Dr Thomson Fontaine accepts an appointment as Senior Economic and Financial Advisor for South Sudan4/27/2017 Former IMF Economist and Senator Dr Thomson Fontaine has accepted an offer to serve as a Senior Economic and Financial Advisor for South Sudan. Dr. Thomson Fontaine says that offer was presented to him by world leaders, to head a committee which will be tasked with creating plans to rebuild the broken economy of South Sudan. Dr. Fontaine’s team will also be responsible of overseeing and advising the country’s Government on the use of its finances. Fontaine’s contract is set for one year, but is renewable upon completion of the first year. According to reports, South Sudan is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It is home to over 60 different major ethnic groups, and the majority of its people follow traditional religions. Independence did not end conflict in South Sudan. The 2013-2015 civil war displaced 2.2 million people, and threatened the success of one of the world's newest countries. As a result of that war, world leaders have hand pickled professionals from across the world, to restore the country’s economy. Meanwhile, Fontaine says it is somewhat petty that Dominica’s DLP Government ignored his Economic & financial Policy advise, possibly due to his political preferences.
Dr. Fontaine is fully qualified and experienced in the field of economics, being formerly employed as Intentional Monetary Fund (IMF) Economist. He told Q95 FM, he is taking his new appointment seriously, and will succeed in helping to restore South Sudan’s Financial Sector.
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UWP Senator Isaac Baptiste says the Government should not have demolished the functioning West Bridge, but should have instead used the funds to finance other more essential priority projects. Baptiste says while he supports certain aspects of the project, there are other more urgently needed projects which should have been prioritized over that bridge. Baptiste views the opening ceremony for the West Bridge on May 1st as a waste of taxpayer’s money. According to Baptiste previous Governments have built bridges on the island without the fanfare and celebration therefore he believes the event is a political strategy to paint the Prime Minister in a good light as it becomes apparent the Government has failed. Meanwhile, Roseau Central MP Joseph Isaac has called on Dominicans to boycott the opening of the Roseau West Bridge Ceremony.
Isaac says this project was not tendered in keeping with the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act, and as such he views it as being illegal. Baptiste tells Dominicans "Do not come & celebrate a corrupt practice". The Ministry of Public Works & Ports says it has officially launched a Road Network Safety Assessment Project. The project was launched at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room on Tuesday afternoon. 200km of Dominica's main road networks will be assessed with assistance from a UK-Based Charity 'IRAP'. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works Denise Edwards said, this assessment will seek to ensure Dominica's roads are safe for all users. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works Denise Edwards
DSPSU dispels claims that its members are pressuring it to accept Government’s second wage offer4/27/2017 General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang, has dispelled claims that the union is under pressure from members, to accept the second wage offer from Government. The Government had initially proposed a wage freeze which the union had flatly refused to accept. Its second offer now tabled, is 0% in the first year, a one-time 50% of one-month’s salary in the second year, and a 3% increase in the third year, which the union has also refused. The DPSU has proposed a 15% increase for the 2015-2018 triennium. Meanwhile, Letang says the union will only take action with the support of its general membership.
His comments come following calls from some sectors of society, for the union to take action against the Government in the form of demonstrations. "We recognize there are a lot of issues" he said, but the union will only take action when it is satisfied that it has the support of its members. Letang says the union has made significant steps in mobilizing its membership. Government announces plans for the construction of an Administrative Building in the Portsmouth area4/27/2017 Negotiations are ongoing for the construction of a Government Administrative Building in the town of Portsmouth. This was announced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, at a Town Hall Meeting held in Portsmouth on Sunday. He said this new building will allow all Government offices to be in one centralized area. Mr Skerrit says the Mayor of Portsmouth Titus Francis will serve as the Project Coordinator for this. Meanwhile Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed plans for what he describes as significant housing development for the town of Portsmouth. Government disclosed that 30 apartment units will be constructed in Georgetown, Glanvillia Portsmouth. And the Government has also committed to building 50 homes for needy families. Mr Skerrit also said over half a million EC dollars will be allocated for construction of washroom facilities in Portsmouth.
PRO for the Dominica Reading Association invites general to major event dubbed 'Words and Wine'4/27/2017 Dominica Reading Association PRO Lisa Latouche, is inviting the General Public to attend the Association’s Major event dubbed ‘Words and Wine’, carded for 27th April 2017, at the UWI Open Campus Auditorium. Latouche told Q95 FM, the Association has seen significant growth in attendance and participation, in the various activities offered at the event for the past two years. This year’s event themed, “Island echoes” is now in its third year. Organizers say it is free, and promises to be exciting.The Reading Association PRO Lisa Latouche has more:
Former Prime Minister Edison James says Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had the opportunity to ensure the construction of an International Airport in 2004.
According to James, if the Skerrit led DLP Government had utilized the lands and project designs for the International Airport, that had already been purchased, secured and finalized by the UWP Administration, and had gone ahead and implemented that UWP Administration initiative for a US $270 Million Dollar Project; the $300 million dollars which was granted to the DLP Government at that time, by the People’s Republic of China, could have been used to easily construct an International Airport runway on that sight, which was already owned by Government. DPSU says additional issues affecting Public Officers and Members will be tabled at upcoming meeting4/26/2017 General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang says the DPSU is looking at other issues, apart of salary negotiations on behalf of Public Officers. Speaking to Q95FM today Wednesday, Letang said one of the main concerns of the Union, centres around the issue of persons acting in a position in excess of four years, and are not promoted for political reasons, despite being qualified. Letang says this trend being practiced by employers in Dominica is pathetic and unjust. Meanwhile, Letang has given the reasons for the absence of the Union from the Consultation Conference held on Monday 24th April 2017.
Letang says the executive is displeased with the employers of the Public Works Cooperation, who in 2016, laid off 20 employees without redundancy. In addition, the executive of the DPSU found that inadequate time and information was given to them, in order to meaningfully contribute to that Consultation. Miracle Eye Care Program Phase 4 officially launched Tuesday at Health Ministry Conference Room4/26/2017 Phase 4 of the Miracle Eye Care Program was officially launched Tuesday at the Ministry of Health's Conference Room. It is anticipated that 578 patients will be examined in the 4th phase of this mission, while 1,031 surgical procedures will be conducted. The Miracle Eye Mission agreement is a famous eye care program of cooperation carried out by ALBA which is taking place in Dominica by Venezuelan eye specialists. That agreement was signed between Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Dominica Hayden Perela Sanchez in January 2016. District Medical Officer Dr Philip St Jean said this mission is a continuation of phase 3. District Medical Officer Dr Philip St Jean Meanwhile, Venezuela's Ambassador to Dominica His Excellency Hayden Perela Sanchez says despite Venezuela's ongoing political challenges, the country is committed to the continuation of the Miracle Eye Care program in the region. The Ambassador was speaking at the official launch of the 4th phase of the Miracle Eye Care Program in Dominica. Three people were killed in Venezuela on Monday in renewed violence, raising the death toll in 3-weeks of massive demonstrations against left-wing President Nicolas Maduro to 24. Latin American countries and the United States have voiced concern on the unrest in Venezuela. The population is suffering shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies while riots and looting have also occurred in several places. However; despite all this, Ambassador Sanchez says the Miracle Eye Care Program will not be stopped in the Caribbean. Venezuela's Ambassador to Dominica His Excellency Hayden Perela Sanchez
Bureau of Gender Affairs kicks off Sex Week with a Sexual Health Fair dubbed "If Walls Could Talk"….4/26/2017 Photo: Bureau of Gender Affairs Facebook Page The Dominica Bureau of Gender Affairs is this week hosting the 2nd Annual Sex Week. The main activity for Sexual Assault Awareness Month is recognized through a week of educational events designed to share knowledge on personal health and sexuality, but also skills in communication and how to negotiate healthy relationships and friendships. It is also being held under the theme "Engaging New Voices." Sex Week 2017 kicked off with a sexual health fair dubbed "If Walls Could Talk" at the Dominica State College on Tuesday. The health fair also promotes awareness on sexual violence and sexuality and productive health, and seeks to encourage youth to promote a culture of respect and dignity for all. Communications & Data Registry Officer at the Bureau of Gender Affairs Arlene Gregoire says that the statistics of sexual health and abuse in Dominica are too high. Communications & Data Registry Officer at the Bureau of Gender Affairs Arlene Gregoire
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