Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has rebutted Edison James’ claims of neglect by his administration in the Marigot constituency.
James, an elected member of Parliament and president of the United Workers Party (UWP), has repeatedly expressed disappointment in Government for doing very little for his constituency. However, Prime Minister Skerrit said that his statements are unfortunate since the Government has invested largely there over the years.
“What Mr James is saying about Marigot is unfortunate. We have ongoing a water project in excess of $2 million in Marigot. We’ve just completed the total rehabilitation and refurbishment of the primary school in Marigot…To the point where it’s like a brand new school…We’ve done some roads, I believe in Fine Grass…we’ve done a bridge… The airport for example is in Marigot, and the people who are gonna benefit directly the most are the people of Marigot…There are a number of things that we’re doing inside of Marigot,” he said while addressing a press conference on Tuesday at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room.
PM Skerrit pointed out that money has been allocated in the 2010/2011 National Budget to rehabilitate the Marigot Hospital. “We have indicated in the budget address and budget statement by the minister for health that we have approved resources for the rehabilitation of Marigot hospital. There’s money for that should start very soon once they finalize the details of it. We have indicated that we will be spending some more money in Marigot in respect to housing because there is a serious housing challenge in Marigot,” he added.
He also announced the construction of a $13 million 50-room airport hotel facility near the Melville Hall Airport, to be funded by the Moroccan Government.
He urged Marigot residents to develop a spirit of unity among themselves in order to achieve advancement.
“I do not believe that its fair, I believe that what they have to do in their constituency is to organise themselves and recognise that they have to get out of this five-year campaign, this political tribalism…
“That ‘I do not want to see anything that’s red, so if the government come and bring anything I do not want it because the government is red and I’m blue’. We have to get away from these things and recognise that this is our country to build; this is one Dominica; there is north, there is south, there is east, there is west but at the end of the day there is one Dominica and we have to work together towards moving the process forward and so forth,”the prime minister advised.
He believes that parliamentary representatives should properly represent their constituents in Parliament and indicated that “when you come to the parliament, you ask all sorts of questions except about the people you represent…” it is not proper representation.
He reiterated, “I’m saying there are a lot of things to be done inside Marigot because Marigot has been neglected long before this government came to office … they [Marigot community] must position themselves to work together and to engender a greater spirit of unity among themselves to cause themselves to be advanced.”
According to him, the Government would normally discover the desires of the community through its own visits or calls from residents with a genuine concern and not through the parliamentary representative.
He assured that the government will continue to spend money in that constituency as it does with every constituency, adding “and I believe that we treat Marigot people like we treat anybody else in this country… They all Dominicans.”
I am in agreement with you 100%. Now is not the time to cast blames when the representative for the village did absolutely nothing towards its improvement. Regardless of which party one support, we should all stand together in support of the PM and work together for the betterment of our country. There is not a PM for some people,its a PM for all Dominicans.>:
DNO why suddenly there was a comment closed for the minister of Health’s address? very intersting I did have lots to write in his case.he was my neighbour growing up and in the same profession later. I guess it’s a lost opportunity for D/cans to tget some scoops.
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am i not wrong in remebering that when coward skerritt run from hurricane dean to st lucia, when he returned he stopped in all the labour consti, but he drive straight the my home of marigot, and 50 room hotel, i want to see how many people get a job in constrution, like no one did on the stadium, will it be all chinese workers, or are we opening our doors to the moroccans, and giving away passports to them to, or laundering money for them…..
mr p.m. take care of constituency that vote for you first thats the way is was in the eighty .
what about fond st. jean fab any new projects
@sunshinegual: if edison did all u askn the pm 2 do
it wld not have to be done now so go ask edison y he did not do it when he was in
@MAESTRO:
dont need to do any thing mr james didn’t do what he suppose to do in five years come on.
Do we ever seat and listen to what makes sense or do we bark at every thing said because the individual(s) aren’t the ones we support ? At the end of the day we all as Dominicans has one obligation and one objective , that is to our country . when are we going to end this politricks and politicking ?
When are we going to say for the sake of our nation and wanting to build a nation much purer on the earth , let me put my hand to the plough and work in the best interests of my people , community , and development of my country . I feel proud when people speak good of my country and bad when they criticize . I think of ways I as a Dominican can help elevate my country’s pride . Yes , we have to storm governments when they do wrong , but the constant bashing from since 2005 continues , most people thought it would be for election and after stop . This continues and continues , like the energizer battery , it keeps going , and going and going . What do we think can be achieved from this poor image painted about this country ? Is this country the worst on the planet earth ? You mean , there’s nothing good we can tell the wider world about our country ? You mean the only picture about us as Dominicans , is such that we’re bad people , robbers , criminals , thieves , lunatics , sick , insane , paroes , hungry for political power and to do so even if it costs this country the loss of it’s good name ? Do you all even think about who’s reading your nasty statements about leaders whom we call corrupt , and those we shelter as good , not knowing that politics is a science and you must at times be dirty to be in control ? You write about your country . And what ever negative you say about it , that’s how the french , Americans , Russians , chinese and the wider world will see you as . Can you blame the Gaudeloupe , Martinique , Canadian , American and other nations governments which has placed bans on us thus seeking to avoid us from entering their soils , because we’re considered criminals ? What you are what you speak about Dominica . Don’t be fools . If you say it is law-less , not this country can’t commit no crime but the people who live on it’s terrains called Dominicans . Therefore the correct term would be such , Dominicans are law-less and that includes you and me . The question you’d seek to ask how could that make me law-less ? Simple , you’re Dominican . If you never commited a crime nor ever thought of it , here you’ve been considered so .
Next time , you’re to comment think , must i wash my dirty clothes in public that others may see it and call me nasty , unclean man / woman ? Piss sakes . Think my people . Mr Linton , Mr James , Mr Green , Mr Skerrit , Mr Austrie and the list goes on with you Labourites and UWP-ites , Freedomites and Pappy-ites , think , you’re hurting this country enough , you’ve done enough to it’s name , fame and image .
Proper representation comes when men learn to humble themselves , accept their lapses , annalysis , calculating weaknesses , restrategize and come again stronger . It’s when men learn to swallow their pride and stand corrected when they’ve gone bad , admittance produces a heart which will acknowlege it’s need to change and repent of it’s evil ways .
I call on all my fellow dominicans to think about their words and actions . Note all words soken idly will be recorded and the lips responsible will be judged for it . why ? who gave you judge over anyone ? We have one perfect man in God himself , who though walked the earth being man , was without sin even to the point of death . Let God be judge . If any man is corrupt in government office let the law prove him guilty and Mr Linton , Mr James and all others including those on government side knows , that a man is not guilty unless he be proven gulity by court of law . That’s one way to put it . Let’s say the court fails , but in his conscience he knows so , which every man knows when he does wrong unless if he’s a bastard , he can’t escape the final court which is not of earthly jurors and magistrate , but omni-potent , omniscient and omni-present One . He needs no CID to investigate , no police records and no lawyer . He knows , sees and hear all things .
I love my country and is proud of it ……. Gorillaz
@ Hmm Very sensible comment…Smart people.!!
mr. skerrit….u are a divider..u campaigned as a divider.. u continue to make sure the nation knows that is RED that making things happen…now u vex cause they doh want RED stuff…U wonder why ur party lost the buy-election there????….u allow no room for anything but RED….u more divisive than them…RED RED RED Labour has done it all….surely u should have expected a response by a people u have always shunned because they elected a BLUE party member…..Listen to the statements made by u and ur soldiers….slamming BLUE in every corner so u can advance RED….U created that climate of division….It is not in ur interest to include that Parliamentary Representattive in ur plans for the constituency cause u want RED to get all the credit and make it aooear that their Parl. Rep. just lazy….LOL ….boy u really think all Dominicans stupid man!!!!!!!!!!
And i will add to that, i always hearing mr James saying that he called skerrit but i never hear sherrit say that he call Mr James for anything so what should i think of the pm?
@from margot: We are Most Proud and Honoured to Say in all the Parl Reps in the Last 30 YEARS of Rep Marigot Hon Edison James has done alot for our Village
Marigot isnt Dominica he was PM took a oath and did work all around the Island as all Dominicans Pay taxes. Once you have taken the oath to be the Government of the Day it Basic common Sense
That you have to develop your island…their isnt any special one choosen from God who comes in whereby everyone has to worship him at his feet and then he goes around boasting!!
In this modern World Great Leaders empower their Folks to excell not by hand outs and secret deals then go on the air to boast!! they but the necessary things implace so that citizens can benefit thats how someone who is educated leads…
The Fisheries project Mr.James when to Japan to start to ball rolling and many of the concert roads that are now visible in the village where done by him…He is Great Man Mr.James and we are surely Proud of him in Marigot.
We will decide when he has to retire,His overall policies of duty free for farmers vehicle wise also
Reduction on Building materials had impace all over the Country there was a cash flow BOOM
So you see the vision of a Leader,Manager and Visioner…not a blinger giving hand outs and trying To red even the dead in the cemetry!!
Well i see those who want a divided Dominica, still ranting and raving like lajabless and soucaya, and lougahou. When will they ever learn. One Dominica is the PM wrong. We need to work together.
What is Mr James talking about. Ask him (James) What did he do fkor marigot when he was Prime Minister. I challenge someone to tell me one. He didnt even fix a road that goes to his house, now he wants the pm to do it.
You really from margot for true wherever that is because you surely don’t know what you talking about.
Mr Prime Minister I am not a supporter of your party, how ever I do agree with you. I am from Marigot and you are correct marigot has been long neglected before your party came into power. Mr James was the Pm for almost five years and he did very little for Marigot. Every bridge in marigot is broken the feeder roads are a mess.Mr James had every oppurtunity to take care of the people in Marigot. I don’t see the point of him acusing the PM for not doing enough for Marigot. I think its time for him to retire his days are over . We need fresh blood in Marigot good representation. he should be in parliment fighting for his people . I hope the good people of Marigot can look beyound party color and do what’s best for them and there children.
The Prime Minister is right, Dominica is ours to develop – TOGETHER – so, put aside partisan politics and work for the continued development of our nation.
There’s opportunity for all and anyone willing to work towards the advancement of Dominica will be welcomed. But if all you can do is cry and complain (like Edison, Ron, and dem) just keep it to yourself. The country will continue to develop and you can do nothing to stop it.
Mr PM the constituents have no problem with their parl rep..It was just demonstrated to you and your party a few days ago, when you were resoundingly defeated at the polls..Who is foolish isn’t it you? You are dealing with people who cannot be bought,these are hard working people,smart people,people who will put you to the test,by asking you questions that you will be incapable of answering..That’s why i respect them.Tthese are not Red Clinic people.These are the ones you need to teach them how to fish,instead of giving them a fish…YOU WILL NEVER LIKE THEM!!!!!!
@Ragador..Ican understand what you are talking about..I drive on it everyday,but whenever you mention GrandBay re the neglet that has happened to the constituency, i laugh..Well blame the constituents..Money was spent like no body’s business last year to buy votes..GrandBay and Petite Savanne saw little or none of that money.Why?? Labourites always maintain “these are sure seats,so why should we spend money there”..It’s time that this rubbish stops..we need to be as smart as the constituents of Marigot and Salisbury…We are the ones causing these stupid underachievers in government to believe that they are brighter than us…THE SHAME IS NOT ON THEM,IT’S ON US….
The PM is out to play games. Yes the school was refurbished but isn’t that a government responsibility. There was some patch work to the Marigot Health Center because the PM knows full well the supposed to be hospital at Marigot is really a health center which lacks the basic medication and other neccessities, and he speaks of the Main road. That has absolutely nothing to do with Marigot. It just happens that Marigot is one of the gateway village to Dominica through which the road passes so obviously if the road is being done Marigot has to be included. No road was done at Finegrass in Marigot on a point of correction the PM’s attempt to contribute to doing work on a road in Marigot was done at Breezy Hill in Samsgutter because he was attempting to target the votes of that area. and he speaks of the water project all his administration is getting involved in is improving the water supply to the people of Northend because the inital attempt was facilitated by one of our unsung heros who has since passed. God Bless her soul. Marigot has a very good water supply. But Mr PM that is only 4 activities in 10 years and those projects are the responsibility of government.
Representation has been made to you and other ministers for things that are needed in Marigot. You seem to forget that you were in Marigot at the request of the Parliamentary Representative. I can mention some of the discussion which included Tantan Road as an alternative route into and through the village if the Hatten Garden road was blocked. Nothing has been done. The question of assistance for college students was made to then Minister Sonia Williams, that was ignored. Then the very water project that you mention was brought to your attention by the Parl Rep and other residents of the Northend area. But what happened to the Community center for which plans were drawn up since 1998 -99, what happened to the road in Samsgutter that was near completion since 1998. What happened to the housing project for the Melville Hall area which your administration turned into a real slum zone by just allowing people to build vikivey at the entrance of the village. Talk of speaking the truth we are very aware of the truth. So tell the rest of Dominica what you want but we are on to you. You also mentioned that Parl Reps say they are not asking Skerrit for any thing for their constituenc. Why are you making it sound like Mr. James said that when you know he didn’t. Truth is neccesary on all sides of the fence. And by the way, We welcome the idea of the hotel. Don’t wait too long, we are waiting in the slips to capitalize on that project.
Oh yea, Work tou par tou was introduced by the previous administration (UWP) so don’t take credit for it you know better.
Then there is the question of unity. Marigot is a very united and progressive community. The disunity that you mentioned is created by you and your team when you attempt to disrespect the marigot folk with individuals who are unable to comand respect from within his own camp. We will continue, to watch and wait. Our list is coming since one was created from the Marigot Consultation. Progress to the entire nation is an absolute must for Dominica to move to the next level. So too must politicians stop attempting to score cheap points. Dominica is ours to build lets do it.
mr. skerrit….u are a divider..u campaigned as a divider.. u continue to make sure the nation knows that is RED that making things happen…now u vex cause they doh want RED stuff…U wonder why ur party lost the buy-election there????….u allow no room for anything but RED….u more divisive than them…RED RED RED Labour has done it all….surely u should have expected a response by a people u have always shunned because they elected a BLUE party member…..Listen to the statements made by u and ur soldiers….slamming BLUE in every corner so u can advance RED….U created that climate of division….It is not in ur interest to include that Parliamentary Representattive in ur plans for the constituency cause u want RED to get all the credit and make it aooear that their Parl. Rep. just lazy….LOL ….boy u really think all Dominicans stupid man!!!!!!!!!!
The Prime Deceiver is doing some window-dressing.
What has happened to the Sout City, Berricoa Grand Bay? Is it because that the DLP has the people fooled with its political rhetoric, lies and deception to include the knowledge that they’ll vote RED regardless? The DLP does very little or nothing for Grand Bay.
Wake-up people! demand that your one and only Geneva bridge be repaired or constructed. It’s long over due. How about a tech-school to educate the young people, teach them a trade etc. It’s obvious that the North and West gets more than their share and Grand Bay gets nothing. That’s real bad for a constituency that’s lock stock in step with Labour. God Bless!
Well again its interesting to note that the PM was brought to Marigot back in Jan 08 he toured the entire Constituency with his team and Parl Rep James.
The PM again is so small minded and needs to grow up he lies too much why didnt he complete those projects that were brought to him and he saw for his naked eye.He had a meeting with MDC that same day…
The PM knows that Marigot has Produced Brilliant minds over the decades thanks to our forefathers and the ability to be Firm on issues and the Truth that we are able to know when someone is a deceiver of spinning the issues..
what do we pay taxes for isnt Marigot a part of Dominica you there to Govern the dam country little Boy stop playing your foolish games…thats a no issue there are things that have to be done do it..
Roads,housing storm drains etc are Government basic projetcs.
You refused to do things there because you know even though all is done the People of Marigot being Great thinkers vote on the basis of Principle,they arent mislead by hand outs small sheets of galvanize and a few thousand dollars that you have captivated others constituencies with!!
Thats they Key so go ahead and do what has to be done in the Village of Marigot.!
Since Labour came into office the fisheries complex should have been a port of entry and the nessecary surport given to make that unfold but you case a blind eye on it Mr.PM..just being Wicked arent you…Look at the issues with a school bus..because you such a Great hater of Marigot the Parl Rep ask about it…up till now..
So what you saying in your so called Pres conference is only for your boys and girls who are shy of asking you the hard questions..
Go somewhere else with your childist foolish uninformed talk to those who you have fooled with your so call hand out Mister…
Its damm time you stop this kind of behaviour!!
I hope that we Dominicans can put Elections and party colours behind as the present Government continues to develop the Country.
Can anyone dispute the PM statement, are we going to continue seeing only party colors? I see there are no comments to this story untilo mine wonder why?
Peace.