Minister responsible for Petro Caribe, Reginald Austrie, and Opposition Senator, Thomson Fontaine, have clashed over monies allegedly owed to Venezuela under the Petro Caribe agreement.
Fontaine is alleging that Austrie is aware of $250-million that is missing from Petro Caribe—a claim which Austrie has vigorously denied.
On a radio show recently, Fontaine stated that some $400-billion has been missing from Venezuela.
“Almost half a trillion dollars is actually missing from Venezuela…monies that the Venezuelan people now need to, obviously, feed themselves,” he said. “Mr. Austrie, you’ve been in charge of Petro Caribe for all of these years. The Dominican public is asking you: where is the money? Shouldn’t you be thinking? Don’t you have a conscience? How can you sleep at night to know that you have the money belonging to Venezuela, and the Venezuelan people have no food to eat?”
Fontaine stated that Dominican politicians involved in Petro Caribe “have helped to put Venezuela in this situation because our $250-million dollars is part of the $400-billion that is missing.”
He also said that Dominicans have not benefitted from the Petro Caribe agreement.
“Dominicans were supposed to have benefitted materially from that. We never did,” Fontaine remarked. “These guys sold the gasoline and the diesel, at world market prices, as if we never had an arrangement, and simply kept the money.”
Austrie took to the Next Level program, on Saturday, to speak on the allegations made against him.
He found fault with Fontaine’s statements and denied involvement in financial and trade aspects of Petro Caribe.
“It’s economically wrong, it’s untrue, it’s technically wrong, and it’s just wrong all over,” he stated. “Apart from being the Minister, the Chairman of Petro Caribe, I have nothing to do with the financial and trade aspects of Petro Caribe.”
He commented that because the Petro Caribe facility is incomplete, only diesel and LPG are currently sold—not gasoline as alleged by Fontaine.
Austrie also took offense to Fontaine’s claim that Dominicans have not reaped the benefits of the Petro Caribe agreement.
He revealed that Petro Caribe has supplied fuel to Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC) at a relatively low cost, for over five years.
“We were able to give DOMLEC the diesel at a lower rate than our competitors and that lower rate is reflected and passed on to the consumers of this country. Had it not been for Petro Caribe, we would have been paying more for electricity,” Austrie explained.
Additionally, Austrie underscored that Venezuela, through the Petro Caribe agreement, provided an initial $13-million to aid with the Housing Revolution which began in Dominica 10 years ago.
Also associated with the Housing Revolution, was the reduction of mortgage interest rates to about 5-percent. This, he said, was made possible through money made available to the Government Housing Loans Board as a result of the Petro Caribe agreement.
Austrie noted that “in the real world,” Fontaine would face a lawsuit. However, he said that if he takes any legal action against his accuser, it will be on behalf of Dominicans.
In February in Venezuela, two ex-ministers sought an investigation to trace some $300-billion in oil revenue, allegedly embezzled during the past decade.
The Petro Caribe agreement was signed between Dominica and Venezuela in June 2005, with a view to purchase oil on condition of preferential payment, and to promote economic cooperation.
Half a trillion dollars missing means that sum can’t be accounted for; but the EC 250 million transacted with Dominica (according to Dr Fontaine) was a public transaction. How does that equate to missing funds? The statements by Dr Fontaine are very unstatesmanlike and unpatriotic. Remember, it was the same Senator, who after losing the last election denounced the election official, his former elementary school teacher who taught him to read and write a cheat …Yet Dr Fontaine is an Honorable.
This is utter piffle and filth…You are just puffing off hot air!!!
What is your point Winston? Stay in Philly and watch the sun.
Do because she taught him he should not speak the truth? If the individual taught him then it is reasonable to assume that she also taught a lot of other people from that area. In which case she should know the people whom she allowed to vote who shouldn’t have voted, wouldn’t you say
Well well well the self proclaimed Rottweiler is now barking; i was told that if you throw a stone into a dog kennel the one that screams out is the one that was hit by the stone. Reality is finally catching up with this political attack dog; bro you and the DLP government have been asked constantly to account for the administration of Petro Caribe I once heard DLP supporters at a (DLP) rally in Mahaut state that they were not interested in what was in the MOU signed between China and the DLP government; guess what the rest of us who do not support your reckless plans and polices want to know what is the financial status of Petro Caribe. We are Dominica, Are you?
Mr right Honorable Reginald Austrie, Mr PitBull , you have just declared to the Dominican citizenry that you sir are a Jo Jo bam bam. You have the audacity to go on the airwaves to say ” apart from being the Minister and Chairman of Petro Caribe, I know nothing? Are you people for real? Reggie you , not at all. Thompson Fontaine knows what he is saying because prominent persons in Venezuela already said zor tout kar dwaye yo! So please don’t come talking about lawsuit, add deco to the rum because you really need some.
well austrie I find it unfair that everybody sues linton and you gonna let fontaine walk away freely,this a man that was part of the world bank when they technically disrupted the economies of the Caribbean, which is the real reason that dominica and rest of the Caribbean had to turn to ALBA for support,now he is here sitting pretty criticizing every effort made by the Dominican elected government,even the ones who like him who been living all their lives in foreign countries he lamblast,i say he to is a sucey sel,make him pay for his mouth,he is a foreigner to,they coming like they been living here all their lives
and further more austrie,them are the same set a people that will tell you to confront venezuela on the issue of bird island claims,it is coming soon,so you have to wonder if these guys are defending Venezuela or just playing politics,fontaine and the UWP just feeding on the desperation of a certain cross section of dominicas society,they are like a parasite
This is what you call real garbage!!!
Forreal do you have a heart do you truly believe that the people over there are not suffering and we Dominicans have a part to play in it , we contribute to their pain and suffering . Dominicans use to care about the human race, now all they think about is power and money.
You have to wonder of those UWP fellas. Poor fellas I feel sorry for them. The only way they can feel important is to try and bring some DLP person down. Nous pas sot.
They must really don’t like themselves. Now they want us to believe they care for Venezuela and the people? They forget Venezuela know of them.? They forget we know them?
Lord Fontaine! You better put on your dancing shoe because the Venezuelan Government will be after you. They are quite capable of looking after their own business. MR. austrie is accountable to the PM
The best joke has not come out yet you know. The pastor who a few months ago was boasting on his pulpit that he is the only one in his family to have a big job and a big house and big education, had to be put out by security. He sat in his office and waited his contract renewal but what de damn did not know is there was not going to be a renewal.. I also heard he no longer pastoring the bashed church.. i think he better give his live to christ
Austrie, as minister and chairman for Petro Caribe, its your responsibility, the buck stops with you,
Austri said, “Apart from being the Minister, the Chairman of Petro Caribe, I have nothing to do with the financial and trade aspects of Petro Caribe.” How can you be minister and Chairman of Petro Caribe and have nothing to do with the financial and trade aspects??? So of money is miss spent or swindled , you obviously would know. So, can you tell us who is responsible please? Is it the Minister of Finance? Based on what you said , you are defending something you know nothing about. What a tangled Web. Zero accountability and zero transparency. Smells like corruption.
what is the job of a chairman? Does the chairman handle funds?smh
But for real the chairman of any organization has the responsibility to steer the stewardship of the organisation or company including knowing of its financial viability. So Reggie as chairman should know much more than he is claiming not to know. Added to that as Minister responsible he gives policy direction and he is accountable to the people through parliament. In comparison for a little Lindo Park Project he knew so much about Danny, in terms of Thompson vs DAAS he knew and had so much to say even if he was not a member of the LPC and DAAS respectively. But it is amazing as Minister and Chairman of Petro Caribe he knows nothing. Those guys really believe we are living in a fools paradise man.
suppose to be accountable and sanction financial reports to the committee before they go out. Who performs this role…,,,”an Ambassador…”
$10 million in housing revolution!
DLP government didn’t build mansions for de poor people!
What is the cost of 1 petro casa?
Plywood and galvanize during election certainly wouldn’t come to $10 million Austrie!
De discount you claim dat domlec received for diesel fuel didn’t cause the fuel surcharge to slide!
De government still helping dlp supporters pay light bill!
Only lpg and diesel ……no gasoline!
Say dat in parliament and record it in the Hansard!
Let your records be documented for history to prove who you are when you speak untruths with no power!
This was money requested by the kalinagoes. A school was built, some houses were built and the rest taken away to start the politics of red clinic etc. That’s where it all began. Tsk Tsk Tsk
I doh want to laugh nuh..
Is not Austrie self dat say Politics is big man ting..and if you can’t take the heat doh come in the kitchen..??
DA is in a phase of it’s history that future generations will look back and realize that in that phase, the country was run by incompetents and given to hoodlumism and double standards that compromise the foundation for an otherwise solid and prosperous future..16 years is too much so far..there’s irreparable damage being caused to state and country as a result of such passivity and naive tolerance of people who really can’t do better for the country..enough damage has been done already..
The Minister responsible for Petro Caribe and Chairman of the Board should know what’s happening with the financials of the Company..poor children will suffer 16 years down the line when Ministers today have never seen, let alone understand a balance sheet..instead they pride themselves only in holding high positions of influence and offer nothing in…
Austrie noted that “in the real world,” Fontaine would face a lawsuit.
HAHAHA so he knows we not in a real world. Because in a real … real world people like him would not be in such positions and taking the native for fools.
How can you be chairman and minister and not know nothing. Is this guy an idiot and thinks we are idiots. You are chairman of the board. You sign off on everything.
SHOW your testicular fortitude BIG MOUTH Reggie,,,Go to court!!!You too KWA PON!!!!THANK YOU DR FONTAINE!!!!All of us want to know
” Don’t you have a conscience? How can you sleep at night to know that you have the money belonging to Venezuela, and the Venezuelan people have no food to eat?”(Thomson Fountain).
Thomson, that is an excellent; very important, and highly appropriate question!
I will ask if the money is owed to Venezuela, and it is not in the Government Treasury, bank account, in some bank in Dominica, where is the money? The petroleum products were purchased on credit, and sold in Dominica: we know that the products were not distributed for free in Dominica, so where is the money Petro Carib was paid by Dominicans for the products they bought!
Looks like them Panama dollars could be Venezuela money getting flipped, lol.
Very disappointed to find out that gasoline is not yet part of this deal. I thought that gasoline was the main thrust of this arrangement. What is the hold up?
You obviously don’t live here. Where have you ever passed in Dominica and seen a gasoline station marked “PetroCaribe gasoline sold here”? Stupes!
portsmouth at the fisheries market
You have displayed such ignorance on your own admittance regarding Petro Caribe, very sad.
Apart from being The Minister and Chairman of Petrol Caribe !I Know Nothing?….
Is this man for real?.?
reading and comprehension classes are available to you, please make use of it. The statement reads:Apart from being The Minister and Chairman of Petrol Caribe !I HAVE Nothing to do with the financial and trade aspects of petro Caribe.
I am not on either side of the table here but I feel that in order to make such an accusation there has to be ample credible supporting evidence. Outside of such evidence this is simply a crazy, slanderous accusation that could land the accuser is some serious legal troubles.
@ByStander July 12, 2016
I completely agree with you! I was thinking the same thing.
What annoys me more that those guys are always using the people of Dominica (Like on behalf of the people ) to speak there craziness, Fontaine must have already forgotten the outcome of his fellow Lennox Linton–which in fact is still not over yet.
ByStander
Since when is it libellous to ask questions of a Minister on behalf of a countrys citizens?
The man in his professional capacity as a talk show host has conveyed the questions asked of him on his show, how is that slanderous ?
You see that is how dumb they are; that is why Skerrit manages to do all sorts of cynical and corrupt things in the country unopposed by the people.
Everything in Dominica that involve government even when Skerrit and the rest step on their toes, they fail to move a muscle. He remove his Crapo foot from their foot; and kick then in their faces, they afraid to ask him why are you kicking me?
All because of fear, of law suits, of libel and slander? And look who is supporting that idiot; waste of time Elizabeth Xavier!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Just prior to the election, Lennox Linton made a comment about government politicians preying on young women when they go to them to seek economic assistance. The whole cabinet, led by Mr. Mountain Chicken Roosevelt Skerrit, and including the woman ministers sued Lennox for millions of Dollars. So that means the women ministers, and specifically Juatiana Charles perhaps preyed on young women too; since she was in…
And who dear bystander do you think is responsible for providing that evidence? After years of operation Austria and the people at petro caribe are unable or unwilling to provide the people with credible, audited financial reports on the operation of this entity. Are you living in a bubble that you haven’t heard the numerous calls for information which have fallen on death ears? In fact Venezuela has been asking for its money but the accounting is so bad that there is a dispute as to how much we actually owe. If you were not on a side then you would not be making this silly comments.
That’s the answer to everything, sue. What should happen is every Dominican should be free to obtain the information on these agreements, if they so desired. Freedom of information is a right
100%
All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing (Edmund Burke)…
Go to the courts: Go for it Reggie if you dare: we are waiting because we have more………….. on you big man, big mouth–go hide on radio that where you belong—lets go to court–we dare you!!!
Austrie believes he is Jesus Christ and skeritt is god … But remember Chavez, gadafi et al! Austrie was begging for prayers just a few months ago….
Smfh
Dr. Fontaine keep the conversation going until the minister come clean .
Austrie & the rest of this ….. Regime: The absence of transparency and accountability, only leaves room for speculation. We demand questions from the ‘people minding our store.’ You are public servants and as such, you owe us an explanation for any undertakings with regards to our Country. Enough of your constant threats & intimidating tactics leveled against the people. You can’t sue Dr.Thompson Fontaine for asking the questions that’s on everyone’s lips. They want to know and instructed Dr.Fontaine to pose the question to you .Since YOU Austrie are the one in charge of the Petro Caribe ‘Kitty’, then naturally we expect an answer from you tout de suite! Had enough of your Shenanigans!
Austrie finally you have met one to match up with you now!!!! We the concerned Dominicans who have seen Dominica descend into the status of a failed state by this DLP,,,,want answers from you…We know how evil the DLP has been…Be transparent to all Dominicans,because whether you like it or not WE SHALL KNOW DOWN THE ROAD!!! WELL DONE DR FONTAINE!!!!Forget about everything…Take theAW SUIT for l Dominicans to know about the money…You think you are just spewing thrash for Labourites…GO AHEAD WITH THE LAW SUIT…WE WANT ANSWERS!!!!
Go ahead with the LAW SIIT for all Dominicans to know where the money gone.
SUIT!!!
Belle story look trouble
If you have grounds to sue Mr. Austrie, just go ahead and do it.
He is afraid of the exposure!!! He believes all of are fools!!!! TAKE TONY and sue!!
Mr Austria,that’s what happens when your government leave the citizens in the dark about the information which we care about re agreements and decisions for the country.You played follow the leader,and like Skerritt felt that there is no need to tell citizens what’s going on.Don’t tell me that we have to speculate with the threat of a lawsuit, to find out the information we should be getting on a regular basis.And don’t tell me either that the leader of the opposition has access to the information.Your party runs the ship of state,and as civil servants you are to report to the people.
“Apart from being the Minister, the Chairman of Petro Caribe, I have nothing to do with the financial and trade aspects of Petro Caribe.”
Now, that’s a statement of confidence from the Labor Party Pit Bull. If I had any doubts about his level of involvement in this scheme, they are clear now.
Singing…..’Ah wash meh hands, ah wash dem’
‘You can fool some of the people some of the time but you cant fool all of the people all of the time’. (Unknown)
DLP better take heed.
the …. starting to hit the fan
mr austrie………
1. what was the signed petro agreement?
2. did you or didnt you say we do not owe venezuela ?
3. did you or didnt you say its venezuala thats owing us?
4. how much have venezuela paid on what you say they owe us?
5. by any slim chance did venezuela ever wrote to our government more than 15 tmes asking for petro payment?
Very Pertinent questions.
Don’t think there will be any answers. Further more, Austria Cannot Sue. If he want to get Sue Go and drink a PWEV or Extra Dry Gin.
it was mr austre who said ha have one horse foot and one donkey foot, so in the human world he does not have a human leg to stand on