Treasurer of the Dominica Coalition of Service Industries (DCSI), Steve Astaphan, wants persons within the construction sector who are impacted by the lack of equal opportunities being given to contractors here, to speak out.
 
Local contractors have taken a strong stance over a contract being awarded to a Barbadian company, NSG Management and Technical Services Ltd, for undertaking the Roseau West Bridge project without being tendered.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has told residents of Layou to utilize the Layou beach to its full capacity.
During a visit to the Layou village this week to engage residents, Skerrit said the beach has the potential to become a major income earner for residents. 

PM Skerrit challenged residents to meet with their parliamentary representative to develop a plan ands course of action towards implementing that plan.

A Comprehensive road rehabilitation program is on the cards for Dominica.
That’s according to Public Works Minister Mirium Blanchard.
On Wednesday government signed 17 priority intervention projects costing over 4million EC Dollars for rehabilitation works across Dominica.

​Public Works Minister Mirium Blanchard

The Ministry of Trade is currently embarking on a consumer protection project.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Careen Prevost told a workshop Wednesday, the project will ensure that proper legislation is in place among others.

​Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Careen Prevost

The Ministry of Health is issuing a call for Dominicans, particularly the elderly and children to get vaccinated.
That call forms part of activities to mark ‘World Vaccination Week’ this week under the theme, ‘Go for the Gold, Get Vaccinated.’
Senior Health Nurse in the Ministry of Health, Florestine Lewis, says the vaccinations are necessary to combat several diseases currently around.

Senior Health Nurse in the Ministry of Health Florestine Lewis
​
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates active immunization currently averts 2-3million deaths every year.
However; 22.6million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines mostly in developing countries.

Dominica is being commended for the recent approval of its National Land Policy.
The latest praise is coming from Rory Baksh of Dilon Consulting who’s been working with the Physical Planning Division in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank to develop a National Physical Development Plan for Dominica.
While presenting the first draft of the NPDP this week, Baksh said very few countries in the Eastern and Wider Caribbean have a policy like this which is government approved.

​Rory Baksh of Dilon Consulting

Finance Minister, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, says the government is putting measures in place to fill the void of the financially troubled DAPEX.
The Dominica Agricultural Producers & Exporters Ltd (DAPEX) have not been able to fulfil its mandate to farmers over the last several years.
But PM Skerrit says the company’s woes was largely due to its management.

​He says government has engaged the Dominica Export Import Agency to assist farmers who were set back as a result of the failure of DAPEX.

Finance Minister, PM Roosevelt Skerrit 

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is continuing to express concern over what he describes as negative statements being made by Opposition Leader Lennox Linton about Dominica.
PM Skerrit says he is further shocked at persons with investments who support Linton. He made specific mention of UWP Senator Issac Baptiste.
"I don't understand how Issac Baptiste could sit at a meeting with Mr. Linton when he knows that Mr. Linton is denying him an opportunity to see a return on his investments..." said PM Skerrit.
He called on Dominicans to take a stand against such behaviour.

In partnership with UNICEF, Dominica is receiving the assistance of a facilitator in the person of Mrs. Jacqueline Sealy Burke, an Attorney at law, to conduct a four day workshop to be held from Tuesday May 3rd to Friday May 6th 2016 at the Fort Young Hotel.
Under the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project, funded by USAID, a number of Draft Family Model Bills are receiving attention one of which is the Child Justice Bill. This Bill is centred on a rights based system which reflects measures to meet minimum standards in the four main supporting Juvenile Justice Instruments.
According to a release, the workshop will examine the Juvenile Justice System and its various stages, the new paradigm necessary for the implementation of the OECS Child Justice legislation and reinforce the nexus with child protection issues.
It targets Probation, Police officers (especially those who work with children), Magistrates, Police Prosecutors, Child Protection officers and representatives from juvenile facilities and youth centred organizations.