Fitz Shillingford, of Fond Mel, is expressing frustration that his dream of turning a rare stone found in Dominica’s rivers into an industry is being stonewalled probably because of politics.
According to Shillingford, Dominica is the only country in CARICOM where Red Jasper can be found and the eighth country in the world where it exists.
He believes there is tremendous potential for the jewelry industry as it relates to the stone but attempts to take it to another level are being frustrated by those in authority.
It is his belief that Red Jasper could be a revenue earner for the country and could boost the tourism industry.
A self-described ‘prospector,’ Shillingford discovered the stone in a river in Dominica close to ten years ago.
“About eight years ago I discovered a stone in the river,” he explained to DNO. “And I saw this stone with different colors, so I took it home so I could do some research on it and I found that it was Jasper.”
After the discovery, he sent samples of the stone to Spain, South Africa and the US and “all results came back that we have the best” Jasper in Dominica.
“Now Dominica is the 8th country in the world with this stone, the only country in CARICOM, but to cut and polish those stones is a very delicate profession because it’s like cutting diamonds,” he stated.
Realizing the potential that exists in the stone because of its worth, Shillingford said he approached the then Venezuelan Ambassador to Dominica, Carmen Martinez de Grijalva, and made a request for a Lapidarian, a person who is skilled in working with precious stones.
He claimed that the Ambassador even agreed to set up a school, through the Venezuelan government, to train eight young people to work with the stone.
However, he had a setback because he was told that such a project had to be done on a government to government basis not on an individual to government basis. In other words, the government of Venezuela could not do such a project with him as an individual.
“That’s where my problem began,” Shillingford said. “For eight years I have been working on this thing.”
He believes politics is involved.
“Thirteen meetings I had with Dr. (Philbert) Aaron (Dominica’s Ambassador to Venezuela) and I got nowhere,” he claimed. “People ask me why. Politics again. I’m not a supporter of this administration and they know I am a founding member of the United Workers Party (UWP). But then Dominica suffers.”
He added that he held a meeting with the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, and even submitted a document at his request but he has not received any word on this for the past two years.
Dominica News Online made several attempts to contact Dr. Aaron before publishing this article but was unsuccessful.
Shillingford said he has reached the point where he is willing to pass on the baton of turning the stone into an industry to the Government providing that everything is done in the “interest of Dominica.”
He even said Red Jasper has biblical connotations.
“In Revelation 21 versus 11, 17-19, this stone is the foundation stone of the new Jerusalem,” he noted, “So here we are in this little country, the best in the world and all of a sudden, government just keep giving me the cold shoulder. You cannot have a stone like this and do nothing about it.”
Shillingford is making an appeal to the religious community on island to make use of Red Jasper and is calling for it to be made into Dominica’s national stone.
“I am disappointed in my government, very disappointed in my government…” he said noting that “every Dominican” that he has spoken to, would like to own a piece of jewelry with Red Jasper.
Shillingford is not the only person who has seen the value of Red Jasper found in Dominica.
Earlier this year Jeweler, Andy Neubeck, made calls for Red Jasper to be made into Dominica’s national stone.
He has actually fashioned several pieces of jewelry from the stone and one of his works was worn by Leslassa Armour-Shillingford at the Miss World 2013 pageant.
Mr. Shillingford’s story is all too familiar. We have created a culture that will never reward innovation and the creation of anything, based on one’s political leanings. This level of ignorance is legendary in Dominica. And they wonder why we continue to experience a brain-drain. I’ve always lamented that Dominica has the necessary talent to help it develop, create new industries and generate revenue. However, we have been saddled with a bunch of petty, selfish, greedy, ineffective and visually-blind leadership, dating back to November 3, 1978 when we gained our independence from Britain. Everyone of the bozo-politicians that has been elected since then, all play their game from the same play book.
People try to understand Chief Jaco – he is saying that it is easier and more viable for his gov’t to sell passports than to take the risk. We can sell passports and make millions without having people come here to exploit and pollute our environment and if we stop selling passports we can always revert to taxes because what we have tried example hotel building like the Morocco Hotel that cannot finish much less open after more than five years is not viable; plus a coffee factory that cannot have people brew not one cup of coffee; plus an abattoir that can’t pluck one bird after more than five years; the procuring of boats for farmers alas boats can’t dock for one bag of produce; to the production of geothermal energy yet not one watt of electricity can be produced although the same Dr. Aron said geothermal will be the driver of the economy. So Fitz Chief Jaco is right boy there are easier and more profitable ways of making money so keep your ideas for yourself – d country nice boy!!
Onions have been reduced by $20.00 a bag
Presently Dominica has no export except our passport. This could be the next savour for the country, it need to explore. Fitz have patient someone out there may come to your recue and take half of our wealth away before we know it.Remember we have a trail people walk regularly.
Someone not too long ago stole a huge one from my yard. The person must have thought i did not knik what it was. I am trying to purchase machinery to turn mine into jewellery.
I have one concern about this Red Jasper though “it is found in Dominica’s rivers”…….now we all know the compulsory and devastating effects that mining and activities have on any ecosystem and especially a country’s water resources…….if we were to go “jasper crazy” what would become of our already declining rivers and a future water resources on Dominica??? Mr. Shillingford, politics aside have u taken that into consideration and did u you also provide the government with plans to harvest and manage the harvesting of this resource without impacting our (most) vital water resource???
When I was younger I found alot of these stones int the Rosalie River and along the shores of Rosalie Bay. They are very beautiful.
I found some gold dust in my yard; I went to talk to the PM to see how he could help me with excavation but he didn’t respond. The PM and his supporters shattering the development prospects of the country.
go get some brain!
maybe is because it not free.
you know with this government if it not free, is not good 
It can be used to neutralise radiation, and other forms of environmental polution . Every one should have one in a corner of their home. it helps to clean the circulatory system, liver and blod.
This is interesting. We need to know more about it.
Don’t worry yourself man, All them man thinking about is their big bank accounts…..
Red jasper has the potential to be a resource as jewellery; simple fact we all understand. Dominica has red jasper and Mr Shillingford found red jasper in a river 10 years ago (I grew up with a collection of red jasper stones). If he found red jasper in a river then one can assume that it was carried downstream and deposited there by the river. Are we going to walk the river valleys and adjacent sea shores and pick up the raw material to manufacture into jewellery?, or are we going to dig here and there to discover the mineral in our valleys and mountains? Have we hired a geologist to identified and locate red jasper in underlying rocks and to confirm that it is indeed viable to extract? What about environment impact? ownership of property? funding and infrastructure? You see Mr Shillingford, it is not as simple as my first sentence nor is it politics. Stick to the facts and develop a project on how we can extract red jasper, manufacture it as jewellery and create a profitable market.
I believe that is what he is attempting to do. Are you suggesting that a single individual resolve all the logistics of creating a viable industry on his own before it can be supported by those who have to power to bring it to fruition?
Dear Chief,
I somewhat agree with your questions however you didn’t think before you spoke. You are asking the questions to the wrong person. You may have realized that Mr. Shillingford followed protocol however this lazy, incompetent and dull government refused to see the opportunity and ask themselves your proposed questions. If he was selfish he could’ve been illegally exporting our minerals but rather he tried to get the right people (government) involved; but over two years and no positive response!? pure bs!
Red jasper was a collector’s gemstone in Dominica long before Mr Shillingford “discovered it”. Red jasper is found in MANY countries and gemstone collectors sought the most popular rather than the lesser popular. There is no such term as best red Jasper and it comes in all shades of red. Red jasper is my birth stone, a healing stone, spiritual chakra stone and metaphysical stone. It increases strength, stamina and energy. It helps to right injustice, calm emotions, solve problems, set your goals, solve all sexual dysfunction. How to use it is yet another question of spirituality. Do we want fossickers and collectors to come to Dominica to seek one of the most popular red jasper gemstone? Or do we cut and polish and make ornaments from it? I support your goal Mr Shillingford, but not how you go about obtaining it.
Fitz does have a project and a tentative business plan. He also has a professional geologist registered in Canada who has examined the stones and the project. The bedrock source needs to be located, but why explore for it when there is no support from the government….it would be futile.
My dear Jungle, red jasper is an impurity of silica/quartz found in veins and cracks of volcanic rocks. I know a Dominican geologist who can tell you exactly where to look. I am middle age and he was the one who introduced me to red jasper at my birth.
So, what do you think he did when he approached the government. He obviously had a plan. Do not assume that he did not think of a way forward. It appears that you are leaning the other way and forging some negativity into the project. At least he did not do this on his own and attempt to create a market on his own without involving other people and the government. He looked at the broader picture. What you should be doing is rallying around him to make something big with this for Dominica and for all. Do not assume.
that’s correct, I saw all documents and even his registered company… he wants to involve the relevant authorities.
Mr jaco is a disgruntled teeth. His molars are sore. Hmmmmm
That is pure bias statement. What government would not be interested in such a venture. DOMINICA’S!! Why??? Because they discriminate against people who don’t support their party.
They are bent on maintaining a class system in Dominica because access to any assistance is always based on affiliation.
The gov has very little interest in economic development (the evidence of the last 15 years speaks for itself). Social assistance geared at total dependency =control
Fitz Shillingford what Chief Jaco is trying to tell you it is easier and more viable for his gov’t to sell passports than to take that risk. And we can sell passports and make millions without having people come here to exploit and pollute our environment and if we stop selling passports we can always revert to taxes because what we have tried example hotel building like the Morocco Hotel that cannot finish much less open after more than five years is not viable; plus a coffee factory that cannot have people brew one cup of coffee; an abattoir that can’t pluck one bird after more than five years; the procuring of boats for farmers yet the boats can’t duck for one bag of produce; to the production of geothermal energy yet not one watt of electricity can be produced although the same Dr. Aron said geothermal will be the driver of the economy. So Chief Jaco is right boy there are easier and more profitable ways of making money so keep your ideas for yourself – d country nice boy!!
Chief jacko boy, your english is too good!!!!!!
Chief Jaco: Jasper is formed in a hydrothermal volcanic hot spring environment. It is merely fine cryptocrystalline quartz containing certain impurities which cause red, yellow, black, or sometimes green coloration – red (from iron) being the most common. The jasper boulders in Fitz’s possession are derived from a bedrock source that is buried and yet to be found. Jasper is not a rare rock as Fitz seems to think. However it is uncommon, has a certain beauty, and is valued as a semi-precious gemstone. I AM a geologist. I know the project and I know Fitz. Creating decorative ornaments and jewelry from this jasper, to be sold on the domestic tourist market, is a no-brainer. Unfortunately and perhaps shamefully, there is nothing else that originates from Dominica that is currently sold in this market.
if it was a white man or a chineese man he would get all the assistance he need but no not a blackman not a local dominican cause you know a king has no honour in his own country
As a white man I disagree (I cannot speak for the Chinese). As usual, in the case, it’s just money and politics.
Sounds like Christopher Columbus… “About eight years ago I discovered a stone in the river.” Wonder why it really did not work for you?
idiot how can you say that if you never met the man… if you go and speak with him he will show you tons of it and is very open about it
I had the same experience. This man is a demotivating victor and he blocks you if you do not BEND to his way…
yow stop your shate talk ..remember you are playing victim hear.using uwp ..we all know what you trying..peep read mate story carefully
All II can say is Wow…..
Oh UWP people like Venezuela man? Did not know that. They have so much to say about Venezuela but they begging them too. Well try China. If neither work you could always try America. Still not sure what Mr Shillingford wants. Hmmm… Anyway if anybody wants a piece of jewellery with Dominica’s jasper go at Jewellers International. Politics!
idiot
This story (and a beard to go with it) tells a story about yet another, story in the bible: ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth’.
At least, the prophesies are being fulfilled; meanwhile, Fitz gets stone.
Shillingford, here is your problem: Wanting some free help from Venezuela, and Dominica government!
You will never get any help from the two unless you subject yourself to clean Skerrit’s behind after he defecates. Our people’s problem is that we are too dependent on government for help, what about helping yourself by learning how to process the raw material, I am sure there are literature which could guide you with the process.
Invest a few dollars of you own, you might even find others on the island who are ambitious, and would like to work with you from the ground up. We should not always depend on an outsider to aid us for free, there is something known as DIY (do it yourself). If you wish to build something from the ground up and you want to borrow from a bank, as long as you already invest some of your money into it the bank will be more willing to assists you!
@Francisco Telemaque July 22, 2015 “You will never get any help from the two unless you subject yourself to clean Skerrit’s behind after he defecates”
Your comment could have been a perfect one –for the first time– I would have agreed with you completely. But instead you had to include a line that makes most of us want to throw up, our whole stomach–when will you ever learn to stop being so rude and nasty? Number 16 thumbs down is mine to you, as usual!
Queen Elizabeth, I know you do not like the line where I mentioned your love Skerrit. Anyway I made a bad mistake, writing something.
Everybody could see the error, except me, I wish you do not see and read it, because boy I know you are going to have a field day, executing me: I done dead already, you and Facts will simply bury me.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaahaahahahah!
Mr.” Know It All”I thought that u would have given him all the advise as to how to go about processing the raw material,. I’m rather taken back as I know u assumed as being the man who knows it all, re health dentist and medicine, traffic, education,navigation and the list goes on.This one,has just passed u by.
Francisco these are your words. (Invest a few dollars of you own, you might even find others on the island who are ambitious, and would like to work with you from the ground up. We should not always depend on an outsider to aid us for free, there is something known as DIY (do it yourself). If you wish to build something from the ground up and you want to borrow from a bank, as long as you already invest some of your money into it the bank will be more willing to assists you!) And i am in agreement with on that. But that is not the black man’s motto. I wish it was. Black people will seldom do business in partnership. The black man will stand aside obverse what do are doing, and when your endeavor is successful, he uses bad spirits to destroy your dreams. And then he continue to blame other races and government for his problems. If black people in Dominica would put aside our selfish ambitions and do business in partnership our country would be better.
Mr.” Know It All”I thought that u would have given him all the advise as to how to go about processing the raw material,.(BEB).
BEB, if is one thing Francisco is very careful about, is never to hang his hat where his hands can’t reach: every person alive should know their limits, I know mine!
But, how about this? There is an X-police named BEB, he carried an empty gun, and a rusty knife, he never caught a crook in life; even when he was shown where the crook was hiding!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Seems Dominica would progress if we had no Government! All our problems seem to stem from Govt. They are the culprits of underdevelopment always getting at citizens.
Eat your jasper my boy full your belly! labour ka twavay.
Its idiots like you who hold back our country
Huh??? Are you ok??
you so sad
wow I hear it high in vitamin z and alluminum
“Thirteen meetings I had with Dr. (Philbert) Aaron (Dominica’s Ambassador to Venezuela) and I got nowhere,” he claimed. “People ask me why. Politics again. I’m not a supporter of this administration and they know I am a founding member of the United Workers Party (UWP). But then Dominica suffers.”
He added that he held a meeting with the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, and even submitted a document at his request but he has not received any word on this for the past two years.
Dominica News Online made several attempts to contact Dr. Aaron before publishing this article but was unsuccessful.”
Typical of this government!
There are people who have a vested interest in not seeing Dominica move forward
That is the next level. If you are not Red you are dead in these people’s eyes-
One thing Dominicans excel at: shattering the development prospects of the country. And the prime leader in this behaviour is the government.
Dominicans are their own worst enemies
Fitz, i do not think government would oppose you if all rivers in Dominica runs on your property. Just remember you are initiating a international government on this venture who has very close ties with the government of Dominica. And to add to that, you are stating you are a UWP supporter who continue to oppose this administration paling with communism. So what are you beefing about? The biggest problem is the damage these rivers would suffer through this venture. My advice would be, buy the lands where these stones are found. Still, the minister in charge of environment would ensure its done properly. AND THAT IS GOVERNMENT. Good Luck.
You do realize that we are supposed to be a democracy, right? As in, we are SUPPOSED to have a ruling government and opposition. This system is actually supposed to HELP move us in the right direction by instilling some sense of accountability and balance to prevent abuse of government. For some reason, in such a poor nation, we decide to make this system a reason to create enemies and stump each other rather than use it to ensure the country progresses.
What are we waiting for, a day that we have ONE ruling party, forever? Is that when we will start working for collective development?! It seems like soon people will be arrested for being part of a legal opposition party!
Dominica is clearly in no shape to be a viable nation. We can’t even seem to get the basics right.
So you are suggesting that if you don’t support the government, they are right to reject any viable idea you have to benefit the country? Isn’t that like cutting off your nose to spite your face?
@Lenpro July 22, 2015
You have written a good comment here. I am not saying that the government should not assist the man in his venture–if he needs that assistance– but it seem as if he left them out–as his primary guide–because of his political affiliation; no wonder he is claiming politics as a reason for his slowdown.
Since he is not on the side of the ruling government, it is quite definite that he would blame it on them, as he says politics is the problem–good Lord!
But as someone here said: Why wait on the government to do everything; why not invest on his own. That is the reason we are so behind in Dominica. The mentality of the people is that the government is always responsible. But the government cannot be the Employer of everyone in Dominica
He should submit his proposals to the INVEST DOMINICA AUTHORITY, the Minister for Industry and the Minister for Project Implementation.
One generally gets no where with Philbert. You will have to do it on your own initiative. Forget the govt. when it comes to getting anything done. That is true everywhere.
The funny thing is, let him move on and use his own resources to develop this, and they’ll pull up all sorts of laws to show that he was wrong, he didn’t follow protocol and other such nonsense. Who knows, they may even sue him after all is said and done!
The idea is nice but the impact to the environment is not worth the meager profits. People will start mining our rivers, start polluting the environment from mining. Nature Island will turn into mining island. the man’s greed is blinding him to the impact of his ideas. Oil, diamonds and other natural resources in third would countries have made caused wars, increased crime, plundered their resources for minimum financial benefit, polluted the environment and enslaved people by forcing the economy into a worker economy where people have no choice but to work for others who exploit them because their country has one major export… be careful what you wish for Shillingford.
Right…this is EXACTLY what would happen when you do not have a serious government. I thought the whole point of sovereignty was to enact laws that benefit us. Allow mining, but let it be done responsibly. We have this crazy all or nothing mentality here. But I guess after years of gov’t mismanagement how can we trust that anything will be done correctly.
Oh, White MAn, where are thou; make us your burden once more, as we can’t seem to capitalize on ANYTHING Jah has bestowed upon us!
embey nor garcon we satisfy with the sale of passports if not more taxes – so leave the stones where they are because UDOHREADYET say it will drive use into a polluted environment and enslaved our people by forcing the economy into a worker economy where people have no choice but to work for others who exploit them because their country has one major export . I wonder if he making reference to the Chinese; Others say Government cannot get in involved in everything but to fail to say except for hotel building such as the morocco hotel that can’t finish; in a coffee plant that cannot come of the ground and in the building of an abattoir that can’t see one bird slaughtered after 5 years- they can get involved in getting boats for farmers to sell produce left , right and center but the boats can’t yet dock- so Shillingford garcon leave them fellars alone………. because is the selling of passport witht the alternative being taxes … those guys are just a bunch of jokers.
I love to see your ring sir. Good job! I would loovvee to have one. Does anyone know how I can reach this gentleman to have him make me a set. It is beautiful and knowing it is from my home makes me want it even more.
Hmmm. that’s an interesting story.
that stone nah i have that on my property mean nun to me gud luck sir
Red Jasper has tremenfous value but the venerated Prime Minister knows best . The PM knows the value because of his experience in valuable comodities. His suites are ordered and measured in Asia;his plants are exotic; his architectural finishes are special. I have seen it myself and I have nk doubts the PM does not value the jasper of Mr Shillingford
Can’t you find another phony, fake fictitious name to write under rather than trying to be Elizabeth. Are you so dumb that you are identifying yourself as someone else?
Even in secrete your low self esteem causes you to lie to yourself that you are another person.
Only evil, stupid, and low class people operate that way; you are a disgusting idiot!
@Francisco Telemaque July 22, 2015 “Only evil, stupid, and low class people operate that way; you are a disgusting idiot!”
First of all DNO readers thanks to you for rebuking that comment above my God and your God too, caused you to do that for my sake.
Telemaque himself, is the imposter here, I am sure of it; and I know his motive for doing that–apart from him being a very, very, mentality ill man.
Or else what is the reason for him to take this situation so personal, we all have a blog name whatever we choose–what is his reason for insulting me like he has done above–because of my blog name; what exactly wrong with this man, if he is not a demon possessed individual?
Once again my people please notice that my blog name is always “underlined” when it comes from me, whether you like or do not like my comments –this mad Telemaque creature is the impersonator, for whatever his reason is, I am sure of this– but God forbid, that I am daunted by his attack..
DNO I hope you know that this is another fake input–I did not write it!
As I have said before, my computer IP shows you when I have written a comment–I do not and will not use any other computer for a very, very time. Also, I do not go online before after 7pm or later–and so any comment that appears with my blog name, before that time, it is not from me
The person, who responded to that comment is the impersonator–I am sure of that as I am sure that I am a woman. For why is he so concerned about me not using my name– how does he know that I am the one who wrote that comment, if he was not the impersonator?
DNO readers please that all of my comments have an underline beneath my blog name–just like it is above
I have changed my blog name–not because of this nasty person, but because I want my name to be with what I write–I did that before this fake thing showed up. I will be LizalinaXavierinJesusname from now on! I have nothing to hide. Blessings
Correction:
(1) Very, very time, should read: very, very, long time
(2) DNO readers please that, should read DNO readers please notice that
(3) New blog name is “LizalinaXavierinJesusname” I am Elizabeth Lina Xavier, my good friends call me “Liz” –I have nothing to hide from no one!
“Telemaque himself, is the imposter here, I am sure of it; and I know his motive for doing that–apart from him being a very, very, mentality ill man”
Elizabeth, you are crazy!
I am too proud of my name, and individuality to impersonate anybody never mind you! If I was to impersonate someone it would have to be someone much more intelligent than I. I do not have the taste for such nonsense.
The reason you believe I am the one impersonating you is because you know you and your nasty Jamaica friend, and another Dominican caused me to get kicked off from Facebook. You know fully well it is your own flesh and blood, your niece impersonating you. I do not play such games Elizabeth, that is a crime; okay! I am too smart for such nonsense.
Elizabeth, you claimed that I am mentally ill, if I am I would be the first to know., and believe me I would go to visit with a psychiatrists. As a matter of fact, one of my girlfriend is a practicing psychiatrist, we were in premed together, on graduation she specialized in psychiatry.
So you see, she can treat me for free. Nevertheless, I know you are so crazy, you might be the one impersonating yourself. How do we know that you do not sleep walk and go to your computer and impersonate yourself. That is not impossible, there is a good probability, we were taught that when we took Abnormal Psychology.
If you wish I can brief you on that; but not on DNO!
“LizalinaXavierinJesusnam”
Something is fishy, so fishy that I wrote something believing I was addressing Elizabeth Xaiver. People like you are causing plenty of confusion: you wrote something under a name such as Borninlovewithjesus, the only difference Elizabeth fake name is BorninlovewithJesus.
Jesus in your case is speelt with a lower case letters, whereas in Elizabeth case she utilized the captical J.
For all I know you and Elixabeth might be one of the same person; I feel sorry for whosoever you are. If you all write under your true name as I am doing there would be no confusion, but when people are phoney things like that will!
And then one of the Elizabeths claims I am the inpersonator, don’t see some of you are mad, outright crazy?
Hmm, I believe there is more to this story. I will wait to hear more.
You can keep your ears as close to the ground as you wish, you are not going to get any news from me. Elizabeth talks out of her head anyway, so if she talk anything about me it will not be true, so believe her if you wish. The only motive she is talking about is she believe because she caused me to get kicked off of Facebook, I am trying to hurt her.
I might be a lot of things but wickedness has no part in my life, I hold no grudge, if I did I would not even mention Elizabeth name. She has insulted me hundreds of times, ridicule me, and swore she will haunt me to the day I die, and even in my grave I will see he face oui!
She is a little yellow worm. (one thing I know I doh going back in she house in Canada period!)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
While you are claiming university and college education, and degrees pasted all over your body–part of great lies of yours–you continue to present yourself like a 5 year old boy, because you have no level of understanding and reading comprehension.
The comment which you are responding against has nothing to do with yo; the person is speaking about the “news article” itself–why would anyone here be interested in your dull and dark story?
You were too stupid to notice that, as you keep on throwing up lies, darkness, and futility. What are you talking about me getting you thrown out from face book–where would I get that authority from?
You got someone to help you open an account on face-book; you got yourself thrown out because you cannot use the features–you cannot get on face book without a password–that was your problem
Please leave my name out of whatever it is about yourself; I do not belong in it–not at all–and I don’t want to belong.
…Human self interest and greed will always take precedence with those who are in power. The current set of Bobolistas too afraid to ask for bribe when they see UWP connection in any project..so they just let it slide…but that’s how we like it eh..Meanwhile our greatest export is our human intellectual capital!
Fitz, this has nothing to do with politics. I have heard so any stories about the ineptitude of government official (both political leadership and bureaucracy) where people have done a lot of work, put in a lot of hours to collect and send medical equipment and supplies to Dominica only to be stymied by these guys who could not care less about trying to facilitate the process to help their own country.
I have heard of countless stories of Dominicans who lie overseas and are stonewalled all the time trying to help Dominica with nothing in it for them except they are trying to help the country of their birth.
As I said, it may seem political, but I believe it has more to do with ineptitude.
I don’t really understand that because Jewellers International (under the Fort Young Hotel) are selling jewellery made with our red jasper. Maybe Fitz is not up to date?
Ma Moses you dont get it,He is asking that we open a facility that our own people can get employed,but the crrroks will rather sell it on the black market.
Grell, as far as I know that jewellery is made locally. There is a German craftsman, who has been in living and working in Dominica for years with a small workshop, almost opposite the Domlec office where you pay your bill. He employs and trains local guys and they make their own designs or to order. I have seen it myself. Maybe we could expand that and develop an export business.
Let’s form a company. what is your number?
That’s my kind of countryman… always ready to do and not disable…