Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said since Dominica established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, that country has remained a true friend of the island.
He was addressing the ground breaking ceremony of the China-funded $53-million rehabilitation project of the E.O Le Blanc Highway on Tuesday afternoon held at Macoucherie.
This project was necessary following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.
“In the case of this E.O Leblanc Highway, on the morning after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, the damage that was wrought across Dominica and particularly its West Coast was clearly not the fault of anyone, and the People’s Republic of China could easily have pledged a token contribution towards national rehabilitation, and gone on its way. But that, Ladies and Gentlemen would not have been the China way,” he said. “That would not have been consistent with the depth of follow-through and commitment to which we have gotten accustomed from our friends in Asia, the Chinese people.”
And according to him since the commencement of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the People’s Republic of China has been a true and dear friend to Dominica.
“A friend that would not have just thrown money at the problem, but would have assessed and concluded that urgent and meaningful help was required and would have committed there and then to fixing the problem, no matter the cost or magnitude,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister made it clear that China could and would not have been faulted for not committing to the ultimate task of rehabilitating the entire Highway.
“An individual, an entity or a country, can take but so much. And we all are familiar with the debilitating and dehumanizing criticism of China over the past few years, by some in our midst,” he noted.
He said from day one, China’s commitment to Dominica was questioned and its every act of friendship undermined.
However, he said the People’s Republic of China remained steadfast to the cause.
“It never shirked and it never wavered,” Skerrit remarked. “The guiding principles of true friendship have characterized it every action in relation to Dominica and for this, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Government and the majority of Dominicans, are forever grateful.”
The project consists of the construction of three bridges, 13 culvert crossing, upgrade of drainage, restoration of several areas afflicted with road edge failure, slope stabilization, among others.
Works are expected to be completed by the end of March 2019.
“He was addressing the ground breaking ceremony of the China-funded $53-million rehabilitation”
We would like to know if the fifty-three million is a grant; gift, or a loan, and if it is a loan what interest is stipulated to be paid: Is it compounding annually of fixed! By the way are not the Chines who built that same road less than twenty years ago? If I am correct, shouldn’t they take responsibility to repair the inferior work they performed the first time they built the same road?
This could be a sucker game you know; do inferior work, and when it rapidly deteriorate we return, to repair it at the suckers expense!
There are no Highways in Dominica. Are we not travelling? Smh
How can you say there are no Highway in Dominica?
As critical as I can be about my country of birth, I cannot agree with you that there are no highway’s in Dominica. You may not like the type of highway they are taking about.
However, since Highway is defined as a road connecting to cities or towns, and that road connects Portsmouth, and Roseau it can be classified a highway, the same as a three or four lane Highway.
Although there may not be any dividing lines it is a highway.
Now if you are thinking in teams of a Freeway that is different, because you would be dealing with on and off ramps ect. Be informed however; I-5 (Interstate 5 Freeway) which runs from San Diego California, to Vancouver Canada connecting with the Canadian 90 Freeway is indeed a highway too!
You simply cannot drive a hundred miles per hour on Dominica highway, I mean you can but you may die oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
China is a true friend to lots of poor countries around the world. That’s a hellofalotta greasy palms.
Why is there no picture of those guys in the company of Chinese officials?
Winston, your really should invest in a pair of glasses my boy, There is a Chinese official in the extreme left of the picture.
It’s only when mr Linton speaks out things
Are happening in Dominica ?? well Linton
Boy u have POWER
@:black woman, get back under a rock stupid person.
Democracy and Communism is like Oil and water; They don’t mix. Skearat is forcing a mixture in vain.
Shut up dommy who gonna benefit frm this ur damn kids monkey every thing is politics bloke
Yet again DNO Madam you being bias in posting who you want comment.
As my post clearly stated where is the transparency with all that millions of dollars being spent. That’s why this country can’t move forward
The facts are stubborn. The evidence have been revealed , The Dominican public knows that the diplomatic relations established with China was facilitated by NG Lap Seng, now charged with fraud and other corrupt practices in the US. It was not, repeat, it was never Skerritt who initiated Diplomatic relations.
Where is David Hsui, who represented Dominica in China? Remember that it was that same man, who was involved in that famous case in the BVI with Felix Chen?
Remember Felix Chen and the US$20 million that was taken from him? Who tried to get that huge amount of money back for Felix Chen? but what happen to that, nuh? Has Felix Chen ever received his money back?
So the Chinese Gov’t know about those issues. Remember the Chinese Ambassador in Dominica distanced himself from that famous deal? Yes, the same deal, where Skerritt went to China and he told us that he had signed a $399 million loan with a private financial firm? China Gov’t know about Skerritt.
mistake,, it was a US$300 million. Skerritt said that money was for PMH building,and for hotel at PWC area, although he told us previously that the PMH rehab would be funded by the Chinese Govt? Deceit upon deceit.
Skerrit has no knowledge o development nor has he of diplomacy. Everything for this man represents a pompous attitude and personality strait of eagerness to be seen doing something. It is a joke with the bunch of illiterate jokers he has following him.
On the other hand Hon Linton is out there looking out to regain the reputation and good name of Dominica stained by Skerrit and his gang of deceptions as we recall the Bin Bobol and the Fertilizer Bobol until they were all caught with their dirty political pants down. they were exposed for what they are, political misfits and opportunists.
Skerrit Must Go , he is a liability to our Dominica.
Well done Hob Linton on that brave and professional, dignified report you have given to the people of Dominica. We are proud of you and Dominica and await for you and TEAM UWP to be in office to bring back the good name of Dominica.
But do they trust you Roosevelt my old comrade? I am very afraid that the answer to that may very negative. I am a simple man but to me their invitation of the opposition to visit China is evidence of that.
Skerrit your out of hiding,all the time you kept of fooling the poor that China was for you alone,but my friend these people are very intelligent,see how the invited Linton and you knew nothing,so my friend just watch out.
Boy if I gave people the impression that a rich, beautiful woman that hardly talks to people is in love with me, and me alone, only to find out a few years later, just before we sign on a contract of marriage and love till death do us part, that woman I thought was is love with me alone invites my worse enemy to her house, without telling me anything, I would be so hurt, crushed and no doubt cause my bread pressure to go up. That’s exactly what the Chinese did to Skerrit when they invited Linton and a team of UWP to China behind Skerrits back, and the sad thing is, he does not know a thing that was discussed. They showed Skerrit that they were never in love with him; their relationship was with the people of Dominica. Their action showed Skerrit and all those pretending to be blind supporters of Skerrit, that their statement of “If not Skerrit , then who” is false and bears no weight. Now Skerrit has to do everything to see if he can get favor but sadly, his lover has no trust in…
Keeping both the ruling party and opposition as friends is a brilliant diplomatic strategy. If and when UWP gets back into office, the Chinese will win either way. This is working diplomacy in action at its highest level. Soon, we will be exporting all 2 million pounds of “Red Fish” to China. Wait for Drigo’s next fish report.
China is a true friend to every Caribbean country, they’re even getting better deals than us. Our true friend was Venezuela which was more sincere and allu laborats abandon them in their time of need
Agreed my dear PM. People like Linton remove lassie from their eyes all of a sudden. Magway sah!
But friendship with Skerrit is in serious Jeopardy
Was there ever a friendship with Skerrit? However I agree with you,they seem to be disgusted.Remember many are on island,we also ave a uge mbassy on island,and they used to hear the DLP MISLEADERS make it appear that the relationship was with Skerrit,and not Dominica.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
And the winner is CHINA! Skerrit tried his strategy of divide & rule locally but the Chinese have been at this game much longer than he has. Their invitation to the opposition was a masterstroke. They certainly did not appreciate his messenger Francine Baron trying to sell the family silver to the Russians in Sochi last year and offer them the same bag of goods they already promised the Chinese.
Now they have turned the tables on him and made the opposition into friends of China to keep an eye on him. Both parties united in friendship with China now and so safeguard their long-term plans for Dominica. Very, very clever. I see prosperity coming, perhaps even a Chinese P.M. in future. You must hand it to them, the Chinese are very smart, don’t act impulsively but carefully strategize.
Master stroke? Which brand of wine you drinking? So inviting all opposition parties to china as has been done in the past is another master stroke? Sun Tsu fake Chinese you just too funny to be real. The Chinese are indeed very smart but you, alas
The pettiness of this man. Skerrit thinks being the loudest is brilliance. Skerrit if China choose to help it has more to do with the people of Dominica than to do with you. China understand diplomatic relationship is about people, they communicate with you because of the office you hold not because of you. My respect is to the Office of prime Minister. If yellow or pappy was elected prime Minister same procedure would be followed because it is seen as respecting the people’s decision. You personally are a Fraud and a disgrace and have overseen a country that declined in every aspect except begging, violent crime, and welfare. There is a law of diminishing returns and after 9 years your service has become epired goods. In other words, you are like a time of sardines on Astaphans shelf with an expired date of 12/12/2010. Labourites will understand this.
Skerritt, flattery will get you nowhere!
The writing is on the wall for you as far as the Chinese are concerned.
Too much “bobolery” going on in D’ca and it’s glaring and smelling.
So true Amy. the things Skerrit involved in are threatening to derail the plans China has for Dominica so now they have appointed Linton as a guard dog to keep Skerrit in check while they can go on with their work uninterrupted. I use to vote labour you know but I am voting for Lennox team now because I want to be on the right side when the kaka hits the fan.
Indeed, China has helped us through our toughest of times. Through global recessions their support never dwindled. We’ve had scores of students who received scholarships to study, 12 more leaving throughout this week. We are benefiting even better today, infrastructure to include schools, a national hospital. The Chinese people provide employment for our people and their places of business generate income. China has contributed significantly to our development, in ways we would have never imagined. The praise goes to the government and the majority of Dominicans who are not tainted by small-mindedness. Good move PM, I salute you…Then, Now and Forever!
Carlton, I agree with you except that you contribute all this to one man, the demi-God Skerrit. Listen pal, it are the Chinese who did this and Skerrit is only a pawn as the visit by Lennox Linton and his team to China shows. Brother, they don’t care about individuals, their objective is what really matters and that is the development of Dominica for their country’s benefit..
I do concur. And those who are now hooraying and applauding the One China policy, I say kudos to you for finally coming to your senses. You all never supported the Chinese and never respected the diplomatic relation between our two countries. Now that Linton has set foot there, it is all fine and dandy? and you now love your China? Hypocrites.
The visionary, honourable Roosevelt Skerrit will forever be remembered as the greatest PM we have ever had.
@Jerry dee yo sa ba mwen ENCOR, dee yo mwen dee they don’t kw what they want. PM long I waiting for our bridge in Macoucherie, but when you enter in a house is little by little things will work.
Real talk give jack his jacket
Yes WE ALL KNOW that China remains a TRUE FRIEND of Dominica, and not a true friend of Skerrit as some unsuspecting Dominicans were made to believe by DLP Misleaders… I hope Dominicans got the message.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
%, wasn’t it your leader Linton who insisted that relations with China was a personal relationship between Skerrit and the powers that be in China, suggesting some under the table dealing? Refer to Linton’s response to a question posed by Matt Peltier in 2013!!!. What blatant hypocrisy and dishonesty! You will continue to entangle yourself in your own web of lies and deception.
Ras, if you can tell me where and when Linton said that I will believe you brother but until then I mustl treat what you say as a figment of your imagination.
I can well understand how embarrassed you are feeling now our PM’s foolishness is exposed.So you have at least learnt one new thing.There is nothing called a Skerrit to country relationship.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
Now alone you know China is a true friend eh? Before Linton go you didn’t know that? Talk about mislead and hypocrisy.. You doe even know where you stand.
Well said PM!
Well said!
Are you drunk again Harris?
Why is China such a good friend to Dominica? What do we have that they want? I just hope we don’t “sell our soul to gain the world”.No one does something for nothing……….Dominica first.
@ concerned I would much rather sell my soul to China, than to Linton, and his so-called Workers Party.
big deal to you but peanuts to China so relax
Does Skerritt know why China never shirked nor wavered in light of controversial comments?Well Skerritt it’s called maturity.You on the other hand are stuck in a zone of mediocrity and always comments on the past.Grow up man,and move on up.I’ll be paying close attention to your utterances to see if you have matured any. ok
Jonathan, same applies to your leader Linton! We will also be observing Linton to see whether his sojourn in China has impacted on his maturity – although judging on his performance at his press conference it would appear that he is still the same old, same old story teller.
What are they getting in return Mr Sker???????????? 3 Dasheen and a hand of fig? We the people deserve to know…more duty free on questionable products that break down after a few uses, chemicals that are band in multiple countries yet come through our ports so easy? come on man, think of our children.
Shut up fool such nonsense