Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that a sum of $6.5 million has been allocated for the commencement of construction of a new state house for the president.
He disclosed this while presenting his $54-million supplementary estimates bill at the First Session of the Eight Parliament this morning.
Minister of National Security Charles Savarin, in his remarks at the House, placed support behind the prime minister’s request for these supplementary estimates, particularly for the much talked about $27 million state house.
“This government has found it necessary for the after 30 plus years of independence to establish a structure which can embody the independence and pride of the people of Dominica to house the head of state to provide offices for the discharge of the functions of the head of state, in addition, to provide office accommodation for all the commissions under the supervision of the president- the public service commission the police service commission, the integrity commission, the electoral commission,” he stated at this morning’s sitting.
Savarin mentioned that the state house will include a major conferencing facility to house regional and international conventions.
“It is well known that we in Dominica have great difficulty in hosting regional and international conferences,” he stated. He pointed out that Dominica, compared to many other Caribbean islands does not have such a facility.
The minister is convinced that having conferences of such magnitude increase stay-over visitors and hence, the economy.
He further disclosed that the state house project will also include the construction of three separate buildings.
“The existing government house will be converted into a conference facility and a new building will be built on the grounds of this conference house to serve as the official residence of the president and to serve as the offices of the president. So that in fact three physical structures – three separate structures will be constructed under this project,” he said.
Savarin also added that the existing state house is in a deplorable and unsuitable state and is not fit for a president to live, as it has been so far many years.
Skerrit said at a rally of his faithful recently that he will be in power until 2050. Well he believes it and as evidence by his malace plans ——Is he kidding himself or are we kidding ourselves? Sooner or later he, all of us and the world ‘will find out’. Nuff said. Any comments Mr. Carrette?
well well PM skerro ain’t going no where the man is building his state house for his self.we are going to have a dictator in D/ca. show me your friends I will tell you who you are. PM skerro for life. watch out D/A people you might soon have to fight for your freedom.
We should not have “champagne taste and mauby pocket”.
Let us grade the project. Typically, projects like this one would have a feasibility study done per it’s intended use. Can anyone tell me whether the study has any information on the potential revenue that will be generated?
DOH matter what part of the world you living
A Prime Minister,president and other heads of state should not be driving old cars
or living in old houses
I mean they are heads of state come on people
Doh matter how smart you try to talk all you cannot stop it
Is so life be
when i watching reigional or international conferences it is always being taken place in high profile confrence rooms
But when i watch Dominica is in a hotel around a table heads of the Caribbean sitting
come on man
that is pure sh&^
And plus i doh belive the majority of the young people want to go in banana any more
cause i for one will lift up my hammer and my shovel any day than to go zion and invest in bananas
and hope wind doh past to throw it down
Foward we go…
Dear Mr. PM, all you say that Dominica does not have money to build foster homes and group homes for abuse children. And then all you say people not opening up their homes to help foster children, but why should they, when all you throwing away money. All you just talking cheap, all you really not interested in helping to save children from abuse that why all you send them back to their abusive situation. That money could well build another group home, plus build a rehab for those youths on drugs instead of sending them to jail or the mental institution. What da heck doing with presidential palace when we cannot even help out the youths of the country?
charlo singing for his supper,people no one is against the state house but 27 million tourist do not have proper facilities in our capital,the drains stinks,marigot is a total mess,you have to walk in the rain to go to the restaurants,security is 2 at a time you travel my friend,look at st.thomas vi and look at the way the airport is set up.your not the pm i heard 5 yrs ago.
Are we building a state house for the president to live in, a building where other government employees will be going to work, or is it just tourist attraction? This is confusing. People talking about building it that people can see something big and pretty when they come to DA, meaning that this is an attraction. OK…fine.
Others saying it is the state house and the President’s home, meaning it will be under security and no Tom, Dick and Harry cannot just walk up in there and say they visiting. The man might be walking around in his underpant.
Others saying is Skerro place. Some even saying it will have voters card place and all kind of places where people will be working. Now you know darm well that you cannot have all kind of people working at the President’s house, fixing some voter registration card. So my question is, “What the hell is this place? What are we spending the Chinese money on”?
Don’t shoot me, but did I not read that the monies set aside for the proposed state house was $6.5M.
There is a VAST difference between $6.5M and $27M. Reading the comments here it seems that the overall cost will spiral from 6.5M to 27M.
Am I missing something.
You are not missing anything. The nayers love to fabricate information.
No you’re not missing anything you just don’t understand english. The $6.5m is a part of the total cost of the project.
Papa Dom
Your advise is that I learn to understand english. Wow your english is sooo good that you spell english with a small e. Please do not try to educate me, as I can assure you that when it comes to the English language, I’ll make you look small.
Yes a few brain cells, $6.5mil is for the start, learn to read!!!
Nac Vibes
You too are offering advice. My brain is fully functional. My reading abilities I’m sure are way beyond yours
It is time you people learn to put your point across, without making derogatory comments.
please remember farmers are inportant all over the world, but in DA, some people think they are nothing , farmers need help in everyway , they need good roads , they need are FACTORY to manufactured whatever they grow please , please please, please HELP THE FARMERS IN THE PROPER WAY
All those projects are in keeping with taking DA to the next level, it is a known fact that most all Country’s own a state house in which the head of state lives, ask Thompson Fountain who lived in the US for many yrs, all 50 states in the union has a governer’s mansion, most if not all Caribbean islands including the very one next door from where i write has one its up the morne and the GG lives and work there, its high time and maybe past time that we Dominicans come of age and modernize all sectors. This gov.t want to take us out from behind and put us somewhere in the middle and in some cases, upfront and we should be proud, dont let the good for nothings on the other side yes those dead beat politicians fool you into beleiving otherwise, go Skerrit go keep doing what you doing.
So true, People often find it easier to be a result of the past than a cause of the future.
If you are comparing then compare everything. Most countries have international airports. Most countries have more secoundary schools. Most countries have better roads.Most countries have parks and more recreational areas for children and the youth, etc.
But they are working on the roads, Grammar school, the house in Jimmit, The upgrade of the airport. I mean what else can u people ask for?
Are our memories so short people? The Bayfront was vehemently opposed by Edison James and the UWP during Freedom time. The critics said money was being thrown into the sea, money should be spent on more deserving projects.
The Dame Lady went ahead with the Bayfront Project, regardless of the opposition to it; and almost two years after, a hurricane came and put that Bayfront to its first of many test. The walls were battered by waves, the Bayfront was flooded, you could not even see the benches or the concrete pots the trees were planted in-that’s how high the water got; but there was no structural damage.
If it wasn’t for that Bayfront wall, Nassief, the old post office and all the businesses in that area would have been wiped out. Thanks to the “Iron Lady” who stood her ground amidst the same kind of criticism that Prime Minister Skerritis facing today but had the vision to see the benefits of having the Bayfront wall built; whilest an opposition with no foresight and vision opposed.
Today no one can deny that the Bayfront was monies well-spent, so go ahead Mr. Prime Minister build the state house-they will thank you later!!
and to ENHANCE the dame work they put a fontain in a green spaggs oops space to look like edo
While you want to refresh our memories can you also remind us that Freedom opposed the canefield air strip and spent, sorry wasted, $2m to light it up.
I’m not for that one at all. but i do understand we need something as an attraction and a symbol of our independence and to keep up with time. just dont think the timing is right on this one. maybe after the world recover from armageddon
That will be never
Ok scenic
omg animal farm is alive,,,, i never imagined that our dominica would be the perfect example of this story,,,, 27 million but no my people not 27 but 54 million in total,,, 27 is just for the state house,,, did u all not read the other perks involved,,,, well skerro build it,,, me saying don’t won’t change a thing,,,, go head,,, i hope to toast a champagne when we get in to,,,, n that won’t be long,,, u may not even enjoy it,,,, go head n forget our farmers,,, is they self that vote u,,, i hope they seeing,,,
The definition of TACT- a sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense. Example, telling MOUTH OF SORES he has an open mind, when all he really has is a hole in his head.
Roseau need proper side walks and grainage,Dominica is depending on tourism this government need to provide the facilities so the visitors can enjoy,Roseau is in a terrible condition,the city doesn”t attract visitors to come back,the city is like a trap special for visitors ,persons on wheel chair cannot shop in Roseau,no proper side walks use some of this funds to build Roseau,please Mr.Prime Minister
Where ther is no vision the people shall perish !!!!
Amen to that.
MY FRIEND IF I KNOW YOU WELL……I KNOW WHAT TOM AND JERRY…..OH SORRY…I MEANT TO SAY MATT AND JERRY MAY SAY OR DO THAT WON’T PREVENT YOU FROM DOING WHAT WE THE PEOPLE ELECTED YOU TO DO.
THEY CAN JUMP HI OR LOW WE WILL SEE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART STATE PALACE.
SO LET THEM TALK WHILE YOU WORK.
TELL THEN IS WORK YOU WORKING WHILE THE DO THE TALKING.
THANK YOU MY HON. PRIME MINISTER.
YOU WERE SENT MY THE SPIRIT.
WE PRAYING FOR YOU MORNING NOON AND NIGHT.
GOD BLESS YOU MY BOY.
ONCE GOD IS WITH YOU NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST YOU.
BECAUSE NO WEAPON LIKE THE LIKES OF LENNOX AND SISTER BERNADETTE, AFFY AND THE DR. FORM THE UWI, THOMPSON AND CLATON, BRIAN AND EDISON, DAWIN TELE AND BAZIL, STANFORD AN RONNY MATT AND JERRY FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER.
SO DO YOUR THING BROTHER SKERRIT YOU WERE SENT BY THE THE GOOD GOD SPIRIT.
The entire cabinet is sick !!!!!
OK, so you’re a M.D?
$27 million….No hospital or medication for the locals. Who have money runs to Gudeloupe/ B/dos etc and the other left to die –for 27$Million—Not one good feeder road for us to plant and pickup sack of orange or cucumber for us to sell to feed the children but 27$million is good for state house….DAWASCO letting go workers but that ok for skerro….Unemplyment blowing the roof but thats ok..No market for farmers but thats ok…thsoe poor farmers can die is 27 million on state hous that good.
So how did not having a state house kept us back over the past 30yrs? You need a stste house to perfect the wrongs in the country…well well well….I wish the farmers was pulling that kind of money into the country on a yearly basis, we would have plenty state houses…..one in each village.
NOW LETS TAKE YOUR “ISSUES” ONE AT A TIME SO I CAN SHOW YOU HOW FOOLISH YOU ARE. BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WEATHER YOU ALL CHOOSE NOT TO LEARN OR JUST TRYING TO BE WICKED AND IN THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE A JACK A&^.
(1) NO HOSPITAL FOR LOCALS. WHEN OUR PM SIGN DIPLOMATIC RELATION WITH THE P.R.C WHERE WERE YOU WHEN HE SAID WE GOT A GRANT OF THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AS A FOUR PILLAR PROJECT WHICH WILL COMPRISED OF THE STADIUM, THE DOMINICA GRAMMAR SCHOOL, THE WEST COAST ROAD AND A BRAND NEW STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL? CAN YOU NOT SEE THE STADIUM THE SCHOOL COMPLETE AND THE ROAD FROM ROSEAU TO PORTSMOUTH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
(2) IF YOU ARE NOT SEEING THE NUMBER OF FEEDER ROAD LIKE IN WESLEY. ROSEAU VALLY LAPLAIN CARIBE TERRITORY COLIHAUT MARIGOT WOODFORD HILL VILLE CASE COTTAGE SYNDICATE CALIBISHIE AND THE LIST CAN GO ON AND ON THEN YOU ARE A THE FORTH BLIND BAT.
(3) THANKS GOD OUR GOVERNMENT DID INTERVENE IN THE DAWASCO ISSUE SO THE STAFFS ARE SAFE. AGAIN THATS WHAT THE U.W.P DO DON’T GET THEIR FACTS RIGHT.
(4) USING YOUR FOOLISH “FARMER $27 MILLION” ANALOGY……..IF THE ABSENT OF A STATE HOUSE DID’NT KEEP US BACK FOR THE PASS 30 YEARS WHY HAVE’NT THE EVERY FARMER MAKE THE $27. MILLIONS YOU CLAIM THEY WOULD MAKE IS THIS GOVERNMENT DON’T BUILD THE STATE HOUSE?
(5) HOW CAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STATE HOUSE COVER THE WRONG OF THE GOVERNMENT? PLEASE STATE THE WRONG/S SO YOUR POINT CAN MAKE SENSE
(6) YOU NOT A FARMER SO SHOT YOUR DAM MOUTH IGNORAMUS.
AND FINALLY (7) IT IS BETTER TO BE VIEWED AS A DAM FOOL THAN TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT. YOU ONLY HAVE TO SPEAK SO PEOPLE CAN KNOW HOW FOOLISH YOU ARE.
HOPE THAT WILL HELP YOU NEXT TIME AROUND.
Didn’t the PM say a HOSPITAL was next after the west coast road? are roads not being built? come on man, stop the misinformation.
I truly think that this is a good venture, the world is growing and we have to grow with it. that’s Development.
do u see a 27 million dollar state house in the BVI or a decent-sized STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL?????….
GO TO THE BVI SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT ENJOYS THEIR.
AND MORE SO THE BVI IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY.
AND IN FACT WE OWE YOU NO EXPLANATION.
IF YOU WNT TO NO WHAT THE BVI HAVE PAY YOUR PASSAGE AND GO SEE FOR YOUR SELF.
SO TO HELL WITH YOU AND THE U.W.P CARBALS
and what does BVI stand for again?
Why dont you think that part of that 27million should be given to the people who suffered during the earthquake to help them put their lives back on track we have had this state house for many years and we still suffered why would you believe that a new state house will cure the ills of the Island why dont you start using the brains that you have instead of dishing out garbage think before you comment.You a in the BVI and you dont care of the people of Dominica because you a getting good health well we in Dominica want that too so dont you believe that the money would be better spent on a new hospital.
I am very concern of our people and it doesnt matter if we are on the Island or in the diaspora we must stand with those at home we have to listen to them because they go thru it every day so dont be little them with your lack of concern.
when was the last time you got a direct flight into Dominica? When was the last time you went to the PMH?
Don’t forget Mr PM, we need the western lawn and the southern law around the edifice, that way you can come out and give emergency speeches on the lawns in front of reporters; don’t forget also to give the President a puppy that he could walk around with on the lawns. Also, the front of the building should have a magnificent vestibule to put a huge lighted and elegantly decorated christmas tree in at christmas time so that pedestrians and motorists and visitors can see when passing. Make the White House look majestic, Mr PM, that’s all I am saying. Oops, don’t forget a state-of-the-art Public Library across from the White House.
savarin continue to feed the public BS.
The fountain that was so uselessly built was not worth a stupes?Just like the stadium we all enjoy today,wasn’t it heavily criticized?Well when this government is no more,the other one will enjoy it.I am happy for that move.Every other country have something nice,let us go ahead and do something for Dominica.It seem like a mountain now….but we will be ok.Let us have faith and think positively.I’m with the Prime Minister.
That fountain was a folly! But so is the stadium – tell me how often we use it and if the income it generates covers at least the expense of maintaining it. And the biggest folly yet will be the president’s palace, a monument to illusions of grandeur that we can ill afford at the expense of an impoverished nation of less than 60, 000 souls. I want to be proud of my country and not become a laughing stock. Gandhi had far more respect in his frugality than any maharajah ever could dream of in his palace!
to Cerberus – the only folly is you. Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise. Get a life – do something worthwhile for your country, like cleaning the streets and sidewalks of Roseau, and spend quality time with your family.
so say
Correction, true say
All u build a stadium and we having shows on the same pottersville savannah is regional conference all u can hold, all u fellas not ready, $27 million for state house and we have 0 productivity, power destroy all u commonsense, all of all u gone mad.
I DON’T BLAME YOU NA. ITS HECTOR AND RON YOU FOLLOWING.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
I’LL PRAY FOR YOU
I guess when UWP built the ugly fountain on Bayfront that never worked, there was high productivity,right?
the stadium is for cricket not bacchanal, stupid Hugo Grotius. the state house is for huge protocols, not bacchanal, stupid Hugo Grotius. Get a life, pick up a broom and clean the streets and sidewalks and drains in and around Roseau.
“To serve as the official residence of the president and to serve as the offices of the president” ok now I still can’t come to fully understand how a 27 million budget is being allocated for the said purposes???? What will become of the current residential area?? What plan has been set forth in regards to the maintenance, operative and other costs… affiliated with this dynamic investment?? Is this a public discussion because I would like to be better informed….
Oh I know where you got that 27 million from Mr. Brisbane, Lennox Linton Ron Green, Hector John. Please reread the news article. The PM mentioned 6.5 Million and not 27Million. Read the news article or call the PM.
its not just the official residence for the president.
all the offices which is directly under the supervision of the president like the IPO, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, ELECTORAL OFFICE ECT will be housed there to.
AND I DON’T KNOW HOW OLD RE YOU……BUT IF YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN PIERRE CHARLES WAS PRIME MINISTER ND THE STATE HOUSE GROUND GRASS WAS’NT CUT PLUS THE HOUSE NEED SERIOUS RE PEARS. CAN YOU REMEMBER ALL WHAT WAS SAID BY THE U.W.P THEN?
TODAY THIS GOVERNMENT IS DOING JUST WHAT THEY ASK FOR 6 YRS AGO ITS NOT GOOD.
SO CAN YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THESE GUYS?
THEY ARE TOO INCONSISTENT
one thing wen u make up ur mind u not changing it. BUT!!THAT COULD BE A GOOD THING AND IT CAN ALSO BE DETRIMENTAL. U CHOOSE!!!!!!!
YOU TAKE THE FIRST PICK MY FRIEND
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide. Napoleon Bonaparte
Especially when resources are scarce, the maximum benefit to the maximum people should be the guideline to that optimum decision.
Why tear down the existing state house? Why not restore it? It hold many memories of bygone days when Dominica as a young nation prospered. Let us preserve some of our past history instead of destroying something of historic significance!!!!
“Whatever is goode in its kinde ought to be preserv’d in respect for antiquity, as well as our present advantage, for destruction can be profitable to none but such as live by it.” – Nicholas Hawksmoor, on the rebuilding of All Saints College, Oxford, 17 February 1715
I send out a call for the restoration of the existing state house, let us save it for the future generation.
HAHAHAHAHAHAH. YOU MAKE ME LUGH.
RESTORE IT YOU SAID EH.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.
CAN YOU TELL US HOW MANY TIMES DID GOVERNMENTS AFTER GOVERNMENTS RESTORED THIS STATE HOUSE?
JUST ASKING YOU.
I DON’L NO WHY YOU ALL CAN’T HAR-HE SHEA AND D DIEH BLAR EH.
ALL KIND OF SILLY COMMENTS WHEN WE ALL KNOW THE PROJUCT IS A VALID ONE.
WEH WEH WEH
Forward Ever, Backward Never.
We need it. Do it , we will be as happy as we are of the stadiom
Talking about the stadium, I need to know a little more about it. Can you help?
Who is paying for the maintenance? Is the facility operating at a profit? just wanted to know.
Thanks
does everything in a country always operate at a profit? isnt it sometimes allowed to exist for the upliftment of people’s standard of living. Sure thats the case!!!
I dunno what’s all the fuss about. First impressions must start from the head down. The benefits will far outweigh the negatives. It’s about time the govt do sumting for themselves. People need to stop complaining and help themselves. I think this would be an excellent facility, add to beautify the Roseau landscape, create jobs, but most of all help instill pride in Dominicans. Plus, we can’t expect China to give and not show some reciprocity. Try getting a mortgage from your bank… they want you to prove your vested interest… by securing a down payment. $27million is nothing to borrow compared to the hundreds of millions we get in free money. Be thankful and embrace the PM’s vision.
Thats it …$6.5 Million EC….That we beating our chest about
You not listening to Mr. Brisbane, lennox, Ron and Hector john then. the cost is 27Million. I don’t really know who to believe.
stupes! more bullcrop,bullshit,bulldog.what work is the president doing he needs office and fancy place to live?where he cannot go build his fancy house so is taxpayers that have to build mansion for him too? wat a terrible next level eh!
STOP WEARING YOUR IGNORANCE AS A BARGE OF HONOR FOOLISH.
I suggest you ask Jerry Brisbane and Ron Green what work the president doing he need a fancy place. I believe they visited him at different times not too long ago, maybe, just maybe, he told them what work he does.
State House when the world has just plunged futher in economic crisis because of the Japan disaster and the insstability in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. Mr. Skerrit and his other allies clearly are out of touch with the global reality and are caught up with momuments and castles in the sky. Put that 27 million dollars loan (another albatross around our children neck) in the growth sectors of the country. Concentrate on how we can that money to develop small businesses. Clearly, the DLP has dropped the ball again.
Wait people see what going to happen to the price of oil. Are we getting prepared in Dominica? Hell no.
Thank goodness there are still some right thinking folks out there.
The 100 billion losses in Japan is destabilizing the world economy and just look whats happening on stock markets all over. Now is not the time to squander money on an under utilized state house. The place is used about twice a year.
WHY DON;T YOU GET A BOOK AND READ. OR MAYBE WATCH BBC AND CNN AND GET SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU HEARD SO YOU CAN THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.
You think things bad now, just wait until UWP solve it.
Dominica do not need a President’s House. As far as I am concern, we should get rid of the “ceremonial” Office of the President. What Dominica needs is a new Parliament building.
if you remove the B and the x in your name and put a G after the A……thats what you talking. ragz
I think we need a new parliament building too, i think the reason the Opposition is not attending parliament is because the building is to old.
lol
AGREE!!! I really dont see that need for a president…as a matter of fact I do not even know his role!
is this an echo of the prime minister. charlo u did not speak on issues of national security which is yr porfolio, intreasting however u can echo the words of the prime minister re the state marlice. i did not hear your voice re the missing child, nor were u at the for front of thr reward. and the continue to sing for their dinner. what a shame. i cannot recall viewing yr picture sitting next to the british high commissioner at the police confreace room, charlo whare were u?.
stupes
stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupes back.
u blue vex too?
edison won’t sit in it doh.
ignoramus.
blue vex for what!!! u like a famme debas preachin ignoranceeeee!!! in the wrds of peter prosper..
ahahahahaha
Why can’t Edison sit in it?, will the state house be your property or the property of Mr. Skerrit? Is Mr.James not a taxpayer or better a former prime minister of Dominica?. You people are unreal with your stupidity. politic cloud your brain.
hhahahahahahahaha. hear them.
so some body will watch EDISON and make him president of this our country papa god?
only when workers come into office in the year 2099.
and where will he be at that time?
not in heaven for sure.