Skerrit to ensure protection of Dominicans’ best interests in Scotia Bank sale

Skerrit (third from right) at OECS conference

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he will continue to ensure that the best interest of residents and citizens are protected in the sale of the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Republic Financial Holdings Limited announced last November that it has agreed to acquire Scotiabank’s operations in the Eastern Caribbean, including Dominica, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as operations in Guyana and St Maarten.

Skerrit told reporters during the closing ceremony of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority and the Fourth Sitting of the OECS Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda last night, that the best interest of his people are of paramount importance.

According to Skerrit, although the process is not yet completed, “all actions taken should protect the citizens”.
He said although there is no opposition to a free economy, the government must be responsible in its decision making. 
 
He said the OECS Monetary Council is also expected to discuss the matter further.
Meantime, the prime minister also addressed the issue concerning regional carrier LIAT, saying that the Caribbean cannot afford to lose the airline.
“We continue to be a shareholder and Dominica will play a bigger role in LIAT,” he said
Skerrit is also calling on the Hotel and Tourism Association to step up to the plate and invest in LIAT because accordng to him, they are some of the main beneficiaries of the airline.
“LIAT is a very critical part of our survival in Dominica and you cannot remove the airline from the equation,” the Dominica leader added.

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23 Comments

  1. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    June 20, 2019

    Roosevelt you might as well shut up, you don’t know the first thing about banking: Banks do go bankrupt, or enter receivership all the time unless they find a larger solvent bank to take over.
    That is; a bank having assets in excess of liabilities; financially able to pay one’s debts; and even at that sometime the depositors looses most of their savings.

    One may have a million dollars in a bank  that went bankrupt, however; after some insurance money is paid from that million dollars the depositor might only recover a hundred thousand dollars or less!
    You could not negotiate to cause Ross University School of Medicine, Palmolive Colgate, The Shine Company, Dragon Windows, the Tram Company, Harris Paints which operated in Dominica for a combination of almost seventy years from leaving relocating Barbados, and Antigua, what can you do about this bank.

    You are only there as a token of the century, a little boy whom the rest of Caribbean leaders laugh at you in your face!

  2. J.john-Charles
    June 20, 2019

    It is the Prime Minister’s responsibly to protect Dominicans best interest in the sale of Scotia Bank.That is a good move.I would also be happy if he shows a little interest in Dominicans who invested so many thousands of dollars in CLICO. and are waiting for years to receive something back..
    I am a victim still waiting…Thank you

    • June 21, 2019

      Hi uncle..the man boastfully said dat his children have insurance then ask the populace wat about dem?uncle papy never voted van his son.but i observe you hate wirkers party..we the workers need you..wen u planted lots of tomatoes.it was a joy for me to go around st.joe to sell your crop but today you cant plant a half acre..dont be to proud nor arrogant..d.a dying

  3. Nudibranch
    June 20, 2019

    Before any more “we going bankrupt please bail us out” nonsense from LIAT, they need to have a shake up from the mismanaged top down. The worst run business in the region. A viable alternative would be to allow Virgin buy in to assure the company as a better going concen. Utilizing the ferries more. If they can run from here to ANU and SLU to take revelers to get drunk and stupid, why not run full time. At least give is options.

  4. Ti Garcon
    June 20, 2019

    What Skerrit should do is buyout the LIAT shares from Barbados to take controlling interest in the airline. It’ll be money well soebt as we would control a schedule to suit our needs. Its more important than an international airport if you ask me. And much cheaper, and with the potential to be actually profitable with the right management.

  5. LifeandDeath
    June 20, 2019

    Skerrit has no idea about how a business runs. That man has not been able to secure Dominica’s best interest for the 15 yrs he has been Prime Minister. Look what happened to ROSS, and the outsourcing of all major construction works in Dominica..All you worry with Skerrit!?..All bark, no bite and we have had 15 years to see it. What he does secure though is his pocket

  6. Espoir Mal Papaye
    June 20, 2019

    Alas, doh keel me. You could not protect our best interest when Ross leave, now you promising to protect from Scotia Bank? I’ll wait……………..

  7. Pipo
    June 20, 2019

    With regard to LIAT all he is interested in is protecting his interest in the hotels in Portsmouth. And I don’t think Kempinski will be operational mid. Oct. as he wishes, not because I don’t want it to but the hotel is far from ready for business.

  8. JBaptiste
    June 19, 2019

    The best interest of his people are of paramount importance. Hehe hint:ROSS. Mister lying more than a certain fallen angel. Dominicans behave like recently freed slaves who believe that they must remain subservient to their masters because they cant fend for themselves.This is so embarrassing.

  9. x poto labourite
    June 19, 2019

    Why didn’t you ensure the protection of Dominicans best interest, when it came to Ross University, DCP, Brizees mart, Dapex, Bellow, and the eighty other businesses that no longer operate in Dominica?

  10. Annon
    June 19, 2019

    And just how will he do that considering that he is under the thumb of the international bankers? Skerritt is in charge of nothing. This whole thing is a banker operation. They own all the fake money. You just use it for the time being. They call the shots. Republic is one of the largest financial operations in the eastern caribbean and an off-shoot of the UK banks.

  11. ?????????????
    June 19, 2019

    continued … Stop twisting words and acting impulsively. Read again and again and look at the key words. You guys must stop embarassing yourselves because you do not like someone for no reason whatsoever and politicing everything. Once the PM opens his mouth to say something, whether it has some value, sense , u guys jumping up and just saying anything in your mouths. Grow up you guys. Bitterness only hurts those who have anger and such within. Now nothing here I said does not mean that I support the PM. so it high time that you guys show some love. You are hurting yourselves.

  12. ?????????????
    June 19, 2019

    derp read this again &again & 3rd time “According to Skerrit, although the process is not yet completed, “all actions taken should protect the citizens”.
    He said although there is no opposition to a free economy, the government must be responsible in its decision making.
    derp I did not see anything there to say he dictating to the private sector. Did u not hear “all actions taken should protect the citizens”.
    He said although there is no opposition to a free economy, the government must be responsible in its decision making. Are you engrossed in criticizing the Prime Minister that out of the article you did not see the words “all actions protect citizens & also further down – no opposition to a free economy, government must be responsible…. I had to quote the whole thing because u could interpret the words no opposition to mean that he spoke about the opposition party ( :-D ).
    It is high time that you people read, listen and if u cannot understand then ask someone to…

  13. June 19, 2019

    Now u want to save liat. The other Caribbean countries don’t care about liat they have other options and they all got international standards. Making night landing for liat
    And liat bankrupt. Crazy double doctor

  14. Ibo France
    June 19, 2019

    The governor of the ECCB gave the acquisition the nod. There is nothing Skerrit can do to interfere with the process at this time. The man is seeking favorable publicity. On his return to Dominica, he should enlighten the country about the missing EC$ 270 000 000+ PetroCaribe funds, the US $10 000 000 gift from Chávez to the Kalinago people, amount from the government coffers spent so far at the Red Clinic, etcetera. The country wants these discrepancies to be resolved soonest. The people run things not you. You Arrogant Self!

  15. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots
    June 19, 2019

    Skerrit should use his money to buy LIAT and re-name it Skerrit airline. He has plenty of money from the sale of citizenship.

  16. jamie
    June 19, 2019

    The man that says “he run things”well try to run things all over the islands,You will be of that high horse in due time Skerrit,and most you can do is ask Scotia to get out,otherwise dude please.

  17. Proud Dominican
    June 19, 2019

    Dominica is the only Caribbean country so DEPENDENT on LIAT. WHY? Because we don’t have an international airport. You need a flight to get here, you MUST take LIAT.

  18. Butwait
    June 19, 2019

    so the monies he invested in LIAT is from who? I thought when the government of dominica invested in something it’s from all of us Dominicans. Now you asking DHTA to invest in LIAT?

  19. AA
    June 19, 2019

    Garson Zor Toa Sort. Pure rubbish talk on both counts.

  20. RandyX
    June 19, 2019

    Not one day passing nowadays without this man talking his talk. Who does the man think he is? Protecting Dominica’s best interest? I wish somebody would protect us from you, your lies, your corruption and your incompetence!

  21. %
    June 19, 2019

    Skerrit to protect Dominica’s best interest??
    What a joke!!!
    So why he couldn’t do it in the case of Ross University, which was contributing 30 % of our GDP…? Skerrit is the regions most brainless leader, so Dominicans should be scared…
    S m g
    S m g
    L S m g n

  22. derp
    June 19, 2019

    hmm but a bank is a private business now you want to dictate to the private sector now

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