Social Scientist Simeon Joseph has strongly vocalized his strict opposition to the practice of Dominicans traveling from overseas back to the island solely to cast their ballots in local elections. In response to some calls for the modernization of the voting process to accommodate individuals residing abroad, Joseph offered a clear and categorical refusal. 

He emphasized that the underlying principles of elections must be carefully preserved, arguing that the democratic process requires a much deeper level of engagement than merely showing up to mark a ballot or place a checkmark on election day. 

According to Joseph, the primary objective of any election is to protect structural integrity and guarantee public equity through a thoroughly meaningful electoral response. He asserted that a properly functioning democratic framework must foster environments where both freedom and fairness are rigorously maintained. 

Without these two critical pillars, Joseph concluded that voters are effectively stripped of their collective voice, leaving everyday citizens with minimal control over the true developmental direction and governance of their country.

Managing Director of the Dominica Geothermal Development Company, Fred John explained that commissioning of the geothermal power plant includes bringing it into regular service as intended.The testing phase of the geothermal power plant is complete and commissioning continues. 

John joined General Manager of Dominica Electricity Services Limited, Dwayne Cenac on national radio last week to discuss geothermal energy transition in Dominica. He explained that commissioning of the geothermal power plants consists of two parts with the ultimate goal of finding the issues and fixing them before it can be signed off on as ready.

The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. convened its Fourth Annual General Meeting on June 28, 2026, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to advance Dominica's honey industry. During 
the session, members elected a new Board of Directors. Mr. Kevin James was re-elected as President for a second consecutive term. 

Joining him on the executive team are Ms. Vernella Orlé as Vice President, Mr. Leroy Cyprien as Treasurer, Ms. Afreda Joan Paul as Secretary, Dr. Cyril Robinson as Assistant Treasurer/Secretary, and Mr. Vincent Simon as the newly elected Public Relations Officer, alongside several board members.Following the election, President James thanked the membership for their trust, noting that the renewed mandate would challenge the cooperative to expand opportunities for beekeepers, improve product quality, and strengthen key partnerships. 

The meeting also emphasized the strategic development of the sector, focusing on food security, biodiversity, and international market competitiveness. Vice President Orlé stated that developing the industry requires collective action to establish a strong national honey brand that reflects the quality and authenticity of Dominican honey. 

This sentiment was echoed by the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Keian Stephenson, who invited the cooperative to collaborate on a proposed National Apiculture Facility and stressed the value of a unified national brand. Additionally, FAO International Value Chain Expert, Ms. Vermaran Extravour delivered the feature address, highlighting that robust value chain development and strong collaboration among governments, partners, and beekeepers are vital to successfully accessing higher-value global markets.

Photo: DOM767 

The Mitchum Bridge is nearing completion as the just over 135-million-dollar Loubiere to Bagatelle Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Project continues. Implemented in phases, the project involves the rehabilitation and upgrading of approximately 10 to 11 kilometres of roadway along the island’s southern corridor. 

Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB, works include road widening and resurfacing, slope stabilization, improved drainage systems, construction and rehabilitation of bridges and culverts. The project officially started in September 2025 and is expected to take 18 months to complete. 

The contract for this project was awarded to the joint venture of Sotradom/Offshore Civil & Marine Inc. 

Joseph Floissac, Engineer and Project Manager recently gave an update on the project and said finishing touches are being done on the Mitchum Bridge.

Three senior health officials from Dominica are currently representing the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services and the Dominica Hospitals Authority at a seminar on hospital management for Belt and Road partner countries in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. 

The delegation includes Dr. Mutiu Olagunju, Director of Primary Healthcare Services; Nursing Manager Mrs. Cornelia Darroux-Edmund; and Hospital Administrative Assistant Ms. Lyndelle Felix. 

The programme brings together government officials and healthcare administrators from Belt and Road countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation in areas such as health governance, hospital administration, and the development of more resilient healthcare systems. 

Organizers say the initiative is designed to share China’s experience in healthcare management while supporting participating countries in identifying solutions tailored to their own national health needs. It also forms part of broader South-South cooperation efforts aimed at building a global community focused on equitable healthcare access. 

Among the featured contributors is Ms. Yang Baozhen, Chief Adviser for the China Small Business Entrepreneur Association, who is providing insights during the discussions.

Kalinago Upliftment Minister Cozier Frederick has said that the 15 newly certified Kalinago tour guides will play an important role in preserving the community’s culture and promoting key aspects of Kalinago heritage. 

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Monday, Frederick noted that tour guides enhance the visitor experience when people visit the Kalinago Territory. He emphasized the importance of sharing accurate narratives about the Kalinago people, rather than allowing misconceptions or external perceptions to define their identity.

A standard reform process is usually expected to properly address systemic gaps, yet local updates reveal that the changes passed into Dominica's law left a significant divide between the recommendations and the actual legislation. 

Key pillars—including residency requirements, bribery enforcement, campaign finance rules, and the overall structure of the Electoral Commission—were significantly watered down or entirely ignored before the bills advanced. 

This outcome led to an opposition boycott of the 2022 elections, allowing the bills to pass through Parliament without any opposing votes. Although Senator Paris later attempted to introduce amendments on the House floor to close some of these legal gaps, his proposals never progressed, leaving the country with laws that fall short of what was recommended. 

Further concerns have emerged regarding the actual implementation of these new laws, which critics describe as an unconstitutional shift away from standard democratic practices. Businessman Gregor Nassief pointed out that voter registration has been suspended for a year. 

Concurrently, the country held local elections during a period when individuals were unable to register to vote. Nassief stressed that both the prolonged suspension of voter registration and conducting elections under such conditions fail to align with constitutional standards.

The Kalinago Territory marked a significant milestone on Monday as 15 residents graduated from a tour guide certification programme aimed at enhancing tourism and preserving the community's cultural heritage. 


Addressing the graduates during the ceremony, Kalinago Chief Annette Thomas-Sanford said they now carry an important responsibility to accurately share the history and culture of the Kalinago people with visitors. She emphasized that the newly certified tour guides have a key role to play in correcting misconceptions and inaccurate narratives that have long been told about the Kalinago community. 


The initiative was made possible through a partnership involving Seacology, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization and Kalinago Upliftment, along with support from the Dominica State College and the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association, which delivered the training.

A virtual ceremony held on May 20, 2026, recognized 172 OECS scholarship recipients for completing a year-long advanced digital skills training program through the University of the West Indies Global Campus. Funded by the World Bank, the initiative aims to equip regional citizens to thrive in a technology-driven workforce. 

Mrs. Sisera Simon of the OECS Commission emphasized that digital competency is now a necessity for sustainable development, while Dr. Francis Severin of UWI noted that the graduates' discipline demonstrates that Caribbean citizens are fully prepared to lead in global digital innovation. 

The ceremony highlighted the practical nature of the program, which integrated mentorship, professional group assignments, and organization memberships. Certified participant Shazelle Isaacs Burke shared that the curriculum went beyond theory, challenging students to apply their knowledge directly to their careers and personal development. 

To maximize the program's impact, the event concluded with the launch of the OECS Digital Skills Bank, a centralized database designed to connect these newly certified professionals with regional employment opportunities.