Outgoing president owed a ‘debt of gratitude’ says PM

President Charles Savarin

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit believes that Dominica owes outgoing President His Excellency Charles Savarin a debt of gratitude and appreciation for his sterling contribution made over several decades.

His comments came during the election of a new President for Dominica at the Fifth Meeting of the First Session of the Eleventh Parliament on Wednesday.

“While he demits office as President, I believe that we owe him a debt of gratitude, a debt of appreciation for his contribution,” Mr. Skerrit said. “He worked in many spheres as a diplomat, ambassador of the OECS, not only of Dominica but the entire OECS countries in Brussels for several years, a Senator and member of Parliament, minister, he served in the trade union, he served as a school teacher.”

Mr. Skerrit also believes that history will record His Excellency’s contribution in a very positive and constructive light.

“And I believe it is important for us to have had the benefit of having the President serve us in some difficult times,” he stated.

Mr. Skerrit said the office of the President ought to be an office where one can find stability, “and he was able to provide that to us over the 10 years.”

Furthermore, he said there is no doubt that His Excellency is a tower of a person in his physical stature, intellect, and in his contribution to Dominica’s development spanning several decades.

“He is one of the great Dominicans who stayed here in Dominica and made his contribution through various fields,” Mr. Skerrit noted. “We can have different views and different perspectives of him, but I do not believe that anyone in Dominica can deny his sterling contributions to Dominica over several decades.”

The Prime Minister continued, “He was a minister of government, a member of Parliament and I had the distinct privilege as a young Parliamentarian to have worked with His Excellency in the cabinet of 2000 and beyond. And he would always provide sound reason and sincere advice on matters which are before us.”

On behalf of himself and the government Mr. Skerrit wished Mr. Savarin well in his other endeavours and prayed that the Lord would continue to bless him and his entire family with good health and strength.

Meanwhile, he also recognized the wife of Mr. Savarin, Clara Savarin.

“I think she is also an example with so many virtues for all of us, in particular the women,” he stated.

Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, nominee of the Roosevelt-Skerrit-led administration has been duly elected as the first female President of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

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23 Comments

  1. Lawyer
    September 30, 2023

    Skerrit, let me tell you something, I don’t owe this man NOTHING, absolutely nothing. You might owe him a debt but don’t speak for me or other citizen on our behalf. Who do you think you are?? Be careful.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  2. September 28, 2023

    Sorry “Star boy of Stupidity” while i have respected my former school teacher and out going president Charles Savarin; it is you “Skerrit” who owes him the gratitude for having delivered to you on a platter, the governance of the Commonwealth of Dominica to manipulate and impoverish it’s citizenry and the country on a whole; fly your kite big man your end will soon come.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  3. September 28, 2023

    Debt of gratitude for what? How many public servants at rhe high end of the salary range get a tax free salary, free house, free car with driver and security. Perhaps he rented out his house while he lived free at the state house collecting a big fat check at the end of the month. At the very least it is Savarin that owes the the people of Dominica a huge debt of gratitude.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    September 28, 2023

    ” Roosevelt Skerrit believes that Dominica owes outgoing President His Excellency Charles Savarin a debt of gratitude and appreciation for his sterling contribution made over several decades.”
    Yes Roosevelt; it not Dominica who owes Charles gratitude, it is you; because if he did not mash-up Dominica in 1979, you would not have the opportunity to be in the position you are wreaking havoc in the place!
    You are more destructive than ole boy Savarin!
    Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
    I can’t call for a reincarnation of Charles, but what we need in Dominica in order to get rid of you is someone like him to come along and do exactly what Charles did in 1979, to overthrow his own party the labor party!
    Sometimes it takes an insider to destroy someone like you Roosevelt; the story goes among the American indigenous people plague by a huge snake, that could not be killed except from the inside, so they allow it to swallow a man with a knife who slaughtered the snake from inside and killed it.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  5. Charlie
    September 28, 2023

    this country is getting from bad to worse….gratitude? bs…for what’ ? swelling up and getting a salary for doing absolutely nothing….In time to come…we will havea chinees president…don’t laugh because under this government anything is possible….

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  6. Ibo France
    September 28, 2023

    Dominicans owe Charles Savarin NOTHING! In truth and in fact, Charles owes the Dominican people for lodging, food, free chauffeuring, and the humongous salary he received for frolicking in the presidential palace.

    The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) should ensure that all the money Charles accumulated during his reign as president should be recouped and go back in the government coffers.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  7. Ibo France
    September 28, 2023

    Charles Savarin was the most hated and least popular of any civil servant in a prominent office in government.

    He served at the behest of Star boy of Corruption – Incompetence and Stupidity. He was completely blind, deaf and dumb to the people’s suffering. The only two things he did expertly well was to brown-nose Roosevelt and stay in the White House and eat himself fat.

    The office of president has been permanently disfigured by Charles Savarin. It will take more than a Herculean struggle to restore this once revered office to its rightful place.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  8. Zandoli
    September 28, 2023

    I have mixed feelings about Savarin. I admired him when he was the leader the Civil Service Association back in the 70s. However, Iike most people who have to look at where their next meal is coming from, I think he sold his soul to Skerrit to advance his personal interests.
    The other stuff about him being ambassador to this, that and the other, I think this is just fluff.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  9. LifeandDeath
    September 28, 2023

    For keeping quiet. You’re right! He did his Job for you, not for country.
    Dominica’s sovereignty was sold, soiled and adulterated all over the world; to Nigeria, to Iran, to Dubai, etc.
    Billions missing from the treasury, a hostile take-over of state assets and still you say, “He served us well” “He is owed a debt of gratitude”

    Sell that to your usual fanatical sychophants

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  10. Blood Stained Red
    September 28, 2023

    Yes Mr Skerrit, keep mocking us Laborites about not paying Charles Savarin for destroying our labor party in 1978 and for helping you once again for destroying our democracy. I even wonder what role he played in helping you with the funerals of Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles. I mean did he buy or provide all the flowers needed for the funeral? Although we did not pay him the debt we owed him I can assure you that God will for sure pay him for us, you Wicked man

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  11. Ibo France
    September 28, 2023

    Charles Savarin’s presidency has set back the country for generations. Instead of concerning himself with the welfare of the people, he performed for an audience of one, Roosevelt. Even if you use a microscope, you would not find one transformational thing this butler did for the country. All he did was to appease Roosevelt and tickle his fancy.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  12. Batibou
    September 28, 2023

    Oh no Skerrit. YOU might owe him a debt of gratitude. The citizens of Dominica don’t. Infact if anything, HE owes his fellow citizens a big apology.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  13. Shaka Zulu
    September 28, 2023

    Charles saverin owe a debt of gratitude to Philip Timothy who died on his beckoning. Charles got paid handsomely for doing nothing. No one owes him crap. he got paid plus benifits. darn leach he is.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
    • September 29, 2023

      Did you enjoy the back pay he got you in 1977, Mr. Ungrateful. I owe it to him.

  14. The Old prophet
    September 27, 2023

    Skerrit tiway Bowo evec ei matay potace. So nothing has changed, is the same demonic and satanic rule and there is never peace where Satan rules

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  15. Not too late
    September 27, 2023

    You are damn right. He should have gotten a very good gift that others like Skerrit would never forget and the incoming president should have gotten a welcome gift today that she would never forget…a gift that would be good enough that would force her to retire tomorrow

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
  16. Bwa-Banday
    September 27, 2023

    Skerrit please spare me all that BS…Please!

    Charlo is the biggest sucker of Ma Dominique taytay even if it is now dry! This man has been an opportunist all his life and he found his calling in the DLP when he switched allegiance. He sat on his duff as head of state and watched people like you and the St. Joe Convince cheat and steal elections without standing for the people. But god is not an Antiguan police officer, he is fair and even handed in dishing out justice. Remember Prighozin? He amassed all this wealth but did not even enjoy it. I hope Charlo find it in his conscience to ask god for forgiveness because of what he allowed us to go through. God is not asleep.

    Because of his misdeeds I strong believe today that:
    1. The Police Chief and deputy should be elected by the people.
    2. The Attorney General should be elected by the people
    3. The President Office should be discontinued or become elected by the people. Lastly, I wish him good riddance…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 3
    • Rhoda
      October 7, 2023

      …but you know the problem with elections in our country! B

  17. Juanita
    September 27, 2023

    And I can hear the crackling from here! Everyone knows that this man was always anti Labour. One questions whether it was love for Dominica or love for self that led him. As the leader of the Dominica Freedom Party during the 2005 campaign, he was sent on a peace making errand to the Labour camp. While there, he drank the red wine and allegedly negotiated on his own behalf. He emerged wearing a red shirt and singing the supper song. He was “rewarded ” with a ministerial post. And, he set out to be the best Laborite he could be, even calling for the boycott of a popular business. He played the game so well, that he parlayed himself to the Office of President.

    Good bye outgoing president. Don’t let the door hit you on the behind on your way out of the presidential palace.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 3
  18. Mary
    September 27, 2023

    You know Dominica never pays it’s debts, right?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  19. dissident
    September 27, 2023

    he deserves what he gets
    no outpouring of gratitude?
    does that say something to you and him?
    your entire tenure in office screams for unity……. you in charge…..but you just can’t/won’t unite!
    this is all that showing it’s light right now……why isn’t he going out with a celebrity bang from we de people!?
    after all dat time in office that is your strategy for a leader for a unified people?
    Skerrit you joking…….no inspiration panda.
    this woman fueling division with you as de conductor of de band

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • September 28, 2023

      All dem babla black sheep cannot take it. We going nowhere soon. Your messages do not resonate on Election Day. Give it up and grind something else to do.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 11
    • September 29, 2023

      Did Signoret go out with a celebrity bang? Did Marie, go out with a celebrity bang?….Unity… don’t get vex with your fellow man because of politics, that is the root cause of disunity in Dominica today, let us just all agree that there will be disagreements.

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