Salisbury MP Hector John has extended solidarity to the displaced residents of Silverlake. John told Q95 the people of the Salisbury Constituency will be lending a hand to Silverlake during the course of January 2017.
 
He is of the view that these families who suffered tremendous loss will overcome and recover, if the promises made to them are fulfilled.

​In an exclusive interview with q95 news, Dominica’s Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere said his firefighters experienced tremendous hostility, when they reported to the scene of the recent fire, which occurred in Silverlake on Monday evening.
 
Riviere believes the media could have done a better job to find out what happened on the scene of the incident.
 
Here is Dominica’s Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere:

​Many Dominicans are now questioning Attorney Anthony Astaphan’s credibility, based on recent statements made by Dominica’s Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere.
 
Recently, Astaphan allegedly said the Deputy Fire Chief had given the green light to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, to clear the debris from the site of the Sliver Lake fire.
 
Many people apparently felt the clearance of this site may have been undertaken prematurely, before a full and proper investigation as to the cause of the fire was completed. 

​Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere has not confirm that he gave the Prime Minister a report on the cause of the fire on Monday night. However, he confirmed to Q95’s Hot Seat show, Matt Peltier, that his investigations were concluded, but gave no time line as to when it was completed, or that he gave the Prime Minister the green light for clearance of the sight, on Monday night.
 
Riviere told Matt Peltier he did not remember the precise time when his investigations were concluded.

​Member of Parliament for the Castle Bruce constituency Johnson Drigo says that constituency continues to benefit from the opportunities which are created by the DLP Government.
 
The minister made these remarks during his 2016 Christmas message.
 
Drigo says these are in an effort to advance the lives of the constituents.

​Meantime, Drigo made mention of two major interventions which will be undertaken in 2017 in his constituency.

​Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux is reporting significant achievements within the Ministry of Health in 2016.
 
The Minister says however; there are many challenges still affecting the government's plan, to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible to its citizens.
 
In his 2016 Christmas message, Dr Darroux said in the new year,the government will remain focused on efforts to ensure sustainable health programs are implemented for all citizens.

​Dr Darroux says the government will also continue to invest heavily in the primary healthcare sector.

Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux

President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association Severin McKenzie says there is need for a strong manufacturing association.
 
McKenzie was speaking at the handing over ceremony of equipment to members of the Dominica Manufacturers association and local Agro-processors on Wednesday.
 
He says all that is being asked of the recipients of the equipment, is to recognize the importance of a strong manufacturers association.

​President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association Severin McKenzie

President of Dominica Essential Oils and Spices Cooperative Phillip Guiste says they are able to commence renovations on five out of the eight artisan distilleries, amidst the challenges facing the cooperative.
 
Last year several distilleries across the island suffered damage after the passage of TS Erika.
 
Guiste says upgrades will also be done in areas where the manufacturers will get a better yield from the leaf.

Meantime, Guiste says the rate of production at the distilleries have seen significant reduction since the passage of Erika.
 
He says the cooperative is also waiting on a response from the government with regards to site for the new distillery.
 
The main distillery utilized by the cooperative was destroyed at Petite Savanne during the passage of tropical storm Erika.

​President of Dominica Essential Oils and Spices Cooperative Phillip Guiste

​UWP Leader Lennox Linton is optimistic that Dominicans will unite to assist the displaced residents of Silverlake. Linton wants the government to hold true to its statements of assisting these residents, so as to return a sense of normalcy to their situation.
 
Linton added, resources are in government possession to have this completed in less than three months.

​Government hints that it may realign the Shawford/Cabanis area road that broke away on Wednesday. Public Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Kendall Johnson revealed that road was badly damaged from a landslide which swept part of it, down to a river some 100 feet below.
 
Johnson advised that the Ministry is conducting “an engineering assessment to determine the cause of the problem, and will do necessary surveys and design; with a view to advise on, or recommend a particular course of action.”
 
He explained, however, that the area is still unsafe and must be monitored at this time. He said it is likely that consideration will be given to a northern realignment of that road, that is, put the lanes closer toward the cliff; but they will work on doing the necessary engineering surveys, and then recommend a particular course of action.
 
Johnson believes the incident may be due to the heavy rains experienced by Dominica in in the past few days.

​Dominican Elijah Toulon was ordered to pay some $6,000 in fines and compensation, in the Magistrate’s Court in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), for criminal damage and wounding.
 
BVI News Online reported that Toulon and a Dominican woman were visiting the BVI. They got into a heated argument that turned into a fight.
 
Toulon injured the woman on her arm with a corkscrew, during the fight.
Observers reported the fight through the police emergency line. He was fined $2,000 for wounding the woman or two months’ imprisonment if it is not paid, when he appeared in court.
 
He was also ordered to pay $3,000 in compensation to the woman or serve six months in prison.
 
He was also fined $1,000 for damaging a window during the fight, and was ordered to pay the owner of the window $53.30.
 
In his defence, Toulon is reported to have claimed that the stabbing was an accident.