{"id":167795,"date":"2016-08-20T15:07:08","date_gmt":"2016-08-20T19:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=167795"},"modified":"2016-08-20T21:47:23","modified_gmt":"2016-08-21T01:47:23","slug":"commentary-groundingbreaking-or-groundingfaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/features\/commentary\/commentary-groundingbreaking-or-groundingfaking\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: Groundbreaking or Groundfaking?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Jeffers
Jeffers Joseph<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imagine for a moment what our country’s infrastructure would look like today, had the many ground-breaking ceremonies and proposals chronicled during Roosevelt Skerrit’srulership been brought to full fruition. Given the lack of subsequent implementations let alone completion of these promised projects, it begs the question: Are these really groundbreakings, groundfakings or simply gimmicks? I suppose this frequency of groundbreakings has effected massive economic earthquakes, which continue to send our nation crumbling into the abyss. But, whether we take it with a grain of salt or simply refuse to swallow, Skerro’s recent coming-soon hospital sewo seemingly has the appearance of some nuance this time around – not the facade we have grown accustomed to. Allow me to explain.<\/p>\n

Notwithstanding the barrage of fruitless proposals, dirt digging and festivities we have witnessed over the years, in order to maintain our own sanity and sense of pride, it behooves us to be hopeful that this time there will be some ‘meat on the bone’ for once, and not just another prank. Of course, knowing who Skerro is, it would be to our own detriment to neglect to leave at least an iota of pessimism at the possibility of yet another empty promise. I am alluding to the PM’s latest promise of a “state of the art” hospital in Roseau. To enhance this abstract idea, Roosevelt Skerrit ingeniously accompanied his proposal with a conceptual exhibition of exaggerated blueprints showcasing everyone’s dream of the ideal place to recover from an illness. Although it may have a pseudo appearance, however, given the allurement of the upcoming need to fill the Roseau South Seat, it would make little sense to question the PM’s generosity to that community. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

In addition to the promise of a hospital in the Roseau Constituency, Roosevelt Skerrit is offering to make $25 million available to farmers in loans to enable them to enhance their farmlands and products. However, before you begin scratching your heads, there must be some logical explanation to this newfound generosity. Although many of you may be doubtful as to whether these proposals have\u00a0 any teeth, I truly am of the firm belief that they in fact do. What is really playing out may be manifestations of an urgency to disburse tens of millions of dollars in order to demonstrate that Dominicans are the beneficiaries of the proceeds of the Citizen By Investment Program. In other words, there seems to be a driving force (some speculate that it may be driven by the Panama Papers, and the recently discovered shell companies and their millions) behind this emergent need to provide evidence of having assisted the people with a significant portion of the massive revenues generated from the nation’s passport sales. Let’s see how this one is going to unfold.<\/p>\n

But…..here is the caveat. Beware of the saying that if something appears too good to be true – it probably is. Let’s unpack this $25 million offering to farmers. On first appearance it looks like a kind gesture; upon further examination, however, the devil may be in the details. Here is the million-dollar question: Where is the market for these anticipated products, to ensure that farmers are able to meet their loan obligations? This madness is analogous to offering deals on a set of new tires to someone who is unable to drive a vehicle let alone own one – total insanity. I find it extremely difficult to ‘wrap my head around’ a logical reason that would inspire this PM to plunge a nation of struggling farmers deeper into debt by making onerous loans available to them;\u00a0 this is especially due to the fact that only passport-selling agents have accessibility to a market in the country. Isn’t this stark insensitivity and cruelty to an already afflicted people? And, who will qualify for these loans? Maybe they will be largely offered to party supporters, with no strings attached. It could also be a reckless intimation to these farmers to take the money and run – who knows?<\/p>\n

Whatever the motivation behind this sudden push to provide Dominicans with that elusive hospital, and to bailout distressed farmers, let’s watch this one play out. As cited before, I truly believe there is some propelling force thrusting Skerro’s sudden urge to spread the funds around. Whether it be the Panama Papers or some other entity, a struggling nation will gladly accept it. Additionally, how could we neglect to include the PM’s insatiable desire to gin up popularity and revel in grandstanding as a motivational factor? Oh, and autocrats relish any possible chance to elevate humongous architectural structures as emblems of power, authority and rulership – irrespective of the likelihood that they may turn out to be nothing more than white elephants. All we need to do is look at the white elephant State Building – an impracticable structure serving only to swathe none other than the architect of the 1979 revolution; how ironic!! It is therefore conceivable that we may soon be graced with a billboard displaying the following words: Coming soon is\u00a0 The Roosevelt Skerrit General Hospital – A State of the Art Facility. Cross your fingers and toes farmers; your day is coming to the tune of $25 million as well. Hold your horses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Imagine for a moment what our country’s infrastructure would look like today, had the many ground-breaking ceremonies and proposals chronicled during Roosevelt Skerrit’srulership been brought to full fruition. 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