ROSEAU, Dominica, February 8, 2017 –The Dominica Business Forum (DBF) through its Member Associations – the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), the Dominica Employers Federation (DEF), the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), the Dominica Coalition of Service Industries (DCSI), the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) and the Builders and Contractors Association of Dominica (BCAD) as well as the OECS Business Council (OBC); jointly condemn the acts of violence, arson and vandalism against the business enterprises and property of the citizens of Dominica that occurred in Roseau on the night of Tuesday, February 7, 2017.
The private sector in Dominica has suffered a devastating loss as we witnessed the destruction of private property and a fall out impact on livelihoods.
The hard earned investments of our business partners have been destroyed and many employees are forced to lose work days, as businesses are unable to continue normal operations. The Dominican economy has again been dealt a critical setback.
As the Dominica Business Forum (DBF) prepares for stimulating growth within the private sector with the convening of its Private Sector Forum on Friday 10th February, the Dominica Business Forum (DBF) and Member Associations recommit to extend unconditional support to the affected businesses. We therefore recommend that a thorough investigation be conducted into the events of February 7, 2017 and that all perpetrators of these reprehensible acts are brought to justice.
We call on the citizens of Dominica to recognize the critical role the private sector plays in the economic and social development of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Properties in Dominica, whether private or public, should never be targeted in acts of blatant criminality.
That is fine, the CBI passport money will fix everything, The money already there for them. Hope they dont inflate their bills to pass a money under the table.
Lord have mercy they can speak or have they been asleep or dead and is now ressurrected. for 17 years a deafing silence from them. now they have found their voice.
Bird
They have found their voice because the indisputable evidence is right before them! Their voice could not have been official or legitimate relying on hearsay, rumour and innuendo, no matter how ferociously expressed!
I saw a programme on CNN with a Venezuelan whistle blower about a passport scam allegedly being perpetrated by an employee of the Venezuelan embassy in Iraq or somewhere in the middle east.
The informant had copies of documents, dates, times, people etc. and that still has to be proved as authentic. The Foreign Minister of Venezuela attending a meeting at the UN was pursued by the press with questions about it and she basically ignored them and dismissed it as lies.
Knowing the adversarial relationship between the US and Venezuela can anyone vouch for the legitimacy of the story? do you get my drift now? Rumour and innuendo are not fact and the Private Sector bodies would be most irresponsible to make pronouncements based on those!
that’s alright babara peter denied Christ although he was with the truth.
It was not enough to participate in a protest which they called a meeting,, to water down their motive. It was not enough to end it peacefully. They had to destroy business properties which also resulted in loss of jobs for the livelihood of other nationals.
You hurt your own people. I am certain among them, are some who supported you politically. You have caused them, over all, financial hardship. When people experience financial hardship, consider the anxiety and stress which go along with it. You have taken away food from their mouths/plates.
How much do you love? How much do you love Dominica, nationals and even yourselves that you could destroy the property of your nationals, putting them out of business and jobs?
What satisfaction did you derive from committing these atrocious crimes against your fellow people?
Nothing is unseen by our God. Nothing as this goes unpunished. It is a stain on you for the rest of your life, to the end of your life.
the private sectors they have the country so damm poor
Immigrant from where? What are you doing or plan to do, to make Dominica a less poor place?
Resign Skerrit Resign
You are wickedly using this Website to spew your hatred and harassment at the PM. For one, your comment is irrelevant to this article.
It is a sin, a crime to hate and also harass another. One day you will pay for it in a worst way. You are heaping a heavy judgment on your head/body, even while you live.
It’s a shame you people behaviour e like that distroying privaled and state proper ties.
I think it was allowed so the opposition could be blamed for it.
There goes the negativity and judging. Never taking the blame and placing it where it belongs. Always placing it on someone else.
Well, God knows who did it and their reason. One day they will pay for their wickedness.
It is strange with all these police men in town all this was allowed to happen something is not right.
Did you consider that the police probably had left? They did not expect that others would hang around and do such a thing. They are destroying their own country and then turn around and blame the PM for everything.
I can only conclude that those who do evil, evil will follow them to the end of time to eternity. They are not doing their souls a mortal and spiritual favor. God is patient.
The day, February 7 2017 was pronounced as- D-DAY, by one who aspires to be the PM of Dominica!
Investigation s should start from there for an explanation of..” D-DAY!’
Did that mean the “Day of Destruction?” or “Destruction Day?”
In another article, someone stated it is on Google. It is all about guns and wars. Google it.
The problem is that the focus of so many people is on one man. The bigger picture seems to be lost.
I even wonder sometimes if Mr. Skerrit were to suddenly decide to resign whether the people who are hounding him out of office have given a thought as to what happens the following day! What are the plans? What are the alternative sources of revenue? What are the strategies for stimulating the productive sectors and where are the markets to be found for our products?
How will the leaders who are telling people that police instructions have no legitimacy now maintain law and order? How will those excusing and justifying crime so that they can blame Skerrit discourage crime under their watch?
Has anyone wondered about the employees who had no work today in the aftermath of Tuesday the 7th? Are they blue green or red? How will their children and other dependents, if they had any be affected?
So many questions! Government is not nice talk, it is work!
They have no respect for authority. Wickedness has no brains and rationale. I visualize Dominica would be in chaos with lawlessness running rampant. Sadly, the good and innocent ones would suffer.
God help Dominica that it does not come to that.
well said.
That’s the question everyone needs to asked themselves. Well put together.