Deputy Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie, has said the Moraccan Hotel, and others under construction in Portsmouth, is a sign of the government’s ability raise resources required for development.
Austrie and other government officials visited several hotel sites in the north of Wednesday including that particular hotel, the Anichi Resort and Spa, and the Kempinski Hotel.
“Even with the Moroccan Hotel, which is a gift, is a way of raising financing and that is what it is, that the government has been able to go out there and use its diplomacy and foreign relation to raise the resources required for that particular hotel,” he said.
He said the construction of the other hotels is also a sign of the government’s ability to raise funds.
“I go back to the point that many governments would have loved to do this,” he stated. “But they never had the means, they never had the vision, they never had the capacity to make it happen. This government is demonstrating its capacity and its understanding of the needs of this country.”
He said the government had to move to transform the economy.
“Because we could no longer depend to do everything we have to do on the few dollars and cents from bananas and dasheen and yams,” Austrie noted.
He said that projects like the Moroccan Hotel and the others are signs of the building of a new economy.
“We have hotels all around us, in St. Maarten, in Antigua, in Guadeloupe, so we have to go one notch higher,” he stated. “When I look at the architecture, the design of the Moroccan Hotel, I am not sure where else in the Caribbean, so that in itself alone is a selling point for the hotel.”
Actual work on the problem-plagued hotel began in February 2011.
In October 2012, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the hotel would be completed in October 2013 and “not one day later.”
At a press conference in June 2013, MP for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas said the project was nearing completion, and concentration was being placed on “electrical, tiling and plumbing.” He also said at that time that five individuals had expressed interest in managing the hotel since the government has no interest in running it.
In October 2013, Douglas, who was also Tourism Minister at that time, announced that a management team from Bonaire was expected in Dominica “to see if we can reach a happy medium as far as what the government would want and what we can expect from them managing the facility.”
In November 2013, then Trade Minister, Collin McIntyre said the government was still searching for a team to manage the hotel. He said the hotel would be opened ‘sometime next year’ (2014) and the government was “recruiting staff and training staff for the hotel.”
When it appeared construction had stopped for a period of time at the facility, Douglas was questioned at a press conference in May, 2015. He responded by saying the project was experiencing “a slight setback” but was still on stream. He said a team from Morocco was expected in Dominica “to deal with the issues of décor, such as fixtures, lighting, tiling, and painting.”
At the same press conference, 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.”
Two months later, in July 2015, Douglas blamed ‘administrative changes’ in the government of Morocco due to the Arab Spring for delays in the construction of the hotel.
In November, 2016, Skerrit said work would resume ‘in earnest’ on the hotel after the Christmas holidays.
In March, 2017, he said work on the hotel was expected to resume in a few weeks.
The hotel was originally expected to be built in Melville Hall but it was later moved to the Cabrits on the basis that the location was more economically viable and the move was based on ‘sound analysis.’
The 50-room hotel is expected to comprise of seven major buildings including a conference facility to accommodate 200 people, duty-free shops, and a Spa. It has been touted by the government as a ‘generous gift’ from the government of Morocco.
Nowhere in his speech did he give a completion date for the said hotel. He should not be talking about a hotel that cannot finish on time, 100 years later.
stop try to full dominicans with all you story. time to go election coming all kind of stories what kind bed time stories little red ridding hood lol
“a generous gift” from the Government of Morocco.
I’ve been to Morocco and they do not have the funds for ‘generous gifts’
This is most likely some sham
This man appears so angry——– I am not sure what it is but he is not good representation for any party government.
Allu can fool all the people some of the time, and some people all time , but allu can’t fool all people all time.
” Lincoln “
Austrie, you should be ashamed to make a statement like that which is just riddled with platant lies. Up to this day I can’t understand that somebody with your intellect can be a government minister for so long. But again it show the general quality of government in DA. It’s full of incompetence. By the way, when are you gonna address the citizens and explain what happened to PetroCaribe under your watch. When are you going to present some accounts? When are you going to explain why Venezuela had to write off US 100 Mio.? What did happen to this money? I mean it can’t have just disappeared. Who has benefited?
The stupidity of the illiterate voting masses on the island is legendary !
DNO, I must commend you for this article. You didn’t just print the Minister’s words verbatim. You gave a comprehensive chronological report on the history of this particular hotel to enlighten your readership. The lack of an international airport seriously mitigates against the viability of this industry for Dominica. It’s the stay over visitors that account for the profitability of this particular industry. Visitors greatly prefer direct flights in and out of a country, the fewer hassles, the better.
A little off topic. Mr. Austria is well outfitted in his fire brand gang color. The political parties operate just like the street gangs. Both have their leader, their special color, their symbols and signs, they hate each other, they get into verbal and physical altercations and each wants to see the destruction of the other. The structure and the philosophical make-up of these two entities are so discomfortingly similar. It’s frightening.
Reggie, Get that stupid shirt off your back and act like you represent all the people. When are you going to speak coherently? You make me shame every time I hear your open your mouth. Can’t believe I voted for these people. But never again!
St.Joe,
Austie is joke what about Medard? De man needs speech therapy in addition grammer lessons and help with his baygaying.T
There’s a lot of progress made since the 70’s on helping people to speak rather than mumble. How can such a guy become a minister yet alone P.M or should I say so called P.M
One can excuse Austrie after all he learned what ever he knows in the Guyanese jungle.he told us so the man is a Tazan. whoooooo.He must be swinging from tree to tree to get to Roseau.
That’s de BIGEST jokeeeeeeeeeeeeee, boy allu man not easy. I guess on your way out you grabbing at straws.
You all are groping,not grouping.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
I coming at you again Austrie; for your information “boy” when one talks about a government ability to rise resources; you are actually expressing the ability to crawl and beg for resources (money) to run the country.
The resources (money) to run and develop a country should come from the government treasury, from taxes collected from sources such as pay as you earn taxes paid by working people.
If there are no jobs (as we all know there are none in Dominica) no taxes from working people can be collected. Therefore you and Roosevelt Skerrit will forever be in the business of selling passports to get money to run the country.
Hence the nation will never experience any significant change infra-structurally. If you boast that the government “Roosevelt” has the ability to rise money; how come after eighteen years, he the one man government is unable to get the resources to build an International Airport?
You all said you could build one cheaper than the one UWP was…
Con:
Yes, indeed Ian Douglas boldly said just before the shut down the International Airport the UWP lead by Edison James was building.
He told the nation that they “labor” could get one built for a fraction of what the UWP was spending to build it; in other words Ian said they build an International Airport for a fragment of what the UWP was spending. However after eighteen years in office, they are unable to a stable to rescue a sick horse.
If you Austrie had the ability to get money to develop Dominica; your first order of business would be to build an International Airport, the only bit of infrastructure which would have keep Ross Medical School in the country.
They would not be in Barbados now!
You remember Ross University School of Medicine your old employer where you held your only job prior to politics where you were employed as a watchman!
You know that job the call security guard.
You remember Ross Mr…
Hahahahaha..Wow!!..I swear if Dominica doh have the slowest ministers in the OECS (probably in the world), i don’t know where else..
So the proposed Hotel is sitting there, unfinished and physically sinking, and the dear Minister says “When I look at the architecture, the design of the Moroccan Hotel, I am not sure where else in the Caribbean, so that in itself alone is a selling point for the hotel.”
So just because YOUR’E NOT SURE where else…that makes it a selling point for the unfinished hotel?
Have you ever been to St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino?..and on top of saying all the other islands have Hotels, the man still think Hotels can give Dominica a competitive advantage..Yes we need the hotels but this is not a particular advantageous attribute for transforming the economy, as you rightly said, all the other islands full of hotels.
Damnit we need smarter ministers..ppl with understanding and not just role plays!!.
Wait nuh, is red shirt alone Austrie has in his wardrobe or wha?
P.S. – Aye DNO, very good chronological presentation of these guys utterances on the Moroccan Hotel from 2011 which cyah finish yet. Nuff said.
Austrie said hotels in the north are a sign a new economy is being built
“Deputy Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie, has said the Moraccan Hotel, and others under construction in Portsmouth, is a sign of the government’s ability raise resources required for development.”
Shut up you useless babbling fool!
The nonsense you are talking might impress a child born yesterday; however for those of us who knows the history of your Moroccan hotel knows that it is under construction for almost ten years now; and part of it has decayed, and part of it is sinking in the swamp on which it is built.
As everything that you Roosevelt and the Cabal put your hands to turns to ash!
What resources are you idiots capable of rising for what development? Every business you idiots met operating in Dominica has shut down Harris paint after fifty years, bought Lee Win paints in Antigua and left Ross Medical after forty years left, Colgate Palmolive left.
Want to hear more?
Come on Austrie, one success in 18 years and you bragging about that? This comment is worth a good laugh. That’s all folks
How’s the move from Agri to banking going John?
When are you coming back home to lend ur so call expertise to ur home land?
Do you remember how to plant a Dasheen bud? When last you touch soil?
No success in agri or banking in 20 odd yrs john.
What rubbish comment is it.? You think is failed Skerrit you talking to? You are addressing a St. Jean a committed professional, one who has worked hard in Dominica and honoured his work and capacity to lift up our farmers and people in the East. What good of competence you OU Fou… can tell us of your so called Skerrit that is commendable and questionable?
Skerrit is a failure, please focus on him to Get Lost out of this Prime Minister office that he has reduced very low. I hope you recall the Bin Bobol and the Fertilizer Bobol. If you love Dominica that thievery act you should be addressing and ask for our state’s money to be returned.
I detest corrupt. low thinking vagabond leader, from wherever they come from and reduce our people and country to poverty through well sates act of thievery and Bobol (Bin and Fertilizer). I hope you recall and will go on the campaign to cleanse our ailing island Dominica from this corrupt leader and his regime. Skerrit and Labour Must Go…No
The construction on that hotel will never be finished. Dominica is the land of unfinished projects
Dominica shame on this guys their so much to say .It enrages me to see this guys stand behind a podium and tell so much lies and people listening to that, Shame on u all.
DNO thank you for your objective reporting regarding the history of this hotels construction status.
One thing the Gov’t has the funds to buy him a red shirt.
This guys are so desperate that they even boosting a simple project like a Hotel? How many people will be employed there? and what kind of jobs?
DLP needs to go back to the drawing board and will and come again. They are not ready to develop Dominica.
I will do like the Laplaine people. , Vote them out
Rottweiler please!!!!!! Why are you boasting of somthing not concieved or built by Dominica or Dominicans? Anyone can sell passports raise funds. Give me 10 and see how fast i get them sold. Tbat the level of creativity and ingenuity you boast of? That is the level Dominica and the youth accept. We have no pride. After 18 years and that is the measure of a sucessful goverment? You guys make me sick? Austrie you guys have transformed Dominica into mediocrity and dependency and have absolutely no shame about it to even come boast. Proud of your incompetence? This Moroccan structure have been on since 2011 and i am afraid once done will sit empty. If tourist was coming to sit in hotels they would all go to florida. I am not being pessimistic. Show me the data on the other hotels and long term tourism arrivals.
Austrie please,man grow some and tell the people the truth,that hotel is no good,and sinking,stop fooling the people man,you guys are sick people,and the failing government.
Austrie, do you believe yourself what you are saying? You are sick in the head. The Moroccan hotel is standing there half finished for over 3 years now. If thats an achievement I don’t know what an achievement is. In your book the coffee factory and the abbatoir are achievements in your book as well? And how about the geothermal plant? Another major achievement of this useless regime. Austrie, you and your master can not fool us anymore!
Ok Reggie I realize when Skerrit wants to use somebody to make a fool of these days he just dials your number and you always available. I guess that’s because Ian got a little , just a little smatter now. But regie tell us the truth about that hotel that can’t be opened there. Is is Morrocan hotel, Dominican, Skerrit and Nanthan, Skerrit, Austrie and Nanthan hotel? Whose hotel is it? I ever hearing it belongs to SIAN aks Skerrit, Ian, Austrie and Nanthan? Who really owns it?
Here comes Dominica’s most idiotic politician,a self professed be dog(rottweiler).You all are grouping in the dark for support, ration and building materials did not work,but Dominicans are slowly getting the message that you all are MISLEADERS,bad ones too …
It’s the first time those MISLEADERS are under so much pressure.You all will be kicked out and be made to answer questions about Dominica and it’s mismanagement .Wicked set of people .Just look at mr face in the picture.!!!!!Doggone buffoon and waste of time!!! Man get the hell out of my computer screen!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
Groping in the dark
Gang of failures
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
Please read this nonsense again my people. “The political parties operate just like the street gangs. Both have their leader, their special colour, their symbols and signs, they hate each other, they get into verbal and physical altercations and each wants to see the destruction of the other.”
This is a very poor, immature, unprofessional assessment of the two parties in office. One, the DLP is highly corrupt, irrelevant, poor leadership, weak 18 ministers, engaged in highly corrupt (Bobol) practices. If wish corrupt acts listed, I will highlight them, but Dominicans know of the Bobol, Bin & Fertilizer and the Red Clinic, etc. etc. I will consult my colleague upstairs for more details.
On the other hand the UWP has been extremely professional, has been fighting for a decent government and no thievery. Has exposed the corrupt practices of Skerrit as PM, the abuse of states funds for personal gains while we sink deeper into poverty. UWP Team is solid & ready to govern & build…