We have to be more than just resilient at this time, and we have to transform our region, says ECCB Governor Mr. Timothy N J Antoine.
 
Mr. Antoine says with this transformative mindset engaged, one of the things he looks forward to most this new coming year, is the list of programs that are in train to see the recovery, resilience, and transformation of the economic sector.

​Governor of the ECCB Mr. Timothy N. J Antoine.

The Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project has handed one (1) 100 horsepower engine and over four (4) 50 horsepower engines to fishers from the fish landing sites of Roseau, Stowe, Scotts Head, Collihaut, and San Sauveur.
 
The Ministry of Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security, under the Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project purchased one hundred and eight (108) YAMAHA outboard motor engines to a total cost of EC$1,758,040.
 
The engines consisted of sixty-eight (68) 50 horsepower 4 stroke and forty (40) 100 horsepower 4 stroke engines. The cost of one 50 horsepower is ECS13,650, while the 100-horsepower cost EC$20,746.
 
The outboard motor engines were procured by Auto Trade Ltd. Presently, Auto Trade is undertaking training sessions for the beneficiaries in outboard motor maintenance and warranty. The company will also undertake, the testing of the engines and provide supervision to the fishers when mounting the engines.
 
Fisherfolks that are approved for boats under the project will receive a resilient seaworthy fishing boat ranging in length from 21 to 25 feet.At the close of the Fisheries Expressions of Interest (EOI) /Applications, the project received 212 applications for engines, 76 for boats, and 5 for canoes………*END* .

Let’s stand together, let's have one aim and one Goal, as Dominica belongs to all of us, and not just one set of people.
 
That’s according to Social Activist, Businesswoman and Co-host of the Sunday evening Civic Vibes program Ms. Paula Celestine.
 
Her sentiments came on the latest edition of the program over the weekend, where she highlighted the importance of unity, as opposed to division.

​She then questioned the mindset of some Dominicans who are quite comfortable with one man and government being in office for almost thirty years and says this is a mindset from which we need to break free.

​Social Activist, Business woman and Co-host of the Civic Vibes program Ms. Paula Celestine.

Though the NEP program helped some persons engage in cutting grass and planting flowers, it is not the only profession that people in the prime of life should aspire to. That’s according to Social Activist and Entrepreneur, Loftus Durand.
 
He was speaking on the Weekly Civic Vibes program where he shared some of his observations of the NEP program, saying that married men and women with children are now subjected to cutting grass for $600 a month, and that should not be the case.

He asked where are the manufacturers and other pillars of Dominica’s economy, that the country used to boast about.

​Social Activist and Entrepreneur, Loftus Durand

Former Agriculture Minister and Hotelier, Atherton Martin, says, many years ago, he uncovered the hypocrisy which exists in some members of the religious sector in Dominica.
 
He alleged some allegiance to corrupt political Leaders who carry out actions and decisions, contrary to the teachings of the God they profess.

Martin referred to the life of Former Magistrate Glenworth Emmanuel, and his intolerance for corruption in the legal profession and in government.

​Former Agriculture Minister and Hotelier, Atherton Martin

We have now pivoted to the recovery and resilience phase of our response to Cov19. So says Mr Timothy N J Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central bank.
 
Mr. Antoine says   looking ahead to next year, the region will see economic revival of the Currency union.
 
He says though the anticipation is not for a speedy recovery, but it is how many are looking forward to, and are optimistic about, the future.

​Governor of the ECCB Mr. Timothy N J Antoine.

The Ministry of Blue & Green Economy Agriculture and National Food Security Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project handed over Outboard Motor Engines to several Fisher folk on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the DAPEX Building in Fond Cole.The project handed over four (4) 50 horsepower and one (1) 100 horsepower engines to fishers from the fish landing sites of Roseau, Stowe, Scott’s Head, Collihaut and San Sauveur.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture is Reginald Thomas
 
The Project Manager is Kervin Stephenson.

The outboard motor engines were procured by Auto Trade Ltd. Presently, Auto Trade is undertaking training sessions for the beneficiaries in outboard motor maintenance and warranty. The company will also, undertake, the testing of the engines and provide supervision to the fishers when mounting the engines.  Nigel McPherson was the representative for Auto Trade.

ATL Rep Nigel McPherson
 
Agriculture Minister Fidel Grant shared a few remarks.

​Agriculture Minister, Fidel Grant.

Jeweler, Electrician and Auto mechanic, Mervin Jno Baptiste, calls for the abolishment of Dominica’s first past-the-post electoral system.
 
The firstpast-the-post (FPTP or FPP; sometimes formally called single-member plurality voting or SMP) electoral system, allows voters to cast their vote for a candidate of their choice, and the candidate who receives the most votes wins the seat (irrespective of vote share).
 
Jno Baptiste stated on Q95’s Global View on Q last week, that vote-share or increased proportionality needs to be implemented in the results and make up of Dominica’s governance moving forward.

​Jeweler, Electrician and Auto mechanic, Mervin Jno Baptiste.

Former National Cricketer and Fitness Coach of the Petro Caribe Pointe Michel FC Tyrone Theophile, is currently an ICU patient at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) following a traffic accident which occurred on December 25, 2020.
 
Over the last Decade, Tyrone Theophile has been hailed as one Dominica’s top Cricketers and is originally from Point Michel. Theophile, who captained the Windward Islands Volcanoes team for a few seasons at the regional level, has played a total of 68 first-class matches and has scored 3,055 runs at an average of 25.88. He has also taken 18 wickets at 34 runs apiece with his off spin.
 
According to Police Reports, 31-year-old Theophille, was involved in a motorcycle accident in the vicinity of the Roseau Post Office in the capital city Roseau and was rushed to the PMH.
 
Theophile has sustained serious head injuries due to the accident and is currently in dire need to be airlifted to the French island of Martinique for advanced Health Care Service. Citizens are being advised to pray for him and his family at this time

Q95 news can confirm that two members of the Dominica Police Force died over the Christmas Holidays. Reports indicate that Police Headquarters was first notified of a traffic accident, which claimed the life of police constable Philbert Williams.
 
The report indicated that Williams was riding his motorcycle heading southbound and collided with a red car near the building which formerly housed the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation (DBMC). His motorcycle was extensively damaged, and Williams was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical doctor.
 
Additionally, another report came in that corporal Ryan Shillingford, who is the son of accountant Roy Shillingford who was stationed at the Roseau Police Station in-charge of stores, was flown to Martinique for urgent medical attention a few weeks ago, has succumbed to his illness and passed away. Q95 news extends sincere condolences to the families of Ryan Shillingford and Philbert Williams