Sam Raphael says new Jungle Bay Resort will provide jobs in Soufriere

Raphael outlined the project on Monday evening
Raphael outlined the project on Monday evening

Owner of the new Jungle Bay Resort, to be built in the southern community of Soufriere under the Citizenship by Investment Program, has said that as construction of the facility gets underway, many jobs will be provided for residents in and outside the area.

Addressing a meeting of members of the community at the Soufriere Church Hall on Monday night, Raphael said construction is expected to begin before the end of this year and around 200 people will be fully employed at its peak.

“So the plan is to commence construction in this year,” he said. “Phase one is the construction, so we will be hiring maybe a little more, maybe a little less, but I think around 100 people.”

He added that in 2018 before the construction phase is completed, a further 100 people will be hired, bringing the total to 200 full-time employees.

“So people of Soufriere be ready we are going to be hiring a lot of people,” Raphael noted. “Soufriere doesn’t have that so instead of people leaving Soufriere to go and find work, people will be coming to Soufriere to look for work. Whether you are a carpenter, whether you are a mason, whatever it is, we will need all hands on deck in construction.”

But that is not all for Raphael said after the construction phase is over, other people will be hired or people will benefit from the presence of the hotel in the area.

“When the hotel is opened, it’s not just the 100 jobs we will have but we will need people to farm, and it’s between the farmers, the people that fish, the people who provide all types of services,” he stated. “We need a lot of entrepreneurs around that will provide those services because not everything the hotel will provide. So it’s about 150 households permanently that his project will support and again the project will be financed under the Citizenship by Investment Program.”

Raphael gave a sneak peek into what the facility will look like after construction.

“It is about 120 villa suites but in terms of the buildings, there will be 60 of them where the guests will stay,” he remarked. “We going to have an inside and outdoor restaurant that host maybe 150 people.”

In May, Raphael announced that he will be relocating Jungle Bay Resort to Soufriere because the facility, located in Delices on the eastern coast of the island, was severely damaged by Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.

The new resort will be constructed in an area called Morne Acouma.

Raphael gave an outline of the project on Monday evening
Raphael gave an outline of the project on Monday evening
A collapsed cottage at the old Jungle Bay during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika
A collapsed cottage at the old Jungle Bay during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika

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34 Comments

  1. Mamosa
    May 25, 2016

    Why is Sam building his Hotel under the CIP. What about the Insurance he collected after TS Erica for Jungle Bay? Is Dominica to own part of said Hotel?

  2. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 25, 2016

    Dominica might be a very confused place or perhaps the English language when spoken in Dominica does not mean the same as the same English words in other places: and because I am ignorant of the meaning of Citizenship by Investment program, I would like some Dominica pundits to define citizenship by investment so that I can understand what it means.

    We read about Skerrit’s Citizenship by investment, which is the cause of the sale of Dominica passports intended to attract foreign investment into the country! Hence they are given the privilege of becoming citizens of the country.

    If what Sam citizenship is one of the Rapheal is talking about is the same program as Skerrit claimed. I do not understand how a Dominica born citizen is going to build something under the citizenship by investment program. Is Sam a foreigner who bought Dominica citizenship?

    I don’t know I am simply asking about something which does not make much sense to me!

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 25, 2016

      “If what Sam citizenship is one of the Raphael is talking about is the same program as Skerrit claimed. ”

      Maybe the shock of learning that a Dominican by berth is building based on Skerrit’s economic citizenship program cause me to screw up in the quote above; hence I am bewildered, and don’t know how to correct myself, so I am letting it slide oui!

      The only way a Dominican born could become involved in doing business in the country under Skerrit’s supposedly Citizenship by economic Investment program, or whatever they call it, is is if Skerrit gives money to a Dominica born to invest (in him ting).

      We need to be very careful when we try to deceive people, to suite the purpose of others, because the respect we had gain from others we can loose in an instant, and unless Sam erred he has put himself in that position!

  3. IamanIdiot
    May 25, 2016

    And then Mr Skerrit coming and talk about “oh now you no longer have to go town to work people will be coming souferiere to work” LIKE it was HIS initiative that created Jungle Bay.

    Now lets pretend it was Skerrit that sending jungle bay to Soufeiere eh, (we pretending, lets just say is him). ALLLLLLLLLLL the time Soufeiere people didnt need work and thing.NOW a bi election coming HE can send a hotel Soufere…

    The IQ level of you people and your level of understanding worrying me…you’ll not seeing skerrit playing you’ll like a drum? I must say the PM is very smart thou…almost as smart as me.

  4. Pinky
    May 25, 2016

    My gosh people, why does everything in the damn place come down to politics? Finally there is some hope for the people of Soufriere. Do you know the number of unemployed people who sit in the street corners of Soufriere everyday? Jungle Bay in Soufriere is something all of us should be excited about….finally jobs for the young people. Sam has a track record in Dca. He is the kind who backs up his talk. He has provided jobs for soo many before and he is willing to do it again in spite of the loss he suffered. With the state of the economy , we should support people like Sam. He has put Dca on the map before and is only looking to continuing what he has started. Ease up on the man, forget the politics and support the man….stupes!!

  5. dee
    May 25, 2016

    Sam
    bad timing if not deliberate .
    ??????????????????????????????
    too many questions now .

  6. Kimi
    May 24, 2016

    Mr Sam I hope you know people own land in that area so guess what, what is the status of the land owners are they going to give up land for you? Or is there any negotiations going with these people land? Come correct me Sam!!!

    • Yay Sam!!
      May 25, 2016

      Really Kimi? Do your research and you will realise the estate was owned by one person and that one person sold their land to Sam. You people are negative when you have no reason to be. Stupes!!1

  7. Zandoli
    May 24, 2016

    I applaud Sam for dusting himself and restarting his business venture, but I am puzzled by fact that it is being rebuilt under the Citizenship by Investment Program.

    One would have thought he would have had the property insured against these perils and would also be compensated under his insurance policy for reconstruction and lost profit while he rebuilds his business.

    Am I missing something here?

  8. shade
    May 24, 2016

    The location of this hotel is not wise. Way too close to a high level a hazard zone. Minor earthquakes created by the volcano near by could be disastrous for the hotel´s infrastructure.

    • dee
      May 25, 2016

      Shade
      it’s obvious you have no knowledge of the exact location .
      Up there is heaven compared to the safety of the village itself in the unfortunate event of larva flow from an actual eruption .

  9. Rose's Lime Juice
    May 24, 2016

    Who are the original land owners and what is the total acreage for the project? Re-establishment of the old cable car system and transforming it into aerial tram would be a great additional feature to link up with the proposed hotel at the old lime factory in Soufriere.

  10. AAGabriel
    May 24, 2016

    Sam, very poor timing. This was not wise or was it?

    • Yay Sam!!
      May 25, 2016

      Just a coincidence that he introduced his project during election time in the Soufriere constituency. Was he suppose to put the introduction of his project on hold simply because a bi-election is happening? Really people?

  11. Watching
    May 24, 2016

    What kind of business man is that.. “We are going to be hiring a lot of people. It’s about 150 people, It;s about 120 villas. A restaurant the host maybe 150 people” This is a load of crap. Please my DA people, we are smarter than this. How can you have project like this and not know exact numbers. Let me go light a candle for my country. Papa met

    • Tjebe Fort
      May 24, 2016

      Do your homework before spouting off your mouth. There was already a plan in place for resort development there long before, at least ten years I would say, by a different owner.

  12. lightbulb
    May 24, 2016

    All you people really badmind.
    Since b4 all the commess with dem big man in parliament that like other people so-and-so
    Dr Sam, already said Soufriere was going to be possible relocation spot.

    I really dont understand.
    The man creating jobs, the man said he hopes to reestablish another location back on the east. but yet all you want to bring down de man.

    well yes.

    as far as i concern, Dr Sam, showing us, the locals, the dominicans, that we can use our passport money, not depend on foreigners.

    but to each his own.
    let me stop typing
    before LIAT leave me where i am.

    • Tjebe Fort
      May 24, 2016

      Lightbulb, please switch on! This is not Doctor Sam but Sam Rapahael, two different people. I support what you say though. Is Sam Rapahael that bought that place after it had been on the market for a very long time. I think that is an excellent spot, no only for his own business but to help develop all of the Soufriere area. Yes, Skerrit aprrove for him to sell citizenship for this but that is not political because this place will still be there long after Skerrit gone and he did the same for the original Jungle Bay.

  13. yes yess
    May 24, 2016

    that workers guy coming and provide jobs for soufriere constituency. But these ppl will still vote laybar….

  14. As I see it
    May 24, 2016

    Boy the earth is really round and no one knows what to expect. I will leave this here for the wise to think of. Is Sam Raphael contesting the Soufriere seat for Skerrit? I thought I heard is a Grenadian woman that was running for the DLP? Or better yet, Is Sam just doing some work for Skerrit? He sure sounds like a politician on a mission. Sam Raphael has me thinking of this song by Bob Marley:

    Who the Cap Fit

    Man to man is so unjust, children
    You don’t know who to trust
    Your worst enemy could be your best friend
    And your best friend your worst enemy

    Clearly Sam sounds like he is bought and I am going to have to look for other means to fly to the USVI.

    • Dominican
      May 24, 2016

      One thing I do know is that Sam Raphael is his own man an more than has the measure of someone like Roosevelt Skerrit. Yes, he will take advantage of anything that is legally offered to him but make no mistake, this is Sam’s project and not Skerrit’s.

      • As I see it
        May 24, 2016

        @ Dominican I am not saying it is not Sam’s project. However, it is clear to me that he is dancing with the DLP at this time. It was just Sunday Ian Pinard was talking about jobs that coming to Soufriere through the Sam Raphael project and on that same day, Sam is there talking about jobs for Soufriere just on the eve of a by-election? Sam Raphael is being used to play the music while they all dance to the tune. Me en no fool

      • Dominican
        May 24, 2016

        Ian Pinard is a fool, Just piggybacking on Sam’s enterprise. This has nothing to do with government and everything with private enterprise. It was not Sam’s plan to have this coincide with the by-election, it just so happened. Very fortuitous for Skerrit and his gang, I must admit but again, remember, it will be Sam creating the jobs, not Ian Pinard.

      • The panama Papers
        May 24, 2016

        @Dominican, I respectfully disagree with you. Sam Raphael is not using his money for the project but monies from the sale of our passports that Skerrit gave him. By Sam taking this cheap bait he has virtually justified the foreign group he gave how many passports to sell in the name of the cabrits hotel. If you are a passport seller you become one with them sorry

  15. sam baker
    May 24, 2016

    Will there be an opportunity for electrical contractors who live outside of Dominica? I would really appreciate a response, thank you!

  16. Titiwi
    May 24, 2016

    Thank you Sam. These are real jobs and not government created NEP jobs. When it comes to business, private enterprise always outperforms a centrally driven- & controlled economy.

  17. educator
    May 24, 2016

    All I can say this information is ILL -TIMED. Sam why did you not wait for the bye election to be over? Why NOW……This is a dangerous move amidst all that is happening…COME ON MAN,……….STOP THAT….. 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: .

  18. Bob
    May 24, 2016

    So what happens to the workers from Delices Laplaine that were already employed at the hotel?

    • Tjebe Fort
      May 24, 2016

      Skerrit putting them on the NEP

  19. Marco
    May 24, 2016

    Is Mr Raphael a “son” of Skerrit’s?

    Why has he convened this meeting so close to the Soufriere bi-election?

    Is anything above board in Dominica?

    Not even natural disasters or God’s warning signs will change the evil and nasty behaviour which is pervasive in Dominica.

  20. Music Producer
    May 24, 2016

    Real jobs at last…not those phantom, ghostly ones promised but never delivered in 16 years :mrgreen:

  21. natural dominican
    May 24, 2016

    At last some good news. I hope that the people of Soufriere will benefit from this project and Dominica by extension.

  22. smh
    May 24, 2016

    Sing, brother, sing

  23. Lalalalala
    May 24, 2016

    This relocation is being used as a political tactic to influence the voters to stick with the DLP. Denise Charles is highly educated but is not a people’s person. Rather she rolls with the “rich and famous” and don’t really care about the constituents.

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