Abattoir to encourage job creation

The PM said abbatoir will reduce the food import bill
The PM said abattoir will reduce the food import bill

The national abattoir is expected to provide more jobs in Dominica once completed by July.

The Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, says it’s up to the population to demand local produce and effectively grow local businesses.

“If we have the abattoir, which meets all the international phytosantitary standards, and our people are able to produce, the question [will be] are we prepared to consume the locally produced chicken and pork? Are we going to still ask for the chicken which comes from elsewhere?” he stated.

An average of 20,000 birds and 250 pigs will be slaughtered weekly when the abattoir becomes operational.

“Government is laying the foundation for job creation; we are putting in the investments for job creation because the abattoir is fully financed by the State with support from the Government of Venezuela,” the Prime Minister explained. “The Government itself will be putting monies forward to unlend to livestock farmers but the Government does not have [consumers] to consume all of the meat that we can produce.”

He was referring to State-owned facilities like the State Prison and Hospital.

“So it left to us now to consume what we produce in Dominica and by so doing, we would reduce on the foreign exchange outflow, assist with the growth of our country, assist with job creation and reduce on the food import bill,” the Prime Minister stated.

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37 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    July 5, 2015

    International standards? Is the bureau of standards involved in monitoring the process or its output? who ensures that the consumers rights are being protected?Has there been a strategy in place to supply the abattoir? what about standardised vehicles for transportation? storage facilities? there are so many things which are not being addressed, i am wondering how will this all function?

    • Anonymous
      July 5, 2015

      or is it that the job creation involves all of those? since the abattoire needs a networked system in place to function especially under international standards

  2. Anthony P. Ismael
    July 4, 2015

    I am curious about the total number of chickens and pigs that currently exist on the island and how farmers plan to ramp up production, to keep pace with Skerrit’s numbers. Once again, this is another press conference gone awry.

    Instead of presenting these false numbers, why not first implement mechanisms to ramp up production? Why must politicians continue to present unrealistic scenarios to the masses? I guess if you’re able to fool them many times over, why should you ever stop?

    I’m still waiting on the ground breaking of the new hospital. We’re in July, 2015.

    • Malgraysa
      July 5, 2015

      Point taken Anthony. What mr. Skerrit was referring to is the capacity of this facility, which is not at all the same as actual output. It is clear from evidence on the ground that we neither have adequate poultry- nor pig production to feed this abattoir to its optimum efficiency level.
      I think what happened is that, like the coffee plant mr. Chavez insisted on making us gifts when in truth mr. Skerrit would have been happier to take the money instead but he dare not upset his godfather and in fairness to him, I do not know if I would have had the balls to tell uncle Hugo so but then, I am not the P.M.!

      • Anthony P. Ismael
        July 5, 2015

        Since we both agree, why is the article focusing on potential instead of something concrete? How will this capacity help those who are unemployed in the immediate future? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to work with local farmers and the ministry of agriculture to ramp up production first?

        This is yet another case of putting the “Cart, before the horse.”

      • The Real Facts
        July 5, 2015

        Do you not think you should have used the word “gall” instead? It sounds better.

  3. TRUTH
    July 4, 2015

    Skeritt tired fool people ,I will sell him out , DOMINICAND; ;;; tHe abattoir is venezuela;s own, for venezuela to sell its meats ,just like the coffee factory , he lied and tell people is dominica own ,,He know he lied to you,i know also ,but because he ;s used to fooling you ,eh continues , the coffee factory belongs to venezuela ,and be carefull ,not the people of venezuela ok ,But the government, they have already begun preparing their coffee and animals for these factories ,or facilities ,mark my words and prove me wrong
    You will soon see it,.

  4. July 4, 2015

    Any initiative or project which has the potentential to create jobs, has got to be welcomed. What Dominica needs is an industrial base to create jobs, which will improve the livelihoods of Dominicans, and boost the income tax revenue of the treasury, which can then be used to improve the general infrastructure of the country.
    So all the doom and gloom merchants who are complaining should shut up, because growing bananas and improving on the playing fields of the local villages as one local politician suggested during the election is not going to create jobs and grow the economy.
    Dominicans; liberate your minds and move on with the modern times.
    If this project turns out to be a failure, then the doom and gloom merchants can start complaining; until then, the government should be applauded for this initiative.
    Let me remind you all what matters: The proverb states; “It’s the economy stupid”.

  5. Titiwi
    July 3, 2015

    P.M. please, don’t make me laugh and weep at the same time! I’m getting my local chicken fresh from the farmer I always get it from and if your slaughterhouse is going to try and stop that you are in serious trouble. I want to be able to buy my chicken from whom I chose, not some govt. monopoly thank you. If not, I will do without chicken or gro0w my own in my yard.

  6. July 3, 2015

    Dominicans will purchase locally produced chicken. A certain supermarket in Roseau always running short of local chicken. I always buy local chicken, much tastier and healthy than imported variety. Win win situation, create jobs and wealth for the country. I for one looking forward to the opening of the abatoir.

    • The Real Facts
      July 6, 2015

      You are correct. I still remember the taste of chicken and pork; much better than imported. They are also healthier and is fresh meat.

  7. UserName
    July 3, 2015

    An average of 20,000 birds and 250 pigs will be slaughtered weekly when the abattoir becomes operational!!!!!… must be a fairy tale I’m reading. Increasing the current animal stock by 500% will still not reach that elusive quota, or is it the threshold to have the plant financially viable… No its a mad idea and the technicians behind the scenes should know better. 20,000 and 250 to be slaughtered WEEKLY… that is a real joke!!! So you doing week 1,2,3,…52 at that level of production +, – how much. In Venezuela a plant of that capacity is still considered small and so we get a gift and did not do the math.. just like the police and their right shoe left foot motorbikes. Based on floor space requirements for pigs and birds is like ALL farmers will have to become involved. Mention was made of feed and the financial challenges.. what is the plan for a local feed plant. Mind we operating at that SUSTAINED quota how do you intent to dispose of all the waste. down the Layou…

    • Lenpro
      July 4, 2015

      @ User Name: That is right. Farmers will have to get involved. The math can be right. If the abattoir requests 20,000 birds weekly and farmers get involved its possible. If 40 farmers produce 500 birds a week, that is 20,000. Lets make it easier on the farmers because some of them might not have the real estate. lets get more farmers involved. If 80 farmers produce 250 birds a week, that is 20,000. And if 50 farmers produce 5 pigs a week that is 250 pigs. By the way. if the abattoir pays farmer $6 per bird, that is $1500 a week, $6000 a month, $72000 a yr. So we can aside do nothing continue with our complaining and let outsiders come and do it for us.

    • Rasta for a while
      July 4, 2015

      narrow minded idiot go and put your peepee bed in sun.

  8. Dominic
    July 3, 2015

    all mister them doing is just bla bla bla j

  9. Elizabeth
    July 3, 2015

    Sounds so hollow and lacking in substance and conviction.
    Leadership is everything.
    Lack of leadership leads to nothing.

  10. Lang Mama
    July 3, 2015

    To set an example one must be an example. Consume the mefical service that the government provide for the people. Dominica make your children at the hospital in Dominica.Are you Dominica and your child – are you.

  11. Moi osi
    July 3, 2015

    Hehehe what a joke

  12. fantastic4
    July 3, 2015

    But PM haven’t pass or make a site visit lately – the place is un-kept; he should go see for himself before he end up training people for the operations similar to what was done in the North – remember they trained people in the hospitality services in Portsmouth specifically for the Moroccan Hotel but up to now they can not finish the hotel after 4 years much less open to employ the people who were trained. But he do not have memory or he just continue to play games with the people because he is coming now with the same BS about training and employing people for Abattoir. Garcon stop mamayguiing the people.

  13. Ht
    July 3, 2015

    more jobs for your people in this country.thats good.

  14. jr
    July 3, 2015

    I am a small farmer myself and I don’t see dominicans buying local at a higher price than the forign meat that is imported. We need to address the cost of feed for us to be able to compete, financing the infrastucture is going to be a challenge so we have to address that to . it is not as easy as u say pm. But am hoping we can pull it off.

    • Titiwi
      July 3, 2015

      I agree with you. That feed business is a racket. Free up the market and let us buy direct from the U.S. or Canada not put money into the pockets of St. Vincent with a sweet deal for the boys.

  15. Tampa
    July 2, 2015

    Mr. Skerrit, what is the plan on how to get Dominicans to consume more of the locally produced meat? It takes more than just a statement from you to bring about behavior change. You need to have a plan, a strategy. Eddie Lambert should be able to help you come up with one. This will not work the way that you have presented it. Think man, think!

    And by the way I heard you with a strong statement on the problem with Hatians in the Dominican Republic but I have not heard you say anything on Guyana’s problem with Venezuela. Why one and not the other? We are waiting to hear from you.

  16. engineer
    July 2, 2015

    This is what I take time to read Francisco. Sensible. Common sense no brainer math. Only if we Dominicans take on the production ourselves. Or we can stand aside complain and let the Haitian immigrants come in and take on the productions for us. As they have done at our farmers markets and local bakeries.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      July 3, 2015

      Let me confirm this: I have no doubt in my mind that our people can succeed. Very few of us who left Dominica fail in which ever country we chose to live. For some reason we fail to accelerate in our own country.

      If only the nation would unite, and avoid political enmity, hate for our neighbors and relatives, there is nothing we could not accomplish as a nation! Everyone cannot support the same party, if we allow a one party State would mean a dictatorship or communism or an autocracy; perhaps we could experience a totalitarian system.

      A united people usually succeed, whereas there is deep division entropy exists! As I stated last the bitter and the sweet goes together, sometimes one need to have fun, be funny let some humor into it, don’t take it so seriously all the times.

      Live don’t only exists!

      You see I did not say anything bad about Skerrit today, ( I doh know) if I will hammer him tomorrow

      • engineer
        July 3, 2015

        Francisco, That’s what I’m talking about my man. Keep that positive tone. You can be an awesome educator positive reinforcement . Keep it up.

      • Anthony P. Ismael
        July 4, 2015

        You made some valid points, with one exception. The country was not designed to incorporate the talents of our own citizens. There exist a maze of “Red Tape” and pure nonsense to get anything done in Dominica.

        Dominica operates like an old car with a fresh coat of paint, new interior, but same old transmission and engine. Everything is government owned and controlled. Lindo Park can’t be completed because the PM is worried about who will hold the keys and grant access to the park when the project is completed. With brilliant thinking like that, how can we not succeed as a people?

    • Max Spencer
      July 3, 2015

      Huh? are you serious? So because he didnt talk about Guyana’s problem thats an issue?… Haitians in Dominica relates to DOMINICA. what does Guyana’s issue with Venezuela have to do with Dominica?

      • Max Spencer
        July 3, 2015

        @ Tampa

  17. Shaka zulu
    July 2, 2015

    Quality my friend quality.

  18. poiughjsdpmvl;mearpsfgj
    July 2, 2015

    Canada (at least while the TPP isn’t a tangible reality) has special sanctions limiting the amount of dairy and livestock produce that they import so that consumers MUST patronize local farmers’ products. Maybe we can do something similar? I mean instead of just *hoping* that Dominicans buy the local meat. Sometimes the best choice is no choice at all.

  19. IluvmyPm
    July 2, 2015

    Election is over u win already no need to continue lying
    unless u afraid of riots :lol:

  20. grammar police
    July 2, 2015

    Hope they don’t feed the animals as they do in the US.

  21. Francisco Telemaque
    July 2, 2015

    Are we going to still ask for the chicken which comes from elsewhere?” he stated.

    An average of 20,000 birds and 250 pigs will be Slaughtered each week!(Skerrit).

    The is a way to bread chicken to be sold; if the product is as those raised in the more developed countries, where the chicken parts does not take hours to cook because of hard old chicken people will buy. If you intend to butcher (kill) approximately forty plus thousand chicken per year, it means you have to produce at least 20,000 young chicken per week.

    If you intend to kill 13,000 pigs per year, that means you have to produce 250 young pigs each and every week. Please explain that make it reality prove me an idiot once again.

    Ah think, ah going stop messing wid you see cause I doh want dem say I responsible for you hastened you demise!

  22. alas
    July 2, 2015

    I’m pro vegan

    • D$$$$ travel
      July 3, 2015

      your business

  23. too late
    July 2, 2015

    Well FAST N FURIOUS , KID ON THE BLOCK and Real Possie may finally get off DNO and find work to do at the abattoir : . Is now they will ‘love their PM’ :lol:

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