Victims of Tropical Storm Ophelia, which wrecked havoc on the island two years ago, will soon get new houses from the Chinese Government, thanks to the advocacy of the outgoing Ambassador, Wang Zonglai.
This was revealed by prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, at a farewell reception held at the Fort Young Hotel on Thursday night for ambassador Wang, who spent close to three years here.
The prime minister said those affected by Tropical Storm Ophelia will be receiving new homes.
“His Excellency always has great ideas …after the storm which affected the western coast of Dominica, his Excellency was very forthcoming with his willingness to advocate on our behalf in getting assistance,” he stated. “As a matter of fact, the government of China has committed to providing new homes … to every home that was affected as a result of Ophelia a couple years ago.”
Skerrit further stated that a new bridge will be constructed in Layou Park, an area seriously affected by Ophelia.
“And all this was as a result of the advocacy and the manifestation made by of his Excellency on behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” he pointed out.
During the passage of Ophelia in 2011, communities all along the island’s western coast were inundated by heavy rains. Particularly hard hit, were the communities of Canefield, Mahaut, Massacre, Layou and St. Joseph.
In October of that year, Prime Minister Skerrit said more than 170 homes from St Joseph to Checkhall were affected and that $800,000 was to be made available to the affected areas.
All I got to say is this. —–>(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3UZkG66AtQ) Me personally, I never take nothing for free unless I understand the terms and service. If you are illiterate don’t bother watching the video. lmfao
Boy I feel sorry for some Dominican’s and Dominica. When ever I visit Dominica, all I see is country ready to be sold to China yet our people are blind. They are so caught up with lies, empty promises and the little handouts that they are getting. I invested money into a small business where I had one person employed and after 3 yrs it came to a close. Dominican’s live pay check to pay check and yet the are to blind to see. My people, it is time to give somebody else a chance and stop being color party.
way mama…I reside Boston and Dominica is making me lose my mind every time I come on here to catch up on Dominica news….Can the Dominican GOVERNMENT do ANYTHING for the Dominican people…All I’m reading on here is how the Chinese is doing this and that in Dominica….I welcome the help, however, it appears that foreign countries are helping our fellow country men/women more than our own government…Ma always told me that NOTHING in life is FREE…you have to do SOMETHING TO EARN IT….so, I don’t know what Dominica is doing for China? Dominica, ask yourself, what is there that has China so intrigued with our beloved country? Call me a skeptic, but i really believe there is something behind all of the smoke screens….
My People…..BE BLESSED….
while you are in boston do a little research. the amount of countries thats indebted to china its not funny. just find our how much even the great USA owes china.
these talks take time,Dominica is not the only country looking to China for help.two weeks ago the prime minister of England David Cameron was there looking for help for his country for energy and rail service, because they are the ones with money every one is looking to them. let us be thankful ,instead of putting politics in every thing.
great observation.
but the uk are not beggars, they pay for aid, when they ask for assistance its noy for free…
After 2 years ehh
Mr P.M . Build the new home for your friends and concubines not me. i belive i have seen to much suffering of poor people while millions and million are trikleing into your hands. is this govt a bottomless pit that millions is given to them to help this poor eastern nation and that money keep falling into the abbis of hell.
Well Said, WELL, WELL WELL, TWO YEARS ON & NOW AFTER T.S. ERIKA’S DAMAGE TO THE WHOLE OF DOMINICA – IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHEN THESE PROMISES WILL MATERIALIZE…
Man on the Ground- You are- WELL QUOTED IN SAYING:-
“Mr P.M . Build the new home for your friends and concubines not me. I believe I have seen too much suffering of poor people while millions and million are trickling into your hands & this govt which is a bottomless pit that millions are given to them to help this poor eastern nation and yet that money keeps falling into the abyss of hell.”
I rise to make this comment. Roosevelt Medad Skerrit you said that you are the only one who knows that election date and you have not written it anywhere so you have no idea what Reginald Austrie was talking about when he hinted publicly that the election was near.
Mr. Skerrit I have not yet found such ………… as youself. Did you not also see in the bible that you also have a responsibility to speak the truth?
Whilst I am on that, I will quickly tell you that the manner in which you and GIS have used the YES WE CARE program as a campaign tool is wrong and disgusting. What you have sort to do is take advantage of the people’s volunerability and exploited their weakness to score cheap political points and that will not please God. You have allowed your cameras to invade the people’s privacy and literally exposed them, putting them on public display. Essentially you have embarrassed and shamed their relatives who may not have actually abandoned them but merely do not have the means to care for them. Didn’t you read in the bible that love covers a multitude of sin? Let me also point you to another scripture that says let not your right hand know what you left hand does when it relates to generousity but you do those deeds purely to show off to the whole world what SKERRIT has done for the poor.
Back to the issue of the election date. I will confess that you might be the only one who knows besides Hartley Henry who whispered it in your ear. I bet I know something that you know and we are not going to tell Hartley Henry of Barbados. Let me whisper this softly in your ear so Hartley wont hear. Hartley Henry knows well and have seen politicians spend millions and still lose the election. However he does not know this; (whispering) Roosevelt Medad Skerrit will lose the next general election whenever it is held be it 2014, 3014, and 4014 whenever my good friend. Whenever. So go on with your catch a vote by trickery little schemes but IT WILL NOT WORK THIS TIME. Two years after the hurricane on an eve of an election you’re trying to pull this stunt, garcon go to hell with your foolishness. Not Monell Williams that ha..ha..half half half na. You are a half man sacwaye toneh!
Can I just say that my neighbor received a house from the PM’s housing revolution 3 years ago, 4 years ago? It still isn’t finished. For those 4 years he has lived in a building site, a little done one year, a little the next. He still has no windows, no flooring, no paint – that was another electioneering promise. Broken! My neighbor is a pensioner losing his sight with a disabled wife and the government doesn’t actually care. Once the electioneering promise gets the votes everyone forgets. It just isn’t good enough!
This is just election money parading under the cloud of building new homes…If the government was serious it would have conducted a study into the real cause of such a serious flood and why so many homes were affected…Then a plan would be developed which identified mitigation measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Such measure would include the relocation the most vulnerable structures. If the plan is simply to rebuild houses in flood zones..it make no sense at all. We are experiencing Climate Change…such flash floods will continue into the future as occurred in Portsmouth last weekend…It makes no sense if after a flood occurs we will simply rebuild in the same location???? Mr. PM. stop play politics with the hard earned Chinese taxpayers money …and get serious about the development of the country…It cannot be all about politics every time….Seek advice from technical people who know better…
Interfering in our internal affairs again CHINA?
Trying to help your boy Skerrit win AGAIN?
Neither the needy nor the greedy shall be voting UWP
Why can’t this place help itself instead of being so needy and depending on an outside source? It is time for Dominica to help Dominica and that includes all of the people helping each other like it used to be 35 yrs.+ ago. I is not like DA has no resources or means of supporting itself. Agriculture was and is its sustainence. Everybody has to eat. Only in this way will you survive what is to come. The Chinese government is taking over everywhere and they have plenty of needy people in China. Nothing is free and it time to stop being beggars.
So every thing happening on de last leg of de term in office
victims….
I must get a Chinese friend, they are just a little too nice and giving….My address is 1122 Down the road…I need something bad…even if it is a Coke or Fanta….
But honestly no matter who had given the homes to the victeem, would have been a blessing..because to see all the little that one has disappears is hurtful…
Gods blessing…
I have read the comments here over and over, on and on, but I chose to remain quiet about them.
But right now, I have no choice I must break my silence, for I can perceive what is wrong with many of our people of Dominica–this wrong about those people is bad for the generation which is coming after us, but the worst thing is that this “wrong” could bring them the tragic end–which is a surprise that they never expected–unless it is corrected.
Dominicans I read on and on where you people are calling change, I am quite sure that most of you are simply saying things that you heard from someone else–you don’t even know what you are saying.
Nonetheless, the only change that will be effective in our country is the change of your attitude and conducts–which you practice because of your foolish ignorance and your self pride, and all the other factors of your pretentious ways of existence–God will have no mercy and compassion for those kinds of attitude and conduct when He decides to allow His wrath against those of you who are at it.
Let it be known that when God turned His back on His people–who were ancient Israel–He did not do so because of the earthly King who led them, but because He could not tolerate their attitude and conducts. There was a time that God turned His back on the “Nation of Israel” for as long 40 years–now think about that!
God wants a people who is humble, trustful, and obedient to His authority and so He turned His back on those people so that their enemies, such as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, might oppress and destroy them–that was the way they learned to humble themselves and to call upon Him for deliverance.
Whether you want to accept this truth or not–I am reminding you all that God has the final say. He will not pay attention to your pretentious attitude; you better take heed.
Every President, every Prime Minister of a “Nation”, along with the men and women who work with him, is under the control of God–regardless of what they are doing, which could one of the two things–either they are glorifying His Love or they are doing the work of His enemy–God is watching those men and women.
People of Dominica, you have the right to complain and express your opinion but do it with reverend fair of God. You cannot dictate to the government of your country–they do not even have their own power; much worst is that you have no right to take the matter in your own hands, or else you will regret it some day.
I am suggesting that you take the advice of King Solomon, who discovered why he had lost the presence of God and entered the state of distress and depression.
Here is Solomon’s solution, for his distress and depression, from the Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12: 13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil”.
And one more thing! Jesus said to Pilate, who believed that he had authority over Him, when Pilate said to Him at John, chapter 19: 10 – 11 “Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above?
Therefore, whatever the rule of the men and women in government, it is either your blessings from God or your cursing from Him–now think about that also.
So what’s your point? Just asking
I would hope that future damages whether by hurricanes, foods, or whatever, will get a speedier response. Two years is a long time for anyone to wait for any type of help. After all, can we blame others for interjecting “its election time?” How often we hear about how poor our country is. But common sense tells me that government supplying, intervening when catastrophe hits is the best approach regardless. If the Chinese wanted to help, they could have intervened after that hurricane. But then, who knows why they took two years after such a disaster. Well l guess, election time was an issue. So l guess, we have to be grateful one, two years after eh?
Ben are you an air head….Dominica does not have free money lije that…this money is another country tax payers money
Man lennox has gotten some people so insensitive….all you should say is thank you
Negbawl, l agree. We should say thank you. Now, who should l be thankful to? Do you honestly believe that l will welcome China’s offer of free money? No Sir or Madam. Frankly, l agree with one of the commentators here. Sooner or later, we have to pay back or to put it bluntly, to shut up. Like many people, l am worried about where this government is directing D/ca, and its policies. Well, elections is not too far away. l trust that the population is smarter than the many that are sleeping. Thank you for your comment. Keep in touch. We will have another go at this one.
.
This is so pathetic it’s shameful to read.
DNO there was nothing wrong with my comment! well well well, all not easy nuh!
just make sure these houses are not the same at those in belle view rawle because beggars haave to be choosers at times.
All you will have to forgive me wi; but i cannot help but laugh and laugh. Look what I just read, and check it out for yourselves. “PM SAID those affected by tropical storm Ophelia will be receiving new homes.” Need I tell you more? So once you were affected by the storm Skerritt is going to give you a house. hahahahaha Boy look jokes and lies.
Based on the story as published by DNO, the following points are noted…. Is there ground for subliminal reasoning?
1. In October 2011 the PM revealed that $800,000.00 was to be made available ….., December 2013 Ophelia victims to get CHINESE housing assistance. Correctly a time date was not put in October as to WHEN that assistance would have actually MATERIALIZE and by WHOM!!
2. “His Excellency always have great ideas …after the storm which affected the western coast of Dominica, his Excellency was very forthcoming with his willingness to advocate on our behalf in getting assistance,” I see a skewed and psychological approach in this …. forthcoming, willingness, and in getting are passive terms and do not suggest concrete affirmative action. Is like saying .. Boss man I sorry to hear about your losses wi, anything I can do to help, just check me out nah!!!
3. “As a matter of fact, the government of China HAS committed to providing new homes … to every home that was affected as a result of Ophelia a couple years ago.” Did the Chinese commit THEN or are they committing NOW!!! Interestingly was it the idea of the Chinese and not that of the DLP Admin. to give housing assistance to over 170 homes + infrastructure affected by Ophelia!! Could it be that “And all this were as a result of the advocacy and the manifestation made by of his Excellency on behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica,”
Is there a subjective motive being set here? We thank the Chinese for their generous assistance because something like this has never been done before(170 + new PRIVATE homes to be built @ an average mortgage value… $400,000.00) after the passage of a natural disaster.. not even after David!!! The affected home-owners are indeed grateful and with compassionate appreciation thank the Chinese. But yet still the mind ventures far in thought.
You sound like the African sign language guy
Elections around the corner boy! A promise here a promise there…here a promise there a promise
you can try what you feel like you
:mr pm 
you : cant stop change
after 2years mr pm the election fever is giving you headache do not give your self to much stress mr linton and the uwp will deal with the maters we all going to vote the U W P INTO OFFICE
:mrskerit 
u guys keep saying good work lennox linton,please tell me 1 good thing lennox has done for anyone in this country except to criticize the government,please somebody, I want one good deed lennox has done to earn my vote.
Well I could see that this comment is not about what we will acheive form the govrnment of china through the government of dominica for it people. But this person has expressed their hate for the prime minister. I know that the people will be more than happy for this response from the government of dominica by the government of china. Well done MR prime Minister God bless the people of dominica Who put You there to serve.
Two years after mr.pm? Another election ploy you will surely fail. We can now see clearly you jus want to hold your position to keep your money and make more,-t is nothing about ppl. It is all ME ‘ MYSELF ,d I.
but all the promises made by lennox linton are not election ploys,u c u Dominicans ,lord help us cause u guys are so hypocrite.
Why doesn’t Skeritt make the Ambassador of China the Minister of Finance. Every cent Dominica spends must come from China, like it is the Chinese alone that can see what Dominica needs and when it needs it. In October 2011, Skeritt told the Communities of Mahaut, Massacre, Layou and St. Joseph that he did not budget for the Construction of Homes, River defense walls etc, caused by Hurricane Ophelia. In 2013, Mr. Lennox Linton and the UWP, told Dominicans they will produce 5000 jobs in three years, it did not take Skeritt two weeks after that statement was made for Skeritt to find $8 million for a rent an employee scheme as some people referred to it. If the Chinese were to pack up tomorrow and leave Dominica, Dominicans should have no fear, Mr. Lennox Linton and the UWP is ready and able to bring back prosperity to this Country.
You sound like DNO
Jumping back and forth from party A to party B has never solved the problem. Better look at the candidate, not the promises.
How???
10 yrs from now, still won’t be no change, cus you ppl hate to pay tax, don’t want government to take loans nor accept grants. Unless Lennox God Linton has a money printer,
a government should only take loans when they have significant production and manufacturing taking place or you will see extra high taxes and poverty like what is happening here…
all we do is collect taxes which goes back and pay civil servants, its like a cycle…
Yes sir u know how to play ure games u good for true mr pm I tell u how can u ever lose the next election when u so generous Well think again skerro u got something coming I don’t hAte u at all and never will the fact is I just love my country
What has the PM done to the likes of you like that?? Please take off your blue blingfold and start commending the good things happening in the country. The incompetent, untested opposition you support hasn’t given any credible indication that they can do better anyway.
I’m so sorry for you but you will be disappointed. Please don’t take it too hard when Labour wins again. There is a saying-you can’t keep a good man down, this is very true. God bless my PM. Keep up the good works. You doing real good.
Well said