The Dominica Chess Federation congratulates the students who participated in the Chess tournament held on May 16 and 23 at the Dominica State College. Chess players continue to learn, enjoy and excel at this amazing game while testing their competitive skills among themselves.
 
The following winners were awarded in a presentation at the college on Thursday, May 25, for their outstanding performance in the tournament:
 
1st place:   Karhmeron Severin
2nd place: Levien Gilbert
3rd place:  Jeriel Francis
 
The Dominica Chess Federation is pleased to observe such events and salutes the other sponsors – Emerald Movies and Nera’s Baking Delights who supported the tournament organizers in fostering continuous improvement among chess players.
 
The Federation says it  looks forward to more such activities especially as it continues to roll out its ‘Chess in Schools’ Program, an initiative which is expected to lead to more students playing the game, and ultimately leading to inter-school tournaments, asplaying chess is known to have many benefits, including stimulating the brain, promoting strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, as well as improving attention and cognitive functions.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says government is making better preparations to ensure infrastructure can withstand any assault from this Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Caribbean island witnessed some of the most devastating effects of a hurricane when, in 2017, a category 5 storm destroyed 90 percent of its housing stock. Mr Skerritt says since then, better building practices and techniques have been employed to ensure the infrastructure can withstand any onslaught.

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Attorney Gabriel Christian believes that Dominica has been colonized by a group of kleptocrats in the pay of foreign masters. He claims these include individuals such as the Chinese at the airport project who placed signs stating no photographs are to be taken of a project being built with public funds. He implies that this lack of transparency is not only concerning, but it also raises questions about the accountability of our government.
 
If we cannot even document the work being done on public projects, how can we be sure that our tax dollars are being used appropriately? Christian points out that it is imperative that our government be held accountable for their actions and that they operate with transparency and openness. Without this, it becomes difficult to trust those in power and to have faith in the democratic process.

He further stated that all Dominicans have an obligation to put their foot down and put a stop to the rot that has destroyed their democracy, so they can rebuild it with freedom of association, equality of opportunity, and the liberties they hold. This is due to the sacrifices of those who came before, who wanted Dominicans to be in charge of their affairs. Christian emphasizes how it is imperative that the people take action, by any means necessary within the law, to put an end to the corruption that has plagued their democracy.

Attorney Gabriel Christian.

The host of Q95’s Global View on Q, Sheridan Gregoire (Mr G), reviews a statement by DLP regime leader Roosevelt Skerrit that has left him with many questions. He notes that Mr. Skerrit's statement concerning the delayed report of Sir Denis Byron, to the effect that- ‘If you have only partof the report and the laws, give them to us, -  needs to be broken down so as to help the people gain clarity and ensure that everyone is on the same page. He emphasized the imperative for patriotic people to understand the purpose of the gathering to be held on 31st May,and their rights that are being demanded. He noted that there must also be consideration given to how this gathering will impact communities.
 
Gregoire highlights that there are different political parties in the country, and that no one party should have more privilege than any other, asthe need for electoral & campaign finance reforms and free and fair elections is paramount in any democratic society. It ensures that all political parties have equal opportunities and that no one party can dominate the system. Meantime, although the report on electoral reform is taking longer than expected, a snap election was held by the DLP regime, yet they say they eagerly await the phase 2 report of the electoral reform consultant.
 

He questions whether the apparently very illusive electoral reform that is being sought is the same as what Antigua, Jamaica, and other nations have achieved in very quick time, such as the registration of voters in Dominica. Gregoire made the observation that the big deal over knowing where you live really defies logic. He also emphasizes that residency refers to where you actually live, your normal place of abode, not the number of days spent abroad, and that should be the factor for voting eligibility. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
He advocated that knowing the specific factor that determines your eligibility is crucial for exercising your right to vote. There must be no ambiguity and complete clarity about the manner in which this information is conveyed. Gregoire emphasizes the need for those promoting and demanding electoral reform to be precise in their demands and clearly articulate the specific changes they want to see. The significance of this cannot be overstated, as it is essential for everyone who is eligible to vote, to have a clear understanding of the laws and procedures for voting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host of the Global View on Q, Sheridan Gregoire.

Justice Dr. Irving Andre observes that the Byron proposals have had to be amended to reflect the views of the political directorate. This is evident from a draft report that changed the residency requirement to say that if you spend 90 days in Dominica over 5 years, that makes you eligible to vote. This is a completely baseless interpretation of Dominican laws and it's surprising that no other Caribbean Island has such a bizarre rule. He points out that the need for true electoral reform for members of the political directorate is glaringly obvious and yet it seems to be hiding in plain sight.

The corrupt practices of those in power have resulted in a blatant disregard for the welfare of the people they were elected to serve. He continues that the proposals from the legal luminary are being tailored to reflect an interpretation that gives the political directorate keys to the perpetual rule of Dominica. Andre notes that the sale of passports has become a lucrative business, with the profits being siphoned off into secret accounts. This illicit activity has led to an influx of construction projects throughout Dominica, serving as a cover for money laundering schemes. The consequences of such greed are far-reaching, as taxpayers are left to bear the burden of this corruption.

Justice Dr. Irving Andre.

Dominica’s winners of the Regional Schools Investment Competition were honored at the Arthur Waldron Seventh Day Adventist Academy (AWSDAA) in Portsmouth, on Thursday.
 
The Ministry of Education will host a small ceremony to recognize ‘The Gifted Profits’ of Arthur Waldron Seventh Day Adventist Academy as the In-Country winner for Dominica. They emerged winners over ‘Valiant Venturers’ of North East Comprehensive School, ‘Convent High School Communications Club’, ‘The Strategists’, of Dominica Community High School and the ‘Dominica Grammar School Financial Guru’. There will be certificates of participation for the students and certificates of appreciation for the teachers of those schools.
 
Regionally, The Gifted Profits came in third behind Antigua and Barbuda (Green Magnates Ent., Irene B. Williams Secondary) and Anguilla (Rainbow City Investors, Albena Lake- Hodge Comprehensive School).The competition was developed to be an engaging educational opportunity for high school and first-year college students, and it exposes them to investing while giving them the chance to directly experience the action of the stocks market.
 
The project, a joint effort between the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE), the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC), and authorized broker-dealers, aims to pique young people's interest in investing and to pave the way for them to become active market participants in the future. 

Social Activist Loftus Durand alluded to a biblical metaphor, suggesting that certain actions must be taken in Dominica to unlock the people's ambitions, hopes &aspirations. He stated that removing every obstacle hindering the people is crucial for enabling their full potential to thrive. He was speaking on the Workers Voice Program on Thursday evening.

​Durand expressed thanks to those who have fulfilled their commitments to contribute towards the upcoming electoral reform rally on May 31st and also conveyed his appreciation in advance to those who will be present in person on the specific date.

​Social Activist, Loftus Durand.

The Ministry of Small Business Development has partnered with the OAS to bring about the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project. Minister of State in the Ministry of Small Business Development Darren Pinnard says the main objective of the project is to enhance the capacity of women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the digital economy.

Meantime he says in the coming weeks, the ministry will also be hosting a health and wellness small business trade show at the stadium's forecourt on June 9th from 9am to 7pm.He says the main objective of the trade show is to create networking opportunities and to provide market exposure to small businesses.

Small Business Development Ministry Minister of State, Darren Pinnard.

​President of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, spoke on the Workers Voice program last night and expressed the importance of advocating for electoral and campaign finance reforms, and against the undue delays in the reform process. He encouraged Dominicans to stand together for free and fair elections. Linton argued that this call to action holds vital significance and purpose for the people, as the electoral process is a shared responsibility for ensuring free and fair elections are delivered to all.

​Linton emphasized that during the past 20 years, despite a lack of government turnover, one party has illicitly co-opted the electoral process, guaranteeing their continued authority by preventing any outcomes except for their own desires to remain in power.

​President of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton

​Pastor Randy Rodney has revealed that Truth and Grace Fellowship Global (TGFG) announced it is hosting a 2-day activity in commemoration of May 29, 1979, where Dominicans changed their government in a ‘constitutional overthrow’. They believe this date represents a pivotal season in the life of the Dominican people that changed the course of national management by the policy directorate.
 
Forty-four (44) years ago, the people of Dominica protested against perceived economic maneuvers and proposed legislation which were considered wrong and oppressive by the people. A wide cross section of people stood against what they thought was bad management of their nation at that time, and changed a government in what was termed at that time as a ‘constitutional overthrow’.
 
Questions persists for TGFG: did Dominicans learn important national and personal lessons from that era? Is there a Godly way to be freed from oppression? Is it possible to chart a path of right living for ourselves without destroying each other and valuable property? What is God’s direction for us as a people?
 
TGFG invited parliament to what has been dubbed Parliament Sunday Service on 28th May at 9:15 am, to both mark that date and hopefully hear from God on a Godly national direction. TGFG will also speak to the believing public on Sunday evening and the commemoration event will end on Monday with a celebration of praise featuring Samuel Medas out of Guyana.