​It’s time to hear from Health Minister Dr Irvin McIntyre, as regards the reported high child mortality rate in Dominica, says United Workers Party leader, Lennox Linton.
 
Mr. Linton says the approach being taken and the response that has been given and then retracted by the minister is unsatisfactory, with respect to the issue of child mortality which was published late last year, in a seemingly reputable health magazine.
 
He says there is no worse abuse to the children than to know that there are things that can and should be done, especially to the point where monies may have beensourced just to deal with a matter.
 
Linton contends that for an issue that has been ongoing for over 15 years, it is highly unlikely that this has not captured the attention of others.

​He says we have to show that we care for our children,to a much greater extent than what is presently being displayed.

​Leader of the United Workers Party, Lennox Linton

Water area 1 which is DOWASCO’s Springfield intake, is said to be receiving adequate reinforcement and servicing, due to the recent installation of a BETA Filtration Plant by the company.
 
General Manager of the Dominica Water & Sewage Company (DOWASCO) Bernard Ettinoffe told Q95 news on Thursday, soon this part of the country’s supply network will be able to remain continuously open to serve the Public, even under some of the harshest weather conditions.

Meantime, Ettinoffe says the Company is continuing to make significant progress in strengthening the supply network across Dominica.
 
Ettinoffe said this is also made possible through collaborative efforts with the company’s German consultant.

General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewage Company (DOWASCO), Bernard Ettinoffe

​The Discover Dominica Authority says it is ecstatic about its new Sunrise Event, which is expected to be one of epic proportions. That’s according to Marva Williams, Festivals & Events Manager of the Dominica Festivals Committee.
 
The Sunrise Event is carded for February 21, 2020 or carnival Friday, and is being recognized as not only a Dominican event, but it has also opened its doors and stage to other artistes from the Caribbean who are also big in their craft. She listed a few of the artists to be gracing the stage and what can be expected.

​The venue and the menu are also expected to one of a unique experience, as it one of a kind. Williams sees the potential of this being a staple event and shared how one may be able to purchase tickets.

Marva Williams, Festivals and Events Manager of the Dominica Festivals Committee

​Chairman of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Johnson Boston says the Party’s position on the matter of Electoral Reform, remains unchanged.
 
Boston hopes that Dominica never sees another Election like the one which was held on December 6, 2019.
 
The Dominica Freedom Party was one of the major groups here, calling for effective electoral reform months before the Election date was announced. However, the DFP says it saw the Executive of the DLP manipulate the Electoral System and Process to prevent the implementation of recommendations for Electoral Reform.

Meantime, Boston is calling on Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to ensure that the Electoral commission receives all of the resources it needs, to carry out its duty to implement Electoral Reform in Dominica.
 
Boston recalled Prime Minister Skerrit’s promise to provide all the resources to the Electoral Commission to carry out complete Electoral Reform in Dominica within 100 days from December 6, 2019, so far 56 days have passed with no signs of any reforms.

​Political Consultant and Chairman of the Dominica Freedom Party, Johnson Boston

​The Miss Dominica Queen show is to receive a possible increase in Quality production, in efforts to boost the country’s pageantry status within the Caribbean region.
 
Festivals & Events Manager of the Dominica Festivals committee, Marva Williams said Wednesday, the competition will incorporate four rounds for the seven young ladies vying for the title of Miss Dominica Carnival Queen, who were officially sashed on Thursday November 7, 2019.
 
The contestants are: Savahnn James, 20, Shannon Connor St Hilaire, Elnarrah Emmanuel, 19 all representing Roseau, Melanie Charles of Goodwill, Primrose Angel David, 25 representing Massacre, Kadisha Joseph 24, and Kimra Charles 22 both representing Fond Cole. Miss Dominica Marisol John sashed them at the official media launch of Mas Domnik 2020 held at the Prevo Cinemall.
 
The National Queen Show is carded for Thursday, February 20,2020 at Carnival City – the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Forecourt.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the young ladies at the event. 

​Dominica Festivals Committee Festivals & Events Manager, Marva Williams 

​General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang says there is a serious fear among public servants. He made his comments on the DPSU program alongside DPSU President Steve Joseph.

​Meantime, President of the DPSU Steve Joseph says there should be discussion that deals with forced labor.

​President of the DPSU, Steve Joseph 

​Dominica Festivals Commission Festivals & Events Manager, Marva Williams, says the DFC’s decision to adjust the dates for the 2020 edition of Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) is necessary
 
At a press conference on Wednesday, Williams explained to media, the main reason for this executive action.

​She added that such decisions will occur every ten years, and sought to reassure Dominicans that this does not take away from the promotion of other Independence celebrations. She also stated that she does not see this negatively affecting the ticket sales for the event.

Dominica Festivals Committee Festivals & Events Manager, Marva Williams

​Jennifer Wheeler from Birds Caribbean says recent sightings inspired her organizations to become proactiveand they are now seeking to survey the Black Capped Petrel locally known as the ‘Diablotin’.
 
Some of the techniques to be used are Marine Radar to find these birds. She says they are nocturnal and use intelligent ways of staying discrete, making the process difficult.
 
She says there is strong evidence to support this theory, as it is the only bird of its kind known to be flying 50KM during the night.
 
She is optimistic this will bring an additional boost to the tourism sector in Dominica.

​Jennifer Wheeler from Birds Caribbean

​Two more players scored Centuries in the Massy United Insurance Secondary Schools Under 20 Cricket Championship, in yesterday’s match at the Benjamin's Park.
 
This follows on the two centuries scored on Tuesday at the Botanic Gardens, in the 2020 Massy United Insurance Secondary Schools U20 Cricket Championship
 
In the ITSS vs NECS at Benjamin's Park, ITSS won the Toss
NECS scored 48 All Out
 
Nadian Mayers scored 13
Jeremiah Joseph captured 6 for22
And Jahson Vidal 3 for14
 
In its turn at the crease, ITSS scored 213 for 4 Declared
Jeremiah Joseph scored 101
Micah Joseph got 1 for1
And Kishon Viville got 2 for 56

All Carnival Bands are being advised to gather at Victoria Street in Roseau at 1:30PM to ensure the OLE Mas Festival Parade begins on time.
 
This call comes from Dominica’s Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence, who spoke at a press conference of the Dominica Festivals Committee on Wednesday at their headquarters.

Cultural Chief Officer of Dominica Raymond Lawrence.