The Government of Dominica has failed its youth and instead of building a new judicial building in the city, it should consider rehabilitating the High Street youth centers.
This is according to Norris Prevost, Member of Parliament representing Roseau Central. He said that after 32 years of independence the only place in the city that seems appropriate for a young person’s recreation is “a street corner”.
In a statement to the press this week, Prevost said it is for this reason that he has called on the administration to establish a National Youth Empowerment Village in the High Street area of the capital city “where presently are located the former Dominica Club property with two lawn tennis courts, and two squash courts”.
He made this call at last Friday’s Market Day with a Difference.
According to the Member of Parliament, government only recently purchased the Dominica Club property for $5.5M, and is proposing to use the sports sight for the construction of a new High Court.
He added that the building would also cover some other dilapidated adjacent properties or “youth development facilities” like the Roseau Youth Centre, the Scouts Headquarters, the Girls Guides Headquarters and the Youth Skills Computer Training Centre.
The Old Youth Centre in High St. was built by late Hon. Henkel Christian in 1965, when according to him, “…they (the youth) intimated that they had nowhere to play either indoor or outdoor games,” Prevost reminded.
WELL SAID MR PREVOST…LIKE THOSE BEFORE ME,THIS IS THE TYPE OF VISION THE POPULACE IS EXPECTING POLITICIANS TO HAVE…I have always admired you as a perspicacious business mind,but you are equally on target with your development plans….GOOD THINKING..!!!
@ Is that so,
Is that so. Prevost did not make his comments to DNO. You most have notice how and when the statements were made. If you think Dominica is made up so many “idiots” why are you so interested in their on line conversation. Is open conversation a threat to the plans ahead.
ADMIN
The comments, as the story indicates, was a part of a press statement released to all media houses, including DNO.
Mr. Prevost, what about Antilles Cement nuh? I guess you need to be in government to have a flourishing business to provide employment for the youth, yet you get money to feed paros in Roseau every Sunday (Talk about handouts and giving of fish?)
Anyway you had your turn in government and not even a foul cage you built for a single youth in Roseau, so stop the silly politicking and feeding of fodder to the many idiotic, biased fools who comment here on DNO using each and every opportunity to attack the PM and his government.
@Lycanll:
A lot can be achieved with cooperation. Please keep in mind that the government cannot always do everything. The government needs the cooperation of everyone in each town and village. Those who have some money stashed away which they may never use in their lifetime should contribute some of that money to specifically assisting to build a youth centre. They must not be taken for granted and ignored but be recognized for their contributions.
We are not here for ourselves. We cannot take anything with us. Furthermore, God will bless them two fold. Heaven will be the reward for those who have willingly helped and did not count the cost and time, as Our Lord Jesus Christ who is faithful and true to His promise taught us.
Dominica is the 3rd less corrupt island in the Caribbean. 1st is Barbados 2nd is Puerto rico. That says alot. The government that is at power now IS NOT A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT LIKE THE DUMN UWP PPL WANT US TO BELIEVE.
Skerritt has ALL the markings of a classic dictator. I warn Dominicans, you will see it in this lifetime if he is not reigned in. Look at the dictators of Africa, and countries where they run amock of democracy. They build mansions and palaces while their citizens go hungry and starving,They erect these buildings to signify what really is taking place within. The 27 million dollar state house would represent Skerritt in every way. It would represent the permanence of his leadership in the country, and also his total disregard for the citizenry. Classic dictator. Look at history , look at present day dictators. They live in these palaces,they eat the fat of the land, thye entertain their kind while poverty sweeps their nation. Dominicans beware, PM Skerritt is a dictator in the making.But if God is on His throne, by George Skerritt NOT here in Dominica, NEVER.
@missout: what a ARSE u are… u sound like someone who was thrown on their head as a baby!
i agree with prevost 1000%. why more court house and president palace and all them unproductive things while the youth getting more desparate and more dependent on handouts…why not more enterprise cntres, a agro processing centre, craft prodcution centre… why not more ICT centres where youths can become computer literate. why not more traiining in agriculture and entrepreneurship…stop breeding a new culture of beggars and dependency…support prevost for a change on thisone…good point garcon roseau la.
I notice that Judas Iscariot has recently landed on our Dominican soil. He is doing a fantastic job of turning you all into traitors.
Keep talking Prev…one day somebody may just take you seriously.
It’s a very good iidea but on the other hand, the Govenment has been empowering the youth. The only person who has a good opnion on th matter Anthony Ismael. How many communiy groups out there building village halls fo community meetings and no uing them to empower the youth,why should it be in Roseau?
All those years our village councils havebeen wasting government’s money for other people’s benifits and have not erected youth empoerment centres? Do we have to look to the government for everything? Ca’t we put together, start a project and ask the governmen forhelp?
Are Dominicans that retarded? Can’t the oposition raise money and work toether with the Governmet to accomplish that goal. All we do is use serpents tongues and not help to build.
To those who say that Hon. Norris Prevost is a visionary and a gen with his ideas and that the Goverment should take his ideas for he is a visionary.
Here is a joke about someone who was a visionary (met garde`) That guy from St. Joseph went to s lady in St. Joseph to Garde` for him, after the woman had finished garde`ing she said “I am finished” that guy said no, there is something that you have not seen.
So the lady started garde`ing again and finally said, “I’m finished all is ok with you”. The guy said to her, you garde` you garde` and you didn’t see something else. The lady responded, ” I told you you’re ok now”, the guy responded if you can garde` so well, why did you not see that I’ll not pay you”
Should my dominicans friend interpret that joke in patois, one could see how visionary Prevost is without the input of the government and by extension the Chief Justice with the idea of the Building. Why then did he not mention that before the announcement of that proposed building.
I have the answer, he was too bust attending The People’s Parliament and didn’t have time to visualized that idea. Have fun all.
@Friend of the UWP: Mr Prevost has said nothing misleading nor has he contradicted what Justice Rawlins said. I agree with him that facilities for the youth are a bigger priority than the new courts. It is just a waste of money to invest in a court when that money could be invested in youths so that in the end they do not become subjects of the court system. This proposal of the new courts is one of putting the cart before the horse.
In my mind’s eyes, both Mr. Prevost’s request for the rehabilitation of the Youth Facilities and the Government’s intention of build the Hall of Justice, are needed facilities.
@Informed1: Thank you so much for this information. It’s good to know that Dominica is on track with this project. Since a good site has been identified for the courts, we now need to put forward suggestions for a Youth Center. It’s a good idea to have one so let’s decide where to put it, how we’re going to pay for it, who’ll be in charge of it and so on..
Good idea ! ! but alas Mr. Prevost – This government wont listen- this government has indeed lost their way ! !
I must say that as an ordinary citizen I am MOST disappointed with the “Justices” of our region. SHAME on them! And really I DO NOT care what Chief Indian Justice Rawlins says any more. An appeal was heard against the Speaker of the Dominica House of Disassembly in APRIL and to date there has been no decision handed down. And more likely than not the decision will go AGAINST the appellants. SHAME SHAME SHAME on the “justices” Please do not torment me with what Chief Indian Justice Rawlins has said…Pleases Don’t! Shame!
much talk about the youth. yes giving those who are sided an education is good but what about those who are neutral or non aligned? promote incentives for them that may keep them busy on the positive side. i guess building new courts is an anticipation of more criminal activities and of course by the youth. implement another youth camp like the former londonderry youth camp. make sense?
The business unit in Roseau, the youth center in High street are great ideas Mr Prevost. But who cares
Dominica, like its sister Eastern Caribbean states, will soon have new court buildings under the Halls of Justice project.
Chief Justice Hugh Rawlins of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) said the court is endeavoring to have state-of-the-art courts constructed in each country within its jurisdiction.
Speaking via simulcast this morning, Justice Rawlins said it is anticipated that during the coming law year the project will move into the final three stages. These include the final designing and costing phase, followed by the tendering then construction phases.
Rawlins said the protocols for coordinating the feasibility study is finalized and the studies have commenced. This aspect of the project is financed by grant funds from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
“We’ve established national working committees in each country. The project implementation unit was established,” Chief Justice Rawlins said.
Kevin Magill, a Canadian architect, will direct the project. He joined the project in April of this year.
Chief Justice Rawlins said the ECSC is at an advance stage of engaging the consultants, who will conduct the feasibility studies and prepare the preliminary designs and costs for the construction of the “Halls of Justice.” He said the project coordinators are working assiduously to ensure that the project progresses on the allotted time-line.
“We have visited with each country, met with the national working committees, and reviewed and identified proposed sites,” he said.
Prevost always comes up with a POSITVE idea. But this negative ragtag band of whatever government (“…I would not like to use my usual dirty language here…” Remember Skerrit to Danish Diaspora Joseph?). Compliments Mr. Prevost for an excellent suggestion.
A youth center and a new High Court are both needed. Which one should be constructed first? For decades now, we have been creating excuses upon excuses, while our youth remain neglected. Isn’t it time to make a bold move for the future of our nation?
There are many very intelligent people in Dominica and we all have good suggestions that can be successfully implemented. The problem is we tend to focus too much on the messenger instead of the message. Folks, this forum can be the source of great national development. Let us debate the ideas presented and not fixate on who said it. If it I know it can be hard to do at times but it would lead to more fruitful discussions.
A Youth center is a good idea. Is that need more urgent than the need for new court buildings? Are the existing court facilities adequate? Is there a better location for the Youth Center? What amount of space do we need for a court center? Should it include sports facilities, a conference room, office space? How much would it cost? And so on and so on…
My sympathy to you base on your great vision, but if only the PM would lend an ear.
Shut up Prevost. You guys wasted so much money when you were in govt. Prevost needs to go rest himself. No matter what a government does the opposition will oppose.
Really a brilliant idea…I support it 100%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% !!!!! I HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED YOU AS A MAN WITH A BRAIN IN HIS HEAD AND A SOUND HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS……..
This is a simple matter of seeing all the moves and plays from the pavillion. Being the loudest coach and advisor from the stands! When you are in the game a different story all together. Is this the same Prevo who represented Roseau during the UWP reign? This idea most be a novel one. Where was his concern then? He was one of the politicians with the ‘tous patouism’ syndrome. Spending and spreading money that exisited just on paper. Yet this same Prevo, as ineffective as he is, has this original idea. Don’t worry Mr. Prevo, this working government will provide for your novel idea and more! Things you could not do!
PREVOST YOU ARE SO RIGHT, THERE IS NO SPORTD FACILTY IN ROSEAU
Give jack his jacket and give jacquelin her lipstick!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOSS DOMINICA IN TROUBLE.DO THE PUBLIC KNOW HOW MANY LITTLE BOYS IN PRISON.DO THE PUBLIC KNOW IT IS FUN TO THEM.DO THE PUBLIC KNOW WHEN GUNS GET INTO THESE YOUTHS HANDS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.WHEN THEY COME OUT PRISON DO NOT LET THEM FALL INTO THE HAND OF THE GANGS OR THEY WILL GET GUNS.
Give jack his jacket and give jacquelin her lipstick…. but he is right… I support anything that’s true.. WE ALL SHOULD LOOK BEYOND POLITICS in EVERY SINGLE CIRCUMSTANCE and put right where right needs to be.. this is true!! i am a potto labour but in every case we should look at priorities and although we need another court house because of the high amount of cases and other in available things for the workers over there… every community deserves the improvement of new youth centers, where the youth can start utilizing and being youth again.. too many of them are astray on the streets. this is where a lot of society’s problems begin
The $ for the presidential palace (following in the footsteps of Haitian PaPa doc)
Could build several youth facilities island wide and upgrade the ones mentioned by Mr. Prevost (winner of the largest constituency)
I like this ldea
Mr. Prevost you have a good point however a new court system is greatly needed. The buildings now being use is in need of serious repairs. The infrastructure cannot now support the needs of a modern Court building. Security is very poor as it relates to magistrates/judges, witnesses and even the accused. Securing of exhibits have been a serious problem and this in itself can assist criminals is getting away. We have had situations when several exhibits were stolen from the court including drugs and firearms. Whether we believe that the culprits were assisted internally the facts remain that we need a new structure to house our courts.
I would propose that we use the existing Court Building to assist in what you are proposing. In doing so we would be as the saying goes, “Killing two birds with one stone”. Surely we all can assist the Govt. in moving DA forward.
Great debate from you Mr. Prevost as you are looking into the future and staying away from the nonsense none productive politics plaguing our country.
Though I am not a big fan of Prevost, he is right. Makes no sense to build a $27 million dollar house for president, and several millions for a court house too, all borrowed from China? You have to be out of your mind.
Nothing is wrong with the current court house, it may need some upkeep but the location is a great deterrant against criminals who would want to run away or shoot and run, simply because there’s no where to make a quick get away. That works in favor of the coourt building and even the banks in the area. Our youth need the youth facilities politics or not. the facilities also need to be promoted to make the most use of them too.
They won’t build no schools anymore . . . . all they build will be ………
A good idea but always at the expense of killing another initiative.
The sad fact is that both are needed!!!
The new Law Court monies will not be taken from the Government of Dominica Budget but from the funds allocated by the St. Lucia Based OECS Courts of which Dominica is a member. Yes we know Dominica makes its annual contribution.
As the spouse of a lawyer, your wife must be upset with you at your political machinations and rhetoric.
For years, well over 15 years, and you were a minister of Government within that time with a very poor record of performance, the legal fraternity has been calling for the upgrade of the law courts and a law library in Dominica.
You of all persons should be aware that most lawyers in Dominica practicing in Roseau Central need to be within a three (3) mile radius of the High Court and Magistrate’s Court and these lawyers have undertaken the expense of owing the properties where their law offices are presently located.
A number of sites around Roseau were identified including the River Bank not far from save a-lot Food Stores and KFC, and the present Discover Dominica Offices site. The latter poses a major constraint – the DGS School Children will always disturb the Court proceedings and the kids can likely be a potential ground for taking hostages if convicts decide to plan an effective escape from Court with outside help. That cannot be acceptable.
Sadly the Dominica Club property offers some measured alternative. I agree it is not the ideal but a MEASURED alternative. If a prisoner attempts to escape he or she is fair game between the three cemeteries.
Now if Mr. Prevost knows the constituency that he represents, he would be aware that there are two existing facilities already on High Street for the Youths of Roseau and the environs. Immediately before the Dominica Club tennis play areas is a multi-purpose building that serves the Dominica Cadets. The other building is between the Inland Revenue driveway and the back of DOWASCO. MS Elizabeth Alfred, a former Chief Youth Development Officer used this property successfully for many years to help formulate many a youth in the 1980s, 1990s and the first decade of 2000. Young people have already received much from the governments and tax payers of this country already!!! For crying out loud, they have received subsidized education up to ages 16 to 19 years of age. Hence these are bid people that you want the government to babysit!!!! Shame on you boss!!!!
These people must now use their knowledge to make money and a leaving for themselves and to feed any pickney that they happen to have. Trust me these youths need to learn to pay for the resources that they want to enjoy – rents for buildings that they want to use to set up business and to reside away from their parents, wages to pay others to help them in their business ideas and dreams, and utility bills to function effectively in the premises they want to occupy.
Mr. Prevost dilemma is that he desperately needs to be seen and heard challenging the Government whenever the government decides its priorities for the Roseau Central Constituency which is the premier capital and Administrative city of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The sad truth is that Mr. Prevost does not attend Parliament and has failed for the last 12 months to give effective representation to the people of Roseau. And worse still he has not kept it real with these young voters that they must make an effort to feed themselves. Hence the fair of losing a vote at election time.
Mr. Prevost is a lucky politician. He does not have to stand for a midterm review of his stewardship as Opposition Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency in the House of Parliament. It must be recognized also that all the other parliamentary representatives are lucky as well in that regard.
Prevost if you want a job jump on board.street barkers
It’s equally disturbing – if not more so – that as a society we do not typically fund treatment and prevention programs at the same level as the juvenile detention system. The effect of over-reliance on incarceration is to create a “cradle to prison pipeline,” virtually guaranteeing that a young person convicted of a crime at an early age will return, over and over, to the criminal justice system.
Rehabilitation, not Incarceration, is the ‘real’ challenge we face if we are to regain faith in our system by young people. This can be achieved through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education, that addresses the root causes of crime, delinquency, and gang violence by focusing on the social issues underlying criminal conduct. Communities facing the greatest challenges should be given resources to develop a local plan to support young people and their families, making our communities safer, reducing victimization, and helping at-risk young people to lead law abiding and healthy lives free of criminal involvement.
We have forgot where we have come from; it takes a Village to raise a Child!
I think Mr Prevost was better suited to be party leader and leader of the opposition. This man is a thinking man and very eloquent speaker. I am fed up of the bashing by opposition and minority parties and come out offer suggestions. I always say the different parties do not always have to wait on Gov. to implement projects in thier communities. I have worked on projects before, and I know there are many agencies and organisations willing to fund projects once they are handed a proper proposal. I think that all parties should take these initiatives, each representative find out what is lacking and needed in your different constituencies and work together to bring forth positive change. It doesn’t always have to be apolitics business. I think Mr. Prevost made a good suggestion, now instead of waiting for gevernment to implement it, do the proposal yourself, look for funding etc… and put it into realization. That’s how the country will go forward if we all support each other.
Mr Prevost you are such a visionary man,but the PM will never bury his pride and arrogance and listent to you…HOPE THE PEOPLE OF ROSEAU ARE TAKING NOTE..
Is it fair for Mr. Prevost to attempt to mislead the Dominica Public by his article, when he knows that what he has said is untrue? Is that a patern of deceit of Mr. Prevost and the UWP. I have always voted and trusted the UWP but of late I have had a real bad loose bowel from the untruths and foolishness that is being spoken in the media.
Do not hit me please, but what I said is true of Mr. Prevost. Everyone should read this article from Dominica News on Line, dated September 13, 2010. Kindly tell Mr. Prevost stop that foolish politics, gutter politics.
http://dominicanewsonline.com/dno/ecsc-%e2%80%98house-of-justice%e2%80%99-project-moving-apace-chief-justice/
What a good idea but will our PM and his ppl’s listen or will they continue to neglect our youth forever we will just have to wait and see.
What took so long. Surely such facilities should have been available to the youth of Dominica,
and not just in Roseau.
Granted there will always be those who choose to stand on street corners, but for those who do not, they should have the option of some sort of club to hang out in.
Maybe a small members fee to help with the upkeep of the premises. Also it should be supervised.
Mr. Prevost…Valid points but…as expected….recommendations will be rejected and the laybarats on here will bash you.
The court buildings are in reasonable condition. Employment for the youth is more needed at this time.
They want to spend all that money to build bigger court house to deal with the increasing number of young criminals which will continue to increase if this corrupt government continue to encourage this mendicant society…
but again…Next Level….18-3
Pm and his administrator don’t care aboout youths, what youths? Mr. you have given this administration great ideas for your constituents but all they do is laugh at you and pay you no attention. You gave them the idea of the using the old boys school to do workshop for the youths, you call on opening the windsor park stadium for the youth so they could play their sports and develop skills in various games, you ask for that stadium to be a multi-complex where many other sports and activities could be used for the youth, and what they do, Skerro and his boys pay u no mind. Skerro will give the youth some cash before elections, pretend he love them and after everything leave them to suffere and fight for themselves. Mr. Prevost, places like st.Lucia, Antigua and even the USA would love to have you as one of their minister because you mean well and you have proven you can perform…..Leave those filthy greedy and stinking corrupt ministers alone. Let the people suffer – that was the mandate.
ok skerro i hope u listening eh,,,n doh come n tell us about making clothing when u not gonna bring down the taxes n duties on d port o.k,,,,,get our youths engaged in positive vibes,,,,,so take mr prevost’s advice n try something,,,doh be ashamed cuz at the end of the day,,, u can say is u dat do it
I think they should use that large area in the corner of the stadium – the corner facing river street – for the Youth center. That area is large enough to hold a sizeable building with indoor courts. Knock down those barracks and see how much unused space is just lying there.
don’t you see that’a exactly the plan, there is’nt enough jobs to go around so what can be done those pesons with no jobs. how about sending them prison, there are so many people who stand to benifiet from this. THERE IS AN overwhelming need for people who amount to nothing, don’t you see. if these youths are rehabilitated then wht?
Well said.
We already have too many lawyers playing games and wasting the courts time l
We need to empower rather than make criminals of our you.
We need to stop the Asbestos blowing into the classrooms of the SMP.
This government refuses to remove this genocidal health hazard as a direct show of punishment for the parents of Roseau central not voting DLP
Thanks Mr. Prevost…I await another one of your gems….!