Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Ambrose George Fired as Minister

Ambrose George, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructural Development has been fired by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

In a tersely worded statement on state run radio, the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation (DBS), Skerrit thanked George for his services to the state but did not give any reasons for his departure.

This is the second time that George has been axed as a minister. In 2002, then Prime Minister Pierre Charles fired George as finance minister after FBI agents in Puerto Rico, arrested his traveling companion Julian Giraud on money laundering charges. At the time George was not charged, but Giraud was eventually convicted in a Miami court and sentenced to prison.

Ironically, Giraud has been named in the most recent allegations swirling around former minister George. Most of the allegations centers on the attempted setting up of an offshore bank in Dominica. Recent reports revealed a letter purportedly written by George in which he demanded payment of at least US $ 100 000 for a go-between who was instrumental in setting up an offshore bank in Dominica. Government later revoked the license of the bank when it was determined that the principal investor was a convicted money launderer.

It is believed that George was instrumental in obtaining the license, and may have actually signed when acting as Prime Minister. Government recently removed scrutiny of the offshore banking sector from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). Once the news broke in Dominica, people began calling for the Prime Minister to take swift action to get rid of George.

Prime Minister Skerrit also announced a Cabinet reshuffle in which he assumes responsibility for National Security and Rayburn Blackmore takes over George’s Ministry. At the same time, Vince Henderson becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs and is replaced by Senator Sonia Williams as Minister of Education, Sports, Human Resource and Youth Affairs.

5 Comments:

At November 19, 2008 12:54 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is a really tragic and unfortunate turn of events in the life of Hon Ambrose George ; a Politician who had promised so much for the party, community and country. I do wish him all the best in these difficult times. Am unsure whether he is still desirous of participating in parliamentary politics beyond 2008.
Quite clearly he has been at the centre of many controversies; some say self imposed others maintain mischief oriented while many may conclude a combination of the two. I do believe he meant well. doubtlessly a distinguished gentleman who had good intentions but might have dealt with the wrong crowd who might have taken advantage of his innate naivity on the nature of DOMINICA POLITICS.
QUITE CLEARLY the decision to dismiss VENTOSE was definitely not an easy one especially within the context of the closeness of he and the PM and the tremendous efforts which Mr George made at restructuring the party.However we seem to be operating within a climate of INTEGRITY IN PUBLIC OFFICE and the PM HAD LONG AGO WARNED THAT IF EVER ANY OF HIS MINISTERS ARE PROVEN TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY "WRONGDOINGS" THEN HE WILL HAVE TO EXPEL THEM FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
Well we have not been told of the facts. In law their exists a rebuttable presumption of innocence until guilt is proven.BUT ONE SHOULD REASONABLY ASSUME THAT THE PM MAY WELL BE PRIVY TO A BODY OF INFORMATION ( CLASSIFIED OR OTHETRWISE) WHICH WE ARE NOT AWARE OF.
IF THERE IS TO BE THE POSITION OF REASONS I TRUST WE SHALL KNOW IN TIME.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT THIS DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ROSEAU SOUTH POLITICS AND 2010 GENERAL ELECTIONS. WHILE THE HON REGINALD AUSTRIE OBTAINED THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF VOTES IN THE LAST ELECTIONS ;HON AMBROSE GEORGE GOT THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES. HE WAS ALSO SUBJECTED TO A BARAGE OF UNPRECEDENTED PROPORTION BY THE UWP LED OPPOSITION YET HE SURVIVED.I DO BELIEVE THAT HON GEORGE has to take some time to think about his political future. He has to stay calm. LISTEN TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND MAKE A SOBER DECISION. AS A CHURCH GOING MAN HE HAS TO PROSTRATE HIMSELF IN HUMILITY TO SEEK GOD'S GUIDANCE.
I ALSO NEED TO MAKE REFERENCE TO SEN HON SONIA WILLIAMS and CONGRATULATE HER ON HER APPOINTMENT AS A MINISTER OF EDUCATION. SHE IS VERY WELL FITTED FOR THIS ROLE.I DONT DOUBT HER EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCE AND INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES. AS FAR AS I SEE IT I DO THINK THAT SHE MUST GIVE VERY SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE ROSEAU SOUTH CONSTITUENCY; THIS IS HER NATURAL HOME. I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT SHE WOULD EFFORTLESSLY WIN THAT SEAT. THE ROSEAU SOUTH CONSTITUENCY BRANCH OF THE LABOUR PARTY COULD VERY WELL BEGIN SOME TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT. THERE ARE OTHER PERSONS WHO ARE ALSO VERY WELL SUITED FOR THAT ROLE AS PARL REP. BUT THE PARY LEADERSHIP MUST GIVE SERIOUS PRIORITY TO MS WILLIAMS- AN ABSOLUTELY FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE SHE WOULD MAKE. HAVING HER WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A SMOOTH TRANSITIONAL MECHANISM, TO BE MADE AS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

 
At November 19, 2008 4:24 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alas; Ambrose got a second chance at redemption but it shows the frailty of human nature and the lure of quick cash. I wish him well. I beleive the PM did the right and honorable thing in getting rid of him.

 
At November 19, 2008 7:52 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

It applaud the PM for his courage shown in this decision.Let us also leave human nature out of it.Finally they have a graphic picture of what Ambrose hands in the cookies jar.

 
At January 31, 2009 10:17 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

The rosette.

When a candle
appears in the
light of a
fine day, I listen
to you, my
delicate rosette;
your tender
behaviour presents
an intention, and
the sound of a
season returns in
my heart....

Francesco Sinibaldi

http://forum.afrik.com/index.php?topic=41.0

 
At November 21, 2009 8:51 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

 

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