Prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has declared Thursday September 19th a public holiday to allow those who wish to attend a memorial concert in observance of the two-year anniversary of the passage of Hurricane Maria, to do so.
“And I am calling on every one to join hands in solidarity at the Windsor Park Stadium as we reflect not just on what we went through, but also celebrate how far we have come,” Skerrit stated in a post on his Facebook page this morning.
The prime minister’s Facebook post comes after he initially announced during the launch of the Grand Bay DLP candidate on Sunday, that there would be a half-day holiday on Thursday to facilitate attendance at the event. However, he appears to have revised that position in this latest communication on the matter.
A press release from the Office of the Cabinet Secretary which was later issued to the media, states that the President of Dominica His Excellency Charles A Savarin has signed a proclamation declaring Thursday, September 19, 2019 a public holiday to be observed throughout the state. (S.R.O. 35 of 2019).
“Thursday, September 19, 2019 has been described as a day of celebration of hope and thanksgiving in observance of Dominica’s remarkable and extraordinary achievements post Hurricane Maria. A special praise and worship concert dubbed “And Can It Be” will be held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium from 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 19,
2019,” the release states.
The concert features world renowned gospel artists Rev, Shirley Caesar and Kirk Carr as well as Dominica’s very own Ophelia Marie, Michele Henderson and Colton T. Performances are also expected from Edwin Yearwood, Sarah Ikumu, a mass choir and dance groups.
The release adds, “Hurricane Maria struck Dominica on Monday, September 18, [2017] leaving us almost with nothing. Since then the country has seen a massive recovery programme which has including the continuous repairs to homes and the construction of new resilient homes for Dominicans, extensive dredging of rivers, and major improvements to infrastructure.”
The proclamation declaring a public holiday is made by the President under section 5 of the Public Holidays Act, (Chap. 19:10).
In his Facebook message, Prime Minister Skerrit contends, “While the hard work isn’t over, we must give thanks to the Lord for preserving our lives and granting the strength some of us didn’t know we had, to begin rebuilding 98% of this country.”
lets also remember all appointments at hosp are cancelled the sick have to wait again lol yes have your concert. don’t shut the country down
Brilliant Idea except some Dominicans are unaware there was a hurricane. A pen is mightier than a sword. In order that the PM good work does not go in vain, his subbornates must keep proper records with Auditors to check their books every three months. Without this gesture some benefit and others don’t. Enjoy ,it is a good way of thanking GOD FOR LOOKING DOWN ON US.
So that worship thing means so much to skerrit that he had to declare a holiday on Thursday? You mean he could not even wait to tell the Adventist to use Saturday as a thanksgiving day and the Christians use Sunday? Awa PM up to something boy.
After reading the book of Daniel chapters 1,2,3 and 4, I come to realize that PM is up to something gason. You see, when you read chapter 3 carefully, you will realize that although Nebuchadnezzar build an image that he wanted his followers to bow down to, his main concern however was to get them to SERVE his god. Take a look at 3:12, when the Chaldeans complained about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Now take a look at Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction in 3:14 “Is it true…, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Similarly, the concert tomorrow is to 1. worship PM’s god 2. praise PM
A holiday tomorrow? To give thanks to God? Boy God works in mysterious ways you know. So, since Shirley Cesar is a pastor, artist and prayer warrior, why not all of use tomorrow to give welcome the woman of God to Dominica? So here is how I believe we should welcome her to Dominica:
1. First thing tomorrow let’s find our way to the airport with our placards
2. Our placards with our concerns should be addressed to pastor Shirley Cesar
3. For example, our placards should read: Pastor Shirley Cesar, our PM CANNOT account for $1.2 billion dollars; can you please pray for PM to find the money? Another one should read, why was PM’s friend Alierza Monfared was seen in an Iran prison suit on Monday and Tuesday? We should have placards asking the pastor to Pray that PM tells us why his US Diplomat Mr. Zampolli sued friends of PM? In other words, let’s be respectful but make our prayer request known
4. From the airport to Roseau should have our placards and also at windsor park.
Skerrit maybe declared the holiday so the people could come and worship him. But there is a tropical depression in the air and I hope the holiday will not be God’s intervention.
Admin…the PM last name is Skerrit and not Thursday as indicated in the article
Well maybe it’s the same thing, Thursday being named after Thor, the god of thunder who was not a Christian god by the way.
Another madman madness!!!
Any demonstration at the Religious Concert on 19 /09/19,Anthony Leblanc will be ARRESTED and CHARGED with INCITEMENT.The UWP WILL NOT be welcomed at this EVENT.For too long these UWP PUPPETS have trampled on the Police.This BS must stop.these are the same idiots who said SKERRIT could not bring Dominica back.TRAITORS.
Keep braying. Mr LeBlanc is an independent engineer and contractor who knows the strain of lack of productivity on the land first hand. You probably never worked a day in your life to keep up this nonsense. Cool out must be nice for lazy fellas like yall
Dam … laborites look u have yr date in perfect order for de wateva all u PM callin wat he holding 4all u. Turn yr (3) nine’s over removing da 101 wat u all Jack of an …. laborites get 666 mark of the beast that’s wat u all leader celebrating de devil. Go wit his crew gud 4all off u all ass 2 stick in de stadium, he well blind all u already wen God ready he will wipe all off all u out. Fight to keep devils in power God will deal wit u mr PM n yr crew.
Considering that we are in the middle of the Hurricane Season, I believe tomorrow’s celebration to be tempting providence. As with the Three Little Pigs, we are still at the “house of straw” stage in terms of resilience.
By Thursday (tomorrow!) Tropical Storm Jerry is forecast to reach hurricane strength. Although it is predicted to pass to the north of us, a change in pressure gradients could cause it to alter course – as happened with Tropical Storm Erica.
Good point Roger. The stadium is in the floodplain of the Roseau river and Pluvius in fluvius est. Let’s hope the concert does not end into a watery ite missa est for our self proclaimed messiah and his disciples.
One thing boy, our PM and his wife love a sewo eh. Anything for a sewo, is so Dominica come!
Why Madam Skerrit must have her own bodyguard, street boys that according to Mas in the cemetery have applied for gun license, which only the chief of police can approve. Does she not trust the police detail used by her husband? That looking bad for the police no? And who is going to pay for those private bodyguards, her charity?
To give a public holiday to commemorate a natural disaster is a sign of madness and desperation from Skerrit. In normal countries public holidays are given to celebrate great people, great achievements, great victories etc. Its only two years since Maria and many Dominicans are still under plastic, many roads are still unrepaired, people are still traumatized, many live in fear of rivers which have not been dredged. Yet this sorry excuse for PM stops economic activity in the country to celebrate? What is there to celebrate MR. DR DR PRIME MISTAKE?
Don’t we all claim to be Christians in Dominica or at least most of us? We appreciate two days of reveling in carnival activities, getting drunk and being naked on the streets engaging in all kinds of sinful activities but that’s ok. Now these same “Christians” lose their minds because the Prime Minister has designated ONE day as a day of prayer. They will later cry out “God bless me”. Heaven just weeps. We must appreciate the Caliber of the leader we have in Dominica. You never miss the water till the well runs dry. THANK GOD FOR SKERRIT!!!
You are indeed Nobody.
We are celebrating Life, the goodness of God, That we are blessed to have a caring leader like DR. DR. Skerrit who has helped Dominica bounce back remarkably from the ashes to the current stage of development only two years after the disaster. We have to say THANK GOD FOR SKERRIT!!!!
N Maria isnt something 2celebrate it didnt do us any good than maybe dragging all dem demons away from our country n now he even put bk more. U want 2celebrate a day lik that why put it on a day where it neva took place. Maria hit Dominica on the 18/09/17 not on de 19/09/19 if u want to celebrate do it on the anniversary date not after. Dam devil.
I will say this to all Dominicans , I met the Prime Minister of Dominica in Grenada and l said to him i was the Dominican in Grenada to dispatch a vessel to three days after the hurricane to Dominica. His answer was “oh is you” yes it’s me. US$ 380000.00 direct cost for relief to Dominica.
Sincerely
K
azuhiro Ashby
Did he say thank you?
Is it compulsory ?
For Members of the Red Clinic and the Cabal it is.
Well well well. Those guys sold Dominica to teeth’s and vacabonds like themselves and they want to take use part of their loot and name it after Rosie? Rosie was my friend and I can tell you he would not have been part of this thing. It would therefore be better to name it after either Skerrit or Savarin
Typical third world country foolishness. The more they are poor the less they want to work. That man is determined to keep Dominica in poverty.
They either haven’t got the guts or simply no appetite to oppose the dictator. That’s the problem we have in DA
The money that is being used to pay foreign artists should be for the development of the country. Things are too expensive and nothing is being done about that. And also the minimum wage is a damn disgrace. Dominicans wake up!!!!
I don’t see the need for a public holiday to attend a concert. I believe there are a number of families trying to forget this Maria experience, we have an entire day of memories. rubbish its hard enough forgetting the dreadful way the people in pointe michel among others lost their lives
I heard he making the school children come to fill the seats
Of course, nobody else would go to yet another of his election propaganda meetings. The man is a master of deceit.
This does not, and will not make us forget the missing $1.219 billion $$$$$$$, or the trial of Monfared who was hiding at Morne Daniel..Your false God!!! I rebuke you!!!!
So what happen…? Failed Incompetent Pappyshow Skerrit is calling on every one to join hands in solidarity at the Windsor Park Stadium as we reflect not just on what we went through, but also celebrate how far we have come,” Skerrit stated in a post on his Facebook page this morning.
Skerrit you are this big bug Joke and you have ran out of ideas to that of offering options to the development of our failed and cripple economy. This is a Skerrit pappyshow Red wedding that makes no sense, because Skerrit knows absolutely nothing of development and 19 years to this day, still have or people in poverty and wants us, the suffering people to hail yo as this ridiculous nice man when yo have got into this political playboy business distracted from states business and you are running from here, there to everywhere as our Dominica continues to ache in poverty, Skerrit and your failed Labour corrupt government has failed.
We welcome our trusted Hon. Linton and his highly professional UWP Team
As I read this article two people come to mind: 1. Jim Jones- A popular preacher and Cult leader, who was blamed for the death of over 900 of his followers. They drank a poisonous Red Kool -Aid that killed them. He used social programs to win the needy. Here is a quote from his biography that reminds me of PM “Through the Peoples Temple, Jones preached activism. Although just a small church, the Peoples Temple established soup kitchens and homes for the elderly and mentally ill.” So when we hear Skerrit and his love for the elderly remember Jim Jones.
2. Nebuchadnezzar. He came from humble beginning but God used him to deliver his people. But pride got into his heart and as a result he wanted to be worshipped. So he build an image of himself and brought in musicians to lead the worship. That’s what Skerrit is doing. He jailed and attempted to kill those that refused to worship him but God delivered them! Later God brought him down to the point that he ate grass like an Ox for 7 yrs
I concur 200%. Too much wastage of resources. We don’t need expensive artists to praise the Lord.
” Boys with Toys” as this PM continues to run Dominica’s economy into the ground and destroy a heavily challenged private sector.
This could have been done after 4pm or the weekend. Or just have a moment of pray and Silence from 12pm -1pm on the 19th to observe this terrible day which caused lost of lives.
Is that what we are spending our money on? People going hungry in our land but we sing the praise of our exalted leader, who portrays himself as the instrument of God and close the country down a whole day for that? By who’s edict? Not that Roosevelt Skerrit again is it. This is maddening madness. Really I question the man sanity now.
Wait now – wasn’t September 19 the date that the Prime Minister/Minister of Finance selected to deliver the report about the missing money? Now, a public holiday, all day, for an event carded for half a day.
Never mind the inanity of such a “celebration” and the associated costs which are ill-afforded to the country as a whole…
Long I saw that coming you know. Since after Blackmore said we should give the DLP 5 more years as a gift, for how Skerrit performed after Maria I just felt something like a day to worship Skerrit was coming. Make no mistake about this people; this this has nothing to do about praising God it’s about praising and thanking lord Skerrit.
But check this out people. Long we heard of the concert but he never spoke about the confused holiday or half holiday. But interestingly the day before Skerrit’s friend Alireza Monfared was to appear in public court in Iran, he quickly announced a HALF holiday? Why? to prevent people from talking about it. Then today we see photos of Alireza Monfared in his prison suit and to further embarrass Dominicans, the Iranian Court posted a picture of Monfared’s Dominica’s Diplomatic passport, who was seen with Skerrit and top ranking members of the DLP and the Police. So to change the conversation they changed it from a half day holiday to a full holiday.
Shame. The Government ministers should be visiting all those who lost loved ones and assist them. The family in Loubiere never got a visit from the PM much less for parl rep. Shame on all and you giving a holiday playing godly. Hyprocrites. Many persons still under tarps….health care down, the economy down, salaries down. Awww wii. Anyway the God I serve is the Creator and He is watching.
Everything associated with Skerrit has politics firmly affixed to it. This concert is a colossal waste of scarce financial resources of the state. Anytime unscrupulous politicians want to seduce the gullible, unsuspecting electors they use free music and food. Stay focused, don’t be misled by the most corrupt, ignorant, immoral and unethical PM. The man has vandalized the Office of Prime Minister and write graffiti on the walls of all public institutions with crayons. This concert is a vulgar abuse of State’s funds. Shameless crooks and parasites vacuuming the country’s treasury for personal and political advantage.
Thanks PM for officially giving us a day of to sewo and fete and to put you in the mood to ring the bell. You said it’s a day of thanksgiving but we who read the bible, understand very well that it is a time to worship you Roosevelt Skerrit, just as Nebuchadnezzar set a date to see who would worship him and who would not. You remember Nebuchadnezzar had all kinds of music just as you using a gospel artist to do your thing? But let me warn you sir that you CANNOT use God’s name in vain because anyone who does it will suffer. Why didnt’ do it after the first anniversary? Why you using God and Maria in your politics? Are you trying to bring another Maria? You playing with the wrong God sir and I hope you understand that the God Almighty does not joke with those that use His holy name for their selfish, devilish, corrupt and ungodly thing. I hope you remember that the same Nebuchadnezzar you are immolating was attacked with madness and had to spend 7 yrs eating grass like an OX Dan. 4
@True Christianity, I am a true Christian as well and so I challenge you to tell the whole story of Nebuchadnezzar and I will show you how it has nothing to do with what PM Skerrit has planned.
The man is calling for all Dominica, to give thanks to God for the way He rescued you all from the wrath of an angry Hurricane, and all you are doing is writing negative things against his plans.
Did Nebuchadnezzar call his people to worship God as a whole congregation? You have no understanding of that story if you are comparing it with what PM Skerrit is doing–perhaps you have no understanding of the Bible itself.
To tell you all the truth, it is coming to a stage when I don’t want to tell people that I am from Dominica, based on the rotten mentality that you all are possessed of–you are no true Christian!
At least he could have waited until the hurricane season is over:
June – Too Soon
July – Standby
August – You must
September – Remember (to standby)
October – It’s all over (last month)
‘Nuff said
It is the same set of UWP TRAITORS who said Dominica,would NEVER bounce back after MARIA.There are more IDIOTIC posts to come from PIPO,TELEMAAQUE,MASSACRE and the other UWP LOSERS.We DO NOT want these LAZY,UNGRATEFUL UWP people in our concert. This concert is for those who helped to BUILD DOMINICA.
I am hoping that I will be remembered on Thursday.
DOMINICA HURRICANE RELIEF – MARIA
Thanks to all that assisted in this relief effort. We know that it made a difference to the people of Dominica and this would not have been possible without all of you.
Sincerely,
Kazuhiro Ashby
I’m trying my best to forget Maria and that dreadful time, and you all decide to give a holiday for maybe 10% of the country to attend a gospel papishow
Alicia you cannot forget Maria & you should not but you must remember that the Almighty preserved our lives. Many more including we could have died but for the Lord’s hands over us. What are u saying that we must not give thanks to the only one who deserves all the honour, Glory and Praise? Why can’t we put our diffferences aside, give God thanks & praise. Politics kay chwe zort. God is to be praised regardless whether u do not like the PM. Once anything to do with the PM, you guys hating. God is looking on us for the hating, lying, unforgiveness, storytelling, maligning others with no reason, being unthankful for what we have received from others, lovelessness, spreading lies about others with no proof, hurting others with our stories, rumours & many more. I really thought the Hurricane would make us closer to one another but I have learnt that what came out from some of us is from the heart. Some seem to get worse. Perhaps hearts were hardened like Pharoah’s?
No matter how hard you are trying . That’s an experienced that not even the young will forget. So the best we can do right now. Is to give thanks to God for what we came through and where we are today.
I SHALL not be there to take part in anything that Dominica’s false God has sanctioned. None of my family members will be present also..
Beware people of those who tell you “..when you criticize me, you criticize God”. Even without a sheet of galvanise from Dominica’s most brutal government, I have given praises ad nauseam to God for life, and therefore I say no to this concert,!
Beware People,!!!!
Like really. So are you saying that the state should not organise any thing that has JESUS In it. Shame.
While one can appreciate giving praises for everything in life. One has to wonder the intention of such an activity. It feels and sounds like a political rally. When will we learn that we should not mix politics and religion? These activities are to be organized by a church or churches, NOT by the state. Let’s keep on playing with fire we will surely get burnt because we are not learning.
With a struggling economy, that’s the last thing we need is to close the nation to celebrate an event that was catastrophic to all of us. If the PM was concerned about the economy, he would not be taking such an extreme action.
skerrit want de world to see huge crowds around him
skerrit right now i following de case against monfared in Iran!!!!!!!
i will say again…
right after hurricane Maria a beautiful opportunity awaited you to go to parliament and declare a national day of prayer and national unity……with all parliamentarians in attendance….logged in de gazette of de activities of de parliament
i honestly think that if you had done that ….you would have received a lot of sympathy, support and votes from non DLP supporters!!!!!
my boy you wasted a golden opportunity to seal your PM position!!!!
shame on you skerrit
this trick CANNOT WORK
i don’t know if this is appropriate but i am aware that one of de main artists is in fact a Scientologist!
nuff said
All I can say is this is madness
I call on all Dominicans to boycott this charade. As he already stated: …and to celebrate how far we have come. Well, how far have we come? Some labour supporter reside in new homes financed by passport money while other non labour supporters still live in houses covered with plastic sheeting. That is exactly as far as we have come in DA. Furthermore, we are still waiting on Skerrit to agree to electoral reform and to account for the missing passport money. In my view, Dominica hasn’t got much to celebrate, the only one that has anything to celebrate is Skerrit and that would be his huge bank account!
@Randy
Skerrit knows that it would have been boycotted, that’s why all schools are invited, and some children even have to perform.
Not me with any wicked leader who compares himself to God!!!
My entire family, children and all will be home.
Go provide help to the countless families who are still under tarpaulin, your evil soul…!
Money being wasted to pay all these foreign artist,Skerrit you just dont get it,Should be a day of prayer and community service,some citizens are still without proper housing.
The foreign artist are not paid jamie. This is a benefit concert; all of the artists are giving their services free. It is thanksgiving time. Everything cannot happen one time. Are u here jamie? Did u help someone but only speak? Prayer & worship cannot be mixed with community service day. Worship for 4 hours nonstop is very essential. It is time for you people to objectively look at things, not be subjective because for whatever reason, you do not like the PM. God is love not hate. Unforgiveness gives people heart attack because one hates; the person they hate does not even realise that & person who is hating who is getting sick. All the time , many are just complaining. God does not like complaining too. he likes gratitude & thanks. Thanking for the little, then more will be added. Are u here? If so you would see the massive reconstruction from 2017. Citizens will get proper housing. U remember u criticised when we helped for Irma then comes Maria. A sown seed!
You got the Red fewer badly. No doubt you are a regular at the red clinic. I pity you!
You also believe Skerrit is really father Christmas and his wife the fairy dont you poor soul.