Haitian visa issue to be resolved by month end

passportPrime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is hoping that a system will be in place by the end of this month to correct ‘deficiencies’ in the issuing of visas to Haitian nationals.

“I have been in discussions with the Minister for Immigration and his staff with a view to putting systems in place to correct the deficiencies that have been identified,” he said on state-owned DBS Radio.

He stated that he is aware the matter is of public debate, however the state’s security must be protected.

“So once we finalize those mechanisms, we shall so inform the country of it,” the Prime Minister said. “But it is a matter that is of concern to me and to the government and we believe that to protect the security of the state that matter had to be taken.”

He stated this was the reason why the issuing of visas was suspended in January.

“We have suspended the process for a while to review it and to put better systems in place, better checks and balances in place to avoid any potential for abuse,” he noted. “I believe that before the end of the month of March, we would have that system in place with better checks and balances to avoid the possibility of abuse by anyone.”

He further commented that there has been some discussions about conducting an investigation into the entire matter, but no definite decision has been taken.

“The issue of an investigation is something that we are still discussing,” Skerrit said. “No definitive decision has been taken on it.”

The Prime Minister noted that no fingers are being pointed but it is a matter that is being taken seriously “and we have to put things in place to address it.”

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28 Comments

  1. Open Mind
    March 7, 2015

    Once again i’m calling on we the people to take action against this illegal thug government and remove them with the people’s power.Skeritt if you are not doing the honorable thing, we are threatening to remove you..People, death is inevitable, they can’t kill all of us if we stand.REVOLUTION NOW!

  2. March 7, 2015

    The Prime Minister knew all alone this corruption was happening, The reason why he said new system need to put in place, so don’t expect for any investigation.

  3. March 7, 2015

    Attention..
    Whatever the proceeds that you collect from the re-instatement of the visa to the poor haitians Mr PM..
    However small it be..please put aside something to take care of the bedbug problem at the PMH..
    Gracias….

  4. De country nice
    March 6, 2015

    De country nice

  5. John paul
    March 6, 2015

    Skeritt bwaye how come you not fixing the passport issue and all it’s issues.?You think that the security of the state is not at stake there?
    YUO WAITING TILL A FEW iSIS members come here to retire with their Dominican passports in hand

  6. NKRUMAH KWAME
    March 6, 2015

    Typical behaviour of distinguished delinquents! Delay and deny; wheel and spin!! This is so DISRESPECFUL to the intelligence of our people but as “old” people say, “you never see birds eating guavas in mango season.
    HOTEP!

  7. Trevor Fabien
    March 6, 2015

    Is there really anything else one can say about the absurdity going on in this country. This is total and utter chaos going on in Dominica. Nothing is functioning properly, everything is up sided down and inside out. What a mess. How long are we as a people willing to put up with such inept and incompetent leadership not just by the prime minister but everyone who holds high office. This cannot be sustained without dire consequences for this country. We have to wake up from our sleep and slumber before it’s too late. Some might already say that it’s too late. I say better late than never

    • out of south city
      March 6, 2015

      My brother, some of our people are really in twilight zone. It seems like some are accepting evil for good and vice versa. Throughout my life I have never seen such corruption and mess. The masses have elected and selected men of corrupt minds to be in control of their minds. It seems like some of us have left our thinking for others to do for us. Politicians, pastors, priests and so on are leaders who have a stronghold on the masses minds’ and that’s why the masses are in a stupor. They have confided in these men so much that when one expresses his/her opinion towards the ill being done, they can cut you in pieces. These leaders have become like the slave masters on the plantations. It seems like slavery is being resurrected once again. May our eyes be opened before it is too late.

      ONE LOVE

  8. concerned
    March 6, 2015

    Do rightttt. Contine to fool them! That is what they deserve. Sad thing is that they fo not realize they are being fooled

  9. Sams Gutter
    March 6, 2015

    I have never seen a country with so many irons in the fire. Please bring to some kind of conclusion some of these outstanding issues and undertakings. PLEASE!!!

  10. The Facts
    March 5, 2015

    As long as it is the PM, there will be scrutiny of his every word and non-supporters have much to state against him and his plans for resolving this visa issue for Haitians. This is why I am not moved by your comments and never will unless you come up with something constructive to also assist in resolving the issuing of visas. This is what is needed; not criticisms which will never be taken into account because they are an ill-wind that blows nobody any good which are not feasible to adopt.
    DLP supporters have grown accustomed to your charades and criticisms. What else is not new? Actually I did not read one word of advice in your comments; only criticisms.

  11. My View
    March 5, 2015

    Chhhhhhhhhhhuuuuuuuupppppppppppppeeeeeeeesssssssssss. Are these the utterances of a Prime Minister on such a serious national scandal…In any other country heads would roll.. The day that Dominicans wake up and start taking governance seriously and hold politicians accountable …it will be too late…..

  12. Jaime Lewis
    March 5, 2015

    Can someone please let us know if there have been irregularities with the issuing of visas to Haitains? Hopefully when this investigation is over, there will be clearer guidelines from the Ministry of Immigration. How does someone acquire a visa to reside in Dominica? Does an individual require a sponsor? What are the sponsor’s responsibilities? How does an immigrant obtain a work permit? All of these questions and more are to be answered.

  13. Ras
    March 5, 2015

    Only in Dominica foolishness like that happen and the people accept it with a smile

  14. March 5, 2015

    Aye aye skerro just wake up!!!

  15. Lougawoo Mem
    March 5, 2015

    “Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is hoping that a system will be in place by the end of this month to correct ‘deficiencies’ in the issuing of visas to Haitian nationals,” according to DNO.

    Real leaders do not hope a system in place. They order a commission of inquiry to investigate the illegalities and criminal activities that took place. They do not say to “Fix it,” they let the investigative commission make recommendation and allow the chips fall where they may in the case.

    For fifteen years the country is wired and programmed in a culture of corruption. Politicians, government workers and their supporters are content with the status quo, while the nation economically is getting from bad to worst, and can’t gro. When will Dominicans learn from their mistakes in supporting corrupted politicians? Time will tell.

    • MY 2cents
      March 6, 2015

      Why you leaving out the 5 years when UWP was in power. They that introduce that kind of politics to Dominica and you leaving them out. People like you to wicked

      • Tjebe fort
        March 7, 2015

        It is Labour govt. in power now in case you have forgotten, for more than 15 years now, not UWP or Freedom. If any policy or practice UWP had on the admittance of Haitians was wrong, the labour govt. has had ample time to correct it. That is why they are in power, to do things better than the oppossition, or not?

      • MY 2cents
        March 8, 2015

        Tjebe fort all of you’ll to wicked. You’ll know all the poto workers supporters that working in the ministry in labor division and making plentyyyyy money selling visa for Haitians under the table. We all seeing them living large all of a sudden, but you’ll and you’ll wicked evil minds will still try and blame the government.

  16. home boy
    March 5, 2015

    if this was a real country the result would be different.

    • The Facts
      March 5, 2015

      Oh! Dominica is not a real country? This is news to me and doubtless to state others. If it is not what is it and what is it called?
      Where have we been residing all that time and what have we been doing? Have we all been sleeping? :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • Titiwi
        March 7, 2015

        Facts, I’m really getting tired of you sitting there in Canada and pontificating on all issues pertaining to Dominica. If you are really so concerned, why not come down ,roll up your sleeves and suffer like the rest of us to try and make it a better country? Your Canadian dollars will be very welcome to the economy I’m sure. Right now you have no credibility at all.

  17. God knows best
    March 5, 2015

    Lies and more lies, fool them some more, tell them what they want to hear, we will continue to deceive them and continue to laugh at them some more because that is what they deserve, THEY GET THE GOVERNMENT THAT THEY DERSERVE. When will Dominicans learn after being deceived and taken for a ride for 15 years and counting.

  18. Lang Mama
    March 5, 2015

    DNO is there a way to superimpose the image used for the UWP election campaign article onto the image for the passport.

  19. FOUCHET FEUR
    March 5, 2015

    that is the most foolish BS I ever heard coming from a prime minister’s mouth..

  20. KAKARAT
    March 5, 2015

    This island must be inhabited my sheep to accept thus level corruption and politicians insulting the people intelligence.
    After this mass scandal the PM is not even emphatic about punishing …… The question is does he and the police have the moral authority to prosecute crime. The plumber afraid of the sewer?????

  21. Tou twelle
    March 5, 2015

    “””He further commented that there has been some discussions about conducting an investigation into the entire matter, but no definite decision has been taken.

    “The issue of an investigation is something that we are still discussing,” Skerrit said. “No definitive decision has been taken on it.”””” What non sense it that? If some one or some people have done wrong in any establishment, dontyou think it must be investigated? That a Head of a Country is making this Statement, says a lot about that country. We aredumb dumb. Those who are being protected by man…… one day they will face the Most High Judge or Man Better Man…… Fly your kite my brother…… The end is still not far away. That “koshauney” must stop.

  22. Jane Doe
    March 5, 2015

    Why the “pussy-footing” Mr. Prime Minister.

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