Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has sought to dismiss what he said are talks of a “cloud of secrecy” surrounding his recent trip to a number of countries in the past two weeks.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday he said he made references to the trip on several occasions and that it was for promoting the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI).
“Yet I am hearing there is a cloud of secrecy around this trip,” he said, probably in reference to some who took to social media to question why details of the trip were not made public, after several photos surfaced on the internet.
According to the Prime Minister, the CBI program is very important to Dominica and everyone must understand that is has become very competitive in the region and it is foolhardy to make public the details of marketing drives of that program.
“Not only are we as an island in the Caribbean competing against similar programs in other regions of the world but we also competing against each other as a region,” Skerrit explained. “We are striving to offer the potential investor the highest and best value for his investment dollars, therefore it would be foolhardy of us if every time we are about to embark on a major promotional drive or marketing initiative, we advertise to the world what we are doing, where we are going and what time are we going and when we are going.”
He went to say that it would be silly to reveal the itinerary of the Prime Minister embarking on such marketing drive
“So it is downright silly for anyone to suggest that the Prime Minister, in embarking on such marketing drive, should always divulge his detailed itinerary and intentions to the entire world,” he stated.
Skerrit said it is impossible to speak to Dominicans without the entire world knowing.
“It is impossible to speak to 72,000 people in Dominica and not have this information relayed to the wider world,” he remarked. “That is what globalization is all about, that is what is meant by a super information highway. Anything that is said here in Roseau is simultaneously relayed across the region and the world and can be accessed by all and sundry having an interest in what is taking place in Dominica.”
He noted that he referenced the trip on many occasions.
“I said it in parliament, but I guess as usual the opposition protagonists were not in their seats, that I would be leaving the state shortly after independence on a multi-nation tour to promote the CBI program,” he noted. “I said it again in my remarks carried live in a meeting with the Dominica diaspora weeks ago and again at a press conference speaking to the press about parliament and the bills to be taken to the parliament. I also referenced this in my independence address, indicating how important the program is to Dominica and that I will be embarking on a promotion of the CBI program.”
Skerrit noted that he is amazed by the “brazen ignorance” of some who do not understand the need for direct marketing of a product such as the CBI.
“Dominica, in and by itself, does not possess any major advantages over its competitors….” he said.
Some of the countries included in the trip were Hong Kong, Bankok, Dubai and Morocco.
Skerrit u said it ahhhhhh It\’s foolhardy hmmmm smh smh . Ask yourself what do u mean by such. Smh smh . Dominca is a lost cause.
It is time that the, P. M. Resign because he had outlived his usefulness and lacks creativity of leadership.
Only time will tell skiroo
Mr Indian PhD Prime Minster your disgraceful and deceitful explanation of your more than dubious trip can be described in one word “UTTER RUBBISH” be real big man you’r not the CIA or KGB and for Christ’s sake we live in cyber world; even your surrogates were not fooled they claim it was for security reasons that you choose not to disclose you when; where and why’s of your overseas trips. that deceptive recipe can only word on mamie and her kind.
Inept, disgusting, failed questionable PM. Skerrit has brought no development to Dominica. The man enjoying Dominica nice. He holds the purse so everything nice,
But wait one minute the tail continues to wag the dog.haha its funny.
Y’all don’t understand what is happening here?
I swear all my people do is bash the efforts of the next man. The big deal is that he left with no major notice to the State?? Ya’ll are mad about that?? What do you people even over stand about such programs like the aforementioned CBI program? I swear…you people need to open your eyes! Look at the bright side of the situation at hand. If you all took the time on your precious smart phones and tablets to research about the visited countries on the list then you would understand why a move like this was made. Wouldn’t you prefer investors from economies such as theirs or would you rather more Haitians and Chinese??
Some of you appear to be idle. This is why you spend so much time criticizing the PM at every turn he makes. Even though he is the PM, he is not your little boy. This is how you disrespectful people act. Shame on you!
I reside in a country. I hardly ever hear through the Media when the PM, Premier, Mayor especially the PM is going out of the country. Certain times when they have well-arrived it is broadcasted. Residing in this country, I have my business to do and mind. I do not have time to scrutinize the PM. I hear what I hear on the news and form my opinion. If I feel like commenting through the Media I will. Whatever I write is always for the betterment of everyone; not only myself. Maybe some of you should find something concrete to do.
What is wrong with some of you, you are wicked and nosy. You project to the world that you have nothing to do but to scrutinize the PM, where he went and for what reason.
Keep busy and you will not act in this manner.
as long as Skerrit is inept in office, to use your word and assessment, he will be disrespectful, cause there is nothing of political respect coming from him. You can follow him blindly if you want, but we will not. Dominica will stand up to this this ……….. leader and corrupt labour party.
Because the PM where you are does things above board no sneaking around and pocketing the country’s money. There is no need for you to scrutinize his comings and goings because there is nothing shady about his gov’t/leadership. So don’t even try insulting the PM where you are by comparing him to that scroundrel Skerritt.
Skerit the Dominican passport should not be the main item for sale. Dominica is too rich in other areas for you to be just galvaniting pa si et pa la selling passport like suki bread…… Dominicans wake up and get rid of this lazy non creative, exhausted and worthless establishment called a government….. you are being seen wining and dining with prince and princesses. People in your Island are miserable complaining day and night oftheir plight. What legacy will you leave for dominicans to be proud of.. more sewo and rum is that it.. in this day and age there should never be such an element running any country…. you should be ashame of yourself and remove your self as the people’s so called sometimes when you feel like it.. leader….
PM Skerrit is the only leader in the free world (if Dominica is included) that gets so upset and mad when he is criticized. US president lets the people know where he is going and informs his people of the outcome. Why the secret my PM? and who paid the passage for your large delegate? If the people paid for them we have a right to know what was going on. It is a shame our leader has to go begging people to buy passports. I don’t see any other leader doing this nonsense. My heart bleeds for Dominica.
Utter garbage PM… speak to yourself and fool yourself only!
The sad thing is that there are fools out there that buy that crap. Before there was more players in the region selling passports Skerrit still d I don’t not let the people know of his Lavish rips.
It looks like the P.M. has been rumbled and in typical bully-boy style fashion now tries to bluff his way out. If I were to promote my country I would have given this maximum exposure, wouldn’t you? The way this has been handled makes it appear as if we are engaged in activities that are shrouded in secrecy and can not bear the light of day, a cloak & dagger game that we have to believe passes for clever marketing.
Extraordinary behaviour, I must say.
Skerrit noted that he is amazed by the “brazen ignorance” of some who do not understand the need for direct marketing of a product such as the CBI.
Roosevelt ‘Mr. Good times’ PM, every word that comes from your mouth when someone criticizes or questions you and your government’s lavish spending on travel and programs have to be a ‘mayprie’? You are not my leader for sure.
Utter nonsense Mr Skerritt.You admit that Dominica in and by itself does not possess any major advantages over its competitors,so are you now saying that a veil of secrecy,where you don’t disclose your itinerary is your secret weapon.No one is asking you to detail who you are going to have meetings with and when.Simple courtesy to the media and the nation on the day of departure or the day before would have been good.Instead through pictures on social media,which your competition can see ,is what we have as information of your whereabouts.Important world leaders let the world know where they are going and when,yet a tin pot leader like you think you are too much .
Mr. Skerrit you are not making any sense.
If you planned to market the CBI program and it was kept from the world and Dominicans up to the date of travel I understand. But I don’t see how it would impact the marketing program if you told us the day you were leaving to go market the CBI in Dubai.
This would not give any competitive programs in the world enough time to put a marketing program together and launch it to compete with your CBI program in Dubai by the said date. Because as we know significant planning goes into CBI marketing to the cost 15M dollars for commission yearly….-:)
Mr. PM had no intention of informing the public. Now the information and pics are in the public domain you are trying to SPIN and blame our people for asking questions.
Dominicans are NO FOOLS as you may believe…enjoy your time.
Dominicans are fool I believe because each and every time they put him back in office although the country shows no growth within its economy, population or resources. Lack of foresight for strategic planning to enhance the life of ordinary Dominicans.
Amen! Could not have said it better myself. Look up the definition of psychopath.
“Speaking at a press conference on Friday he said he made references to the trip on several occasions and that it was for promoting the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI).”
Skerrit your concept of an economic citizenship program is warped, yo do not have a citizenship program in Dominica, all you are doing is selling passports to people who have no interest in Dominica. People are buying your passports of other reasons than wanting to be associated with Dominica, or being true citizens of the country.
Most of the people who buy your passports are criminals, who intentions are when they committee a crime, if needs be they can head to Dominica to cool off an example is that British Snake Oil Sales Woman who we say on television eating green bananas how many more lunatics like this woman who are in position of bought Dominica passports!
You are doing nothing except making a fool out of yourself, by the time it over nothing will be accomplished!
What a J A you are… No surprise…FEDT
Well said FEDT, the Kid on the block will ne day be a man and own up.
I wonder If you really understand the magnitude of the nonsense you write, wow.
Grenada have 13 projects, St.Kitts 84 projects, Antigua 44 projects, Dominica 6 projects and you talking about competition, what competition? What marketing plan? You to lazy, your own purpose for travel is to go on vacation with your wife at the detriment of the Dominican tax payer.
OMG St.Kitts have 84, Dominica have 6, only 6, $280,000 thousand dollar spent for only 6 projects, and St.kitts did not bring any performers, any other country mister would be fired.
And we are the cheapest program in the Caribbean brother and still the others sell more? Perhaps they go for quality and not quantity?
I concur…I agree…….this is a point worth noting.
Disgusting, failed m of Dominica.
You have no point the Dominica program in this format is the youngest of all the islands you have quoted. In other words we just start how do you expect us to have more than st kitts for example who boasts the oldest program in the world
Boooooo Hissssss Boooooo, Booooooooo Booooooooooo Machanstay Boooooooooo
The President of the United States announce when and where he is going. You do not have to give details, but the people that pay your salary have a right to know.
How many of them pay his salary? Much of the money is borrowed money and from some overseas organization.
How much have you contributed to Dominica’s economy? Would love to know since people as you spend a lot of time criticizing him. Post it on DNO. Show us that you are truly a contributor to the economy.
What kind of silly question is this? Are you living in Dominica? Are you for real?
The truth is you are talking rubbish. Who are you to question us as we ask for accountability of our states resources. the country is getting poorer and poorer. Poverty is eating this country big time.
One wonders how much you have contributed to the PM salary?
Don’t be devious, the focus is on this corrupt government.We all pay taxes in many ways, we need it to be accounatble