Skerrit challenges returnees to toss their hats in the ring for management of abattoir

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is inviting Dominicans who have returned home from studying abroad to form companies and put forward proposals to the government to manage the national abattoir.

His call came during a site visit of the Layou Park Facility.

 “This government has sent hundreds of young people to universities across the world. They are back, they are lawyers, they are doctors, they are accountants, they are agronomists, they are agriculturists, they are marketing agents…,” he explained. “Now here is a challenge, that all you need is to bring some of what you have learnt in school to the table, form a company…”

He continued, “You are a lawyer you can bring your legal skills, if you are a doctor you have some knowledge there, an accountant, a marketing expert, whatever it is, you come together, you form a company and you put forward a proposal to the government to manage the abattoir.”

According to Skerrit, no capital investment is required, which is a major cost for any investment.

 He said there will be a sure and ready market for the sale of pork and chicken parts.

“So, we look forward in receiving expression of interest,” he stated.

Skerrit said he looks forward to having local individuals present serious plans to manage the abattoir.

“6.4 Million dollars is a major investment and this is why we always maintain that agriculture is our number one priority,” he noted. “We are making tremendous strides in tourism , you can see the numbers have increased, the direct flights are increasing, more people are coming to Dominica, the hotels are benefiting, the taxi operators are benefitting,the restaurants, the tour guides, you name it they are all benefiting, but agriculture remains our number one priority as a government because we have to feed ourselves and we also have to feed those who are coming into the country.”