Victoria Falls, Delices Buy Dominica products
Home
Welcome Message
Prior Issues
Feedback
Current Issue
Contact Us
Advertise
About Dominica

Spiderline

In the Spotlight
Dr Edmund Tavernier:Leader in Agricultural Policy Research
John Moorhouse: Extreme Sports Cyclist

Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences
National Development Fund
Rosie Douglas Foundation

Become A Sponsor
The Dominican provides a unique opportunity to advertise to the thousands of people who access this free site daily, while becoming a sponsor of the site. For additional information, please

Inquire Here


Volume No. 1 Issue No. 58 - Friday June 18, 2004
No More Oil Refinery?
Associated Press

Dominica Refinery Pledges Have Fallen Through � Official

06-16-04 06:58 PM EST ROSEAU, Dominica (AP)--Pledges to build a $2.4 billion oil refinery have fallen through after a company that proposed the idea failed to meet several deadlines, a government official said Wednesday.

A U.S.-based company, Global Resources Corp., proposed the refinery last year, and the Caribbean country's government had anticipated it would be built in the eastern village of Castle Bruce. But the company has missed deadlines to present financial information and more specifics, Tourism and Enterprise Development Charles Savarin said.

"We are awaiting a further response from Global Resources so we can make a final determination," Savarin said, brushing aside a suggestion by one political enemy that he resign due to the lack of results.

Critics said the government was misled. Banana farmers concerned about the possible environmental effects of the refinery contacted New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council earlier this year to investigate Global Resources Corp.

"We did some researching and Web searches, and we couldn't find anything, which is sort of odd," said Jacob Scherr, director of the council's international program.

Scherr said his colleagues repeatedly called Global Resources Corp. and were only able to reach an answering machine; no one ever returned messages. They visited the address listed in Oakton, Va., which was a town house where they were told the real headquarters was in Reston, Va. - an address that didn't exist, Scherr said.

Scherr said when he visited Dominica to discuss the matter, "everyone was talking about this project as if it was going to happen tomorrow. And to us, it just seemed very far-fetched."

Repeated calls to the company by The Associated Press weren't returned.

Former Attorney General Bernard Wiltshire called for Savarin's resignation earlier this week, saying he should have ordered checks on the company.

But Savarin dismissed the suggestion, saying the government would still consider proposals for the project. He said no money ever changed hands.

Banana farmers still are angry about the delay of a government irrigation project due to the proposed refinery, which was to be built on lands owned by the government and farmers. The former British colony's economy, based on fading agriculture and modest tourism, has suffered in recent years.

Seeing no movement on the refinery, Savarin said the government has gone ahead with construction of a $3 million irrigation system for banana farmers on land previously set aside for the refinery.


Comments about this article? Email:
editor@
thedominican.net
Telephone:
1-703-861-9411
Fax:
1-202-589-7937

Volume No. 1 Issue No. 57
Out with Taiwan in with China
The Story of a Shasfemme
Of Myths Folklore and Legend
No Representation Without Taxation
Dominica Establishes Relations with China




Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our newsletter, and receive updates by e-mail.

Subscribe


  | Home | Welcome Message | Prior Issues | Feedback | Current Issue |
| Contact Us | Advertise | About Dominica | Privacy Policy |

� Copyright 2002 TheDominican.Net.
Designed by Caribbean Supplies -- All Rights reserved