DFP member Michael Astaphan claims the Dominica Freedom Party has had a perfect Agricultural extension service that more than tripled the Agricultural Sector in Dominica. He contends that the DFP government under the leadership of late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles brought stability to the country and contributed significantly to the development of Dominica and its citizens. Some of these include housing, education, healthcare, stronger economy, island wide road rehabilitation programme; repairs, building and regular maintenance of feeder roads, proper administering of law and order, expansion with strong support services to the agriculture sector with regular inputs to farmers, market for agricultural produce, rural electrification, construction of schools and health centers; and, creation of a positive enabling environment for investment and expansion of businesses which saw the creation of new jobs both in the private and public sectors. Astaphan stated that progress made by the DFP has been destroyed by the DLP Administration, and as a result, several million dollars have to be spent to get things going once more. Executive member of the DFP & Entrepreneur, Michael Astaphan.
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Speaking at the Launch of the Skills to Access the Green Economy Program (SAGE),’ High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados, Marie Legault, says this CAD $50 million dollar project will help Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia become more resilient by supporting demand-driven technical and vocational education training (TVET) in key economic sectors associated with climate change in the Caribbean. Marie Legault went on to compliment Dominica’s Officials in the Ministry of Education, for seeking out this project, to establish Technical Vocation Education and Training in climate Smart construction and Carpentry. High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados, Marie Legault
Yoga guru, David Bowen noted a growing interest in yoga throughout the Caribbean. He says “By practicing yoga, we promote values that inspire a peaceful, environmental stewardship for the betterment of society and the earth. There should be more opportunities for staff and guests to experience wellness together, by creating a healthy community. He was speaking at a Travel Agents Selling the Caribbean (TASC) webinar to explore the vast potential of wellness tourism. Speaking on the benefits of yoga & the high level of blood pressure & other NCD’s in Caribbean people.He says yoga is a great tool to help curb this trend & encourages hotel staffs to be intimately involved with yoga. He says yoga builds not only muscle, but also builds vital organs. Yoga guru, David Bowen.
Digital Currency is expected to be readily available to all OECS Countries. That’s according to Sharmyn Powell, Chairperson, ECCB Fintech Working Group. Speaking in relation to persons who may still be skeptical about using DCAsh, or feel they are quite comfortable with using just cash, Ms. Powell says DCAsh is Faster, Safer, and Cheaper. Speaking on DCash, the digital version of the EC dollar, she explained that presently the program is a four-country pilot project, consisting of Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada St. Kitts & Nevis and St Lucia that will eventually be rolled out to all eight countries inclusive of Dominica. once the testing phase is complete. Sharmyn Powell Chairperson, ECCB Fin tech Working Group.
Member of the Dominica Arts & Literary Association (DALA), Matilda Popo, says when she got the invite from the founder (Dr Dale Dangleben) to join the Association, she did not hesitate, as the Vision and objectives of the Organization will serve Dominicans well into the future. Popo told the media recently, that her participation in DALA will increase her proficiency in the Arts. Dominica Arts & Literary Association (DALA) member, Matilda Popo.
On Thursday, Q95 news received an open letter from Dominican Businessman Gregor Nassief addressed to Former Dominica Attorney General Bernard Wiltshire, which reads as follows; Dear Mr. Wiltshire,I listened – but not with incredulity as little surprises me these days – as you spoke about the Government’s use of money and stated the following on a call with Matt Peltier on Q95 on Thursday, October 22, 2020:
Matt Peltier: So, your point is Mr Wiltshire, your point is that there are many other ways to make the money. Bernard Wiltshire: Of course, there are many other ways of making the money. And if he [Prime Minister Skerrit] was using that money I would not mind to actually put… take that money he is using and invest that in enterprises among the people. But what do you think he is doing?He is making his friends rich. He gave I think Mr. Nassief, which one, for Fort Young, something like 21 million dollars I understand. To do what? To destroy our national monument and put a whole silo of… concrete silo in the middle of Fort Young. To make money for whom? For the Nassief’s. Do you understand? For the record, as Chairman of the Fort Young since 2013, I can assure you that the hotel has not received $1 from the Government of Dominica to assist the business in any way. Zero loans, zero grants, zero equity. While all hotels have been knocked down by the pandemic, Fort Young was in a far worse position as we were caught in the middle of a major expansion and renovation with significant levels of bank debt. At a time when our shareholders were feeling the financial bite of this crisis, they came to our rescue to infuse equity in order to reduce debt so we could survive this crisis. But according to you, our shareholders did not put their hard-earned money into the business, they instead accepted $21 million dollars of “get rich” money from the Government. How can you as a former Attorney General utter such an absurd, blatant, and malicious lie? I believe you owe the shareholders of the Fort Young an apology – all 35 of us – including the Baron’s, the Bellot’s, the Charle’s, the Issa’s, the Mcintyre's, the Michael’s, the Munro’s, the Nassief’s, the Reid’s, the Rodriguez’s and the Rolle’s – for your disgraceful statements. And on the matter of destroying our national monument, once you have made a public apology to our shareholders, I will gladly offer you – and Matt if he so wishes – a personal tour of the “Fort” and of the “concrete silos” you speak of and show you the effort made and money spent to ensure that the historic fabric of the pre-Maria Fort remains in full tact. And after that tour, a second apology will surely be in order. Q95 news will attempt to contact Mr. Bernard Wiltshire for a response. The Caribbean islands are among the most vulnerable areas in the world to climate change, which puts their economy, environment and population at great risk. ‘The Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE),’ Programwhich was launched via Zoom on October 29, 2020, is funded by Global Affairs Canada/Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Speaking at the zoom meeting earlier today, Julita Palka of Algonquin College explained the purpose of the program in Dominica. Palka also gave a breakdown of how education systems of Canada and Dominica responded to the education challenges brought about by the advent of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Julita Palka told the media that the Ten Member Committee which oversees this project will be holding their first program advisory meeting November 2020and went on to explain the agenda for that meeting. Acting Manager of Partnerships & Programs in the Americas & Europe at Algonquin College International Education Centre, Julita Palka.
Distinguished Scholar Dr Neil Vaz studied African history extensively throughout the Caribbean, & concluded that the institutions, religion & education systems given to Mawons during colonialism can easily be rejected today. During his research visit to Dominica, in which he learnt of the maroon’s survival practices which he now applies to his life, he lamented that situation. Dr Neil Vaz was a panelist on the 'Global View on Q' program hosted by Sheridan Gregoire (Mr. G) on Tuesday night. Dr. Vas says if everyone starts to think as self-sufficiently as the Mawons they will be giving blows to the systems given to them. Distinguished African Studies Scholar, Dr. Neil Vaz.
Former Corporate Executive, Former Journalist, UWP Leader and Parliamentary Representative for the Marigot Constituency, Lennox Linton, has ‘once again revealed irregularities within the Skerrit Administration’s Housing CBI program – which allegedly is illegally diverting CBI revenues into a special account.’ Linton question’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s seemingspecial partnership with the construction firm, MMCE Ltd. This EDF Option is legally viable, however, according to Marigot MP Lennox Linton, the issue lies with the fact that this housing scheme, allows MMCE Ltd to use the country’s CBI revenue, to construct houses and make a development profit on the difference between the cost of the houses built & the amount of passport money collected for Housing. Based on the announcements and reporting of the Finance and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Health Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre, Linton says the government has cannibalized Dominica’s flagship direct cash contribution program. UWP Leader and Marigot Constituency MP, Lennox Linton.
At the fourth meeting of the first session of the tenth Parliament on 26th October, Senator Annette Sanford voiced her concern about the closure of out-patient clinics at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) now known as the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) as a result of limitations imposed by the Covid19 pandemic. Her concern was expressed during her contribution to the debate on the IDA loan facility for the OECS Health Project. Her expression of concern met with a hostile response from a Health Minister Irving McIntyre who accused her of being dishonest. In response to claims of dishonesty on the part of Senator Sanford made by the Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investments Dr. Irvin McIntyre, a memorandum from the hospital Medical Director of the PMH to all medical doctors was revealed. The memorandum dated October 23, 2020, re suspension of out-patient clinics was read out by the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Lennox Linton. The United Workers party expects an apology to be issued by the Minister of Health to Senator Annette Sanford. Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Lennox Linton.
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