The town of Portsmouth has a new US$6.8-million fisheries complex, a gift from the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking at the opening ceremony in Portsmouth yesterday, spoke of the importance of such a structure that had been pledged prior to the 2009 general election.
Skerrit said, “We were determined to make sure that this pledge became a reality, for two main reasons. First, because of the important role that fish and fishers play in contributing to food and second because of the large number of families who depend on the sea and fishing to make a living.”
The Prime Minister had high praises for the people and government of Japan and expressed gratitude that the agency was able to fulfill its commitment to the Dominican public, despite delays in the project brought about by recent natural disasters in that country.
Mayor of the town of Portsmouth, Vernon Daniel, appealed to the fisher-folk that will utilize the facility, to responsibly manage this latest resource available to them.
“We will be required to compliment this monument with responsible management. It must not be business as usual. This is a state-of-the-art facility in an economically vibrant and growing town, which means that the management and success of this facility and the fishing industry in Portsmouth must reflect that reality,” Daniel said.
He believes that integrity must be the emphasis with a focus on the export of fish to other markets.
The complex features new fishing infrastructure, equipment, such as cold storage facilities and a fuel station, among others.
Some people honestly cannot allow politics and just realise when a job is well done. Only in the Caribbean I see people making politics affect their life, earnings and consume their entire soul. Those are the same people who sit begging politicians for a spoon feed. The same people who are so one sided in politics that they pledge allegiance to a certain representative, and because they themselves got hand outs when their government was in power, they assume that this is the case for the entire country.
I do not want to go further into this but, unless we change our mentality on politics, and stop making it consume our entire being, then we will remain third world and maintain a third world mentality. Why? Because in the third world, neighbours can discuss who they are voting for and laugh about it, then back to work as usual. People say Skerrit is killing Dominica. He is not Dominica, we are Dominica. Dominica will be here long after he is gone.
Well done to whichever government is doing good deeds in my sweet Dominica.
meant to say “Why? Because in the first world, neighbours can discuss who they are voting for and laugh about it”.
@ Porssie Radical
There is a lot of truth to your comment. However I think that the Fishing Complex is a positive step towards the development of Portsmouth. My disagreement with you is based on the fact that we do not need a marina INSTEAD of the fishing complex. We need a Marina IN ADDITION TO the fishing complex. Let us take care of the local fishing sector first and then look to developing the tourist sector.
So what if we have Partay and Sewo !? That’s our culture! The fisheries complex would serve a dual purpose. There is nothing bad about that.
As “Overcomer” suggested, Picard could be an excellent cite for a Yacht Marina. What we need to do now is to lobby the right people for substantial capital investment in such a needed project.
Two words…”The Cove!”
Hey, have you never given anything to charity before? Have you ever put money on the collection plate?
That was a question to KOOL BWA
THE CRITICKS ,YOU PEOPLE NEED TO SHUT UP AND ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SKERITT IS A GOD BLESS GOD SENT IN DOMINICA ,THERE IS SO MUCH THAT IS BEING DONE IN DOMINICA ,AND ALL YOU HEAR IS BICKERING ,INSTEAD OF PRAYING FOR YOUR PRIME MINISTER AND THE GOOD JOB THAT HE IS DOING , ALL YOU GUYS DO IS COMPLAIN AND OPPOSING HIM. BUT BE MINDFULL OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SAYING AND DON,T FORGET WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHERE WE WERE BEFORE .GOD HATES AN UNGRATEFULL PEOPLE ,SO PLEASE PEOPLE IF YOU CAN,T SAY A GOOD WHY DON,T YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LET HIM DO HIS JOB AS THE GOOD PRIME MINISTER HE IS .STUUUPPPS .WHY DON,T YOU PEOPLE LIKE PROGRESS AND BEAUTIFICATION ,OR ARE YOU TO CONSUMED WITH YOUR OLD WAYS OF LIFE.
Ask them how much development the blue monsters ever did? THEM UWPEEPEE HAD DOMINICA ON THE BLACK LIST FOR YEARS!! Y’all a bunch of hatred on here
Amen!
you to ignorant
Pong Googloo:
I would like you to tell me what good has the Freedom Party did for the Portsmouth in all the years that they had been in Power. I lived in Dominica during the Labor and Freedom Party years. Portsmouth was neglected by the Freedom Party Government because we voted and will always vote labor. I was not in Dominica during the reign of the UWP Government but I think they did the same nothing. Now that we have a beautiful Primary School (The Roosevelt Douglas Primary School, The Fisheries Complex, The Tourist Bureau by the Indian River) and more to come. Portsmouth will be a place to come and enjoy when the hotel is completed. Stop being haters and work towards the progress of Dominica. When one community benefits it benefits the whole of the country. Skeritt is not the Prime Minister only for Vielle Case but for the whole of Dominica. When rain fall in Portsmouth it is not only falling on Labourites houses it fall on every ones home.
I am looking forward to taking a tour of the complex when I visit my home town Portsmouth later this year.
oh pleasessssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
Doesn’t matter which party is/was in power. This is a white elephant just like the one in Roseau and Marigot. If not, I challenge anyone to show me that they have made a profit since they were opened (i would even settle for break-even)!
“I was not in Dominica during the reign of the UWP Government” That part of your statement sums up why in the rest of your statement you said the UWP did nothing, but I am suggesting to you that you get your facts and educate yourself before you open your mouth and make that baseless statement
I said that I was not in Dominica during the time that the UWP was in Power but I have visited my home town Portsmouth year in on and year out and I will ask you what has they done in the town of Portsmouth. I will tell you not a thing. I can say what the Labor Party has done for Portsmouth. I have my facts straight and I have educated myself for I am not one of those that forget where they come from. I am intuned with all what that is going on in my country. I am not a fly by night Dominican. I am a true born Dominican and is proud to be from Portsmouth the second town for now that will one day be the town to be proud of.
all ypou lazy $$s Dominicans just sitting on all $$ and wait and just talk everything political. Get a life and give Jack his Jacket and give Jane her lipstick.
Ok, so if this is a party thing then tell me exactly what is there in Possie that UWP can take glory for?
You know better. Say what UWP did. Educate that person, or else you do not seem to have anything to say.
This project is a waste – no potential impact at all. If this project change the economic situation just for 5 people in Portsmouth or sorrounding within a six month period I will eat my words .
To: Possie Dude:
With all due respect, there is a bigger picture here. You may be looking at the short-term benefits. There is an operating cost associated with such a project that revenue generated from it cannot support. In the absence of banana, how can you position yourself as the nature island to attract tourists (with whale watching as one of the tourism high lights) when you are aligning yourself with a nation that violates the basic tenets of convervationism?
In the long run, it is the tourist’s dollar that will help with the operating cost of the fishery. What type of tourists do you think come to Dominica? Those that go in search of five star hotels and white sandy beaches, or those that tilt towards nature and conservationism? Tell me how this fishery is going to generate revenue that fishermen were not already generating independently. Are you telling me that these fishermen don’t have to help pay for the operating cost of the fishery? There was better use for the money that build this fishery. It appears that we are not thinking strategically.
Dubique767 it’s like you suggesting that man should have remained in cave instead of houses or 5 star hotels.
Why not apply some of your ‘strategic’ thinking to entrepreneurial action. I’m sure the smart fishermen out there that don’t like being sprats will step up to the plate and seize the opportunity that this place has to offer instead of staring at it with with their chin in their hand.
Everyone should stop dwelling on negativity. This can be nothing other than great for the whole of Portsmouth even it takes a little time to get off the ground.
Why are my people so consumed by politics?
It’s because a lot of them have dem head up dem arse and can’t see the light of the day and definitely can’t smell the coffee!!
Long may D’a progress with or without them.
Thank you my Japanese friends, I know our PM did a magnificent job in negotiating this project because in recent times we abstained from voting at the IWC yet your government agreed to do this project… thank you PM Skerrit!!!!
Those sa wimed can go to hell!!!!
Good job PM…. YET STILL MAT,EDISON, LINTON AND THE REST SAYING NOTHING NOT HAPPENING IN DOMINICA….. CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK!!!!!! GOD IS WITH YOU. NUF RESPECT!
You haters are never satisfied.what do u want again.all u loud mouth,bad,traitors.compare the works of freedom,uwp and dlp and tell me honestly your opinion.how much did america and england do for DA,after all these decennies of so called friendship.the gov’t don’t beg as u like to say.u talk like we have everything in DA and we need no one.any party ruling will face the same challenges and critics,no matter what is accomplished. let us thank JAH those who help us do not take into consideration
our negative comments.nou pa ni lapo bonda nou me nou kompaweyzon!
Although I think this facility is not going to be used for the intended purpose or rather will never reach potential the fisheries complex was negotiated by the UWP government. Note that the project just sprang up right before the elections and there was not hype leading up to the project. That was so because the DLP know that they had nothing to do with the project . The Japanese had already committed to the project before the DLP. The design was completed then but then the DLP chose not to fully pursue the project because it would have been to obvious that the project was a brain child of the UWP.
Mr. Independent Glanvillia reading between the lines it sounds like you are so pleased with this project that you are jealous that your party of persuasion has failed to make such positive contributions.
You are dreaming so try and wake up or better still come up with some ‘brain child’ of your own and not only let everybody know but also bring it to fruition instead of coming up with feeble political myths.
Too many people around here are quick to either curse, mock or politicise any form of progress in this place. We should all rejoice that this project is complete and try to make sure it is put to good use and maintained.
This is the beginning of more industrious things to come not only Portsmouth but other identified area of the Country. It is hoped that the users of those facilities understand THIS IS OURS and it is our responsibility for proper maintenance in cleanliness/hygiene and the good for the town of Portsmouth
Now then LET THE POPULATION GROW a job well done in a short space of time. Yes, a lesson to be learnt.
Absolutely! And with more people of positive attitude and contributions the future will remain bright and let all the negative ones stay in their rat holes until progress dislodges them from their holes.
These so-called “gifts” from the Far East – the stadium, the bridges, the fishing complex – do little to foster an eye for good architectural design.
The character of our surroundings reflects on the character of ourselves.
So why don’t you use your ‘eye for good architectural design’ and out forward things more pleasing?
Or perhaps your eye is like your mind?
Now I can say the government in office is really taking Dominica to the next level.Good job Skerrit!!!!!
ok then
I would like to thank the japaness government and the japaness people.
When nothing is happening in Dominica (as the Skerrit haters like to say) we have a new fisheries complex in Portsmouth, the Pond case – Melville Hall Road under reconstruction, the Pond case to Canefield road complete rehabilitation, the Portsmouth to Roseau Road under construction, the State House Project under way, the sea wall in Pointe Mitchel under construction, the Valley Roads nearing completion, the Soufriere Scotts head sea wall completed, the Roseau Good will and Bath Estate Goodwill link roads completed, the Grand bay Loibiere road completed, the National Trail project well advanced in construction and there are more.
With all that we still hear that nothing at all is happening in Dominica.
By the way, what did Taiwan want from us when they were here? Simple answer. They wanted Dominica to go against world opinion and take a position to recognize the government of Taiwan as the only truly representative government of all of the Chinese people including the 1.5 bilion chinese on the mainland.Taiwan has 23 million people. That is the sum total of Taiwan’s “friendship” with us. We did that for 23 years with nothing substatial to show – minus the Piere Charles Boulevarde. In the process we lost our native papaya and imported “the Pink Mealy Bug”.
China on the other hand has a more reasonable demand on Dominica. There is only one China represented by the governmenmt of the PRC. Such a policy is recognized by the vast majority of the countries in the world certainly at the United Nations. Infact Taiwan was thrown out of the United Nations system and will never ever be accepted again. Should we therefore continue to be the laughing stock of the world? Sorry for St. Vincent, St. Lucia and St. kitts. their’s is a backward foreign policy.
Every country, big or small has a tag line for its foreign policy. In the 1980s our foreign policy ws to stand against communism. When communism fell we became a disposable lot. We began fighting for our right as a banana producer merely to survive in a very comopetitive trading world. We waged many wars with those with whom we stood up for and with against communism. Today we are foreign policy principle is “friends of all and satellites of none. Our local agenda will drive and determine our foreign” Is that difficult to understand?
Ron your contribution is somewhat off ,so much so you sound like a troll. I’m sure you are better than that.
You sound like Saddam Hussein’s propagandist during the US invasion. You highlight the few projects that the government has undertaken and again I went into slumber mode; I couldn’t help yawning. It is quite obvious that you are naïve in the ways of government responsibilities and the obligations thereof. As an independent thinker I could throw at you numerous projects that was undertaken by the UWP government within their 5 year stint; I could also hit you up with a vast number of projects undertaken and executed by the Freedom Part within each term. So the message here is that the projects that you are so elated about ,is nothing new to Dominicans. If that is your yardstick measurement then we will all agree that all three political parties performed remarkably for Dominica.
As I’m not impressed by a few retaining walls or the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads or the construction of a fisheries complex furnished and built by the Japanese government , I am yet to see sustainable economic development in Dominica over the last 11 years. The retaining / sea defense walls are just that – walls . The Fisheries complex in Portsmouth is destined to be just another Marigot fisheries complex – a white elephant to be .
With regards to your ranting and raving about China and Taiwan the only thing I could make off it is that you are praising the DLP for aligning themselves ( and pockets) with the Chinese. While you so ignorantly bashed the St Lucia , St Kitts and St Vincent government for their diplomatic preferences note that all three islands have left us way behind. In addition prior government administration for the above mentioned islands were all at one point associated with the Chinese. So don’t get so excited all these islands used the Chinese “generosity” at one point , we are just some Johnny Come lately.
Mr yawning and Sleepy, why don’t you just go to sleep. If you can do better why not get up from your ignorant slumber make a positive contribution instead of mocking progress.
Sensible people don’t care what colour progress it. Progress is progress and long may D’a progress regardless of petty politics.
DID SKERITT MONEY BUILD IT ? IT WAS SIGNED FOR UNDER UWP GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT,
REALLY???hmmm
That is the point. Even when something or many things are happening, people like you still say that “nothing is happening”. Certainly, Skerrit money did not build it. Not even the staunchest supporter of the UWP would have thought then that it would have been the UWP’s money to build it anyway.
By way of record. Funds for constructing the Interpretation Center at the Cabrits were negotiated with the Canadians long before the UWP came into office. The UWP had the privilege of constructing the facility until “instru” referred to it as a place where foreign langguage will be translated/interpreted for the visitor. Funds for the Pierre Charles Government School was secured before the UWP came into office. Who built the facility? It was the UWP. The continued where the DFP left. Remember too, that nothing was happening in Dominica at the time of the DFP. So what’s your point “annonymous?
Nothing was happening during the Freedon Party- What a bunch of B.S. Since our idea of development is so parochial and subpart I’d say that the freedom Party brought more development to Dominica in 5 years than the DLP’s 11 years. Even more the Freedom Party did more in Portsmouth Tan Tan area in 5 years than DLP did for their strong hold Portsmouth so stop the lies and fabrication. If you want to continue this I will be happy to name the projects undertaken by the freedom Party.
fool get a life continue sing for your supper, are getting duty free? did your boat fron la come free? or did you get a scholarship to study, did your daughter do community service on her knees . run you ole bombom .
The infamous “Instrument” or “Instru” still lives on years after UWP left office. Dominica suffered from a fundamental flaw under the Freedom Party Administration i.e., many of the outlying districts were abandoned. This is a clear fact. While this present administration definitely has its flaws, the focus and concentration on infrastructural development and rehabilitation is a necessity for advancement. It’s been over ten years since LIAT stopped flying into Canefield for example, and it’s only now that the road from Marigot to Canefield if being rehabilitated. This is a prime example of our thinking on the island.
The focus on upgrading our infrastructure must continue in earnest, so that the county will continue to grow. One cannot encourage and advertise for more visitors to visit the island and then subject them to drive on these treacherous roads. Furthermore, spurring economic activity on the entire island means that people can travel safely and engage in business activities all over. As locals, we understand the need and importance of durable infrastructure. Imagine if the Road connecting Roseau to Portsmouth was never built in the 1950s.
Today one can travel from Roseau to Portsmouth in approximately one hour.
Annonymous i find you really foolish we boss!!!!
Then tell us what price did UWP paid for this gift then seeing that this stupid question keeps popping out from the haters of Skerrit like yourself!!!!
One more thing, go and educate yourself on Government procedures before you ask foolish questions like this one: “DID SKERITT MONEY BUILD IT ?”
well you so smart why are sitting there while a frenchman is captain of you ship? how smart are you and the rest of the jackasses who chose to respond, keep on fooling your self .
piease dominicans when are u all going to say thank god we having so many good things in dominica. There are so many bad things happening in other parts of the world.All you people do is complain.I donot live in DA and i`m watching this fascility it is so beautiful.Man i will pray for u all
exactly u don’t live in d/ca so u don’t know the amount of things that is happening in the country all they show u is the good stuff. but we are still blessed
yah right import of seafood!…we hope with all these facilities we poor malaway will not pay $10.00 for a pound of fish. Anyway all they do is keep partays and sewo in these places
Was thinking to same thing! Creole fest 2012 in possy!!!
Built at the cost of thousands of harpooned whales…
Hmmmmm…..a free gift, huh…a gift at what cost? I know that there are a few people who will comment that we should just accept a gift and stop complaining. Common, you guys know very well that Japan does nothing for free…When this was first conceived, here is what was on the table: Whaling. Dominica has a vote on the International Whaling Commission’s(IWC) moratorium. Japan has been lobbying the caribbean islands who are scrapped for cash by offering such things as fisheries and other aid. This thing was born out of this manipulative approach.
I hope our PM does not go back on Dominica’s promise to not support whaling.
Dominica is one of the hot spots for whale migration, and that is what attracts many tourists to our shores. Let us not compromise that by selling our soul.
Her is a little video:
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/oceans/whale-defenders/dominica/
I surely hope that those who champion the cause of whales over people will not now use the facility to store their supplies or purchase ice for their hotel facility. Remember the place would be covered with whale oil
Thanks Japan – now let’s come up with a comprehensive plan to turn this facility into a yacht mariner. I am optimistic but pragmatic. This facility will not impact the economic situation in Portsmouth. I guarantee you that the facility will be used for siwo and fete but will not change the fishing culture. Let us not be fooled we are not going to be exporting fish to anywhere. I say so simply because I see places like Guadeloupe and Martinique with such an extensive fishing sector yet the fish that they harness is used for local consumption. Such is the case with all the other islands. In addition we have had a few fisheries complex built around the island and what was the impact? I stand to be corrected
A yacht mariner would have been much better and would create an immediate impact. We already have a plethora of yachts coming into prince Rupert bay year round and the having a yacht facility would very likely double the quantity.
Best place for the Marina—-Former Picard beach Hotel ( site).
Thanks to the Government of Dominica and to the Government of Japan for this beautiful building. Job well done and I am very proud of my town to have such a wonderful fishing Facility To the fishermen of the town of Portsmouth and the surrounding fishing villages, utilize this facility to the fullest. I trust that there will be an abundance of fish now that there is a place to store the fish.
There will always be those who will question the motive by Portsmouth getting the new fisheries complex and what the government has to give to the Japanese in return. To the negative thinkers we say hearts off to the Government of Dominica.
Portsmouth I am proud of you always.
I hope we will take care of the building and KEEP IT CLEAN!!!
-Thanks
Ok Hold Up.
First off all their is absolutely nothing free in government and surely millions of dollars. So please don’t call this a gift, i worked in government for to long to be fooled by this. Japan is getting something in return the question is what?
With that said i would like to congratulate the people of Portsmouth and i do hope that they will put this into very good use.
They’re probably getting whaling rights or something, because I know that the Japanese have really been wanting that from Dominica now for quite some time.
Oh well, if it really IS whaling rights, I guess Dominica really “isn’t” the nature isle for allowing another nation to go inside of DA’s borders and kill the whales.
@probably…….you guys are such idiots!!!
2nd time straight Dominica has voted against whaling !!! even Arthy martin was happy
what cares what they are getting………….welcome fisheries….hope that means price of fish will go down…..
the japaness a much more human than the chiness i love what they do they came to build this for us and u did not see them sleeping under tent or a flork of them invading our coutry,maybe they might want our vote at the wailing comittion ,
I do not know of the intricate workings of government but can someone explain to me if a country really and truly gives a gift (free) of all those millions.
With this said I am very happy to see that we have more facilities to help our people earn a decent living. I do hope it is put to full use and that we can cut on our import of sea food more specifically fish. It is time we got more self sufficient.