Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of International Development, Baroness Sandip Verma, has urged government to “get on” with the much talked-about geothermal project.
Verma is part of a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) visiting Dominica, to hold discussions with the government in relation to the rebuilding efforts post Tropical Storm Erika, as well as other areas of mutual interest.
The delegation paid a visit to Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit on Tuesday morning.
Verma that funds for the project are available in the sum of $20-million for such projects.
“There is funds available…about $20-million… The geothermal plant shouldn’t be left to be on the back burner for a long time,” she said. “You’ve already done the mapping exercise, I think, and the drilling. So, my urge would be: let’s get on with it.”
Verma explained that the project will “demonstrate, one, the seriousness of our relationship, to get the economic growth story going. But also, it allows investors to see the seriousness, because they’ll have a competitive edge with competitive energy pricing.”
The government has spent over $50-million exploring the island’s geothermal potential and some have said it appears the project has now been placed on the backburner.
In April 2016, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit emphasized the government’s commitment to the harnessing and development of geothermal energy in Dominica.
In March 2015, Energy Minister Ian Douglas said that a draft Geothermal Bill, which will govern the exploration, development and exploitation of power that will be generated from the country’s geothermal resources, is nearing completion.
He stated that it is ready to be taken to cabinet for “final blessing,” adding that the geothermal program is well on its way.
Douglas said a construction of a small geothermal plant is to begin by 2017.
In 2012 former Energy Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, had said construction of the plant would begin in the first quarter of 2013.
Also in 2012, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, told parliament that Dominica could have a geothermal power plant in operation by 2014.
Meantime, Skerrit has indicated his satisfaction and appreciation for assistance received from the British government, particularly in the area of security.
“With the assistance from the British government, that has enhanced our ability insofar as security is concerned, tenfold,” he noted.
He recognized the “exceptional” support given to the island by the British government, and expressed his willingness to maintain the partnership.
“The support which you have sent to the region has been exceptional…” Skerrit articulated. “I believe that the relationship between Dominica and the United Kingdom is very solid, and we are always more than prepared to work with the British government on bi-lateral issues, multi-lateral issues.”
Skerrit encouraged the British government to keep the arrangement in place for “as long as possible.”
You call him a corrupted dictator and I ask you, if he was that why would a Baroness of such high quality who you trust with affection mix with the kind of thing you preaching Skerrit is? It is a big fact that Baroness and the money supporting Skerrit and cannot wait to finish the so called ill-fated project. You remember all the catastrophic things that would happen? If we bore hole in Ma Dominique that hole must go in boiling lake and make volcano and that “if” that could never be was breaking news of smoke. So if you cannot come to terms that the Baroness and the international world is supporting a project that you said was stupid and reckless then crapaud smoke your pipe. But I always wonder why Skerrit has a team of competent lawyers at his side and partners like Tony on the CUE ready to respond on legal issues, and the UWP has a huge gang of lawyers without the guts to go on Q to respond on legal issues?
She is not supporting Skeritt,She onbehalk of the UK Government is supporting the People of Dominica and scolding Skeritt to get the Geothermal up and running to get in investors so that the Citizens can have a few Jobs!
Why is Skeritt not moving in the direction to create Jobs? He is talking about giving away toilets ! Most who have proper toilets have them because they have sustainable jobs and paid for their own !
So the lady was talking to her little boy man? “get on” with geothermal project? It would be interesting to see if she addressed him as “PM” or young man. He looked like he wanted to go on his knees man? Awa boy, that’s not good for a national leader and I am offended as a Dominica. Why is she that has to come here to tell our PM to “get on” with his project?
Your comment has no substance. Pure garbage.
She had to because He is not moving on it and besides He keeps calling them “Imperialists” and turning around and begging them in the absence of Chavez
He is a little Boy !
Ok skerritt, what are you waiting for? Patricia Scotland has done all the leg work for you. So she has send Sandip to let you know that the funds are ready. Now get off your behind and get this project going to help Dominicans save money on their electric bill. No more excuses. You have been advocating this venture for a while now. Now that all of Dominica knows that the funds are ready, there should be no more time to idle on this project. Step up the plate Skerrit
This Baroness was born in the Punjab . She came to check on Skerrit’s doctorate.
this regime is just about promises and more talk whilst the economy continues to tank..
honestly this labour regime will never develop da, seems something about them and their dark hidden objectives of trickery and deception will stifle any positive aspects for da..it’s like a curse being labelled on this regime…so keep on dreaming about lowing bills that won’t become a reality the cost of production and distribution from the location along with the extremely high risk factors due to landscape and other natural underground sources will be the issue at hand…
just look at a simple bi-election the regime is giving our crumbs to the folks their to convince em to vote, how foolish is that in this modern day and age, that a constituency can have that massive level of foolishness embedded it it…often wonder about the mental slavery alongside the stone age era of brainless humans still existing….
only in a so called place like dominica..them been the poorest and slowest in…
” Baroness Sandip Verma, has urged government to “get on” with the much talked-about geothermal project.”
Another “baron-less” oui!
What this so called baron-less fail to understand is that Dominica is a bankrupt country, Skerrit has bankrupt the nation, he could not do one inch of work from now on until till the people of Dominica decides to kick him to the curb. How can he continue with geothermal project when there are no one with geothermal engineering skills.
The man he appointed to build the plant has know knowledge in geothermal engineering, they say he did some geological studies, which might make him a geologists, which does not qualify him as an geothermal engineer, if you ask me the whole thing is nothing more than a joke!
As you said and I noted: ” get on with the much talked about geothermal project.” Soon lady, very soon; you will learn that in Dominica everything usually boils down to an architectural drawings, and talk, which decapitates overnight…
Continue:
As you said and I noted: ” get on with the much talked about geothermal project.” Soon lady, very soon; you will learn that in Dominica everything usually boils down to an architectural drawings, and talk, which decapitates overnight. You are wasting your breath, and time!
“The man he appointed to build the plant has know knowledge in geothermal engineering.”
Correction: “the man ‘Skerrit’ appointed to build the plant has no knowledge in geothermal engineering; ” so I do not see how he is going build that which he is not trained to do!
This is a big rebuke and reprimand from the Baroness! She’s in simple terms saying to scar it,get on with works on the geothermal and stop all the talking,it’s been too long dragging! She’s also saying to scar it, you can’t attract investments!
Hooray!! Sandip for PM!!
But in all seriousness, Baroness Sandip is seeing for herself, the ENORMOUS potential this island has and she’s seeing for herself that the present administration all have their thumbs up their @$$es$.
So the ‘kokoy’ she give them was good.
Is the young man seen in the first photo above, with a red shirt, that of prime minister Skerrit? Apart from the facial expression of Baroness Sandip Verma, that sure looks disgusted and fedup with Skerrit, it also looks like that of a teacher that is upset with her hardheaded student that is just not learning. In fact her words “get on” with geothermal project, sure shows her frustration. Is Skerrit treated like a little boy that has to depend on outsiders to tell him what to do?
What these bureaucrats don’t realize is that not because we have the resource it is the most economical resource to develop. When you look at the levelized cost of energy, solar PV with grid modernization is way cheaper($/kwh) than developing a geothermal power plant in Dominica. This is coming from experience and is the harsh reality
Is the UK pushing for the Government of Dominica to take the bad deal with EDF on the geothermal power plant construction and supply?
Strange how these people come out of nowhere and have so much to say.
Is the UK trying to use its influence to help EDF with this deal, in the hope that EDF will commit financial suicidal and agree to build the nuclear power station in the UK?
They just wasted our $50 MILLION and just talking! And no deadline as to when we’ll get electricity or “ANYTHING!” out of that $50 MILLION wasted!
The Under Secretary is right. GET ON WITH IT! Stop talking about it and begin the process of lowering the huge electric bills of Dominicans.
She is out of place.
The UK cannot even build their nuclear plants, or wind farms as yet.
Even though they are facing energy short falls.
sort
Baroness Verna appeared to be more professional and respectful in her behavior when she met the Prime Minister, compared to Baroness Scotland or maybe she doesn’t know how to speak patois. We are grateful for the small donation of $20, 000 million, US dollars or pound sterling, nevertheless, thank you. The Baroness was quick to admonish the Prime Minister to “get on” with the geothermal project immediately. Dominica is broke, what the Prime Minister should ask the Baroness, where is the money going to come from. I reckon had it been Mr. Lennox Linton who had asked that kind of question, he would be accused of being rude or a bully. Maybe the Prime Minister of England will call and increase the amount. You mention Lennox Linton, damage control is inevitable. Case in point, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Dominica. Dominica has a leader, who appears to be weak when dealing with foreign dignitaries. All his powers, all his toughness are against his people.
There is something known in the international arena of politics as Diplomatic Protocol. Poor countries can’t be represented by people of bellicose dispositions. It’s an expected courtesy to be kind, respectful and hospitable to emissaries and guests of friendly nations. As one with acute political instincts, the Prime Minister understands this.
only thing she did not say to his face is that he is inept and a slacker. next is the usa government for their 3 million us dollars to build the coast guard base
How about “getting on with” solar and wind power? Better idea, IMHO.
2012,2013,2017, the sentence should read Baroness Sandip Verma, has urged Dominicans to “fire skerrit” if you want serious development in Dominica.
Delvin Castro giving all you nightmares on facebook eh lol
so much you cannot sleep you have to come here with the name to feel better alas poor pity
Sounds like she is tired of you. just stop giving mouth work and do the work.
Verma explained that the project will “demonstrate, one, the seriousness of our relationship, to get the economic growth story going. But also, it allows investors to see the seriousness, …”
What a sharp rebuke, wrapped so beautifully. So indirectly, as it stands now, I understand Verna to be saying, Skerrit, the present state of the project:
1. Demonstrates that the relationship IS NOT serious and as a result, it is hard to get the economic growth story going.
2. Skerrit, INVESTORS DO NOT see your regime as a serious government, and as a result, they are scared of taking chance with the DLP.
What a smart rebuke! Having said this, I still see everything as a scam and I believe Skerrit brought them down to say what they said for political mileage. Just before the 2014 election everything that had to do with the future of Dominica, with dlp was “geothermal.” They won and it all died. Now Skerrit planning for a snap election, geothermal talks came back. Lie that!
Another Baroness,oh my.On what basis is she saying let’s get on with it.There are legitimate concerns about the geothermal energy production in Dominica .Is this Baroness suggesting that the concerns do not matter.Where do these modern day Baronesses come from.Mama,what’s going on
Baroness Sandip dint you know thst we have a useless administration with an inept and lost leader. In locsl terms ma Sandip we have a vorrupt bunch of mal papaye