Long standing member of the UWP and former Minister of Tourism Norris Prevost has indicated his belief that the ruling Dominica Labour Party government has sought to respond to pressure from the international community in bringing a new money laundering bill to Parliament this week.
For the last two years, the UWP has boycotted Parliament sittings in what the party officially calls a move of “non-participation” in the functions of Parliament and at a press conference this morning, Prevost responded to questions relating to the four bills that are being tabled during this sitting of Parliament and the fact that the party is not participating in the debate.
Prevost said, “The bills that were presented in Parliament clearly confirm the lack of understanding of this Government about what it takes to grow Dominica’s economy. There was no bill in Parliament to grow tourism or to improve tourism. There was no bill in Parliament to improve air access. There was no bill in Parliament to improve agriculture to improve the farmers’ lives. There was no bill in Parliament to create jobs. The only bill you saw in Parliament were bills about money laundering and the Government is trying to take the heat off of itself because the international community is saying to the Government, ‘You have been weak on money laundering and you need to do something. That’s about it; nothing, absolutly to grow the economy.”
When asked whether or not he believed the bills being presented are key to attracting foreign invest for the development of certain sectors Prevost responded that the problem with Dominica today is not the lack of laws, but the lack of implementation.
“The Government has bills there in relation to IPO and corruption, but where is the implementation; very weak implementation. There are major issues of corruption [haunting] this Government and they continue blindly, with their eyes, as if nothing has happened. Dominica’s problem is more the corrupt behavior of the Government than the lack of laws. There are sufficient laws there to prevent money laundering and the Government is not implementing them. These laws are just additional laws that the Government is putting forward to try to [appear] like they are doing something when, in fact, they are doing nothing to clean up Dominica’s name, nothing to grow this economy, nothing to create jobs, nothing to help the farmers build back their lives,” he said.
“That’s what we want in the Parliament, action to reduce corruption, grow the economy, control crime. Stop interfering with the Police and allow them to function according to the constitution. That’s what we want,” Prevost concluded.
The bills being presented by the Government this week are:
-The Money Laundering Prevention Bill of 2011
-Suppression of Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill
-The Financial Intelligence Unit Bill
-Financial Services Unit Amendment Bill.
Most of the Acts were tabled and debated today.
Very true Mr. prevost and I support you 150%. However, you chose the wrong place to make this statement. You should have made this statement in the paliament mr Prevost and then use the press conference to strengthen it. We all know that this administration has no vision to take this country foward; but because the voice of the opposition is so absent, blind people who do not know the difference between red and black go by what they hear and therefore what they are hearing are the lies of Skeritt. If this statement was made at the parliament, even if DBS radio and others are one sided, Dominicans would have gotton an opportunity to hear it. In a nut shell I am trying to say that you all need to go beyond the none sense you’ve been doing and go the the House where we need you.
Thought what Mr.Prevost said makes sense,I believe it would be better said in Parliament than out of it….You have a duty to the People whom you represent,and that is the present them in Parliament.
Fight your fight in the House where you can be much more effective in your plight…Take your fight inside….Do what is Right by the People, and for the People…….
And you also represent Dominica as well,because the job of the Opposition is not only to oppose..but to help pass that which good and beneficial to the Country.Especially in terms of economic development, growth, and Jobs for its Citizens.
I have no problems with what you are saying, but the place for that, is in Parliament…There is where the battle ground is. Therefore, there is where you fight your battles…It is not a street fight, nor is it a matter of public opinion…You must take your fight to your opponent in the trenches.
What possibly,can one achieve,or how effective can a member be, discussing and proposing matters that belong in Parliament, outside of it?…If it is a matter of principle,then you need to think it over…make an about face…..and face your opponents and fight the good fight.
And at the end of the day.when all is said and done you will be able to say…well, I did my best , I have kept the faith, I fought a good fight…
I do believe, Sir, that some form of compromise will be reached for the sake of the People,and the Country, among your colleagues and yourself…and as a matter of principle,you learned gentlemen will return to Parliament to do the People’s work.
Thank you….And all the very best to you….
UPTOWN REBEL!!!
Corrections to my colleague…..Though what Mr.Prevost said….and…..that is to represent them in Parliament….
Sorry, n Thank you.
Corrections to my colleague….Though what Mr.Prevost said…….and……that is to represent them in Parliament …
Sorry, n Thank you.
It seem like u all do not love the elders of the country who has prepared the way for us,i hope u all will never want to live as long as them and by the time u all get to their age more would have been done by u to develope this land.Maybe u all will commit suicide u before that age as u do not love to be aged.GOD forbid u commit such crime towards yourselves and that by the u all get to such age wisdom would prevail.
some of u guys always seem to think that you know what is best. Put all of u guys together to form an alternative government, and i guess you must be saying that it would the perfect government who would have the answers to everything, do all the right things according to YOU and dominica would be just the the perfect place huh??!!!!!!Ok then
Man go to the parliament and ask your silly quiestions eh. That’s what you are paid to do.
Do we have a Parliament in Dominica. These men should never go to this farce you call parliament in Dominica.
Provost has no place in Dominica’s economy by his own action. This appears to be the general consensus of the UWP! He should leave the people’s business alone
And so should the UWP!
At least Prevo has a brain, but you seem to be a brainless idiot.
I’m confused!!!!!!!!
Why would a bill need to be tabled to “grow the economy, increase employment,to improve air access, to improve the farmers’ lives,
create jobs..”
I thought Bills get enacted into LAW/ACTS after readings?
why does the government need a bill for that.
Isn’t it part of their mandate/ platform to work towards achieving these things?
Maybe i do not understand what bills are intended to do.
you clearly don’t .
You mean to say that he is say that the Anti Terrorism Act, and the Anti Money Laundering Act being revised was a bad decision?! These men should be charged with FRAUD!!!!! They are receiving payments for services that they do not render. If you employer is paying you to do a job that you are not doing you should be fired. Big brother is looking at US. We need to update our laws, especially where Financial Services are concerned. He is saying they do not understand the economy?
Mr. Prevost, this is a very weak response at best. Anyone can talk about improving the economy, creating new jobs, improving tourism and air access but what we need is a detailed and workable plan. It is all well and good to sit on the sidelines and say what the government should do or should not do, but actually doing these thing takes a lot more than just talk.
Why don’t you go to the house and present your plans to the people. At least this government has a plan which they are executing very well, I might add. You claim you can do better,go to the house and present your case to the Dominican people, maybe they will believe you. So far you are not sounding believable.
Say they are executing the plan very well according to you.You should not make it appear that you are talking on behalf of others. I consider you to be a weak parasite,a moron,an ignoramus. Thing is this lazy government in groping in the dark,they have not a clue of what they are doing and thus the reason why the country is prostituted,and there is virtually no development on island at all.GO TO SCHOOL! IF ONLY YOU HAD THE WISDOM OF PREVOST!
SIR PLEASE GO INTO THE PARLIAMANE TO MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND PRESENT YOUR CASE AGAINST THE BILLS NOT ON DNO PLEASE YOU NEED TO GO TO THE WORK PLACE WHERE THE BILLS WERE BEING READ. STUPES.
Prevost had the chance to manage the economy of Antilles Cement.
He did a fantastic job, HATS OFF TO HIM.
WHERE IS THE COMPANY NOW ???????
Anybody can see the real reason why these old men will not want to attend Parliament and will not have an effective working relationship with the Speaker of the House!!! They stray from the matter at hand all the time.
The government does not need a bill to grow the economy and to help farmers. A policy will take care of that generally and if there are no funds earmarked for that policy then government seeks parliament’s approval to borrow the funds to implement such policies. Can you imagine government passing a bill to dictate to farmers and the private sector on the amount of food they should produce or else; the number of persons they should employ or else! Well is now our PM is dictator for real.
How useful is a Small Business Act for example? What purpose does a definition by government about what a small business is or is not if there is no regime of incentives that the Ministry of Finance can leave with – duty free etc, etc? The revenue will get seriously affected!!! Prevost knows that since he was Minister of Employment and Tourism and was unable to table a Small Business Act in Parliament to grow the Economy despite the so-called good times of the mid 1990s and all his experience as a Businessman; he never reminds people he was Minister of Employment and Ports as well!!! Not one sustainable job was ever created under his watch. Shame, Shame and more Shame.
You see people, it is easier to stray from the matters at hand away from the house where there is no Speaker to put them in line and call on them to account and remain relevant. That is a major reason why they will continue to stay out of the house.
Rosie Douglas was a lot more skillful and astute as a politician than all of them combined with the speaker of the house when he only had three seats in Opposition. He gave the Speaker holy hell and even had Tim Tim stand up and ask the Speaker if he could Sue Rosie – talk about au l’homme sot that had years in the house – 4.5 years between 1980 to 1985 as an Opposition Senator and not know the rules of the House thoroughly.
The Opposition is bankrupt of good ideas.
Since Sanford quit the pack and been exposed to a first world environment of the USA all thanks to PM Skerrit’s intervention he makes a lot more sense and has committed himself to work with the Government to advance his Kalinago land!!! Put that in all u pipe and smoke it.
For those of you out there calling these representatives,or anybody else, as a matter of fact, “old men” and all other sorts of names in a derogatory manner…I think you are being very disrespectful,and you ought to stop..Irrespective of your political views or affiliations…They are elected representatives……More often than not, you need experience and wisdom in decisions and policy making…..
I remember, not too long ago, when we in Dominica, had respect for our elders.
What happened?..That went out the window along with our principles?….
PEACE!
REBEL!!
U should be in looking out,not out looking inn. So shutup!
Morgan Freeman, I agree with you..?
Tell Prevost we doh wanna hear him. Shut his xxxx mouth.
This is pittyful and I feal really bad for the folks that voted this man and this party of fools. Dominica need a new party that can form an opposition in the next election and have a constructive discussion about the development of the country. We need a new party; No Eddie, No groovy bat, no Ron and no one from the Un Willing to Participate Party. Go home and stay there
JUST CANNOT IMAGINE HOW UWP WANTS TO BE AN ALTERNATIVE AND THEY HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE ,HA,HA SAME STRATEGY SINCE ,2000 ,NOT BEARING FRUITS AND THEY CONTINUE, IN A CLASSS THEY WOULD FAIL ALL THE EXAMS,—PLAYING SMART BUT DEFINITELY NOT BEING CLEVER—WE STILL WAITING FOR THE MANIFESTO ,,THAT ONLINE REAL LONG YES I
I do not understand why the hell these guys will not up their seats in parliament and make their contributions there instead of talking to the media and just barking.
Isn’t the parliament the best place to voice their objections and present alternative solutions to motions presented by government in order to bolster UWP standing with the Dominican electorate as well the economic and social development of the country?
IF the bills presented by government confirms the lack of understanding of economy, why did the UWP not make a presentation which they think is more in tune with our economic situation and in so doing, prove to Dominicans that you all are not asleep.
If you all are so concern…then stop taking the monthly paycheck you all get for doing absolutely nothing and save the malayway taxpayer some money
I strongly believe that we need laws that would restrict any parliamentarian from collecting a monthly paycheck if he or she is not leaving up to his/ her parliamentary functions.
THIS IS NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THE UWP INTENDED FOR YOU ALL TO DO IN PARLIAMENT.
GO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS IN PARLIAMENT… NOT THE MEDIA.
This is a man of substance.
oh realy? substacial bull crap you mean. none of the things he mentioned can be made LAW. thats what bills are just so you know. those are gorvenmental mandates!
OK, Prvost there was no bill in Parliament to grow tourism or to improve tourism. There was no bill in Parliament to improve air access etc…etc…
So then what do suggest that we do for what you naming? What are your alternative?
The opposition is supposed to be an alternative gov’t, a gov’t in waiting.
Why didn’t you have a press conference with something like this “If we were the gov’t we would be in parliament debating the improvement of tourism by doing this and doing that….we would improve air access by doing this and doing that…we would have a bill in parliament for creating jobs by doing this and doing that….” And so on.
The press conference just shows that you guys don’t have any origial ideas for the development of Dominica. It was nothing but a Skerrit bash-fest.
Or probably all you still planning to put all you ideas in the manifesto that still hasn’t seen the light of day.
Hahahahahahahaha
Buwo
YOU gave the DLP a five year mandate to govern the country ,based on their plann that was presented during their election campaign.
why you keep asking for UWP alternative. You will get that during the upcominig campaign for the next election and i sure you have heard the UWP articulated on several occasion ( over the last two election campaigns) how are they going to transform the economy through international airport, atracting top level hotels, increasing manufacturing , increase production of primary product, improve the fishing sector – forming the necessary linkages ( backward and forward) between the tourism sector and other sectors of the ecnomy mainly agriculture, finding new markets for new agricultural products and etc.
We just heard that $62 million dollars of supplementary warrants is tabled before the lower house. You should be more concerned now as to how thats going to affect the governmnet fiscal policy stance .
Are you kidding? So we going to hear the UWP plan during the campaign? Suppose the PM calls a snap election?
You guys must realize that in politics, you always have to be in the ‘campaign mode’ especially if you are not the party in power.
What you mentioned above is just things you threw out from the top of your head, nothing concete.
The UWP should be using these press conferences as good opportunities to paint a different picture of what they have in store for Dominica. Concrete stuff so people could chew on.
I’ve heard of the international airport thing for years and that’s about it. International airport, then what? It doesn’t mean that since you have an international airport a packed Air France jet is going to be sitting at your terminal the next morning. What is going to be done to attract airlines and people to the island. An all out marketing drive? Are we going to pay airlines (like Jamaica is paying AA for coming to the island) to come to Dominica?
Things like that i want to hear. Not a Skerrit this and Skerrit that press conference.
These guys must realize that there is a world beyond Skerrit..
hahahahaha
Since when Dominicans vote on policies, you think if labour didn’t shout corruption in 2000 they would get in.
People like you buwo just vote for who you like wether they can do the job or not, even if UWP came with the most workable plan for the country you would still vote labour, even if jesus came down and told you labour is the epitome of evil you would nail jesus to the cross again, so stop your barking about going to an illigal house where the laws of the land are trampled by your lot when it suits, but that day will come when i will see all you wicked men in the fire getting BUN.
Nac VIBES,
Well said.
It has been clear that BUWO and the like is regorgitating from their leaders who aim at enslaving the minds of young Dominicans.
Everytime does dunce keep talking about paying airlines.
Look at the amount of people AA takes to Jamaica . Calculate the impact that AA has on the economy versus how much AA is being Paid if they are paid .
I real vex i have to be calling you dunce but for once think for yourselves.
In antigua we have Guaranteed seats to various airlines. Yep! when we target a new destination or airline , we have to do what it takes to get the airline to come because thats the way we going to get visitors. Ands thats how you going to convince the airlines that the carriage is there for them to fly to your country.
Once the agreement is sign we kick in our maketing drive and ensure that the agreed capacity level is always met. Even during the recession we met the capacity level and did not have to pay. This have worked so succussfully that in some cases the airline by themselves even increase the # of flights during the season.
This is called being creative BUWO. Good Leaders do CREATIVE things.
Wake up . St. Lucia is doing , barbados is doing , jamaica , antigua been doing it for a while etc why the hell you all think its bad in Dominica.
Do you know that some of the cruise ships gets rebates on headtax, duty free of gasoline , free water etc Go reaseach and come back and tell us . so in fact we are paying them to come too.
Why is it that IAN or the Prime Minister not telling you all that.
Your government claims we cannot afford an airport . that may be so but have they explore the possibilty of a PPP, BOOT, OR BOT . nope .
why didn’t we negotiate with china for an INT’ airport instead of the stadium or road rahabilitation ( not saying they are not important but in terms of priority) .
nuff said.
OK…Ted Lewis, Mr. Smart Ass…lol lol…all that you mentioned, is this what the UWP have up their sleeves if (and I mean a big IF) they come to power? Then why don’t they tell us about those things?
Why everytime there is a press conference is Skerrit, Skerrit, Skerrit? Why don’t they tell us about paying airlines or Guaranteed seats as you mentioned they do in Antigua. We not hearing these “creative” ideas from the UWP.
WE ARE NOT HEARING NOTHING FROM THE UWP.
You are talking about all these things, but you live in Antigua and you are not part of the heirarchy of the UWP. I don’t want to hear these things from you, I want to hear them from the UWP.
Hahahahahahaha
The govt. is just going through the motions and doing what it is told by the U.N. and IMF. Passing bills having to do with money laundering and terorists. So who is exempt from these bills? The very people passing them. The were meant for you and me.
A bright man.
That is where Mr Prevost separates himself from the 2 pence politicians in Dominica. I look at this government cabinet and I cannot pick one member who can match up to Mr Prevost’s intelligence and skills. I have come to accept the fact that politicians are dishonest but to be dishonest and still dumb, stupid and arrogant.
Mr. Prevost is so brilliant he is shining like when brillo scrubs a bomb.
This guy can not win another election. The same tired ideas from the UWP.
The next election will be 19-2.
I guess if you shout 19-2 loud enough you too may believe it, but be assured, the hottest places in Hell are reserved for you and your crooks.
well said prevo
And your ideas and plans and suggestions are????????????
After you ask Prevost for his plans to do what is needed in Dominica. You have a PM ask him to what are his plans for those same things..
Help please..
I really think we mistake the Dom in Dominica for Dumb. I am advocating for a name change of our country..
And that name change should start with you!
Mr Prevost,iwe dont want 2 hear ur mouth on the street we want 2 hear it in parliament!!!!!
if u don’t want to hear it in the streets i dont think being in parliment would make a difference
papa.. where is wickedleaks
i wonder how can antihate respond to such… no bills to develop the land… oh i know… is china we begging… pull string alone that regime about
Let’s hear the red mal chiens and them on this one…
Very good observation Mr Prevost. I am questioning the urgency of the money laundering Bill. I thought that there are laws against money laundering in the books. However it would have been a good strategy to go into parliament and support the Bill since we all know that there are people in government who are and have been involved in money laundering. Passage of the bill would again prove the hypocracy of this DLP government as they have openly demonstrated that the laws of the land does not apply to government people and their lawyer friends.
Who is this man..what is this picture?
I hope there was a bill to audit one of the biggest business in Dominica of which the owner ran to the court to put an injuction when Inland Revenue was about to do their work.
This is my boy self.One of the most brilliant politician on island.You have hit the nail on the head.Most of them dont know the difference between a debit note and a credit note..No wonder money is just disappearing. DON’T STAY IN THE HOUSE AMONG THESE PEOPLE.!
Shouldn’t he be in the house to educate them and show their flaws? Expose their weaknesses.I mean the house is the place for all of this brilliance.Atleast he’ll get a larger listening audience.
A larger listening audience. I beg to differ.
conduct a small survey. the first ten dominicans you encounter ask them if they have a history of listening to the debates. You might be very suprise.
Why does he have to be in the house for his suggestions to be considered? Mr Prevost makes suggestions and gives alternatives every single day.
The question for you fools is; has the present government done anything to test out the money laundering laws on the book at the moment? will these laws be implimented ASAP or will it take 5yrs before they bring it into effect even if the necessary process for the law to be effective have been followed, as they are saying with the IPO act?
he so brilliant y he dont get it election will be back they will still stay out of parliment is it me or did u or mots not see the answer he gave on if it would not create jobs he’s answer was more political than any thing else.they say money is the root of evil but politics no too far behind.
Your ???? makes me remember the question marks Mr. Prevost and his party posted around Dominica before the last election, the rest is history. You and Mr. Prevost clearly don’t understand the issues at hand. I suggest you educate yourself and ask the right people the right questions so you can edify yourself.