AG, Douglas defend economic citizenship program

Douglas
Ian Douglas

Attorney General, Levi Peter, and Minister of Tourism Ian Douglas, have both defended the government’s economic citizenship program in parliament on Tuesday.

Douglas believes that the program has ‘great potential for Dominica’ while Peter insists that it is transparent and ‘well constructed.’

Speaking during his contribution to the budget debate Douglas stated that the program has suffered the misfortune of falling victim to politics.

“We have allowed politics to cloud our judgement,” Douglas, who is also MP for Portsmouth, said. “We have allowed a lot of reasonable positive initiatives for this country in the political cut and thrust, in the debate on the political platform  and other areas of political interest that we have lost the true meaning of the initiatives. I believe seriously that the economic citizenship program has suffered that kind of misfortune.”

He noted that, despite this, the program must continue. “I strongly believe that is a program we must continue to pursue, I believe that is has great potential for Dominica,” he pointed out.

Attorney General Levi Peter
Attorney General Levi Peter

On the other hand, Attorney General Levi Peter, noted that the program is ‘not hidden’ and is transparent. “The economic citizenship program is a serious, well constructed and robust program,” he told parliament on Tuesday.

The attorney general pointed out that every applicant for economic citizenship has to present his or herself in person to an interview panel during which, on many occasions, he, the attorney general, is present.

“On other occasions I may not be present but somebody else will be present representing the interest of the state,” Peter remarked.

He said the purpose of such interviews is to ascertain whether the applicant is “considered suitable to be given or granted economic citizenship.”

Peter described rumors that someone simply turns up with a brown envelop, slip it to a minister or some individual and walks away with a passport as “complete and utter rubbish.”

He stated that information on the program is on the government’s website “and is available.”

In his budget presentation prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said the program will be expanded to target investors who prefer fixed investments, such as real estate, and/or a local address.

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48 Comments

  1. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
    August 2, 2013

    Dem guys talk like Dominica has a whole heap of land for sale to foreign investors!!! What about the local man who still has not been able to buy a piece??? Hmmmmmmm, yes………lets sell Dominica and the little land that we have in exchange for passports!!!! This sounds like a plan to give them passports if they buy land and invest instead of the 100,000 dollars taken before. So w gonna give them land for their money, plus a passport and citizenship!!! What a deal for them!! What is in it for us????? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

  2. Wey!!
    August 1, 2013

    two blind mice see how they blind!!!

  3. Justice and Peace!
    August 1, 2013

    :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: U all wqill try to defend even if u have no reason to,it’s all about corrupt money for your pockets! :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?:

  4. missmostDominican
    August 1, 2013

    i wonder what makes the present gov think that they are the economic citizenship heroes of the world,what make them think that this will work out just right for the country and the ppl……this as I’ve read before is nothing good or does nothing good for no one except the ppl who are profiting directly from it….my opinion

  5. Dominica_Lover
    August 1, 2013

    I must say that I hate this program. It has caused Dominican citizens to be viewed with extra scrutiny when traveling. Furthermore, we are not the only countries to do so and it does not make it right. The U.S.A has a form of that very same program, but persons applying does not receive citizenship right away. They first obtain a green card and later can apply for U.S Citizenship after having contentious residency. Furthermore, a direct investment is not made to the government, but rather in the form of a business and and must employ at least 15 people. Moreover, the start-up business most be in the range of a $500,000.00 investment. This needs to be examine to out way cost Vs. benefits for native citizens and those genuinely wanting to be citizens.

    • Anonymous
      August 1, 2013

      Are you sure about this, in most first world countries there is economic citizenship. If you invest a certain amount of money you become a citizen. This is very different from your family filling for you.

  6. Truth vs. Lies
    August 1, 2013

    My Dominican brothers and sisters, just look closely at those two men eyes in the photos. I see expressions of believing in their own lies about ECP. It is plain and simple. It is Selling of our collective property, our Dominica passport, ordinary and diplomatic.

    The diplomatic passports in the hands of some foreigners involved in criminal activities cannot be refuted. The secret deals were revealed. More will come out. The cabal is turning and twisting but cannot refute the facts about secret deals and selling of our passports. Dominicans know the runnings.

    The man made Ambassador and given a diplomatic passport, Rudolph King, where is he? That’s just one of them. The Italian Corallo? Remember he flash out DA diplomatic passport, thinking he immune from arrest? That Dominican passport secretly handed to him, by whom, didn’t worth pou-pou in the eyes of the Italian authorities.

    Dominicans try to see some light, nuh? Italian police looking for him all now. Does he still possess our diplomatic passport? SECRET DEALS. By whom, with whom.

    But of course, all you doh expect AG and MP Ian to say is a good thing, then, even though we cannot see investments in nothing? All you surprise?

    Unfortunately, they’re underestimating, big time, the intelligence of the patriots to seek and know the truth with that sale of Dominicans passports and other pertinent issues affecting our people and land. The truth must set us free from lies.

    • Carlos
      August 1, 2013

      I love Dominica, and have been going there for 28 years now. I would be proud to hold a Dominica Passport, but do not qualify Nor do I have the extra cash to ‘BUY” one as this program allows. Of the money paid for passports, there is talk of transparency….do we know where the money went and how much money has been paid?
      I would like to know the reasons given for wanting a Dominica passport?

  7. Massacre
    August 1, 2013

    Come-on Ian!! How can you defend a policy that make individual citizens rich!!??

    We have to re-write the rules so that all moneys will be deposited directly in the Treasury and hire and independent overseer to keep an eye on all transactions.

    You cannot put politicians to be incharge of this operation. No No No !!

  8. same
    August 1, 2013

    STOP PROSTITUTING OUR COUNTRY!!!!!

  9. August 1, 2013

    well well well…some people cry dong my good friend Sir Lennox linton for pocking his nose into the labour party Busines,a boom should go off from sings that Government came into power.yes i strongly believe that the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica should give Mr and Sir Lennox Linton the leader of this Country and lets see who has the most corruption. :mrgreen:

  10. Righteous
    August 1, 2013

    I am not totally against the Economic Citizenship Program, but I am of the opinion that Dominicans should not sell their land to foreigners for a quick dollar. If we continue to do that, Dominicans will no longer be able to afford “a little piece of their country”.

    Selling our land to foreigners will make it harder for our children children and their children to stay in Dominica or to come back to Dominica if they are already abroad. This will create shanty towns, slums, and Ghettos which will be neglected by Politicians.

    Please Dominicans: Do not sell your land to foreigners. Dominican Citizens Against Selling Land to Foreigners DCASLF. Let’s not make that happen.

    One Love Dominicans

    • Malgraysa
      August 1, 2013

      But Righteous, once these people obtain Dominican citizenship they have every right to buy as much property they want in Dominica (…the can even become Prime Minister if they want!), without having the pay the extra 10% tax and land size restrictions that normally apply to foreign buyers. If you want to stop that, you must stop the Economic Citizenship programme .

      • Gary
        August 1, 2013

        Why is it you write such nonsense without checking your facts.You have the right as a Dominican to share your opinion regarding the The Economic Citizenship program, but to write nonsense based on ignorance thinking you are right is absurd.

  11. %
    August 1, 2013

    Mr Douglas SIR, can you please tell me sir “Why did Madamme Speaker allow Reggie Austrie to exhale so much ‘crap’ “RUM SHOP POLITICAL GARBLE” in the house, before ordering him to “SHUT THE HELL UP”?
    WHEN WILL THE FIGHT BEGIN AMONG YOU ALL?
    Can I get the job of referee Sir?
    The work of evil men/LEADERS cannot be left unpunished!

  12. Rastar-Marn
    August 1, 2013

    Ian waaay garçon you want a lash man after-all man doh do dat nuh,,,

    You was just gaining some ground wiff d whole Glanvilliam Land retainment cause now you coming and talk some gibberish,,,

    Livy Self another Possie man joining d show wi, dey all getting a cut from d Proceeds,,,

    Garçon d first ting dat need to be audited is the main company dat is involve wiff dis selling of citizenship bizniss,,,

    Any time allyou see dem man privatize/outsource some aspect of a governmental process allyou bound to see some kinna Bahball in it,,,

    Doh look too far nuh, How comes Mista dem finding all kinna money to award all deez infrastructure projects dat public works used to do but cannot find funds to revitalize the public works department???

    One ting Marn would like to Ask all dem dat so highly praising dis Fraudulent Scheme,,,

    What is the VAT on d whole process???

  13. One Love
    August 1, 2013

    Peter described rumors that someone simply turns up with a brown envelop, slip it to a minister or some individual and walks away with a passport as “complete and utter rubbish.”

    You are right sir there is NO “BROWN ENVELOPE” sometimes there may be no envelope all just THE CASH . . .

    Could it be that someone simply turns up with a LARGE AMOUNNT OF CASH MONEY, slip it to some individual and walks away with a passport ????

  14. Malatete
    August 1, 2013

    THEY WOULD SAY THAT, WOULDN’T THEY !

  15. July 31, 2013

    Ian Douglas and you, Mr. Peters,! The Economic Citizenship program does not benefit Dominica at all!!! It is a scheme or, better yet a SCAM!!! It is FAR FROM transparent as the public has no idea of 1. How it works? 2. How it benefits the people? 3. Where the money goes? 4. Who has applied and received our passports? Mr. Douglas and Peters please do not insult the intelligence of informed and concerned Dominicans. Transparency implies that it is clear and easily undestood!!! Please! There are more questions than answers here! Liars!!!

  16. Lil Bo-Pip
    July 31, 2013

    Our only hope is that, God is not dead. Like all else, sooner than we think, they will pay one by one. God is watching.

    • Carlos
      August 1, 2013

      Lil Bo
      I agree that God is watching, but God make me impatient and at times I slip and want to get some justice now in this life. I don’t believe God wants us to live under oppression of others in this life and let them and their misdeeds slide by.

      • Lil Bo-Pip
        August 4, 2013

        I agree with you too Carlos. Just wait and you’ll see. They are setting up Dominicans for a war! But take a good look at these men faces, and you will see all the evidence of mistrust, greed, corruption and all evil intent. These are not folks who should be directing the affairs of any Country. Things may get worse before they get better.

  17. WHAT
    July 31, 2013

    if it is so clear and transparant why are they defending it so much,if i do nothing wrong i have nothing to say but if i do bad i will try my best to pretend everything ok 8-O 8-O 8-O

  18. Farmer's son
    July 31, 2013

    So…..the program, will be expanded to target investors who prefer fixed investments such as real estate and/or a local address….

    This should make the program more attractive to people who want an address in DA but have no desire to live in the nation. Way Papa! instead of tightening up the program we are making it more attractive to shady characters and crooks.

    • Lil Bo-Pip
      August 4, 2013

      Dominica, the best ‘off-shore’ Banking location in the World. Get an address here and hide all your dirty money here too.

  19. July 31, 2013

    Win or lose, WINNER TAKES ALL.

  20. A Voice
    July 31, 2013

    Man, the leaders ought to be very careful of how the prostituting the sovereignty of their country.

    Up till now no one can account for the money of the sales of passports under the economic citizenship program.

  21. zozyo ministry
    July 31, 2013

    The program fell victim to hugs in cabinet and the croony vulchures. To them who says the program is clean I dare you to allow an audit hy an independent agency.

    The program has been compromused by politicians who use the mon ey for campaign and to enrich their personal bank accounts.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 1, 2013

      “vultures’

  22. %
    July 31, 2013

    Ian I knew this wicked, lazy and incompetent, corrupt and greedy team could not do the job.
    I WISH I LIVE TO SEE the self destruction that is looming in the horizon. Every time I look at the miserable performance of this cabal in government, I pat myself on the back for leaving this Labour party of Skerrit after Pierro’s death. I saw nothing looking like leadership qualities in Skerrit then, and right now I am hugely and totally VINDICATED. After about a decade of Skerrit rule, what do we have in Dominica? More debt, more unemployment, a tourism industry at Lynherst Funeral Home, an agricultural industry at North Eastern Funeral Home,a small business sector at the Roseau Public Cemetery, feeder roads at GENTLE REST,A MANUFACTURING SECTOR six feet deep, hopelessness among the youths, the employed being unable to provide for their families, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc,….. While all this is happening, the LAZY AND GREEDY members of the cabal are comparing their own God to
    “Carlos Slim Helu & Family”
    ” Bill Gates”
    “Amancio Ortega”
    “Warren Buffet” etc, etc, et,
    Ian brother you stayed in this COMMESS for too long, confusion has to reign supreme among you all, for impoverishing this blessed land and have the ordinary man like a beggar.
    GREEDINESS AND GOOD LEADERSHIP don’t go together.
    HOW LONG? NOT LONG!

    • Justice and Truth
      August 1, 2013

      You are judging. It is your opinion which does not represent every Dominican. Judge not that you may not be judged accordingly. Ask questions. Cease judging. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • Rastar-Marn
      August 1, 2013

      WAW run for election Dred Dominica need more people like you running the show wi,,,

      Well Stated!!!

    • Gary
      August 1, 2013

      Why all that rhetoric, gosh you sound like a stuck record playing the same tune.The tune I’m referring to is your anti Government rambling.Making a lot of general statements without specifics does not prove you are right,it is all dogmatic with personal political beliefs.I will tell you that you have a right to your opinion, but loyalty to political opinions has never solved the problems of a country.

  23. July 31, 2013

    Off course, They must support it Puppet :-D

  24. Anonymous
    July 31, 2013

    Utter rubbish. We the citizens of DA know better.

  25. Anonymous
    July 31, 2013

    Utter rubbish. We know better.

  26. Francisco Telemaque
    July 31, 2013

    Whereas in Dominica, we always defend the wrong, it is not surprising that you and your colleagues are defending this so call economic citizenship program you all have in Dominica!

    As far as I am concerned the sale of passports is totally different from any real economic citizenship program in any other place on this planet. The first notion of economic citizenship should be related to the national policies of the country in which one has the ability to gain citizenship through capital investment.

    In this case the potential recipient of economic citizenship, must have enough money to invest into the country, thus providing jobs, and employment opportunities for the people of the country.

    The recipient my also hold dual citizenship, remaining a citizen of the country of their birth. What we are doing in Dominica is simply selling our national documents to anybody who can muster a handful of dollars and hand it to some Dominica sales man, who gets his piece of the action before a single dime is deposited in the nation’s treasury.

    Economic citizenship means the recipients should have roots in Dominica, they have to be residing on the island, the notion that people claim to be Dominicans, and not knowing where Dominica is located is down right shameful. I saw a student on a USC campus in Los Angeles with a Dominica passport this kid seems less than twenty-five years old, he looks Oriental, or Middle Eastern.

    What kind of economic help can this kid give to Dominica beside the few thousands of dollars his parents may have paid to one of the sales men/women of our passport, of which all of the money might still be in the pocket of the sales person who sold that passport?

    That so called program should be discontinued, and not defended!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  27. Shameless
    July 31, 2013

    Mr. Peter.. you and I know that the said in-person interview you are talking about is a mere charade and serve as a rubber stamp for those “collecting” just in case the courts get involved some day. Sometimes we just need to shut our boca if we have nothing good to say.Be reminded that the Dcan people can no longer be fooled, at least most of us. Further, this administration has lost our trust as it pertains to the so called “Passport For A Price Program” :twisted:

    “Change Must Come”
    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  28. Anonymous
    July 31, 2013

    Really Ian ….you think the programme has suffered the misfortune of politics. BUT OF COURESE IT HAS!!!!!! We have lost over 80 million dollars ….of course with interest probably over 200 million on a programmme and project that spanned all three major political parties and nobody can effectively account for the money. And there is also the lovely white elephant at Layou.

    And as for transparency of the programme …..who are the persons handling the legal matters for the programme? Is it open to all lawyers or just a special few? And where does the passport money go? Does it go into a special programme like some of the other islands or does it just disappear into the government coffers?

    Besides I should not have to be asking all those questions about a programme that is supposed be transparent. If politicians can take time to address all sorts of nonsensical issues and further talk about who can be more dirty in parliament surely somebody can give a through explanation of the programme to the general public or is it that they are incapable to do so.

    Get some air time on the nation station and explain in detail ……not in bits and pieces. Put articles in the newspaper…….. the media is not just there for political rhetoric. Go to the college and explain it to the students and we can all collectively decide if we want an economic citizenship programme.

    Selling passports is not the only way to develop the economy. Why all the focus on just that. Ill tell you why ……..its because it is easy!!!!!!! However, the ideas that are necessary to transform the economy are not necessarily easy or conventional and I get the feeling that the current crop of politicians in this country are incapable of generating, developing, planning and implementing the initiatives that are necessary to bring prosperity to this country…………….so what do we do WE SELL PASSPORTS BECAUSE ITS EASY MONEY!!!!!. How many young people get jobs from the passport sale?

    We want opportunities and good paying jobs!!!! that’s what we want!!!!!

  29. ALL DE SAME
    July 31, 2013

    I agree with Mr. Peter’s if it were that easy…then we wouldn’t have enough space to put Chinese Shops, Russians not that interested in staying here, but those from Africa would flock in Indians an all…..money would be no object just check out what US$3000 can do for some of those Haitians, and before you know it they have American Status while we stay here in the hardship of higher food and other domestic costs and Chinese and Asian expansion of shops.

    • July 31, 2013

      You have a VOICE, use it. The citizens that are able to move up should do so. I think if the citizens ALLOW the CHINESE, HAITIANS, and EVERY OTHER NATION to stop by and establish themselves, and ALLOW the Island to become PARALYZED with FEAR, there is NOTHING they (the citizens) will be able to do moving forward. Ms. Charles, to my understanding, brought the CHINESE home and made them a part of our culture. We should SPEAK UP in the PM’s office, in his presence, and not behind his back.

      You all put him in office to serve YOU, why not make sure that he do just that. My opinion.

  30. July 31, 2013

    Ian Douglas is up to no good and the people of Portsmouth must becarefull they cannot afford to let their guard dowm for a second because he’s pretending he support their action leaves me to believe he is in cahoots with the PM and why didnt the PM reacted to Douglas stand against the Land issue dispute what is going on
    Douglas said the citizenship program is good for us can he tell us how much money was made off the program and what was the money used for, man those guys will say anything to keep their seats but time for change have come any other but no more PM or DLP .

  31. Faceup
    July 31, 2013

    Mr Douglas, yea that’s cool if that’s how you make money for DA. But how Dominicans can make money for Dominica when they leaving there job running to look at fire like they have nothing better to do, i don’t know how they don’t mind there business they too nosie. Chupess !

    • Faceup
      July 31, 2013

      You think in my company you desert your position, man I fire you all, how can you guys make money in DA when Roseau come to a halt for a fire that is not you guys business. Its the fireman and police business. Is because of that my transaction had to slow down, man time is money. Chupes ! omg that’s dumb !

  32. Doc. Love
    July 31, 2013

    Ian should be more concerned about his job and being a member of the Skerrit Labor Party. The people of Portsmouth have made it clear that they are not going to move from Promiseville, according to Skerrit he wants his land. It is going to be interesting to see on what part of the fence Ian will be standing.

  33. pp
    July 31, 2013

    Out of all the economic citizenships that have been granted so far, i wonder how many of those new citizens actually live in DA?

    Why doesnt the government at least impose a residency requirement before granting these people citizenships?

    • John
      August 1, 2013

      Because those crooks are pocketing the money so they do not care if those people live in Dominica or even know where the island is.

    • Carlos
      August 1, 2013

      Yes to a residency requirement. I want to live on the island, I want to serve my country and make it strong, I WANT to serve my country not be served by it and have a selfish take take relationship. In the 1970’s (yes I am old) when I started coming to Dominica I fell in love with an unspoiled island not corrupted by the tourist dollar and corruption that follows. Selling citizenship is way worse then any tourist corruption (though all corruption is like a cancer). The strength of Dominica is in our stand as a strong upright island.

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