The Morocco-funded Cabrits Resort and Spa is said to be experiencing “a slight setback” but MP for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas, said the project is still on stream.
Douglas made the disclosure on Tuesday 12th May 2015, at a press conference in response to a question by Dominica News Online.
He said the project has from the beginning been managed by the Morrocan Government and a team is expected on the island to deal with the issues of décor, such as fixtures, lighting, tiling, and painting.
“The project is certainly still on stream and together with the Range Project, we expect those two projects will be completed in the near future,” he said.
Meantime Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, mentioned that the Morrocan Government has changed the contractor and architectural team for the project and they have been “very delayed in addressing the replacement.”
However last week communication was received from the Morrocans indicating that they are close to addressing those issues.
“So we keep our fingers crossed so that we can take action and move forward,” he stated.
He said the project is an important one for Portsmouth and Dominica “if it were to come to completion and we start having guests in there.”
“It is a wonderful facility and we are working diligently to get it completed,” Skerrit said.
He pointed out that “substantial amount of work” has been completed.
“The next phase is really for the tiling and fixtures,” he noted.
Actual work on the hotel began in February 2011.
In October 2012, Skerrit said the hotel would be completed in October 2013 and “not one day later.”
The project consists of seven major buildings including a conference facility to accommodate 200 people, duty free shops and a Spa and has been touted by the government as a ‘generous gift’ from the government of Morocco.
I live in the US, have travelled all over the Caribbean and the world. Somebody, please tell Ian and Mr Skerritt that HOTELS as we knew it does NOT exist anymore. Little rooms to box in 5 screaming kids and mom and dad is a thing of the past. Go to Orlando and see all these old hotels with their highlight in the 50s and 60s sitting there, just blinking at you for $25 and $35 per night! Folks, including myself take our kids to resorts with massive playgrounds, lazy rivers, 10 pools, all-inclusive Resorsts. RESORTS RESORTS is the new thing! I’m sreaming at Ian and Mr Skerrit now. My native-born island Curaçao, had 2 brand new 400+ resort rooms unleashed built in 2012 when I visited. – Embassy Suites and Hyatt. When will Dominica move into the 21st Century?????? Dominicans, wake up!!!! Engage these guys. Don’t let them fool you. Especially those of you who have travelled. Governments don’t build hotels…..companies and hotel chains like Hyatt, Sandals, Holiday Inn build R E S O R…
and you because you cannot even spell labour. Words have power to perform when you make negative statement they come to pass, you live in DA and any curses you bring on will affect you as well dam jack ….
Why don’t you know it alls invest in the project, put your money into it so that there will be no issues. I sometimes wonder if you guys have any sense whatsoever.
Was Rome built in a day, did you guys build your own homes in one go if you did then good on you .
This is just crazyness, (trying not to use foul language) Another “RED ELEPHANT” So this resort was to have 101 rooms from the start. Paid for by the Morracans, built by range development project and manage by kempiniski goup, after all this time, they are having decor, tilting, painting problems. Someone should have be sued or fired already. These morracans,range, and kempinski already know this cabrits resort will not be profitable and are pull the rug under this labour party plan. And this same range development, they are opening up a hyatt hotel in st kitts later on this year, without no problems.
The PM and the Minister are so delusional they actually believe this Garbage they keep reapeating.
Why is it all major projects in Dominica never get complete? Genuine question .
That’s what happens when the government gets involved in private industry projects… inefficiency at it’s best. The government should facilitate these types of developments not develop it themselves… else we will see the kind of stuff we see now.
Officials like to talk a good talk… esp right before elections. Yet they can never hold up on promises. There was talk on getting PMH done, next thing you know they hadn’t even decided on a location. Same issue with the Roseau promenade project… and yet same with the geothermal energy plant. I think these officials get lip-happy and run their mouths… and it usually amounts to NOTHING! Labour works hard at selling igloos to Dominicans… with great success.
I see a lack of foresight, deliberative planning and effective project management. There needs to be a project management organization which executes and manages these projects and holds all stakeholders accountable – even the government.
Dominicans should never ever listen to PM Skerrit and this DLP. Dominicans must never ever repeat past mistakes.
This government has survived on lies n propaganda, n taking Dominicans for a group of fools.
They have made Dominica more back ward.
They are responsible for all the low standard of living in Dominica
They are guilty of using poor people for votes n cheap hand outs
They are to be held accountable for all the alcohol n other substance abuse in Dominica, because of rampart poverty n lack of cash flow…
They keep promiting a beggar n mendicant mind set amongst poor Dominicans. These wicked oppressors love to see poor Dominicans come n beg them for everything from milk to payment of bills
They constantly fool Dominicans by promising houses, hospitals, roads , hotels, airport,. Jobs n.the list of empty promises continues
They are the ones responsible for the daily massive migration of Dominicans to any place even in the Caribbean .. Dont listen to their lies. Dont…
Instead of building a hotel that is likely to see less than 50% occupancy at any point in time…would it not have been better to ask the Moroccans to buy our water, fruits, vegetables etc….while we also buy their products?
Be realistic please. Morocco is a an important exporter of agricultural produce, mainly to the EU of which they are associate members i.e their good have duty-free entry and are shipped in special trucks direct from Morocco (Africa) directly to markets in Europe by ferry, mainly via Spain to arrive at their destinations within days and fresh. We would have a hard time competing with that.
Of course it’s on stream! It is on the island in the stream flowing down to the sea! You people keep taking this beautiful country downstream because the population today allow it! These ugly prison looking apartment cells is what a hotel being built in the Caribbean in the 21st Century looks like? In the nature isle? Nothing environmentally, naturally or aesthetically pleasing about these ugly apartment blocs! Take a look at the type of beautiful structures that a Dominican architect is constructing in the hotel industry in the BVI and internationally! There will be visionaries in Dominica one day, God willing!
Truth be told you are so RIGHT !!!!
Something is not adding up. When you have a project like that everything is accounted for from beginning to end the color tile paint everything. So give me the next BS you have.
You are going to tell me there is no dominican on the planet who can run a hotel , what courses are we taking in college no chefs too what are we doing as a people drinking rum in the Bronx and miami and canada, we better start taking the right courses in finance hotel chefs governments farming fishing, we have all the land in dominica doing nothing. All over the world all we do is get mad at each other and talk politics.? Do you thing there is something rong with us as a people wr cannot even keep Roseau clean.
Very bland and un-appealing architectural style, the Chinese- built apartments at Bath Estate look prettier.
Do any needy, single mothers live in those apartments? The P.M. said they would have priority.
A PAY AS YOU GO PROJECT?
Here are some extracts from Ian and the PM over the past four years of construction:
Saturday, February 12th, 2011 – DNO
Work on a 50-room hotel and cruise and yacht complex financed by Morocco as a gift to the Commonwealth of Dominica has commenced on flat land between the Cabrits and Lagon, Portsmouth.
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 – DNO
The government of Dominica is said to be seeking a company to manage the Morocco-funded Cabrits hotel project which officials said would be completed by October 2013.
Official groundbreaking took place in September 2011.
Thursday, October 10th, 2013 – DNO
Douglas said the project is moving along ‘very nicely and efficiently.’
“All of the concrete works on the project is actually finished, the roof is completed, the guys are working on the ceiling and other things like electrical and plumbing, tiling will begin very soon also some painting will be done in the next three to four weeks and the swimming pools and grounds…
According to Skerrit, “So we keep our fingers crossed so that we can take action and move forward,” he stated.
He said the project is an important one for Portsmouth and Dominica “if it were to come to completion and we start having guests in there.”
Even Skerrit is doubtful about the Moroccan hotel.
God, please help Dominica if you are still interested in human affairs
”still on stream” what does that mean? SMH. Poor, Ian
You did not teach your kids in elementary schools how to be onest when they grow up to be come politicians they steal and lie to you . They are your kids you did not teach them well , you teach them to beg and sing for their supper. The government is a reflection of you they were your children who became adults. You created that mess you have to find a way to fix it by educating your self and your kids. Tell Douglas get out of Roseau work the land so he can create employment in portsmouth. Tell him to leave the bottle alone so he can think clearer. Buy boats to take hucksters with provision to the other island. Stop talking start doing blaming government is not going to solve any thing. Tell the lazy police stop givingyoung girls bbaby’s go out on beat. Village councils doing nothing
That’s a very ugly structure. Looks like a poorly design apartment building, nothing hotel-like about what I am seeing in that pic or when you visit the site. These sorts of structures have to be attractive and we as Dominican builders have to get out of that concrete mentality. Take a page from Secret Bay Hotel who have one of the most desired spots to stay while on Dominica right now.
I agree, it is an eyesore, a blot on the landscape and detracts from what Dr. Honeychurch is doing with the nearby beautiful restoration of fort Shirley at the Cabrits.
Who is going to manage the hotel is it a dominican that’s what you people should worry about, stop blaming every body keep your eyes on the prize. You have a hotel in portsmouth control and run it. All you people know how to do is fight over nothing. Do we have chefs and general managers to run these hotels send your kids away to learn how to do these things.
Labor fatigue mal travail.
Air IAN PURE AIR THATS ALL YOU PREACH.
The beloved Labour Party engine is forging ahead full speed. My precious PM and his Cabinet continues to transform Dominica and is bringing about numerous opportunities for our young people and professionals. Go Team Labour!!! Dominica is proud of you!
LABOROFLOVE are you being sarcastic or are you really serious
I must comend you for your blind obedience to your master. Please answer this simple question: How close should an airport hotel be located from an airport?
Labourof Love is being sarcastic, Nunya
Peeps please rate your government. 3 levels are provided
Maniku
Pous Pool
Penez
Penez being the highest and Maniku the lowest. If you give me a thumbs up mean a vote for Maniku thumbs down means a vote for Penez and no vote means pous Pool.
Let the voting begin DNO
Two votes for Penez and my son sent in 1 formaniku
this is lot of concrete to build a “WHITE ELEPHANT”!!! the only good point is that we did not pay for it.
but we might pay the bill to demolish it………
“The Moroccan Gov’t has changed the contractor and architectural team,” said Skerritt. Really? So did the original Team of experts falter on the project?
The Kingdom, the Moroccan Gov’t has so much $$$$$$$$$$ would they lose credibility and wait so long to complete a hotel?
Remember Skerritt told us that hotel would be built in Marigot to house pilots and visitors who come through night-landing and would not want to travel to Roseau? They could pull up in the Hotel? All of a sudden, who changed the agreement? Was the previous agreement amended to build hotel in Portsmouth instead?
A lie is a comfort to a fool. Whose fools are Dominicans? How many times should a people allowed themselves to be fooled over and over again by a few politicians.
Skerritt and his DLP Gov’t grabbed 15 acres of Cabrits National Park Land, our land, and gave it to a foreigner. Even our passports the cabal give him to sell.
Deals!!! Deals !!!!!!! Dominicans have no idea of…
Douglas, stop serving the people BS. I know from a reliable source that the building is structurally unsound. It has been build on sand and mangrove it the foundation was not properly designed. Now Douglas, if my statement is wrong, reply and defend your corner.
My fear is, yet another ruin in Dominica that will never be used.
Without a doubt, that the majority of you all MINISTERS save one or two are the most infantile, brainless, spineless men I have ever heard. It’s like you all, are please to keep regurgitating. Actions speak louder than words…Do as much as you speak….Speak as much as you Do!! geesh
Welcome to the Humpty Dumpty Circus! In Alice’s adventures in wonderland, Humpty Dumpty famously told her that words mean what he wants them to mean: “when I use a word” he said in a rather scornful tone ” it means what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less”. Seems like our politicians have mastered Humpty Dumpty’s analysis and “on stream” means whatever they want it to mean – neither more nor less.
I cant help notice that the pier shown in the 3D portrait is not included in the unfinished site and Ian did not mention that. Also another elevation not shown in this article portrayed a swimming poo adjacent to the shore line.( which was ridiculous) nevertheless it was shown. Why the deception?
Since I like the archive cause guys like Tony Astaphan, Doubting Thomas and Hartley henry thinks that we are all stupid. Some of us do read and are actually smarter than the privileged Tony Astaphan. We know what is fodder but we also understand when Tony wants to feed us slave food
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/tourism-publicity/bonaire-management-team-expected-dominica-morocco-funded-hotel/
Dominica is like one high priced proustite being showered with gifts by some wealthy men with money. In the mean time we are not seeing the trickle down effects. Its been over 15 years and there is yet to be a report on total revenue from passport sale and who our new citizens are. people catching thier a….. Gifts gifts generous gifts. Sell your souls in return.
you realize that dominica has been selling passports since freedom days.
dont concentrate on only the last 15 years.
That’s why I said over 15 years
Lightbulb please increase your wattage. The current regime was elected and put into place because they promised to do things better than the previous one!
You are right ” Lightbulb” but the last 15years to Criminals and Crooks.
Still on stream or still a dream?
LOL this country boy.
The headline should read”The Moroccan funded hotel still a dream”. You call depletion of funds a slight setback Ian? And have you found anyone willing to manage that hotel with constant interference from Govt? Last time you put a tender out for that you were so bold to ask interested parties to post a $1 million bond. Garcon, you guys have balls!
Boy I must laugh.”If it were to come to completion”.Did Ian really say that DNO. One thing Ian is our little toddler in the mix who involuntarily and innocently speeketh the truth. Thanks Ian for whatever it is that you consume the night before. “If it were to come to completion????. He couldn’t even say when it is completed.
If I was a reporter I would ask them to rate theor performance on parameters is “Manila to Pool Pool To Penez. Penez being the highest.
why don’t you go back, take a second look , read the whole sentence ,then quote it in its entirety?
Here it is “If it were to come to completion and we start having guests in there”. Please educate me ; show me the difference.
On a dark cabrits roadway cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of the old swamp rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance I saw a shimmering la belle
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell
Then I was thinking to myself this could be Bubbles Villas or this could be Hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor I thought I heard them say
“Welcome to the Hotel Morocconian
Such a crapy place
an unfinished place
50 rooms at the Hotel Morocconian
Any time of year Ian’s lying there
Those liars minds are twisted, they got the Mercedes Bends
They have a lot of offshore bank accounts they call friends
How they finance election, sweet passport sales
Some dance to berress Harmond , some dance to Destra
So I called up the Skerrit the captain, “Please bring me my wine”
He said, “We haven’t had transparency here since…
Thumbs up to purple Turtle, nice post, had me singing the song
Love Love Love it!!!
Press.. did anyone ask when was the last date that work was undertaken on the hotel, and what was the nature and duration of work undertaken. Did anyone ask has the Min of Com and Works conducted a structural integrity survey to see what percentage of deterioration has taken place caused by the delay in construction. Did anyone ask when is the expected time of completion this time around based on this comment. “…. projects will be completed in the near future” but more annoyingly … “if it were to come to completion and we start having guests in there” Did anyone ask what is in place currently for locals in and around the P/mouth area in terms of skills upgrading to provide a quality service IF the hotel is completed. Did anyone ask
Keep MY fingers crossed? Tell that to dem labourites, Hmmmmmmm
I know where i will put my cross, that’s ALL!
Ian, what is still on stream? you cannot see that decaying has already began; now Skerrit talking about five more is under consideration. Why are you people so damn lie. Where is the international airport to assists in keeping even those so called existing hotels filed, never mind five more.
What about the people at Public Works who have not been paid for months?
Those are the immediate problems that needs to be resolved before you and Skerrit wake up in the morning talking fart, In this world we deal everyday with solid, and liquid: mater is anything which occupy’s space and have weight, the fart you are talking stinks, and cannot be, when are you people going to stop passing useless stinking gas from your mouth?
“He said the project has from the beginning been managed by the Morrocan Government and a team is expected on the island to deal with the issues of décor, such as fixtures, lighting, tiling, and painting.”
We are four years into this project and tiling, light fixtures and painting has held it up this long. Wow!!
You will never see that thing finished, How can a fifty so called guess house take more than five years to build?
Only in Dominica; there seems to be a curse on everything Skerrit and his labor touches!