Arson is suspected in a fire which occurred at the Pointe Michel church building on Friday evening7/25/2016 Authorities are reportedly treating a fire which occurred at the Pointe Michel church building on Friday evening, as a case of suspected Arson.
Reports indicate that the fire broke out at about 8:30 pm. The fire department in Roseau responded and went to the scene of the blaze. Several pews inside the church were reportedly damaged or destroyed. At this time, it is not certain as to the origin of the fire. However, Parish priest Fr. Peter Wamutitu reported that several weeks ago, a Dominican flag which was at the front of the church, was stolen. Q95 will follow this story and bring you an updated official report as it becomes available.
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Dominica boasts that 28% of its current electricity is generated from hydropower and wind power7/25/2016 Having achieved 28% of current electricity generation from hydropower and wind, Dominica says it can boast of being CARICOM’s forerunner in the use of renewable sources of energy, among the OECS countries.
According to a new ECLAC study, ‘Barriers to Identification and Implementation of Energy Efficiency Mechanisms, and Enhancing Renewable Energy Technologies in the Caribbean’, Dominica is the CARICOM member which consumes the largest proportion of its energy from renewable sources. In the wake of the 2008-2011 financial crisis, and recognizing that its dependency on fossil energy increased its vulnerability to supply and price fluctuations, Dominica said it decided to pursue sustainable energy strategies that support the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. As much as US$20 million in investments have already been made to develop the island’s geothermal energy potential. Solar and wind energy sources also exhibit high potential to satisfy the country’s energy needs. 2 multi-purpose pack-houses were officially commissioned in Goodwill and Portsmouth on Friday7/25/2016 Two DEXIA multi-purpose pack-houses were officially commissioned on Friday, with the aim of enhancing the quality of produce exported. They are located in Goodwill and Portsmouth. “Their proper and effective functioning will greatly enhance the quality of produce that leaves our country,” Agriculture Minister Johnson Drigo said, at the commissioning ceremony held at Longhouse, Portsmouth on Friday.
“We anticipate that necessary protocol & standard operating procedures will be put in place, to ensure consumers receive high-quality products after being processed through this facility.” He said the pack-houses will serve as clearing houses for all products exported or sold locally in supermarkets. He hopes they will offer package incentives, education, and training for farmers who wish to patronize them. He would like DEXIA to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and others, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness from the facilities. Meantime, Portsmouth Mayor Titus Francis wants farmers to recognize the effort that was made in constructing the facilities, to provide another avenue, one more step, in ensuring that market access is guaranteed for their products. He said, “I think what is necessary at this point in time, is that our farmers look at how best they can be more productive and efficient. I think it is critical for us to recognize the importance of these facilities, in moving the economy of this country forward”. Purchasing and installation of equipment for the proper functioning of the facility was made possible under the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) program. The Goodwill multi-purpose pack-house was renovated at a cost of EC$1.3 million. The Glanvillia pack-house was constructed at a cost of EC$3.1 million. Remodelling works at both of these facilities, were implemented at a cost of $336,000. Antigua Observer is reporting that Antigua & Barbuda has been reprimanded for failing to honour its obligations and to grant OECS nationals an indefinite stay stamp immediately upon their arrival into the country.
The report indicates that, when OECS citizens arrive on island, they must present themselves to the Immigration Department, where they must apply and pay a fee, before the indefinite status is granted. “The free movement is supposed to be what it is,” Director General of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States Dr Didacus Jules told OBSERVER media, at the end of the second OECS Assembly yesterday. “We have raised those concerns with the Cabinet and Prime Minister, and he said the matter will be addressed. Dr Jules said Antigua & Barbuda is the only independent member state of the OECS that does not grant the stamp immediately upon arrival. He noted that government has asked for “administrative respite” in implementing the measures, “but we expect that Antigua will be taking steps to comply with what all other member states do”. Under the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, member states agreed to the implementation of administration arrangements, to give effect to the free movement of people. As part of the arrangement, upon arrival, nationals who are part of the OECS Economic Union, will be offered an Indefinite Stay Stamp by Immigration. Apart from making an in-person appearance at the Immigration Department, a fee of $75, aa passport-size photo, and a job letter for those employed, also applies. The waiting time for the stamp can vary from one to three hours, according to individuals who went through the process. But Dr Jules said, “Treaty obligations are treaty obligations” adding that it would pose an interesting scenario if someone refuses to go through the process. P.S responds to allegations on missing funds in Morne Jaune Primary School Savings Program7/22/2016 P.S in the Ministry of Education, Marcella Powell, has denied claims that an individual alleged to be responsible for missing monies from the Morne Jaune Primary School Savings program has been promoted. Journalist Carlisle Jno Baptiste, Friday morning, issued a call to officials of the Ministry of Education to ensure that the said individual be held responsible. An audit conducted in October 2015, revealed the misappropriation of funds in the school's Savings program. But speaking to Q95's Hotseat Host Mathias Peltier Friday, Powell said the ministry is dealing with the matter and whatever decision has to be taken will be taken. Meanwhile, Journalist Carlisle Jno Baptiste, remains adamant that if the individual in question does not come forward and make payments available by Monday, he will make her identity public.
While Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that the tourism sector will get a huge chunk from this year's National Budget, Roseau Central MP, Joseph Issac, says over the years there has not been any significant performance within the sector.
He described the approach being taken by the Government as "lopsided" and suggests that a Tourism Development Fund be established for special development of existing hotels and hotel like projects. Roseau North MP, Daniel Lugay, wants roads in his constituency addressed in the upcoming budget.
Lugay, says the roads in his constituency are in a deplorable condition and while there have been allocations in previous budgets for roads within his constituency, no works have been done in that regard. " Roseau North needs some attention" says Lugay. Economist, Dr. Thompson Fontaine, says the DLP Administration lacks the vision to implement strategies which will seek to boost the local economy.
Dr. Fontaine made this statement after reviewing the estimates of the 2016/2017 National Budget. He says given the trends, he fears that in 2017 or 2018, Dominica would have had no success regarding the implementation of the National Budget or any significant growth in the economy. Roseau Central MP, Joseph Isaac, is of the view that the current DLP Admnistration is stale and tired and needs to be replaced.
Speaking objectively he says it is erroneous to say that the government has done nothing for the country however they have failed in every aspect of governance. He says many decisions made by the government lacked responsible strategic planning which would improve the country. Journalist, Carlisle Jno Baptiste, calls on officials of the Ministry of Education to ensure that the person behind missing funds from the Morne Jaune Primary School Savings Program is held responsible. According to an audit report dated October 5th 2015 for the period September 1st 2011 to August 31st 2015, a number of findings were revealed to include one withdrawal from an NCCU account during that period despite several payments to members, as well as no deposits made despite several collections. Jno Baptiste outlined a number of other fraudulent activities as highlighted in the audit report. According to Jno Baptiste, the auditor shared the view that the perpetrator used this savings program as a personal cash flow and made a number of recommendations to the school's principal to include ensuring that the person responsible for conducting transactions during the period of audit repay the cash shortage.
Jno Baptiste has threatened to make public the name of the person involved if monies are not paid by Monday July 25th 2016. |
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