Talks continue on the construction of a marina in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour

Government remains focused on its plans to construct a marina in Portsmouth.

That’s according to Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian Douglas.

Douglas, who is also the island’s Tourism Minister, told GIS news  that although much is not being said at this time, the vision has not been forgotten.

“There’s a lot of preliminary work that has to go on.  We have to first find the funding for a project of that type. We also have to work on designs and a lot of geological issues like soil types and depth. All these things come into play before you actually see work being done on the ground.  I mean it was the same situation with the Moroccan Hotel.”

The Tourism Minister says despite economic challenges, there remains a market for yachting.

“The vision for a marina has always been in the plans for the development of Portsmouth and of the Cabrits.  We feel that we have the best geographical and natural amenities for a marina and that is something that Government continues to work on.”

He also stated that the Prime Minister has been in discussions with a number of friendly Governments including the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Hon. Douglas believes that a marina will not only add to the amenities of the hotel but also will place Dominica strategically among the islands of the Caribbean to be able to take advantage of the growing yachting sector.

“I’ve been in discussions with a number of persons in the yachting industry, especially the luxury segment of the market which is the higher end of yachting and they say, for instance, if you want to buy a yacht today, the waiting list is three years long… even amidst a global recession, a marina would certainly help Dominica to be able to take is rightful place among the Caribbean countries that attract that kind of business.”

“The Caribbean is very famous for that kind of business in the yachting industry.  We certainly look forward for the day when we can establish our very own marina.  We feel the best place for it is right here at the Cabrits, either an outward marina on the sea with slips or a more expensive but better constructed marina inland where the boats could have more safety.”

Although the funding for this project has yet to be identified at this point, Government is hoping for an arrangement which will not be taxing on residents.

“The major underlining question here is to find the funding for it and to find a friendly government like we did in the case of the Moroccan funded hotel where actually we are receiving a gift. It doesn’t cost the tax payers of Dominica anything and at the end of the day, we have the facility to create jobs and to generate revenue in the economy and that is how we want to approach the marina. A friendly government would come in and partner with us and do it so that at the end of the day, it doesn’t cost the taxpayers of Dominica anything,” Douglas stated.

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57 Comments

  1. Do Not edit
    August 9, 2013

    allow a private person to build it and run it as a business. No point in building some half a yesterdays marina for the future. build a marina that will serve usefully for years. tomorrows marina today!!

  2. chow mein
    August 9, 2013

    Labour party can’t even deal with the land issues of a few squatters in Glandvilia is a complex multi million dollar marina they would be able to take on.

    Stop this electioneering gimmickry!

  3. mojo1
    August 9, 2013

    pawol a bouch.

  4. Neg Mawon
    August 9, 2013

    What’s the hoopla all about? Laba’s sudden wake up of hibernation…they have long neglected Possie and Grand Bay…now elections are nearing. They will come to u with all sorts of crap. Vote them out!

    • john
      August 9, 2013

      Vote them out, and who are you going to replace them with?

      • Francisco Telemaque
        August 10, 2013

        John, I hate to respond to such a simply question; and though my intention is not to suggest what you, or any voter in Dominica should do no election day, I would like to inform you that there is always “better!”

        Just so that I do not confuse your mind, I will be simply and blunt.

        Whereas you may believe that the present people in power have accomplished great things for the country. You should also have an open mind to the fact that there are other people out there who can, and may have done “better,” accomplish lots more for the people and country.

        You may have lots of good things among you personal possessions, and believe such are the best of all things; however, if you look around you; you may find that there are many people who possesses better, and more important materialistic things than you have!

        One should never be contented with what they have, and by saying that I do mean we should envy others for their success, and steal to be like them. Nevertheless, we should strive for the better, the best of everything.

        And although, I do not wish to be too involved politically, I must say the reason we lack so much, and remain so backward in our country is because we maintain the status quo by continuing to vote for the same people over a number of years no matter how unproductive they are.

        It is one thing to have personal likings for a politician, but that should not be a good enough reason to vote for that person even if the politician is ones mother or father. The priority should be the people and country, it should be the party which have a true developmental plan for the country,

        It should be about job creation, and more job creation, so that the youth of the country can find employment, and become productive, and prosperous citizens. We need people in power with visions of development, we need to develop an infrastructure that will encourage our people to remain at home, rather than running around the world, and in most cases living worst off than if they remained at home.

        If you elect someone who made a promise to do something, and fifteen or twenty years past, and that man or party fail to produce, what is the point of continuing to keep this person employed as a minister of government, when it is discovered the person has failed to perform, and has actually become politically bankrupt of ideas?

        The answer to that is: As charismatic, and popular they may seems, continue to like them respect them, but fire them on election day, do not allow them to continue to keep the country down!

        There are always better, and more capable people.

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  5. BRAIN DAMAGE
    August 9, 2013

    De Minister thinks that all Dominicans went to school on Boxing Day and Good Friday.. eh?
    ‘We have to first find the funding of a proect of that type…” nous sot eh Ian? Your time and the rest of Skerrit’s Cabinet have expired.

  6. ras con
    August 9, 2013

    BLESSED LOVE! MY PEOPLE OF DOMINICA,DO NOT BE FOOL BY THEM AND THOSE SIDE SHOW. DOMINICAN BE WARD OF THE DLP BECAUSE IT FULL OF EVIL MEN CHARADE IN AS GOOD MEN BUT DO NOT SELL OUT FOR THEM AND THOSE ILUMINATI. JAH SOON WEEP THEM.ELECTION TIME SOON COME, WATCH OUT FOR MORE PROMISES.BECAUSE A PROMISE IS A COMFORT TO FOOLS,SO OPEN YOU ALL EYE AND SEE WHATS TAKING PALACE. THOSE GUY A VERY RICH, AND HOW THEM BABYLONS GET RICH OFF YOU ALL BY JUST LIES AFTER LIES TO YOU ALL. TIME FOR THEM AND THOSE TO GO. BLESS!

  7. Francisco Telemaque
    August 8, 2013

    Indeed it is stale news as far as this talk of marina in Portsmouth is concern. election is not too far away, so Ian is making his presence known, and felt. If you ask me I will tell you he is behaving as if he has autotomize Portsmouth from the rest of Dominica.

    I can detect a division of the body, which impress upon me that there are two governmental factions in Dominica, one faction is led by Prime Minister Skerrit, who controls ninety-nine percent of Dominica, while Prime Minister Ian Douglas, is in control of of his one percent of the territory the State of Portsmouth!

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    I wonder how long it will take before we hear Ian calling for the secession of his state from the actual State of Dominica?

    Everything going far North West in to Douglas territory, nothing going to Wesley, I coming home to start revolution and fight for me Wesley you see, cause we ain’t getting nofing man.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • john
      August 9, 2013

      Who promised you anything? If you need something the idea should be “work for it” people should stop waiting for hand outs, and that is the problem with Dominicans.

  8. John
    August 8, 2013

    Marina, AKA camouflaged Chinese Navy Base.

    • GWATANCE
      August 11, 2013

      NOW this is stupid comment, what make you think the USA Government would tolerate such actions from China or Dominica and not be forceful on such a move

  9. badrep
    August 8, 2013

    Build a marina so Dominicans can thief everything on them people boat. Too many voleurs in Dominica, dominicans are not sophisticated enough for a marina. I can see those lazy good for nothings swimming in the middle of the night and boarding boats and stealing things just for stealing sake

  10. President
    August 8, 2013

    The barell fulling up with water so the spiders running to the top.Its filling up very quickly.

  11. tommy
    August 8, 2013

    i would support such a development and even a road going all around cabrits in the future. from the cruise ship birth come right down to the hotel is area that marinas can go and even tantan and numerous locations along the harbour

    • tommy
      August 8, 2013

      full up de swamp and develop de place

  12. poe-ki-toe
    August 8, 2013

    stupes..talk is cheap Ian …time for action and no more TALK!

  13. Anonymous
    August 8, 2013

    Go Ian, Do your thing for Possie. Possie loves you!

  14. August 8, 2013

    elections coming so everything happening suddenly

  15. JUDGE DREDD
    August 8, 2013

    ian put the marina close to the villas of skerrit so he can get all the business…

  16. Mamizoo
    August 8, 2013

    Is he a comedian or not ? OK Ian we know election is coming – but you know that Echart started a Yacht Mariner during the Freedom Party days at the same location.After 13 years in government no effort was made to further develop the site for a yacht mariner. I have always pushed the idea that the establsihment of a yachting facility in Portsmouth would generate immediate impact. To those who don’t know back in the days we would sit down and count sometimes over a hundred yachts in the Portsmouth harbor. In fact fellas like the Ambassador A can attest to that cause we were all little entrepreneurs making our movie money servicing the many yachts in the harbor. In fact the same Ambassador A became fluent in French through working the yachts coming into Porssie. Merchants were making money, peope selling Ice, fruits, beach Bars, purple turtle club, Cocoa Nut beach, Indian River. As little boys we also made money guarding the “skipper” Dingy, supply Water to the yachts, roast pigs, BBQ fish, fishermen selling their fish, guys like Alick and fellas from Paix bouche use to run their taxi taking the yacht visitors to areas of interest around the island. A yacht mariner is a no brainer and I am baffled that those koonomoonoo in government did not arrest the opportunity to add a new dimension to the economy in Portsmouth.
    The yachts were coming to Portsmouth because the harbor is naturally suitable and naturally beautiful.
    What is most disgusting is that the Portsmouth people rebuilt the labor Party and kept the party viable and a bunch of opportunists hijacked the party so they could bleed the country, build Villas overlooking the same Portsmouth people.

    When I look around Portsmouth the guys who were making a lot of money from the yachting industry are today walking around as paros. Those who are not paros are seriously unemployed and begging.

    Serious if we take off our political hats or hearts we will see that this government has not just be criminal but totally incapable of running our country. The longer we keep this going is the more difficult it gets to recover.

  17. Anonymous
    August 8, 2013

    Do we always have to get gifts from friendly governments? When will we be able to demonstrate that we are truly independent and invest in our selves. If the friendly governments decide not to build the marina should we forget the idea!!! We will not always get gifts from friendly governments!!!

    The gift getting strategy is not a sustainable strategy for the economic development of Dominica. I say to the politicians stop being lazy and think of innovative ways to improve our economy!!! Begging for money is easy but fixing the economy and making its sustainable is no easy task and I think that overall they lack the intellectual capacity for the job.

    By the way Ian nothing is free in this world we all know that!!! So saying that the tax payers of this country will not bear any cost for this investment is just a lie.

    WE ARE NOT JUST BEGGARS!!!! Here is a suggestion….Take the 60 million that the economic citizenship programme is projected to make and invest it into the marina!!! At least Dominicans will know where the money went!! If its not enough then we can ask somebody to help us. At least the world will see that we are taking charge of our affairs and investing in ourselves.

    We should stop behaving like an adult who has never grown up just screaming mummy mummy I want tea !! I want tea!!!

    • GWATANCE
      August 11, 2013

      Bro you will do so well politically for Possie, I will nominate for the member of the Town Council.The fact we depend on Government to do most things, it must be remembered that the Private Sector must play its part in partnering the Government to create innovative ways and other means to develop the economy. Remember the asumed on nonpayment of apprx $106 mil which could be used to pay for the Marina and other smaller PROJECTS.The next Mayor 8) :lol:

  18. Doc. Love
    August 8, 2013

    The talk of a Marina has been around since Tim Tim was Minister of Finance in the United Workers Party administration. Ian has no funding, therefore, what is the hurry to bore Dominicans with stale news. Maybe Ian and the Skerrit labor Party is rattled by the popularity of the UWP, therefore, they just breaking ground everywhere. What the people of Portsmouth and Dominica by extension want to know, Ian, what is the situation as regards Promiseville in Portsmouth.

    • you
      August 8, 2013

      While on the topic of Promiseville, I strongly support the initiative to build or shall we say break ground for a marina in Portsmouth before someone figures it would be a good idea to put a house or business place an the site. Next thing you know we will be protesting again and demanding that the Government find some other place to put the marina.

  19. the eye
    August 8, 2013

    More rhetoric by the tourism minister and MP of Portsmouth Ian Douglas, in the advent of elections.Dominicans please take note that as election date approaches,that talks of all projects that were asleep for the past five years to suddenly emerge from their hibernation like Godzilla from the death of the sea, however to sadly plunge back to their dormant state like the same after elections. beware beware Dominicans.

    • you
      August 8, 2013

      Is election next year? then again the way we speak of elections in Dominica one would think that we have one every year. We need to see the bigger picture and help work with the government to make sure that some of these projects get on stream. Some of us who are employed by the government with the country interest at heart are the same ones doing as much as they can to make the government look bad. We are late in almost every race, almost every other caribbean country has at least one marina, we need one as evident from the number of yachts anchored on our coast line daily. A marina brings job creation for our ppl and security and a more pleasurable experience for our visitors.

  20. Enuff
    August 8, 2013

    Elections really round the corner.

  21. Real Mang Boy
    August 8, 2013

    ” I mean it was the same situation with the Moroccan Hotel.” Ian we may have Les Puis Poule but yet still when the corn is dispatched the fowls still know how to find the corn- essentially some of us fowls have our basic instincts. Our instincts told us that the Morrocan Hotel in Portsmouth was a Vy-Ki-Vy project where there was no preliminary engineering, no viability assessment, no EIA. We know that this Hotel was declared for night landing (papi Show qui zor yais)
    Ian you had the chance to negotiate with the Japanese to provide a yacht marina instead of the useless fisheries complex which had been negotiated by the UWP government. It was sad that you guys took the credit. Nevertheless you also sat by and allowed the Morrocan Hotel in the most suitable yacht mariner location. In fact the German Echart had already started building the yacht mariner in the very same location that the Hotel is now being built. Again Ian there was no consultation with the people of Portsmouth. Your government treat it’s people like dirt- you just shove things down people’s throat – no dinner , no discussion, no fore play. Why would the people not think that your government is stealing and has stolen from our purse.
    Why should we get worked up anyway – Ian is saying that this is a dream. Well we all shared that same dream growing up in Portsmouth. We (Ian included)would sit down by the jetty , in the mang , on the beach and talk about Portsmouth being ideal for grand tourism – foreign and local investment. We thought that as soon as a Portsmouth Labor Party would be in power things would start moving in the direction of our dreams. Now Ian is in power ( Portsmouth Labor Party ) and Ian is still talking about our childhood dreams when he should have been pursuing those dreams.

    I am sick and tired of hearing crap about Skerrit talking to friendly government. It is obvious that this government has the mentality of a parasite thus the reason why after 14 years there is nothing to show that our country is on it’s way to being self sufficient. We did not develop our growth capacity.
    So Ian as a friend if this is your campaign lock brother you are a disgrace. You know very well that there is no need for those false promises cause all you need to do is sit on the porch and the people of Portsmouth will still vote you and this oppressive, corrupt and useless Labor Party.

    So please do us a favor in Portsmouth, at least those of fowls with a basic instinct, stop insulting our basic instincts and STF up – sick and tired of you guys. Waste of Frigging time

  22. joe
    August 8, 2013

    lol

  23. Anonymous
    August 8, 2013

    I thought it was work which was supposed to begin last Monday and not talk.

    • Twisted
      August 8, 2013

      :-D :lol: :lol: :-D People i Love your commentsso far. just more talk..parlay..story. Trying to entice our minds with such prospects. Sooooo long P/mouth would benefit from such..
      and yet it still not coming. just talk on top of talk. Hope my grand children will see this come through.

  24. help us lord
    August 8, 2013

    Good tactic Ian. There is no doubt in my mind that Possie needs a marina. However, the truth is, it will not be done by this government and parlrep. Ian should be ashamed to tell us that this marina has been in plans for a number of years and to date we have seen no ground work except talks during an election. DLP has represented Possie for as long as I’ve known myself and we have received nothing from the DLP, let alone Skerrit. All they do is continue to use Possie people knowing very well that even if Tiger going up for them, he will win. Infact if anything, what Skerrit and his DLP is doing is try to kick the people of Georgetown out and use Georgetown for his friends. Possie people should let Skerrit,Ian and the DLP know in no uncertain terms that they will not be used as a political playing field anymore,by voting them out come next election.

  25. Dominican
    August 8, 2013

    Go for it DA we are moving forward.This will bring employment and other exposures.
    Go Dey Da

    • Twisted
      August 8, 2013

      my friend, c’est pas jordi ni y’er nous ka esperez ca non. nous las, nous fatigue. nous ka jik expire avec i porkor ka arrive’. Nous las tan parlay. nous pas sot encore. c’est sot nous ye non? magresa. eleccion ki ka vini. espere’ toujours. mi blag :lol:

  26. Lougaoo Mem
    August 8, 2013

    Is this a political gimmick for his constituency knowing that election fever is in the air?

    Did I read: “Although the funding for the project has not been identified at this point, government is hoping for an arrangement which will not be taxing on the people.” Doh! I believe the people have had enough of these politricks, and after three terms of massive unemployment, lies and deception, it’s time to get them packing and hit the road.

    Also,Lougaoo would like to know, what’s in the current budget of $474,700,000.00 for GRAND BAY? There’s no doubt that this DLP government is Grand Bayrians’ worst nightmare ever.

  27. tumble,backkick
    August 8, 2013

    Soil type,I thought the first thing would be the Environmental Impact Assessment?Ok so election is near. So where do we put it, Tibay, Pont Gloglo, Mango La Wein, Indian River, in the Lagon? So Echart didn’t finish the Marina so he out of the picture, the boatman on Lagoon who was planning to do that is a captain so somuch for him, what else?

  28. Reon
    August 8, 2013

    This would be a much profitable project than that 25,000,000 state malice.

    Hope Dominicans don’t reelect all you corrupted bandits back into office, because if they do DA will be doomed forever!!!

  29. Anonymous
    August 8, 2013

    Weh-pa-pa, what is in the last budget for Grand Bay?
    “Although the funding for the project hasn’t yet been identified at this point, government is hoping for an arrangement which will not be taxing on residents” Doh! Is that a political gimmick for the Portsmouth constituency? Lougaoo Mem just asking eh.

    The DLP is Grand Bayrians’ worst nightmare. They can’t afford another five years. You check?

    • you
      August 8, 2013

      Grand Bay finally wising up. DLP has too much of a bad habit by not taking care of their ppl.

  30. August 8, 2013

    A marina should have been build in Dominica a marina is suitable for this country,so many funds wasted our government refused to put the right things in place to create jobs and revenue for our country.

    • Joe
      August 8, 2013

      Dah man you heard the term PRIVATE SECTOR, kool then go figure why Governments were not keen on building a MARINA!!!!!!

      Research who own the marinas in other countries!!!

  31. thebushmaninda
    August 8, 2013

    Is the fact that it does not cost the taxpayers any thing is that necessarily a good thing? If this is such a good opportunity then why isn’t the international private sector interested/involved.

  32. Jejep
    August 8, 2013

    We need a jet airport, hotels and a proper marina so as to assist the island in taking it’s strategic place amongst the islands.

    • you
      August 8, 2013

      Lets add better customer service, a mall, and a clean city to name a few. I bet other people are able to add more to the list.

    • John
      August 10, 2013

      Since there is no international airport and visitors have to take a hour long trip after travelling all day on a plane to get to Roseau they need a helicopter service the helicopters could also be used to take people who are disabled around the island who are unfit to walk long to see boiling lake too. Dominica needs a helicopter service it would also help in emergency medical care. Skerrit should use the money he has stashed from passport sales for that.

  33. August 8, 2013

    If this marina become reality it will be a huge development for our country ,I met a few yacht owners overseas they told me the reason why they couldn’t stay Dominica longer because no yacht facility in Dominica ,A marina will create a revenue for our beautiful country.

    • you
      August 8, 2013

      One actually told me that the main issue they had was not being able to buy supplies for the yacht and receive a proper level of servicing and maintenance. Which means that someone should start thinking boat shop.

  34. 2 CuTe
    August 8, 2013

    That is a very very super great idea…is like we are the only country without a marina…I would love that !

    You should travel to see others in different countries.Yachting races,more visitors,jobs .Thats just a great idea.

    Time for us to make our country number 1 !

  35. B_Arch
    August 8, 2013

    hope Dominican architects are given an opportunity to share their perception of this marina!

  36. Anonymous
    August 8, 2013

    To the Government of Dominica I say continue the good work and press on with this important marina facility.

    • Shameless
      August 9, 2013

      U sleeping man? Please wake up from your slumber.

      “Change Must Come”
      Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  37. STILLAWANDAFULWOLD
    August 8, 2013

    We still talking? I thought we were already building :(

  38. Aye
    August 8, 2013

    Why is the minister listening to this rum shop talk and bringing it to our people. This feasibility study on this project should not take years. China promised billions of dollars in loans to caaricom island, the marina was never mentioned by the Dominica government. The sea walls are non essentials to the development of the country. This marina will create employment and revenue for the government and for the shops and hotels in the Portsmouth area. This Marina will be self sufficient and will not take from treasury.

    • Joe
      August 8, 2013

      Then Build Aye!!!! and ppl gave u thumbs up for saying the seawalls are non-essentials? Explain that to Scotts head people, ta tan and Fond st jean people will definitely differ…

  39. Just Me
    August 8, 2013

    Question… Why has Government to be so involved in the construction of an obviously private sector, business enterprise? The role of Government should be as facilitator. But, Ian talks as if we are dealing with a Government project. What’s the real deal?

  40. smite
    August 8, 2013

    Mr Minister during this hard economical times, no government give any thing away for free. Millions of dollars to pay back none? seriously?

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