about that building. What happen to the court case, more lies. Ross cant even remember how to get to DA lol.

  6. %
    May 11, 2019

    Previously we had the Ross University, now it is the Haitian University.. The inveterate liar told us that 4 schools were very interested in occupying the campus, and he is hard pressed to choose one. UWP under patriot Linton will take care of our energy policy, as you make your unceremonious exit from our political landscape Skerrit.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  7. Corruption pays
    May 11, 2019

    Now listen again to Skerrit talking nothing but BS. This guy sits there for an hour and has said in essence absolutely nothing because he has not got a clue what he is talking about in the first place. Apart from a serious amount of stuttering and lies, a little dose of rethoric and propaganda and plenty of smirking there is nothing to be had from the Crime minister of Dominica. How this man managed to stay in office is totally beyond me. But one thing is sure it doesn’t say much for the majority of Dominicans. OMG

  8. Confused
    May 11, 2019

    This guy is trying AGAIN to deceive the people of Dominica. Stoltz is professor in Biology, Boodoo if from Center for African studies and Sroufe is from Dept of Business. There’s no policy expert or environmentalist among them. We do not need people from some For-Profit university to come and tell us where we should emphasize to be energy sufficient. We have water, we could have expanded our hydroelectricity capacity, on the west we have enough solar capacity to harness for energy and on the east we have sufficient to harness wind energy there, we do not need people coming from outside to tell us this. You guys are so bankrupt of ideas anybody coming from outside the country is being hailed like a savior, whereas we have local experts here who will tell us the same.

  9. "maho pima
    May 11, 2019

    Everybody has something to write on taking notes, Skerrit don’t have nothing, not even a tablet or a phone? some have paper, some have laptop, one look like he has a phone, Skerrit hands cross in front of him, but what is that nah, the man is talking business with professors or officials? so on what is he showing them what the country has done thus far? because he said they got the opportunity to look at some things the country has done thus far, look like he is just talking off his mind? hope not.

  10. "maho pima
    May 11, 2019

    Duquesne university of the holy spirit, is a private catholic university in pittsburgh. pennsylvania. please do your research. Skerrit what things did you do in the country thus far to bring the two professors to look at? there is no specific thing you can refer to, and no name to the things. And what literature have you done so far? stop being a Benedict Arnold to your country , stop being a traitor to your country stop lying to the people ,there is nothing of significant in what is written there ,you are all over the place, you don,t know what to say.

  11. "maho pima
    May 11, 2019

    hahahahahahahahahaha, don’t kill me, The dentist.

  12. Xavier Fabien
    May 10, 2019

    Last year I drove twice pass the sight where the construction of Ross University is being built. No close to hospitalize Students for anything like they had in Dominica

  13. Free
    May 10, 2019

    Hahah boi skerite you and he dlp are a dan fool.. u cannot get not one university to replace Ross… according to Asa your dam ***

  14. dissident
    May 10, 2019

    look at the picture…..who have documents and who doesn’t.
    That is what Skerrit can pull out of his rabbit hat? Alas, poor you boy!
    From the time I saw the word University I thought of Picard and the former Ross University grounds area…. but i am sure thousands of Dominicans are disappointed with that story.
    And the story appears to be deliberately non-specific….no details what so ever.
    We honest patriots will use that as a whip and beat you with it come general election…….you tired embarrass us we will put de shoe on your foot for you!!

    this story appears to lean towards our energy sector……my personal feelings are this may have had some link to Geothermal energy company set up (i don’t have proof of that eh people)

    But i notice it is another one of these Catholic Universities.

  15. Joseph John
    May 10, 2019

    That is a step in the right direction. Consultations with experts is the best way to fine tune your policies. The idea that policies are not set in stone is enlightening because technology is moving at a rapid rate necessitating the review of plans and policies.
    The next step would be attracting the transfer of all kinds of technology in every aspect of economic development. We could receive tech assistance from many countries at no cost to us. We could appoint counterparts as understudy and interns to these techs. We could go as far to negotiate an MOU with a dona country like China.

  16. May 10, 2019

    “Our friends are here to look at what we have done because we have shared with them a number of things, the literature of what we have done so far. They have reviewed it independently and they have said to us that they believe that they can focus on a few areas that they believe that they have tremendous know-how and experience in.”

    While I appreciate the help of Professors Gerald M. Boodoo and his colleagues, in my experience most universities are willing to share their expertise free gratis, assuming that the petitioners have done their leg work.

    My research into making paper from Dominica’s abundant natural resources was aided by universities in the States and Europe. Their expertise was there for the asking via emails. No visits and no boardroom presentations.

    • Joseph John
      May 12, 2019

      So who are you trying to fool. Making paper products in Dominica is a must win. Why did you not start a private company (in the private sector). Did your research not tell you that Dominica has the most favoured position for paper products in the ECCM. This is in the law both local and reginal.
      Did you research not lead you to the concept of plan ,programme and finance. Did you bring samples of your products to any prospects? Or did you just go to the government to say here is my researched idea. Do something about it.

    • Joseph John
      May 12, 2019

      Roger Burnet ? You are just part of the problem with your sit, complain, make excuses and talk profile.

      • May 13, 2019

        Dear Joseph,

        When you can find time, you are welcome to visit my studio and workshop at Antrim. I can then show you the progress I have made with paper making and many other projects related to Dominica’s natural resources.

        At seventy-six I work a fourteen hour day and have no time to (as you put it) “sit, complain, make excuses and talk profile”.

        Please call ahead to arrange a mutually convenient time and day.

        I look forward to your visit.

        • Nrt
          May 14, 2019

          Don’t be surprised Roger, you didn’t pledge to vote Joseph’s party back in, Jo is in full campaign gear he won’t take you up on the cordial invitation. I wish he would though.

  17. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 10, 2019

    “Dusquesne University to assist Dominica with its energy policy”

    Everybody, every outsider are always giving advise to that clown Roosevelt Skerrit, now they are going to assists Roosevelt with their Energy policy!
    I have researched this thing, since reading the fart Roosevelt spoke under the above caption; I have not found anywhere this Dusquesne University is into the production of electricity,or another form of energy.

    That be the case, what sort of energy policy do they have. And if they do have an energy policy, shouldn’t they be talking to DOMLEC rather than the clown Roosevelt!

    That fool is so lie he will go to the extreme to create an impression.

    Watch this one of the highest member of the delegation is a college professor while the Dominica Crapaud Mentality Roosevelt is doctor, double doctor at that.
    When I went to college and University, a teaching professor is a title lower in academics than the Ph. D’s whom we called doctor who taught me. 

  18. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 10, 2019

    “Roosevelt Skerrit on Tuesday met with Professors Gerald M. Boodoo, Robert Sroufe and John Stolz from Duquesne Universitywhere they got the opportunity to look at some of the things the country has done thus far.”

    Roosevelt who the hell cares?
    Who the hell are these clowns and how significant are they in the life’s of our native people?
    If they are visiting with you to sell you another bit of  useless paper to be called triple doctor just buy it and get them out of our country!
    How much industries are they going to set up in the country in order to create employment for the youths?
    All they will see is how you destroy the country and cannot recognize the damage you have done because they have no clue of how prosperous  Dominica was before your cursed (jinks) hands got hold of the country and ruined it! 
    Opportunity to look at what some things the country has done thus far what?
    People do for country not country for people!

  19. watchdog
    May 10, 2019

    I thought is was the World bank that was going to give assistance. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. SMHX1000.

  20. hmmmmm
    May 10, 2019

    Hold up one minute!!!!! Is that the same University that gave him his second honorary doctorate?????
    Now they are here developing policies….. how much are they being paid? Every firm or org that’s hired to consult and develop policies require a big cheque.

    YOU ALL SEEING THIS….. its a scratch my back and I will scratch yours. So now we see why he got that honorary doctorate, as the the university rep said “he did not have to pay big money for it”… well look where he paying for it now.

  21. The Dentist
    May 10, 2019

    I thought the man was going to say he got a real University to replace Ross University and is more of the same nonsense he talking. The table they using looks like a casket are their cups on the table looking like funeral flowers. I think it’s a reflection of the casket we in the Vielle case Constituency going to bury Skerrit in whenever he calls the election

  22. Channel 1
    May 10, 2019

    WHERE ARE the 4 universities/investors whom Skerrit had indicated were interested in the Ross University campus?

    • derp
      May 10, 2019

      the Ross campus dun starting to deteriorate

      • Channel 1
        May 10, 2019

        @derp – Around Independence time 2018, during a government independence meet & chat function with visiting Dominican diaspora, Skerrit had even mentioned that out of the 4 interested investors, there was literally one the government could go ahead and sign with but he was just waiting to give the other interested parties a chance to come in and view the campus etc.

        Somebody is not telling the truth. The truth however appears to be hidden in plain sight.

        • Noelle
          May 12, 2019

          ‘Hidden in plain sight’. I couldn’t have put it better myself.
          Skerrit says “ ……… they believe that they can focus on a few areas that they believe that they have tremendous know-how and experience in”.
          What areas are they going to focus on? Theology? (Boodoo). Biology?(Stoltz) and Sustainability & Supply Chain management? (Sroufe).
          How does that help Dominica and at what cost.
          Fellow Dominicans, I beg you. Please wake up and smell the coffee and get this man called Skerrit, out oce and for all.
          He said a couple of years back that he wanted to remain until he retired at 65. You cannot afford to let this happen.

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