​The theme for this year's Independence celebrations is "Strengthening our commitment to nation building" and local Pastor, Randy Rodney, calls for the removal of barriers and obstacles which he says impedes nation building.
Pastor Rodney called on all citizens to remove every thought, individual and idea that will hold back efforts at nation building.  

​Meanwhile, he issued some advice to PM Skerrit. 

​Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has given his government's commitment to advancing education here. 

Addressing the official opening of the Newtown Primary School this week, Skerrit said in this current dispensation of globalisation, countries can only survive with a highly educated and skilled society. 

He boasts that no other government has surpassed the contributions made towards Education by the DLP Administration. 

​Wesley MP, Ezekiel Bazil, calls on Ministry of Agriculture to send swift assistance to the farmers of Dominica.
He says the farmers have faced losses due to the passage of TS Matthew however they are zealously waiting to get back on track.
Therefore, Bazil appeals to the MOA to support the farmers, in order to maintain their spirit for their craft.

​Hunters get your gear ready; the Government of Dominica has approved the temporary lifting of the ban on hunting and fishing in freshwater streams for the period October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
According to a release from the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, during that period, licensed hunters and licensed freshwater fishermen may hunt Crabs, Freshwater species (to include Crayfish, Mullets, Shrimps and Freshwater Crabs), Agouti, Manicou and Rammier only.
As a reminder it is an offence under the Forestry & Wildlife Act to hunt or fish in freshwater streams without a valid licence, and that the hunting of all other species of animal, including the Mountain Chicken, all Birds, and Iguanas is strictly prohibited.
The release also stated that the exportation or attempts to export wildlife from the state without a valid export license issued at the office of the Director of Forestry is a violation of the Forestry and Wildlife Act and is punishable upon conviction by a fine and or imprisonment.  

​The Dominica Cancer Society's annual 'Walk for Cancer Care' is on again on Saturday October 1st, 2016 from four p.m.
Following the usual route, participants will gather at Mam's in Massacre and Melvina's in Pointe Michel and walk to the Cruise Ship Berth on the Bayfront.  A few short addresses, testimonies and performances will round off the event. 
This walk is meant for everyone, including those who have been affected by cancer directly or indirectly.  

​Roseau North MP, Danny Lugay, is of the view that there is a willful hesitation to implement electoral reform in Dominica.
 
Lugay reported that on page 8 of the May 5th 2005 general Elections report, then chief Elections Officer Marina Williams made an urgent call to authorities to put into effect electronically generated ID cards to prevent any form of fraud and bribery.
 
Additionally another call was made by the current electoral commission to create the ID cards, however he says to date no significant step has been taken by the relevant authorities to resolve this issue.

​MP for the Roseau North Constituency Danny Lugay

​Opposition Leader Lennox Linton calls for an end to the selective distribution of fertilizers to farmers in Dominica.
He says the fertilizer was donated by the EU and its distribution should not be coloured by politics, especially after losses sustained following tropical storm Matthew.
Linton says the fertilizer does not belong to politicians no matter their position within the government therefore it is time to give out the  fertilizer to the farmers in order to allow them to do their part in nation building.

​As the Independence season draws nearer, Opposition Leader Lennox Linton says he hopes that Dominica recognizes the hypocrisy against the season’s theme.
Linton says that nation building is about everyone and does not include “tactical exclusion” of anyone for the work needed to be done to move the country forward.

​Discover Dominica Authority partnered with three schools as part of Wellness Month celebrations in September.  Yoga sessions were organized for students of the Christian Union Primary School, TC Sunbeam Preschool and the Convent High School.  The sessions were conducted by practitioners from the Yoga Teachers Committee of the Dominica Spa, Health and Wellness Association (D-SHWA). 
 
The activities coincided with the national and regional observance of Caribbean Wellness Month.  According to a release, the objective of the activity was to encourage students to stay healthy by engaging in physical activity.
 
Other activities by Discover Dominica Authority for the observance of Wellness Month included weekly social media posts and promotion of wellness packages offered by hoteliers and radio talk shows.