Mexico’s Ambassador to the OECS Member States, Oscar Esparza-Vargas, says his government has fulfilled its commitment to the government and people of Dominica by allocating the promised resources for the construction of the Marigot Hospital.
Ambassador Esparza-Vargas was responding to a statement made by the Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton while speaking during a debate on the Hospital Authority Bill in Parliament recently.
“I was the first individual to point out that Dominica had enough money from its Citizenship By Investment Program to build the hospital at Marigot and therefore did not need to be waiting indefinitely on the $13.5 million that has been promised by Mexico,” Linton stated.
In a letter sent to Dominica News Online (DNO), Esparza-Vargas seeks to clarify Linton’s statement which he says is inaccurate and “could lead to a misperception” detrimental to the image of Mexico in Dominica.
He explained that the Governments of Mexico and Dominica “subscribed in December, 2018, a Contract for the Donation of Resources for the project of construction of the Mexico-Marigot Hospital and in January, 2019, the Government of Mexico allocated the funds in the amount of US$5 million dollars ($13.5 million EC dollars), contracting the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as financial intermediary.”
That same year, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, during an interview on Kairi FM, attributed the delay in the construction of the hospital “partly to the bureaucracy associated with the donation from Mexico” and a shift in priorities following the passage of Hurricane Maria in September 2018.
“The process has been a long back and forth. [There are] documents to be signed, agreements to be signed…,” Darroux said. “After Hurricane Maria, priorities and focus were shifted.”
In an interview with DBS Radio in May 2019, Prime Minister Skerrit said the government was looking at the possibility of starting the Marigot Hospital with some of its own funds while working with the government of Mexico and the funds they had assigned to construct the hospital.
The Prime Minister, at the time, expressed concern about the schedule that had been submitted to the government by The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
In June 2019, Skerrit stated that the funds from Mexico had not yet been made available and indicated that money from the CBI Program would be used to construct the Marigot hospital.
“Utilizing the Citizenship By Investment Program to help finance the hospital, our hope is that we could utilize the five million US dollars from the Mexican government once they agree because they have to agree to help equip the hospital and so there will be no question about this government’s commitment to the hospital,” the prime minister said.
Ambassador Esparza-Vargas explains in his letter to DNO that “given the request for changes to the original project subscribed which contravened the terms of the Contract for the Donation of the Resources, in March, 2020, the Mexican Government requested the return of the resources.”
The letter goes on to state that the remaining funds were returned by UNOPS to the Mexican Government in August, 2020.
However, according to the Mexican Ambassador, the Government of Mexico has “reiterated its willingness to further continuing managing development cooperation projects with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, following the relevant established procedures.”
Prime Minister Skerrit announced this week that construction work on the Marigot hospital is 95% complete.
Below is the full text of the letter from Ambassador Esparza-Vargas.
To All – Take time 2 read1, 2,3 times
Read carefully. The money was allocated but thru an Intermediary. The Intermediary must have had its own method of red tape for I read and I quote “The process has been a long back and forth. [There are] documents to be signed, agreements to be signed…,” Darroux said. “After Hurricane Maria, priorities and focus were shifted.”. Holla! Quotes “That same year, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business & Diaspora Relations, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, during an interview on Kairi FM, attributed the delay in the construction of the hospital “partly to the bureaucracy associated with the donation from Mexico” and a shift in priorities following the passage of Hurricane Maria in September 2018.” Bcuz of delay, CBI money used. Gov’t requested to use the US$5 M differently. So why u all fussing about? Learn to read & understand. Wasn’t there a hurricane? but all said is true! Read to understand. Mexican willing but be mindful of Red Tape.
The Skerrit apologists finally come out to desperately do damage limitations. Thanks God that Dominica gets Hurricanes. They are Skerrits best excuse for his incompetence and a welcome source of additional foreign income. Did he ever account for a cent of the donations that were made after Erica and Maria?
That letter does not clarify at all. Rather, it raises questions.
Why would this ambassador be out there responding to parliamentary proceedings in Dominica and writing to DNO. You are an ambassador – stop meddling in the internal affairs of the country.
If it were Lennox Linton you would have done the same thing because the same thing that Lennox said he would have done this is what the Government did. Use the CBI money for capital projects and the Ambassador is telling you that they took the money back. They did not give the money in good faith.
Was the money to build and equip the hospital? If yes why would the money still not be available to equip the hospital after it is built? Was the money only to build the structure?
Stop trying to pull wool over people’s eyes. Dominican’s should stop allowing these people to meddling in the country’s internal affairs. Read the letter. Read between the lines. We speak English in Dominica.
Ambassador looking after the interest of Mexico not ours.
Wow, and I used to think that I was stupid and lacked understanding. Next time don’t type ignorant things like, “We speak English in Dominica.”
I reckon ugly Lenny, must have stepped in dogs poo 💩 and put his foot in his mouth! Because I for one cannot imagine a big old man can talk so much poo – poo la la without a shard of evidence and always on the attack along with bad attitude towards everyone, Ambassador take no notice of ugly Lenny, a screw is missing on the side of his neck!!!
seems you might be attracted to men. a straight man is not concerned about what man is “ugly” or otherwise.
Bruh i guessing reading and understanding difficult for you huh. No wonder the country in the state it in, when is people like you that in the majority. Carry on biting your dog sir/mam.
But wait nuh somebody correct me nuh if I am wrong,,,
So dem Mexicans gave Skerrit Money to build the Margot Hospital,,,
Skerrit didn’t do what he said he was going to do,,,
Dem Mexicans take back their money,,,
Skerrit come telling people that now is CBI money that suppose to complete the hospital,,,
Now Dem Mexicans come back and say they still committed to help???
Rastar know he does read a little fast but isn’t that the gist of the report nuh and the letter,,,
And allyou Still have Skerrit coming and selling allyou Cat-in-a-Bag???
But if that’s the case allyou should take exactly what allyou getting!!!
A country gets the government they deserve. If the citizenry, the news media, religious and civil groups keep stoically silent with all the corruption and bad governance swirling around them then Skerrit is right to eat all the flesh off the hog and give his countrymen the bare bones.
Opps, Oh, Oh, another law suite against the man with the foot in mouth disease, ho, ho ho!
I’m neither a fan of the opposition (thankful they keep an eye on these things) nor the ruling party but, are you happy they let the funds go back to a willing donor Mexico rather than build the “Margot ” hospital? Just to make em suffer for not voting you in bu?
@Love
Because you brain is red empty, so you did not understand a darn about what you read….It’s all about an inveterate liar and an evil soul called liar Skerrit.
My mama used to say its better to be thought of a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Read the letter again and understand what is being said.
I truly hope that no one blames the opposition leader for statements made. Statements by him were vital to the fact that Mexico talk. It is only the opposition leader who can get others to wake up and talk and for those of you who want to hate him let it be but without his guardianship into the affairs and lies of this Dominica Labor Party we would all be deaf, Not knowing absolutely nothing that these cockroaches are doing in this building called the ministry/financial center. If only for once Skerrit (Dominica) and his set of cockroaches would reveal the truth about the affairs of Dominica then no one would have to be guessing or making statements that would be later deemed as detrimental. Skerrit (Dominica) must be rebirthed to start telling the truth. He cannot remain being named KING LIAR.
Typical of the double doctorate dude to do as he pleases in Dominca and he assumed that when it came to international relations with Mexico he can do as he pleases. Why didn’t he reach out to the Mexican leader to try to get approval for a change of use of funds? He should learn a lesson from this episode that there are diplomatic rules and protocols to be followed, and things can’t just be to do what Skerritt thinks is right. Why did it take his government so long to get the Marigot hospital project going only to end up having to fund it from Dominica’s own money and no big deal has been made about diverting money for some other necessary projects. Just plain stubbornness and pig-headed behavior by the double doctorate dude. He lost $5 million US to the country.
The double doctor dude is not used to follow protocol and even laws in his own country. No surprise that when he goes on the international stage he gets unstuck. The man is just a disgrace but he gets away with his nonsense in Dominica because they believe if they hold their piece there might be a hundred dollar note in it for them at the next Red Clinic.
So just out of the blue, just so, the Mexican Ambassador had just per adventure been listening to Dominica News and felt the need to send a letter to DNO to clarify a marked “misperception”.
In my humble opinion I think it would be more practical and constructive to clarify a “misconception” not necessarily a misperception. Especially because the perceptive depth of Mr. Linton is well renowned.
Notwithstanding, it feels more likely that this perceptive clarification came at the request of certain people looking to score miles.
It is absolutely clear that the Delay in the Hospital was pure laziness, mismanagement or mere spitefulness from the DLP. Only upon agitation from Mr. Linton and the people of Marigot did someone get the bright Idea to use the CBI funds. I am thankful for the hospital, but please please, do not pretend that these people had the best intentions for Marigot. The wait was ridiculous. Y’all too pathetic and petty, this whole article is besides the point.
Yes, or maybe has the Skerrit camp sprung a leak. If that’s the case he better get it sorted immediately, as a leak could turn out to be a matter of life or death for the gangster.
Eloquently said
DA can never be a country.
I’m all for change but us in DA cannot make it happen because we are all in the same.
The way I’m seeing Labourites supporting everything Skerrit does and UWP-ites support everything Linton says, I doubt we hv a mind of our own.
I wish we would all disappear and be replaced by ppl that say wrong is wrong n right is right.
You can make yourself disappear. Nothing stopping you and don’t need to wish.
Well then say something…give an opinion because there are whore both male and female who look loyal…as for me .I just wanna say thank to all those who keep the fire burning for this hospital…this government is to dam spitful
It does not matter whether the truth is spoken. It does not matter whether Pope Francis builds a Vatican square in Dominica. It does not matter whether Skerrit brings the Olympic games to Dominica next year, these mongoose gangs will still have something negative to say. They just hate the Labour Government. They are sick of anything Labour. Well my dear enemies, the Supreme Leader, The Ayatollah Sir Roosevelt Skerrit is here to stay and will not be removed. Lennox Linton will never be the PM of Dominica, not on this earth, not on the next one and not on the one after the next one. How about?
This is the most despicable thoughts I have read on DNO. This incompetent Questionable Labour Government after Over 20Long Years has ruined our Economy Agriculture Tourism Sports ENTERTAINMENT ETC. Skerrit is this obviously Failed Immature visionless Incompetent Irrelevant Prime MINISTER of our Government and our Dominica.
I urge our people to go visit all villages in Dominica and notice the deplorable State that most of our people reside with their children and families in poverty and begging and continuously have become highly dependent upon this Fake, IMMATURE Childish Prime Odd MINISTER Skerrit. This man must, as he said to us “GO TO HELL…GO TO HELL..it’s None Of OUR DAMN BUSINESS”. Therefore this says that this Failed Comical Childish Baby Thoughtless Dishonourable SKERRIT but get the Hell OUT of OUR GOVERNMENT ASAP. This has been and continues to be this Failed Incompetent Irrelevant Visionless illiterate dumbfounded Stupidity Political Party behavior we have witnessed. PM…
Truly views…. you should not have dignified this Duns and Stupid positing by ds.
DS.. Oh that’s an initial (Dunce Skerrit) Red Clinic Supporter, supporting the lies and evils of this King Liar…..
When international donor agencies agreed to provide funding for Any purpose, there are conditions attached. In this case government requested funding support from the government of Mexico for the construction of the Marigot Hospital. Te Mexican government appr0ved the resources based on that request and transferred the funds to the UNOPs (United Nations Office for Operations and Services). Because of the administrative delays in prcessingt he project through the UNOPS system and the dire need to provide a modern health service to the area government moved to build the hospital using its own resources. That ended this particular hospital construction project with Mexico. Government announced that they would apply to Mexico to use the same funds for equipping the hospital. That is a completely different request that has to be decided on its own merit, even if it is associated with the earlier request and so has to be determined on its own merit. Not sure if the request was actually made
A WICKED government, with misplaced priorities, lead by a LIAR. No prioritising of what should be done 1st, 2nd or last…So the liar in chief, Skerrit, will make you suffer for years upon years, upon years, then be gives you something and expect you to have him on a pedestal.
I say no to this type of politics, call out liar Skerrit for who he is.
AN EVIL MAN!!!
“in a letter sent to Dominica News Online (DNO), Esparza Vargas seeks to clarify Linton’s statement……”
Nobody can convince me that DNO does not work hand in glove with the disgraced Skerrit-DLP led maladministration. You (DNO) use your resources to contact the Mexican ambassador to the OECS to clarify an ‘misspoke’ statement Mr. Linton may have made in parliament.
There is a multiplicity of very troubling problems plaguing Dominica as a consequence of bad governance. Not once has DNO editorialized on any of these protracted issues.
The astromically high joblessness; the infirm economy; the corrupt procurement practices; half million dollars for one man to fox the electoral system; missing billions from CBI; the uneducated PM’s wife getting a hefty monthly for being a ghost minister; police savagery; the many false charges and wrongful arrests; corrupt judicial system.- DNO has gone incognito on all these pertinent issues. Eg. No article on the DPP’s decision.
ADMIN: If you refuse to change your mind then there is no point for us to attempt to persuade you to do so.
However, for those who might seek to understand the reasoning behind this article: we received a request to publish this letter as is, and we believed it would be best to provide additional context to allow individuals to make a more informed decision on the matter.
There are many serious issues that are adversely affecting the progress of Dominica. It would take an eternity to enumerate all the serious ones. Without good journalism and a vigilant and active PRESS democracy dies.
One of your journalist was recently invited to attend a session on Mr. Skerrit’s Dog & Pony propaganda show. I can clearly see why he got the invitation. Your bias is an open secret, in fact, it’s general knowledge.
*Why hasn’t your news site publish anything about the DPP’s immoral and unthinkable decision to discontinue the 2015 election case?
*Why have you stubborn refuse to publish something on the inordinate delay to bring charges against the perpetrators who butchered Kerwin Prosper?
*What about an article on the clandestine secrecy with CBI billions?
*Have you ever try to bring to the fore the desperate plight of the thousands of unemployed residents?
Why not? Too closely aligned? Can’t afford to ruffle any feathers in high places?
ADMIN: We are working on several stories. However, as you clearly stated “Nobody can convince me that DNO does not work hand in glove with the disgraced Skerrit-DLP…” which means no answer we give will be sufficient for you.
It is the voice, will and conscience of the people that upholds democracy.
DNO did not elect Labour nor did DNO deny the UWP the election. Understand, based on your own words, you admit that if all it took to save Dominica was for you to change your own stubbornly held views you would not do it.
If you blindly continue to accuse us of being biased towards the DLP while others such as Linclown (or insert name of staunch DLP supporter here) continues to blindly accuse us of being biased towards the UWP, Dominica will forever continue on its current path of political tribalism.
Hahaha…..Admin, i always thought you had a bias towards UWP…
Thank you for the clarification … You have convinced me..I will amend my thinking .
Very glad to hear you are working on several stories , looking forward to them in the near future
However I do agree with Mr France , that we do have many news worthy issues worth reporting and debating…..I hope you cover some of them.
I don’t know if any conditions were placed on the reporter for the interview on the PM’s show,
But they are a lot of questions people would have liked to be asked ,that were not.
(He also has a phone in on his show…..why don’t people phone the PM instead of calling Matt?)
Just for asking sake! DNO did my comment to your response evaporate?
ADMIN: Please take note of the first and last lines of our full comment policy here: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/policies/#comment-policy
You seemed to appreciate this particular response, however, both you and Ibo have indicated that you are not always pleased with our responses when you are on the receiving end of our comment moderation policy.
Therefore, we believe you can both understand that we do not wish to encourage individuals opposed to you or your stance to personally and opportunistically attack you because we corrected a fact or challenged your position. We have regularly filtered out such “cheap shots” in regards to personal attacks on you and Ibo before – however this approach applies to everyone.
In such cases, rather than allowing the exchange to descend into a useless back and forth due to an opportunistic, ad hominem attack we may simply delete the comment.
…and here we go again! The Ambassador states as follows: ‘Given the request for changes to the original project subscribed, which contravened the terms of the Contract for the Donation of the Resources, in March, 2020, the Mexican Government requested the return of the resources’.
The simple question that Skerrit has to answer now, what were the changes to the original project that the government of DA requested? It must have been something substantial for Mexico to cancel the entire project.
To me it sounds like the Government of DA tried to pull a fast one as per usual, but Mexico did stand for it.
Yet another smokescreen from this useless PM and his cabinet clown. Would Our country be better of without this circus which they rather optimistically call Government.
You are of course 100% right. The fact that you received a fair amount of thumbs down clearly shows how many brainwashed people are living in our country and how many of our citizens are totally dependent on this rogue PM that has now his forfeited the mandate the electorate gave him in the last election, imported votes, general treating the voters, votes of the dead and some votes from people in the North for misleading in regards to the hospital in Marigot. For those who don’t follow me, he told them the Mexicans did not pay up so him, the caring prime minister, had to find money somewhere else. And he asked: who told all you that I hate the people of Marigot? You see what a con-artist this man is?
Mexico clarifies ‘misperception’ about promised funds for Marigot Hospital
My friend the only statement that will cause damage and misperception about promised funds is that presented by the government. If the government made proclamations based on your promise the only inaccuracy we should care about is what you Mexico is saying and what the government is telling the people of Dominica. The opposition leader should only make comments and raised questions on what the government is telling the people in relationships to what was donated. If you feel compelled to clear Mexico name then it should match what the government tells the people of Dominica. It is simple as that. Your responsibility is to let the Mexican people know what you doing with thier resources that could be used to help thier many disadvantaged. Our government has a reputation of Deception Lies and Propaganda and have serious transparency issues so here you go.
The long delay in the construction of this facility has exposed the ineptitude of the DLP goverment, and the dont care attitude with which it treats even its supporters..If this government had a development plan for Dominica, liar Skerrir himself, has told us that his transactions ARE ONLY IN CASH, so one can conclude that Dominica ia awashed with money. Therefore without any Mexican funding, a National Hospital at Marigot should have been completed long ago..Instead of taking party supporters to Antigua, doling out money for votes, etc, etc, etc, etc, plan for your country..That’s what you are paid to do…And stop lying…I must say thanks to Linton and the oppodition for the pressure that was made to bear on liar Skerrit. Otherwise we would have nothing on the ground!
It is interesting to note that the Ambassador is saying about Mexico-Dominica hospital. What is this? You all never intended to give the money in good faith. You have to be leader and one who thinks to be able to know when to drop and move in a different direction.
What is this about taking funds back? Good faith donation is not this? Mexico almost left us stranded. Great thinking. Leadership.
What the Opposition leader said is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Because it is exactly that which happened. Mexican funds DID NOT build the hospital, and in fact it was CBI funds. Mexican Ambassador i think you need to shut your mouth. There is absolutely NO misconception and no disrespect was attributed towards Mexico in the Hon. Lennox Linton’s statements. Dominica indeed had enough money. After Maria we had more than enough because we had donations in cash and kind coming in from all over. We are yet to have a full account of how much was received, and what was spent on what projects.
The Ambassador said that Mexico “reiterated its willingness to further continuing managing development cooperation projects with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, following the relevant established procedures.” No problem, but like Hon Kenneth Darroux said, the established procedures was the hold up. No lies no misconception for reasonable thinking people.