The Minister for Housing and parliamentary representative for Roseau Central Constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, has denied paying $50,000 (EC$135,127) to have Prince Swanny play in Dominica during the Easter holiday. She said she had never had any interaction with the Trinidadian music artiste nor involved with his plans to perform in Dominica.
Debunking claims in online blogs that she tried to get immigration to allow Prince Swanny – real name Taryll Swan – to enter into the country after the authorities turned him back, Poponne-Skerrit said she would never use her position to influence matters of due process. She said the allegations that she had anything to do with Swanny or the organizers of the bungled show were all calumny.
I state categorically and without fear of contradiction, that I was not involved in the organization or the promotion of the show. I have no association with the artiste or his team, nor have I ever held talks with the local promoters of the show or the artiste’s Trinidad-based management team. I have never met or spoken to Prince Swanny in any capacity.
Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, Minister for Housing
The housing minister, who is also the wife of PM Roosevelt Skerrit, said the lies fabricated against her were the handiwork of political distractors. She advised the public to disregard the “blatant lies” that she is willing to challenge with all legal means.
I also reject the accusation that I made calls to the immigration department demanding the artists be granted entry into Dominica. This is completely false. I take this opportunity to condemn the dishonest acts of certain individuals within our society, who consistently seek to tarnish my name with innuendo, misplaced criticism, and in many instances blatant lies. Be advised that these lies and deliberate attempts to smear my name and reputation will not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, Minister for Housing
The buildup to this development is that Prince Swanny was scheduled to perform at the Stadium Forecourt on April 9. He arrived to Dominica on April 7 but was not allowed to disembark from his plane; he was taken back to Trinidad where he was arrested and arraigned in court. He was charged with breaching a court order to appear in court for allegations related to gang activities in Trinidad.
He applied to the judge to be allowed to go perform in Dominica and to return to Trinidad to answer charges, but the judge declined the application. On April 11, he was granted bail in the sum of TT$80,000. But things took a different turn when an online blog published that the artiste’s carded performance in Dominica was funded by Ms. Poponne-Skerrit. The blogger is however yet to respond to or publish Poponne-Skerrit’s denouncement.
This article is copyright © 2023 DOM767
