Shanghai Construction Company, a Chinese contracting firm, said on Monday that more Dominicans could be employed on the State House project.
Only five locals have been working on the project but Shanghai Construction’s marketing manager told DBS Radio that as the project continues, there’ll be need “to employ more and more of the local people.”
The State House Project is being financed through a soft loan facility from China. The Dominica Government has been heavily criticized for taking up the $27-million project; critics have said the monies could have been invested elsewhere.
Shangai Construction said, however, that it has given Dominica the best price for construction of the project. It said it is giving a job of high quality and “the price is the best.”
The undertaking will include a place of residence for Dominica’s President, offices for the Electoral Commission, and Public Service Commission and will also have room set aside for the hosting of regional and international conferences, Government has said.
Presently 70 people are on site working on the project.
TO DO THE DIRTY WORK, SLAVERY .DOMININCANS TO DAM STUPID ,WHAT WORK TO DO THE DIGGING AND THE CARRYING OF DIRT AND BOARDS ECT.PLEASE
WHY NOT JUST CHAIN US AND TAKE THE WHIP AGAIN? IT WILL BE MUCH CLEARER. LOOK AT THE GUYS WORKING ON THE RAOD ,THEY DIG AND CARRY DIRT LIFT HEAVY THINGS UNDER SUPPERVISON. GET IT.
THE DOMINICAN PEOPLE NEED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM CHINA. SEND THEM BACK ALL THE WAY TO THE 3 GORGESD DAM
Pain, what pain do you have and are experiencing? Appreciate what you have.
Everywhere in the world new constructions and repairs are conducted. What is wrong with you and those who criticize the building of this State House? You have a severe problem.
I am broadminded. My head and my manner of thinking are on and steady.
Some of you need to learn broadmindedness. You are too negative. Do you really want what is best for Dominica, even for yourself? Thinking only of yourself as usual. I suppose that you are not on the side of the present government. Otherwise you would not denounce this building.
I stand by my conviction and will not relent. I am all for progress and success.
I reiterate, how much money did you put into this State House?
Are you hungry and going hungry? Are you without a house to stay? Are you without food, clothing and shoes? You may have a job; I do hope so.
Encouragement is the word and action and not discouragement and destruction. Pray to God for His godly virtue of encouragement.
do you guys remember patrick john and what happen to him? histry have a way of repeating itself.the chines is not intrested in helping da they are intrested in owning da and skerit and his gang is benefiting from it. i say it is time to rise up people.
AMEN TO THAT
People, remember there are Chinese with Dominican passports so don’t be surprise if you see that the “more Dominicans which could be employed” are Chinese Dominicans ( Chinese with Dominica passports. Just wait and see.
5 is plenty wii.. 1,2,3,4,5………
IT’S ABOUT TIME DA PEOPLE OPEN THERE EYES,SKERITT IS SELLING DA.THAT MONEY COULD HAVE HELPED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.AND TO HELP THE POOR & NEEDY FAMILIES.
Why don’t you find the money to build your own international airport and to maintain it and stop belching bubbles.
This is embarrassing, to say the least. Who is looking out for the Dominican worker? How can we eliminate unemployment if we allow the most lucrative projects to employ 5 Dominicans?
We expect the Chinese, like all other creditors and donors, to benefit from their financing. Afterall, they are not obligated to give us neither donations nor loans that require several decades to repay. But their domination and greed is too obvious. Have a heart man. To our leaders: have some negotiating prowess. We know that you are eager for funding but don’t jump to the very first offer. No creditor will fault you for seeking to employ your people and to eliminate poverty and hunger.
WHILE I THROWING STONE BEHIND THE RIOT POLICE I WILL THROW STONE BEHIND ALLU TOO, BECAUSE ALLU DOMINICANS ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN….UP TO NOW ALLU CANNOT OPEN ALLU EYES AND RISE UP ????????
boy TAKE WHAT ALLU F*^&*ing GET……I TIRED HEAR ALLU BUMPING ALLU GUMS AND NOT PATAT ALLU CAN DO ABOUT IT…SIT DOWN AND HUSH UP MAN.
Don’t be stupid, Dominicans. Dominican construction workers are working on other projects going on on the island. The State House is not the only construction project going on in Dominica. Stop jumping on the band wagon and making foolish statements.
HUH!?
YOU MEAN ALL OF THOSE OTHER PROJECTS ARE SATISFYING ALL THE JOB NEEDS OF THE CONTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE NOW TO BRING IN CHINESE TO WORK? EH?
LOOK BRO. DON’T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE
I am only insulting your ignorance. You mean 80,000 people in Dominica, and they are all construction workers. Get a life, man.
No “PAGODA BUILDING”, Sir. Just remember.
Whosoever controls the debt has all the power at the negotiating table. “Soft loans” are a great tactical financial weapon to control the destinies of the indebted because they could always threaten to collect if, for example, Dominica starts inspecting containers from China, votes against China in the UN, or awards construction projects to anyone else other than China. China has so much debt leverage on the US that it affects foreign and domestic policy I the US “behind the scenes”…If China can do that to the US, just think how easy it will be for China have its way with Dominica’s self-determination once they build our debt to them.
I give China lots of credit for its brilliant plan; it’s working all over the world. I hope the current and future PMs can learn when to say: “NO THANKS!” And that that happens before our freedom of self-determination is lost.
WAKE UP! While so many complain that foreigners who buy land to open hotels disenfranchise the people of Dominica (some sick people even suggest that it explains violence and murder of such entrepreneurial individuals), our own government leadership is giving all the jobs and money for huge projects to other nations…they could at least have the guts to mandate that 50% of labor force on those projects be Dominican employees—then again when the puppeteer holds all the debt, the marionette will only move in the direction of those who pull the strings.
LORD HELP US.
We need to help ourselves. Stop the bickering amongst ourselves and stand up as a people. Levee DOMNICHEN. Stop that red, green, blue BS… See what Dominica is coming too!!!!
SOON DOMINICANS WILL NEED A VISA TO GO TO DOMINICA!
More evidence that our elected leaders do not care about us and about country…More than M$ 27 000 000 and only 5Dominicans employed…This rogue government needs to be done away with.The money that they are not pocketing is wasted.SHAME ON US TO ALLOW THESE SELFISH,GREEDY POLITICIAN TO RIDE ROUGHSHOD OVER US, WHILE WE STAY QUIET.
Are you against Dominica’s progress and upgrading of the Government House? You need to have your head examined.
You being in Canada knows for a fact that Chinese do not hire other race in their establishment, who feels it knows it
No one is against progress, this building should have been kept as a museum/heritage building, eh, just like them buildings in Toronto, Scarborough etc
Check the Point Mitchel road, the money spend on the Skerrit Palace is needless
I do wish that some of you would not be so negative and disapprove upgrading of the government house.
Folks, live and let live. Do not think only of yourself and views. Other people have views and are entitled to comment. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Put on your thinking cap and think beyond. We cannot foresee the future. If you do not appreciate it, the day will come when your future children will appreciate it including visitors to Dominica, nationals and non-nationals and those who will be fortunate to make use of it. It will serve a good purpose. Mark my words.
From time to time, as years go by buildings need to be demolished, upgraded, re-constructed to suit the present day era. This is progress.
The world is presently going digital. We speak of conserving energy, geothermal, of global warming and preserving the environment. What is wrong with you and your brains, you who obviously want progress.
In any case how much of your personal money goes into re-building and/or upgrading it? I would not worry about it. Be broadminded.
Just think, you cannot change a thing.
Truth and love, don’t you think your head is missing a screw? You should leave Canada to come down here to be cooked and shared to the progressors.
I am not against progress in the island, however is the way that it is being done fool, my head is in perfect order
You know for a fact that there is no way in hell that a historical building like the former state building would be demolished fool, you keep seeing all them old historical buildings all over the city of Toronto etc, there are many dilapidated buildings all over Toronto and they are being preserved as heritage site, those needing face lift all that is being done, is repairing the broken windows, doors etc but not tearing down the building, you asking me to check on my head fool, you need to take this and smoke it in your pipe,everyday on my way to work I travel through the city of Toronto where many of the historical buildings are, some of them 100’s of year older than the former state building demolished by the Skerrit admin
China Town in Toronto and Mississauga etc how many none Chinese do you see working in those establishment, you and I no for fact that there are zero none Chinese national employed there, Mandarin how many none Chinese, i can go on
Hospital unequipped, police station malfunctioning telephone, dilapidated roads, etc all the above is in urgent need of repair than a luxury state palace
Thank you
Our recent IMF report shows a decrease in unemployment locally…..seriously? i propose that there is an INCREASE in Chinese, Haitian, Venezuelan and Morrocan employment on island and a mirrored DECREASE in NATIVE DOMINICAN EMPLOYMENT. Foreign companies are not encouraged to hire local skilled, technical people…..a backhoe operator here, a mechanic there, a truck driver there….what they want is people to handle shovels, pick axes, cutlasses, trowels etc. our local employment and trade/skills agencies and organizations are all spinelss….NOT TO MENTION OUR NOW DORMANT, FOSSILIZED, LABOR UNIONS AND INSTITUTIONS….DOH TALK FOR GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENT DEPT. AND THE LIKE. FAILURES TO THIS NATION STATE OF OURS.
Mr. skerrit promised us an emplyment agency and we still WAITING IN VAIN..chinese emplyed tou part tou, venezuelans in rosalie, morrocans at portsmouth…….and PARRY BELLOT SINGING HIS SONG OF sixpence!!!!
now de biggest mouth to open and speak on Dominican unemployment at OUR STATEHOUSE PROJECT is de CHINESE???????…….SO WE DOH CARE ABOUT OURSELF?? OR WE DOH KNOW WHAT AND HOW TO SAY IT WITHOUT OFFENDING OUR COMMUNISTS COMPATRIOTS?
TRUELY SAID
i notice that only labourers are being hired or skilled workers pushing shovels and pick axes….i notice DIPCON(non-nationals) doing the skilled paving works under the cliff….(public works has paved our roads for years)….the UNEMPLOYMENT hole is blocked with foreign workforce….well not entirely ….the chinese have ways of getting passports therefore they might as well be considered nationals…Dominican citizenship is up for grabs as long as u can afford it. I heard it mentioned once by MR. Charles Savarin that our population having increased in recent times to counter the brain drain….chinese and haitians now account for our rise in population……look around….THEY MAY WELL BE AFFECTING THE UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURE AS WELL….BY DE WAY OUR YOUNG MEN EARNING $250 A FORTNIGHT ON THESE VERY PROJECTS THAT IS DOING WELL FOR OUR ECONOMY AND DE UNEMPLOYED CHINESE, HAITIAN, VENEZUELAN, MORROCAN NATIONALS………IS THERE ANOTHER LEVEL TO THAT POLICY?????
“Chinese contracting firm, said on Monday that more Dominicans COULD (NOT EVEN WILL) be employed on the State House project.” So that’s not even a sure thing? Mr. Skerrit you are doing a major disservice to the people of Dominica by allowing that to happen. It seems like because of your current title as PM you feel that you are able to do what you want. But let me remind you that there is ONE GOD in heaven and He has always listened to and answered the cry of the poor. Stop taking bread out of the mouth of fellow Dominicans and giving it to non-nationals who are already privileged. Thank you.
What a darn shame; Something is so wrong with this that it makes me want to throw up. They “COULD” hire more Dominicans. Based on the financial backing of the project the phrase should have been – we COULD hire a few more Chinese. I am no political party supporter however I must insist that the government has done the Dominican people wrong. Can’t even find words to express my disappointment.
@ dog fight
They are the contractors and will be employing workers. Some of you should take this up with the government.
70 people currently working on the project…with only 5 locals…….SHAMEFUL. On top of that where is our minister of commisioner, what about what the recent IMF report said about a DROP in unemployment. I propose that the drop in employment figure compares to the sudden rise and increase of local chinese, venezuelan and Morrocan, workers on island at present…..SHAME SHAME SHAME……….SO IT APPEARS THAT THE SHANGHAI COMPANY IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ON GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC PROJECTS….WHERE IS OUR MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT…MINISTER OF LABOR…LABOR COMMISIONER……U GUYS LETTING DOWN THE YOUTH AND UNEMPLOYED DOMINICANS…WHILE CHINESE UNEMPLOYMENT IS BEING ACCOMMODATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF DOMINICA TO THE DEMISE OF LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT…..SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME…..SHAME ON MY GOVERNMENT
The Entire Country is a Mess and the People Has Lost Focus….The young people could only concerned with dressing and partying, the older making enemy with their neighbor over politics, the goverment concern in getting their pockets filled…..just a mess….while the other caribbean nationals just laugh at us and describe dominca as being backward…..
Shanghai Construction Company and the Chinese government would never allow such to take place in China. Only in Dominica this nonsense can continue. Why? Because the government’s policy of scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours, has been in play with the Chinese and all those who participate in the level of corruption as alleged in the talk shows. Unless the beloved people of the land, the DLP, Freedom, UWP and independents take a stand as one “People” to change the course/direction the country is on, then you will see a revolution in like no other in the region.
THE CHINESE ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS! THEY ARE INVADERS!
So true Reggie! The Chinese ought to know that it takes a revolution to bring a solution. I’ve been a strong opponent of their system and their Human Rights’record. They care less about Dominicans. It’s all about domination of the venal nations. Our Government will pay a high price for what they are doing to the island nation.
TRUELY PUT. OUR PEOPLE NEED TO BE EDUCATED MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY
THIS IS A DISGRACE TO OUR SOUVERIGNITY. CHINA WOULD NEVER ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN IN THEIR COUNTRY!
THIS IS AN INSULT TO OUR COUNTRY, OUR PEOPLE, OUR BLACK PEOPLE
ITS DISGUSTING
…AND NOTICE HOW THEY ALWAY HIRE TOKEN LOCALS AFTER PUBLIC PRESSURE SO AS TO SAVE FACE.
finally someone is listening. i am happy for the statement that was made. i am just wondering why is is that at that stage in the project that Dominicans are needed.
Dominicans must read between the lines
I CAN’T SO PLEASE HELP ME…SERIOUSLY
Why didn’t they use the original state house as a museum??
Understand the psychology of the thing Bram-Bram. They have to keep the old one in its dilapidated state to justify the construction of a new one. Haven’t you seen our Dr. Honeychurch poking his fingers into the holes in walls, ad nauseam, on the GIS video?
So let me see if i get this straight.We take a loan from china to build a building that we don’t need.then we turn around and give the job to a Chinese firm to build it when we have so much create contractors here. and to ad insult to injury we hire the same Chinese people way more than local on the project when we have about a 13% unemployment rate and the slow moving economy and Dominicans just seat by and let that happen.
waw. this just shows how much of a bunch of idiot we are that we so rather put party instead of common sense.That’s ok keep it up.DLP will sell bleedy Dominica right from under us. cause the people that speak up when leaders doing crap like that. that’s who people wanna go after but yet we seat and allow the fakes to fill heir pockets and hand the country to bleedy Chinese.
70 people employed – 5 Dominicans! lets hope it gets to 10. anyway, Skerro can go ahead and build – i know its not him getting to use it
Amazingly, the Dominican (local) compostion of the workforce is a staggering 7.1% in other words for every chinese worker there is 0.071 of a Dominican (Do the maths). Most countries would find this scandalously unacceptable, especially where our unemployment levels are so high and the investment so large 27 million dollars. Further I am sure that those Dominicans on the job are involved in doing very menial tasks. Thus the bulk of the money goes back to the chinese. Since this is a loan which Dominican tax payers will be expected to repay, irrespective of whether it is a soft loan, the chinese have found a clever way of siphoning monies from a poor third world country (getting paid twice (a) their contractors do the job and get paid for it, sending the money back to China and (b) we have to pay back the loan, again sending the money to China. Is this not economical rape? Granted we may, through our leaders, have consented but a young lady under age 16 may have also consented to coitus but in the eyes of the law it would be considered statutory rape, would it not?
China with its millions grooms, third world country, Dominica and places it in a position where she can only say yes being ignorant of what she says yes to, till it hits several years later when she sees the naked offspring of the rape, persistent overty as we are taxed more and more to try to repay the loan caused by this economical rape!!!
Would Dominica be better served by improving the health facilities on the island? Surely this would have a broader effect. If you are going to be ‘willingly’ raped, please Dominica have something tangible to show for your ordeal which will benefit the entire country and which will be able to take care of the wanton illnesses that will be inevitable from the hardships involved in repaying the ‘soft’ loan.
Ras B I want to shake your hands my fellow citizen. I cannot imagine that the people in authority do not see what China is doing. You hit the nail on the head, China provides loans, uses their own labor so the money goes right back to China plus we pay for the loan. What a bunch of morons in Govt. No apologies…
Ras, the B in your name must be for either “Brains” or “Balance”.
This a such an objective way of presenting your argument that one would be hard pressed to disagree.
For those of us who do not take the time to read, the article said ‘could’. This is not a definite ‘will’. Just saying!!
That’s right they may never employ any Dominicans!!!
well…well..well. magre sa…
This is not a Dominica state house, I can correctly say this is a Chinese state house.
This will be the home of the president of Dominica…the highest official office of the state…. and it is not being built by Dominicans…This is insulting on so much levels. A slap in the face of Dominicans.
This implies there are not competent Dominican contractors capable of undertaking such a project. This has nothing to do with best price…. LMAO….
I hope government engineers keep an eye on this project. We are in a hurricane zone, and we all know the Chinese are famous for providing goods that are lower in quality.(I did not say inferior.)
But serious… I’m I the only one who is seeing the implications of this move. This is just crazy.
There is no local construction company that could have spearheaded this project?
WOW Dominicans actually being ALLOWED to ENTER into the core of DOMINICA’s sovereignty???
But of course after the ‘Foundation’ has been completed.
Will we ever know what is below?
Only under the ‘DLP’
have we lost our sovereignty,
Our dignity
I want to see the best state house in the world for Dominica!!!!
and one of the least equipped hospitals in the western world ehh….no MRI, shoddy beds and wards…truthfully no politician cares about our hospital because they UP and LEAVE when they are ill…off to U.S,Bdos,Trini ,martinique etc…..THEY DOn’t care
I recently saw a picture of my cousin who was admitted to the hospital and it was ridiculous. There were no equipment in the room, a fan… And they are spending 27 million $$$ on a freaking state house… That employs 5 Dominicans. All the money going back to china and the Govt is fine with that BS.. International conference room my a$$…
FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT AT ITS BEST.
An the highest rate of unemployment in the Caribbean,and one of the most corrupt gang of leaders in the world,and the most lawlwss country in the world.
One of the least equipped hospitals and police services in the western world
I won’t give u thumbs down as I figure you are being SARCASTIC!
This is for cor
COR, congratulations! You can be one of the 5 Dominicans employed. They need people to put their fingers into holes. Only locals need apply and Lennox has just found the perfect hole for you!
When the Fire department has to “borrow” gloves from the hospital when dropping off patients because they have no money to buy them, it seems that priorities are all screwed up at the top.
I can see why it might be nice to have a luxurious place to host foreing dignitaries, but since such a large part of the economy depends on “donation” loans, it seems like having a palace would make donators think that we don’t need as much help as we do, or that the donated funds are not going to be used for the people’s benefit but instead used for the pimpimg out of the ruling party.
From 4 to 7?